Category: News

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

What should you be paying for prescriptions?

Prescription prices can come as a shock in Spain as there is no set fee like there is in the UK.

Back in England, you pay a standard charge of £8.40, although some items are free. Many people are also entitled to free prescriptions including over-60s; people with disabilities; pregnant women or who’ve had a baby within the past 12 months; under-16s; and 16-18s in full-time education.

However this is not the case in Spain. If your annual income is less than €18,000, workers pay 40% of the cost of the medication with no upper limit while state pensioners contribute 10% with a cap of €8 per month. If your income is between €18,000 to €100,000 and you are of working age then you contribute 50% with no cap and state pensioners contribute 10% with an upper limit of €18 per month. Both workers and pensioners pay 60% of the costs if their income is more than €100,000 with no cap if you’re of working age and €60 a month for pensioners.

Therefore, if you are paying more than you should, speak to your pharmacist or health centre to find out how to claim a refund. You may be wondering how the pharmacist knows how much to charge in the first place. The information comes from your annual resident tax declaration, which is another good reason to make sure this is filled in each year. Without this information, blanket charges of 40% for nonpensioners on low incomes and 10% for pensioners will be made but there will not be any cap to your monthly contribution.

Soon these financial details will be incorporated into your SIP health card. If you are not entitled to a SIP card in Spain or would like to top up your cover with private health insurance, please get in touch.

Back to News

Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page.

You can call in to the Javea or Almeria office, phone 966 493 082 (Javea landline)
or +44 20 8684 3464 (UK). For Almeria, you can phone the landline 950 049 431.

Keeping you informed - about all things ex-pat

Spain seeks to reassure expats

Spain is keen to hold talks with the UK to discuss what happens after Britain leaves the EU. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is hopeful that a deal can be struck to defend the rights of British expats so we are not affected by political decisions.

His words are reassuring for the 1.3 million Britons living in Europe, according to United Nations figures. However there is still a lot to be thrashed out such as health care and pension rights for retired expats who, at present, receive state medical care in Spain.

These negotiations are expected to take place after the EU summit. In the meantime, Rajoy tried to put expats’ minds at rest by saying: “I hope that we will soon be able to tell them: Don’t worry, nothing is going to change for the Spaniards in the United Kingdom, nor for the Britons in Spain.” He has met Theresa May who agreed they want to come to an early agreement over reciprocal residency rights for their citizens.

As well as the Brits who have made Spain their home, the Prime Minister is keen for UK tourists to continue coming over. It’s big business for the Mediterranean country when you consider that last year about 17 million Brits flew in for a holiday. His views are shared by Spain’s foreign minister Alfonso Dastis who said they did not want to ‘punish’ the UK for leaving the EU. He said in an interview with the Financial Times that they do not see it as a battle where someone comes out on top and added that Spain is keen to keep a close relationship with the UK.

This could also be because Spain exports far more to the UK than vice versa, along with the huge boost to the economy by British tourists. Hopefully, therefore, our adopted homeland will be eager to reach an agreement meaning holidaymakers keep flocking to its beaches.

However, there is likely to be a stumbling block over the rock of Gibraltar as Spain has long sought to take control of it. The subject of the territory off southern Spain will be brought up during Brexit talks with Rajoy keen for all decisions affecting Gibraltar to be made jointly between the UK and Spain.

“I think that our proposal of shared sovereignty is quite reasonable,” Rajoy said, although neither Britain nor Gibraltar agree with him.

Golden Leaves International will be watching very closely on how Brexit unfolds and if you have any questions or would like advice on health cover please get in touch.

Back to News

Any more Questions?
We’re here to help

If you would like more detailed information about all of your options, use the contact form on this page. Alternatively, phone us on the following numbers:

You can call in to the Javea or Almeria office, phone 966 493 082 (Javea landline) or +44 20 8684 3464 (UK). For Almeria, you can phone the landline 950 049 431.

Would you like a free callback?
x
Speak with an expert

For a callback, enter your name & number below, and we will call you back.

Callback Now or Schedule Callback

Select 'Call me now' for a callback within the next 30 mins, available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Otherwise click 'Schedule callback' to arrange a time in the next few days.

Please choose the best time
for us to call you back.

Schedule Callback

Thank you, we look forward to speaking soon!

We’ll be calling you back from +34 966 493 082

What our customers think...

Trustpilot

Golden Leaves International - A helping hand for over 30 years

Contact Us on:
Tel. 0034 966 493 082
Outside the UK + 44 20 8684 3464
Algorfa Office: Calle Albatera 1-68,,
Urb La Finca Golf, 03169 Algorfa Alicante.
Company Reg. No: B98627813

Golden Leaves Limited, trading as Golden Leaves International, is a funeral plan provider and credit broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.  Firm Reference Number 960923.  You can check this on the Financial Services Register. Golden Leaves SL provides wealth management, legal services and insurance services acting as an insurance distributor for service providers.  Registered with the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP), reference number C0448B98627813.  You can check this on the DGSFP Register at http://rrpp.dgsfp.mineco.es/Mediador.

© Copyright Golden Leaves 2026