There has been a lot of angst over healthcare in the Valencia region of late.Early expat retirees have been able to access free healthcare in the Valencia regio and many have said that they only came to the region because of the free healthcare.However the law is now changed and those early retirees who wish to access the NHS in Spain will now have to pay 270 euros a quarter for the privilege.It is this which has caused the furore.

The Valencia government is now sayin g that this “new ” law is not new at all and that the previous one had never really existed in the first place.Yet many thousands of these early retirees were issued a SIP card and received free healthcare.

Now the Valencia government has said that they are willing to look at each case on its merit for those on low incomes.The members of PUMA22 are now asking for full details of the scheme for low income individuals and how and where to apply.There is a planned protest march in Alicante on December 10 where they will present a letter to the British Ambassador.

The Valencia government is adamant that they did not entice people to the region with promises of free healthcare.The Embassy feel that it is very fair of the government to look at each case to ascetain whether they might have an entitlement.

There is an issue in that those who are over the age of 65 have paid all of their dues in the UK and the UK authorities have a reciprocal agreement with Spain.However these early retirees may not have paid all of their dues in the UK and therefore may not have any entitlement .Consequently they need to go into the private sector or if they are working in Spain they need to pay their social security payments.The 270 euros a quarter seems like a good deal when one considers what private insurance can cost.