Moving to Spain with Type-1 Diabetes

[Theodore Taylor]

Hi, everyone!

I have some seen some similar threads but none that quite match my situation so really hoping someone can share their knowledge with me.

I work as an ESL teacher and I am going to move from the UK to Tarragona for 8 months in September. I am a type-1 diabetic and so I need a way of getting my medication while I am here. A lot of the jobs here are no-contract and so it seems like I will have to pay the 270 euro monthly social security fee myself, but I can't afford it on my salary. Most ESL teachers seem to just work without healthcare cover but as I said, I need to get insulin.

I know that long-term, the problem is with my pay, and not with the system itself, and if I settle permanently, I will have to find a better paying job to cover these expenses.

In the meantime, is there any way I can get my insulin in Spain?

Can I import it from the UK? Can I get my family to post my prescription and fill it here?

Is there any temporary cover I could obtain? Any other ideas?

My trip seems impossible at the moment so I will be so so grateful for any help.

Thanks!

Theo

 

[Robin]

Hi, everyone!

I have some seen some similar threads but none that quite match my situation so really hoping someone can share their knowledge with me.

I work as an ESL teacher and I am going to move from the UK to Tarragona for 8 months in September. I am a type-1 diabetic and so I need a way of getting my medication while I am here. A lot of the jobs here are no-contract and so it seems like I will have to pay the 270 euro monthly social security fee myself, but I can't afford it on my salary. Most ESL teachers seem to just work without healthcare cover but as I said, I need to get insulin.

I know that long-term, the problem is with my pay, and not with the system itself, and if I settle permanently, I will have to find a better paying job to cover these expenses.

In the meantime, is there any way I can get my insulin in Spain?

Can I import it from the UK? Can I get my family to post my prescription and fill it here?

Is there any temporary cover I could obtain? Any other ideas?

My trip seems impossible at the moment so I will be so so grateful for any help.

Thanks!

Theo

Hello, Theo, and welcome to the forum. I can't help personally, but we do have a member @Bloden who has just moved back to the UK from Spain, so hopefully she will see this.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

You might also want to check out Mike Young's 'Diabetes in Spain' blog. He's an ex-pat who may be able to help with your questions.
http://www.diabetesinspain.com/

 

[grovesy]

Hello, Theo, and welcome to the forum. I can't help personally, but we do have a member @Bloden who has just moved back to the UK from Spain, so hopefully she will see this.

I too immediately thought of her too.

 

[Bloden]

Hi there, Theo.

I was working as a teacher in Spain when I was diagnosed. I had a contract so my boss was paying my contributions - I was already part of the Spanish nhs and had access to everything I required, unlike you, so I can’t advise you on your particular situation unfortunately.

You need to find a job with a contract, basically, even if it’s only for a few hours a week (I think the legal requirement is 12 hours a week to get access to their nhs - mind you, it’s flexible...a friend of mine was only contract-working 6h/wk and had access). That way, you get the full package - blood tests, an endo, etc etc.

Sorry I can’t be more help. You can buy everything over the counter in Spain, but insulin...probably not.

Good luck!😛

 

[Bloden]

I too immediately thought of her too.

No wonder my ears were burning!

 

[Bloden]

Me again!🙄 If you can get the cash together to pay the monthly self-employed fee, you’re automatically paying your contributions and have access to their NHS...forgot to say...you probably already know that tho.