Spanish Healthcare

Healthcare in Spain is fully available to EU residents. Spain has a high quality National Health Service, working alongside the private sector.

National Health Service Provision

If you are non resident, you will not be entitled to public health care unless you need urgent medical attention and you produce an E111 (temporary “holiday” cover by way of a European form obtained from the DHSS in the UK). If you become resident, and you are of pensionable age, or receive state benefit for incapacity to work, you may apply to the DHSS in the UK for an E121, which entitles you to receive national heath treatment here once you have made a residencia application. A

lternatively, if you have been making UK tax contributions for the last 3 tax years, you can apply for the E106 form from the DHSS. This will also be accepted for you to apply for residencia and receive medical treatment on the Spanish system, but only for the term specified on the E106 – thereafter you must make private arrangements for health cover.

Chemists

Chemists are plentiful - even in the smaller towns. They can be found displaying a green cross symbol, and work on a rota system, so there is always one that is open. both non-prescription and prescription drugs can be obtained, and you can often purchase drugs 'over the counter' that are only available on prescription in the UK. They also use an excellent drug matching service, which ensures that the drugs you take normally can be matched to the Spanish equivalent.

All in all - the standard of healthcare is quite extraordinary, with many English speaking Doctors and nurses, so there is absolutely no need to worry about whether you are going to be looked after should you fall ill. Obviously, we would recommend that you take out private medical insurance.

Interesting note:

If you live in an outlying village and fall ill, there is no point in trying to call an ambulance, which may take ages to arrive! Spanish law allows you to exceed the speed limit in an emergency (such as taking someone to Casualty) and you should wave a white hanky out of the window of your car to denote that it is an emergency!
FREE QUOTES for Expat Health Insurance from PHA

Back to the List