Country-by-country guide

The Department of Health has two offices in Spain to deal with healthcare enquiries from British nationals visiting or residing in Spain. You can find useful information on the Healthcare in Spain website, run by the Department of Health and the Valencia Health Authority.

If you have a query regarding healthcare in Spain and are in Barcelona, Balearic Islands, the Costa Blanca, Costa Dorada or Costa Brava please contact:

The Pension, Benefit & Healthcare Team
British Consulate
Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, 1 2
Apartado de Correos 564
03001 Alicante

• Telephone: 902 109 356 (if calling from within Spain)

• Telephone: (+34) 91 334 2194 (International/alternative number)

• Fax: (+34) 96 514 05 28

• E-mail: Alicante.Consulate@fco.gov.uk 

If you are in Madrid, the Canary Islands, on the Costa del Sol or in another region of Spain not mentioned please contact:

The Pension, Benefit & Healthcare Team
British Consulate
Calle Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2
Edificio Eurocom
29006 Malaga

• Telephone: 902 109 356 (if calling from within Spain)

• Telephone: (+34) 91 334 2194 (International/alternative number)

• Fax: (+34) 95 235 9211

• E-mail: Malaga.Consulate@fco.gov.uk  

For more information, you can also contact the Spanish Health Ministry (Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo) at:

Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo
Paseo del Prado 18-20,
28014 Madrid

• Telephone: 0034 901 400 100
• Website: www.msc.es  

The health authorities in Spain are decentralised, so systems can differ quite drastically. A directory to all regional health bodies in the autonomous communities can be found on the Spanish health ministry's website (information in Spanish).

In case you find yourself in an emergency during your stay in Spain, dial 112. You might want to save the number in your phone.

Before you consult a doctor or hospital (ambulatorio), ensure that they accept your European Health Insurance card (EHIC). Some hospitals and health centres (centro sanitario) offer both, private and state-provided healthcare and it is up to you to inform them, which services you require. Remember, any costs incurred for private healthcare are non-refundable and not covered by your EHIC.

Doctors

State-provided healthcare is free of charge. Be aware that hotels and tour operators generally call or recommend a private doctor who will charge you. They might reassure visitors that they can claim back whatever is paid out, but they are referring to private insurance and not the EU arrangements.

In some parts of the country, particularly the outlying islands, you may have to travel some distance to find a state healthcare provider. If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make sure you have an EHIC and ask for state funded healthcare.

Please be aware that doctors, health centres and hospitals may have separate surgery times for private patients and those treated under the state system. Also, if you are asked to pay up front, you are not being treated under the Spanish health service and your EHIC will not be accepted.

Dentists

Dental treatment is generally not available under the state system and the costs are not refundable. 

Hospital treatment

You will need a doctor's referral for any hospital treatment, except in emergencies. However, you should try to go to a public hospital as only those hospitals offer treatment free of charge. Make sure you can present your EHIC on admission otherwise you will be charged as a private patient. Costs incurred for private treatment are not refundable.

Prescriptions

Medicines prescribed by health service practitioners can be obtained from any pharmacy (farmacia). You will be charged up to 40% of the cost unless you are a UK or EEA pensioner. However, you must be able to prove that you are a state pensioner, otherwise you will have to pay. This is non-refundable in Spain but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.

If you are told by a hospital that you require medicines following your discharge, you must take the hospital medical report to a doctor, who will give you a prescription. This is because doctors in public hospitals will prescribe medicines on the appropriate medical report but do not issue official prescriptions.

Ambulance

If you require an ambulance, ask the hospital to confirm that it offers state-provided health care.

Air ambulance

No information available

The most common treatments or conditions that require advanced arrangements are listed below. For all other conditions or treatments, you should consult your doctor. Remember, for all treatments abroad you must present your EHIC.

Oxygen therapy

Contact the Spanish health authorities to make the necessary arrangements before leaving the UK.

Dialysis

You need to speak to the co-ordinator in your UK Dialysis Unit who will contact the dialysis unit in Spain nearest to where you will be staying. However, the provision of dialysis will be subject to availability in Spain.

Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to access state provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed in order to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return. It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care provided the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth.

How to claim refunds

There are no reimbursements as state-provided healthcare is free of charge.

You can claim back your prescription charges if you are a state pensioner. Contact the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)on 0191 218 1999 (Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm) on your return to the UK. Remember to keep copies of anything you send for your records.

If you're receiving a UK state pension, or in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for an E121, which you should then present to the Spanish health authorities.

However, if you move to Spain to live but not work and do not receive a UK benefit, you may be eligible for up to two-and-a-half years of state healthcare cover, paid for by the UK. In this case, you will need to apply for an E106.

For more details on how to apply for an E121 or E106, visit the  'Moving abroad' section.

How to register your E121 or E106

In order to register your E121 or E106 you will need to obtain the paperwork set out below in the following order:

• A Certificate of Residence (Certificado de Residencia) – available from the local police station.
• A Certificate as a Local Resident (Certificado de Empadronamiento) – available from the local town hall (at the Padrón Office).

Check very carefully what documents you need to fill in, and the process in which they need to be completed. Also, remember that you have to make your own photocopies before you arrive. If you forget something, it’s unlikely you will be allowed to complete the application process and you may have to come back another time.

Having obtained your certificates you must take them, along with both copies of your E106 or E121, to the local 'Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad' office. They will retain one copy and return the other copy signed and stamped to you. This copy allows you to access the Spanish healthcare system.

How to register with a GP

If you are an E121 holder, you will have to register with a doctor in Spain. As an E106 holder, it is not necessary to register with a doctor. 

This section applies if you have been issued with an E106

How to register your E106

In order to register your E106 you will need to obtain the paperwork set out below in the following order:

• A Certificate of Residence (Certificado de Residencia) – available from the local Police station.
• A Certificate as a Local Resident (Certificado de Empadronamiento) – available from the Local Town Hall (at the Padrón Office).

Check very carefully what documents you need to fill in, and the process in which they need to be completed. Also, remember that you have to make your own photocopies before you arrive. If you forget something, it’s unlikely you will be allowed to complete the application process and you may have to come back another time.

Having obtained your certificates you must take them, along with both copies of your E106, to the local 'Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad' office. They will retain one copy and return the other copy signed and stamped to you. This copy allows you to access the Spanish healthcare system.

How to register with a GP

You do not have to register with a doctor in Spain.

UK citizens registered in another EEA country and using an E106 or E121 are not automatically eligible for free treatment in the UK.

You should also visit the 'Planned treatment abroad' section for detailed information.