If you are travelling to Spain, you should ensure that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident.
The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting. In some cases this might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK and you may have to make a contribution towards the cost of your care.
Travel Insurance
For short term trips, it is advisable to acquire travel insurance as this can be obtained for a very reasonable cost. It will supplement the EHIC card by covering additional costs such as translation services as most doctors will not speak English.
The NHS operate a website providing comprehensive information about healthcare abroad at For more related information from the official government website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/travellers.
Healthcare if Relocating to Spain
The Spanish state health care scheme (INSALUD) is very similar to the UK's National Health Service in that the quality of care available is incredibly high for emergency, basic health care and treatment.
As a rule of thumb the state health care system in Spain will cover all your doctor appointments, ambulance and hospital costs as well as medical tests, it subsidises the cost of medication, covers basic dental treatment and covers complete ante and post-natal care.
People relocating to Spain will often supplement the free services offered by the state with the purchase of private health insurance. This is because the state system will sometimes only cover up to 75% of the cost of treatment, leaving patients to find the remaining amount.
Private Health Insurance
A private health insurance policy can prove to be good value as it will cover the additional costs, speed up waiting times and bed shortages, and of course, provide for translation of consultations with medical staff. Most will also cover the cost of dental treatment and most importantly, annual health checks.
Working in Spain
If you are intending to work in Spain, you will need to sign up for the Spanish state healthcare scheme and contributions will be deducted automatically from your wages. An application should result in you receiving your social security card and number in a few weeks later and you can use this whenever you need medical attention.
E111 and EHIC Card
From 1 January 2006, the old E111 form that people used to complete in order to obtain health care in Spain is no longer valid. It has been replaced by the EHIC or European Health Insurance Card.
You can apply for your EHIC card by telephone or by post but the quickest and simplest way to get an EHIC is to apply online. All you need to do is simply visit https://www.ehic.org.uk/ InternetPROD/home.do.
The following information is for British nationals living permanently in Spain and visiting the UK.
From April 1st 2008, British nationals who permanently reside in Spain will have to present the Spanish equivalent of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if the require medical treatment whilst visiting the UK or any other EU member state.
This applies to UK nationals who either: Live in Spain and make Spanish Social Security contributions or Live in Spain and receive healthcare while receiving a state pension or long term incapacity benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions through the registration of an E121.
Failure to present the Spanish EHIC could result in your being considered as a private patient, which may mean you are charged for your treatment. The Spanish equivalent of EHIC is called la Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea and can be applied for at your local Spanish social security office(INSS). These cards have to be renewed anually. (UK nationals who use an E106 do not need to apply for the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea. They can continue to use their UK EHIC.)
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If you are travelling to Spain, you should ensure that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident.
