The Spanish Convenio Especial - find out more

The primary drawbacks of joining Spain's Convenio Especial for healthcare or pension contributions include limited coverage, potential language barriers in the public system, and longer wait times for specialized care compared to private alternatives. Certain services and benefits are explicitly excluded. 

Healthcare (Convenio Especial de asistencia sanitaria) 

• Limited coverage: The basic agreement provides access to the public health system but does not cover certain costs, such as prescription medications, dietary products, and some orthopedic and prosthetic supplies. This differs from full coverage under the standard Social Security system.

• No European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): Enrolling in the Convenio Especial for healthcare does not entitle you to an EHIC for use during temporary stays in other EU countries. You will need to purchase separate travel insurance.

• Potential for long waiting lists: As part of the public health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud), you may experience long waiting times for specialist appointments, non-emergency procedures, and surgeries.

• No choice of doctor or hospital: You are assigned a doctor and a health center based on your residence. Unlike with private insurance, you cannot choose your preferred specialists or visit private hospitals.

• Language barrier: While many medical professionals in public hospitals are multilingual, finding English-speaking staff is not guaranteed. Access to translation services in hospitals may be limited, making communication difficult if you don't speak Spanish.

• Residency requirement: You must have been legally residing in Spain for at least one year before you can apply for the healthcare Convenio Especial.

• Family members must enroll individually: The agreement is on an individual basis, and there is no family-rate option. Family members must join and pay separately. 

Social Security pension contributions (Convenio Especial de cotización)

• Partial benefits covered: While the Social Security convenio allows you to continue contributing to maintain or improve your pension rights, it typically only covers common contingencies like retirement, permanent disability, and death and survival benefits. It does not cover temporary leave, maternity/paternity, or unemployment.

• Cannot make up for gaps at will: You must meet a minimum contribution period (usually 1,080 days in the 12 years prior to applying) to be eligible for the standard version of the convenio. You cannot use it to fill in a significant, distant gap in your work history without meeting the requirements.

• Can be costly: The monthly fees can be a significant expense, especially for older contributors. Depending on your age and pre-existing conditions, comparable private insurance could be a similar cost or even less expensive, though private options may be less comprehensive.

• Risk of termination: The agreement can be terminated if you fail to pay the monthly fees for a consecutive period (usually three months). If this happens, you cannot re-enroll until you have settled the debt.