Public Health in Spain

RESIDENTS IN SPAIN

If you are a citizen of an EU member state and a resident in Spain, you are entitled to healthcare through the Spanish national healthcare system. In order to access the service, you must first apply for an individual healthcare card before the competent public agency in the Spanish autonomous region where you have your residence. This card is personal and non-transferable.

TEMPORARY RESIDENTS

Citizens of all the EU member states (as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) who reside temporarily in Spain for work, study, leisure or any other reasons, may also be entitled to healthcare in case of medical necessity by using the so-called European health card.

This card is personal and non-transferable, will be valid for a limited period of time and you must apply for it in your home country before travelling to Spain. The card holder will be entitled to the same healthcare services as any resident citizen. However, the European healthcare card will not be valid if the purpose of the temporary stay is to receive specialised medical treatment in Spain. In those cases, you will require a certificate expressly authorising the services in question.

The Spanish Social Security will subsequently request the health system in the patient’s home country to reimburse the cost of the healthcare services provided.