Moving to Fuerteventura

Moving from a damp colder country to the warmer climate and weather in Fuerteventura may give a person aninstant health boost. It certainly did for us – my asthma very rarely rears its ugly head.

There is less in the way of traffic pollution, the air is warmer and drier, the joints and muscles just don’t ache like they previously did.  However, don’t take all of this for granted. There will without doubt come a time when you really do need some medical help, and if you are not fluent in the local lingo – then visiting your healthcare centre in Fuerteventura can be extremely nerve racking.

The healthcare service in Fuerteventura is of an excellent standard – as indeed in the whole of Spain itself. There are very few towns on the Island without a dedicated healthcare centre – so there should be one close enough by.

To find your nearest… click HERE for a list of the Hospitals and Health Centres in Fuerteventura

People coming from European countries have the right to free medical care. However, it will be helpful to pick up your EHIC card from the Post Office before you move. This will ensure that you are covered for the first three months free healthcare. After that, you will need to get your “Tarjeta de Social Seguridad”. We got ours from our Asesoria – but if you are not working here, then you will need to make other arrangements for health care in Fuerteventura.

When visiting a doctor at your health centre – you are entitled to be accompanied, by someone who can speak Spanish — especially as most of the health care professionals on the Island speak only Spanish. This does not need to be a relative (unless you are a minor) but can simply be someone that you don’t mind knowing your “ins and outs”. Just as in the UK, if you are not happy with the Doctor you have been assigned, then you can change – but do not expect this to be easy… just as it isn’t always easy in the UK.  Remember also, that queueing isn’t a Spanish thing, so you may find people jumping ahead. Don’t get upset by this… just gently and politely make your presence known. Of course if it is an emergency, then head to the hospital in Puerto del Rosario

Stay healthy!