Posted: Thu Oct 1, 2020 5:04pm
If you are <66 years of age you need private health insurance (PHI) to gain Residency. You would need to disclose your pre-existing conditions. Your PHI might be costly, but after a year you can switch to paying-into to Spain's state NHS, and this is non-discriminatory with regard to pre-existing conditions.
To gain Residency, you also need a home (deeds or lease) and proof of financial income.
There are big benefits to gaining Residency (or at least to get your application in) before the end of the year.
If you gain Residency quickly you will (a) get free healthcare in Spain - supported by the UK - at age 66, and (b) benefit from annual State Pension increments when you get your state pension. If you leave it until next year, you lose these long term benefits.
PHI does not cover prescriptions. Pharmacies can sell these over-the-counter.