Health care when visiting Spain

If you are visiting Spain then make sure you  carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area (EEA). The EHIC entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment in Spain.

Because the EHIC may not cover all the medical costs incurred you are strongly advised to take out travel insurance so that you are covered for all possible eventualities. You will not be covered by an EHIC if the main purpose of your visit here is to receive medical treatment.

The EHIC can be used to receive treatment for pre-existing and chronic diseases, but conditions apply so check with your healthcare provider before you travel. Maternity care is covered by the EHIC while you are in Spain, but if you are coming here specifically to have a baby then you will need to complete an E112 form.

The EHIC is not valid if you are moving abroad to live or going abroad to work for a foreign employer.

Make sure that you establish that the medical practitioner works within the Spanish State Health Service. Treatment under the EHIC arrangements is only provided by practitioners within the Spanish Health Service.

If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency make it clear that you have an EHIC and that you will want to be treated under the EC arrangements. Any time you need treatment, have a photocopy of your EHIC form ready; show the doctor the original and hand over the copy.

Dental treatment (unless in exceptional emergency circumstances) is not generally provided under the state system and the costs will not be reimbursed.

Spanish doctors, health centres and hospitals have separate surgery times for private patients and those being treated under the health service. If you are asked to pay you are not being treated under the Spanish Health Service and your EHIC form will not be accepted.

Medicines prescribed by health service practitioners can be obtained from any pharmacy (farmacia). You will have to pay up to 40% of the cost unless you are a UK or other EEA pensioner when the medicines come free of charge.

Hospital treatment is arranged by a doctor. If you require urgent treatment it will be provided free of charge in a public ward at a public hospital. You will have to pay 40% of the cost unless you are a UK or other EEA state pensioner when the treatment is free of charge.

Make it clear that you are being treated under the EHIC agreement or you will be charged as a private patient and will not get your money back as under the terms of the Spanish Health Service refunds of private patient charges are not made.

Also make that sure you have private medical insurance in case you are treated in an emergency in a private hospital.

You can apply for an EHIC form online by clicking on the link.