In August of 2012 a Royal Decree was approved denying healthcare to those people who up until now were attended to free of charge, in either a healthcare facility or with a public healthcare system specialist. Included among these people were both illegal immigrants residing in Spain, as well as family members of Spaniards belonging to non-EU member countries.
Due to the different implementation of the law among immigration offices, family members of Spaniards belonging to non-EU member countries may obtain a NIE without having to fulfil the private medical insurance requirement. However, this may put them at risk of being denied healthcare coverage.
The Superior Court of Justice in Catalonia has granted, in this case the mother of the Spanish national, the right to public healthcare without the need of private health coverage. This decision may be applicable to whomever counts as a family member of any EU member state national since they may be beneficiaries of an EU citizen Residency Card for Relatives.
Translated by: Katherine Pascal