Marbella & Costa del Sol Property

Healthcare in Spain

Resident v Non-resident

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Non-resident

You will be treated on the same basis as a resident of Spain. Remember, each country’s health system is different and might not include all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS. This may mean that you have to make a patient contribution to the cost of your care. You may be able to seek reimbursement for this cost when you are back in the UK.

It is important that you ensure that you are treated by a state healthcare provider as you will not be covered for private healthcare. You should be particularly careful if the healthcare arrangements have been made by a hotel or travel representative

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.

Your EHIC card 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.

If you have a query regarding healthcare in Spain and are on the Costa del sol please contact

The Pension, Benefit & Healthcare Team

British Consulate

Calle Mauricio Moro Pareto, 2

Edificio Eurocom

29006 Malaga

Telephone 0034 952352300

In case you find yourself in an emergency during your stay in Spain, dial 112

Resident of Spain

Spain’s national health service is regarded as among the best in Europe – hospitals are well run and offer a very high standard of care. However, access to state healthcare is based on social security contributions (as opposed to the UK system based on residence).

Those who ARE making social security contributions in Spain:

- may make contributions themselves if self-employed

- may have contributions paid for them by an employer if employed

- may be able to make voluntary contributions if any contributions have been made in Spain and contributions have been made for 3 out the previous 12 years in any European Union Member State (apply through a Tesoreria)

Those who are NOT making social security contributions in Spain may be eligible for state healthcare if:

- they are in receipt of a UK state pension, long-term contribution-based Incapacity benefit or Bereavement benefit (apply for an E121 form – see below for details);

- they are an early retiree to Spain and have been resident here less than two years (apply for an E106 form – see below for details);

- they are a posted worker for a UK company;

- they are a dependant of someone who falls into one of the categories above;

- they are a temporary visitor to Spain and have a valid UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC);

- they will be receiving planned treatment abroad or are in receipt of UK sickness or maternity benefit (apply for an E112 form).

- they are a child under the age of 18 and have no access to healthcare through your own or your parents means. This is called ‘La Ley de Minor’ and you apply through the social worker at your local health centre.

It may also be worth noting that when in hospital in Spain it is customary for a family member to provide basic care such as help with basic hygiene and feeding

Dentists in Spain are private, so you pay for all treatment received. To find a dentist, try the yellow pages under ‘dentistas’.

Chemists/pharmacies in Spain are called ‘farmacias’ and can be identified by the large green cross sign outside – see local press for the nearest duty farmacia (a rota system is in operation so there should always be one open).

NOTE: if you take regular prescribed medication in your home country, bring a translation of your prescription to Spain. The full name of the medicine should be written out (NOT its brand name), in case this is not available.

Forms

E111/EHIC

Please note that the old E111 form for EU nationals is now obsolete – for more details on this and the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), see the following web page:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/fs/en

E121

UK citizens requiring an E121 form (see above) should request one from the International Pension Centre (IPC) in Newcastle, remembering to include any dependants at the time of request. Once obtained, it needs to be registered with the Spanish authorities. In order to register you require:

- A Certificate of Residence in Spain (Certificado de Residencia/Numero de Identificacion Extranjero) from your nearest National Police station; and

- A Certificate as a Local Resident (Certificado de Empadronamiento) from the Padrón Office at your Local Town Hall.

Once you are in possession of the above certificates take them to your local Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) office, together with the E121 and a photocopy of the E121, where you will be issued with a “Documento acreditivo del derecho a la asistencia sanitaria” (document of accreditation). You must then take this document to your local health centre where you will be able to register and access the state healthcare system. A “Tarjeta Sanitaria Individualizada Nacional” card will be issued to you in due course.

E106

UK citizens requiring an E106 form who have been posted to Spain to work for a period of 2 or more years, and are continuing to pay National Insurance contributions in the UK, should request one from:

HM Revenue and Customs CAR – Residency

Room BP1301. Benton Park View

Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1ZZ, UK

Tel: 0845 915 4811

From outside the UK: +44 191 203 7010

Early retirees in Spain who have worked in the UK prior to their move may be entitled to an E106 for a limited period. In this instance the E106 is issued by:

DWP International Pension Centre

Room TC001. Tyneview Park. Whitley Road

Newcastle upon Tyne NE98 1BA, UK

Tel: +44 191 218 1999

Once obtained, it needs to be registered with the Spanish authorities. In order to register you require:

- A Certificate of Residence in Spain (Certificado de Residencia/Numero de Identificacion Extranjero) from your nearest National Police station; and

- A Certificate as a Local Resident (Certificado de Empadronamiento) from the Padrón Office at your Local Town Hall.

Once you are in possession of the above certificates take them to your local Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) office, together with the E106 and a photocopy of the E106, where one copy will be kept and the other returned signed and stamped. This copy is the one you use to access the healthcare system. There may or may not be an expiry date on the signed and stamped form, if there is no end date the International Pension Centre in Newcastle is responsible for informing the Spanish authorities that cover should end.
Page Updated 06/10/2010