Health Matters
Spain is a member of the the European Economic Area (EEA). If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to a country in the EEA or Switzerland free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available. Normally a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is required to be shown.
Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature. Dental treatment is not generally provided under the state system. Comprehensive insurance is therefore advised.
Whenever you need treatment, show your EHIC. In Spain, doctors, health centres and hospitals have separate surgery times for private patients and those treated under the state health service. If you are asked to pay, you are not being treated under the Spanish health service and your EHIC will not be accepted. If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make it clear that you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and that you want to be treated under the EU arrangements. A doctor will usually arrange any hospital treatment you may need. In an emergency, you can only get free treatment in a public ward at a public hospital. You must show your EHIC; if not, you will be charged as a private patient and will not get your money back. Under the strict terms of the Spanish health service, there are no refunds for private healthcare charges. Make sure you have private medical insurance in case you are treated in an emergency in a private hospital.
Medicines prescribed by the health service can be obtained from any pharmacy (farmacia). You will have to pay up to 40 per cent of the cost unless you are an EEA pensioner, in which case the medicines will be free of charge. You must show proof that you are a state pensioner, otherwise you will be charged 40 per cent of the cost, which you can claim back on your return home. If a hospital says you need medicines after you are discharged, you must take the medical report to a GP, who will give you a prescription.
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