Healthcare In Spain For Non Residents?
European Visitors – All EU and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals below retirement age who visit Spain for a short holiday are entitled to free or reduced-cost emergency medical healthcare and treatments at all Spanish public medical centres and hospitals on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Essentially, the treatment you are entitled to will be equivalent to that which Spanish nationals receive, but this can depend on the level of public healthcare provision in your own country of residence – so it is worth double-checking before you depart.
The aforementioned EHIC has replaced the old E111 form (and various other healthcare forms) to become the European standard (in Spain it is known as the ” Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea “). They should be obtained before you leave your home country, are free of charge and (for British visitors) in the UK are available from all post offices and most travel agents – or by contacting the NHS .
Does Spain have free healthcare for foreigners?
Spain has both public and private healthcare systems. The public system provides free basic healthcare to those who contribute to the Spanish social security system and their families. The public system also provides free healthcare for retirees, including those from other EU countries.
- The UK government pays Spain an annual sum per pensioner to cover their health costs;
- Foreign employees working for Spanish companies or self-employed foreigners in Spain usually have to contribute to Spanish social security (seguridad social);
This entitles them and their families to receive free or subsidised medical care on the same terms as Spanish residents. If you are not a pensioner, employed person or officially a resident in Spain you will not qualify for free medical treatment under the Spanish public system.
The British Embassy in Spain states that residents should ensure they are covered by private medical insurance if the spanish security system does not cover them. It’s worth noting that the E111 form is no longer valid and was replaced in January 2006 by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The EHIC is usually valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that may become necessary, through either illness or accident. The card only allows you treatment under the state system and you may have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your care.
- The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance and will not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment, treatment of a non-urgent nature or private care;
- People who are ordinarily resident in the UK are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC and it is not valid for people who are going to live abroad;
After you have registered with seguridad social, you will be given a registration card (cartilla de la seguridad social, or tarjeta sanitaria). The card is usually sent directly to you by post, but in some cases you may have to visit the nearest health centre (centro de salud) to pick up your registration card.
- This card will give you your social security number;
- Spain has an excellent system of private medicine that exists easily alongside the state system and in recent years has become more important;
- An estimated 15% of the population holds private health insurance;
This can either be used as a supplement or an alternative to public care and is available from both local and worldwide based insurers. As with the state systems in other European countries there can be long waiting lists to see specialists and for non-emergency surgical care.
- The public system covers only basic medical care – dental and eye care is available privately;
- For minor ailments, there are local pharmacies (farmacias), which have a green flashing cross displayed outside or in the window;
They take turns to provide a 24-hour service, and display their schedules in the window – or in the local paper. Pharmacists in Spain are better trained than in some other countries, and provide treatment advice for many common illnesses and ailments. In the case of an emergency, go straight to the nearest casualty department (urgencias).
- Under Spanish law any health organisation, public or private, is required to treat patients in an emergency situation regardless of their insurance status;
- The responsibility of deciding what constitutes an emergency rests with the nurse or doctor on call;
If you require an emergency ambulance, use the general emergency number 112. For a list of foreign language speaking doctors, the best advice is to consult your embassy or local consulate. They usually hold lists of physicians available to their citizens.
- Pensioners may find that the wide range of facilities available to them in the UK aren’t on offer to them in Spain;
- While they can expect the same care as any Spanish citizen under the same conditions, they should bear in mind that certain services (Meals on Wheels and daycare centres) vary from district to district and may be scarce;
Also, the staff working for these services will be unlikely to speak English. In Spain, some provision is expected from family and friends.
Can foreigners get healthcare in Spain?
Who can access healthcare in Spain? – State healthcare is free of charge to anyone living and working in Spain. However, on some of the Spanish islands, you may have to travel to find a state healthcare provider. As the Spanish healthcare system is decentralized, you will need to check the conditions in your own area for using healthcare services. As an expat, you can get free state healthcare if you are:
- A resident in Spain and work in employment or self-employment and pay social security contributions
- Living in Spain and receiving certain state benefits
- A resident in Spain and recently divorced or separated from a partner registered with social security
- A child resident in Spain
- A pregnant woman who is a resident in Spain
- Under 26 and studying in Spain
- A state pensioner
- Staying temporarily in Spain and have an EHIC card
Spain has bilateral agreements with some countries, such as Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, that allow citizens from these countries visiting Spain, for short periods of time, to obtain free emergency medical treatment. Check with your local Spanish embassy to see if any agreements are in place between Spain and your home country. If you don’t have the right to state healthcare, you will have to organize private health cover.
How can a tourist go to the doctor in Spain?
Medical specialists in Spain – As Spain has world-class medical care, you will be able to see almost any specialist you need. To see a specialist in Spain, you will need a referral from your doctor. With private insurance, you may be able to visit a specialist clinic directly, as long as the clinic is approved by your insurance company.
How much does a hospital stay cost in Spain?
Is healthcare free in Spain? – If you want public healthcare in Spain, it’s yours. By living and working in Spain, you’ll have access to state-funded Spanish healthcare. Private insurance plans are also available though. If you’re an unemployed non-citizen, you can pay a monthly premium for a private plan. Here are some estimated costs you might experience in Spain:
| Medical Item | Cost in Spain |
|---|---|
| Average monthly medical premium for an individual | €50 |
| One-day hospital stay | €200 |
| Primary Care visit | €100 |
| Specialist visit | €150 |
| 12 months of prescriptions (maximum) | A percentage of the full prescription cost, per drug, depending on your social situation |
Prescription costs will vary depending on your economic status. You’re expected to contribute a certain percentage based on your standing. Here is a table of the breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
| Annual Income | Social Situation | % Contribution | Contribution Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| €18,000 or less | Of working age | 40% | No cap |
| €18,000 or less | State pensioner | 10% | €8 per month |
| Between €18,000 and €100,000 | Of working age | 50% | No cap |
| Between €18,000 and €100,000 | State pensioner | 10% | €18 per month |
| More than €100,000 | Of working age | 60% | No cap |
| More than €100,000 | State pensioner | 60% | €60 per month |
When heading to Spain, consider a Wise borderless multi-currency account , which helps you receive and organise your money without crazy fees or even crazier exchange rates. You’ll just pay a small transparent fee when your money moves between currencies. You can send money to over 50 countries and manage money in tens of different currencies, including euros.
Who is eligible for healthcare in Spain?
How does Healthcare Work in Spain? – The healthcare system in Spain is both public and private. Now, more than 90 percent of the Spanish population is integrated in the public health care system , which is free and has the obligation to take care of citizens and non-residents or expats alike, in case they are working and paying contributions in Spain.
- But, how is the public healthcare in Spain ? Well, public healthcare in Spain can be considered good, but in terms of characteristics the main is this: it is decentralized;
- This means that even though the general aspects of healthcare are the same for each region, regional authorities regulate budget and resource allocation, and regulate personnel;
In order to be able to benefit from public healthcare in Spain, residents must live, work and pay taxes in the country, although children, pregnant women, state prisoners and even students under 26 can obtain free medical coverage. Private healthcare in Spain is a different story, having a more restrictive approach and usually requiring medical insurance for proper treatments.
Of course, private healthcare in the country plays a huge rule in terms of attention, since in many circumstances non-residents or expats are not eligible to be treated by public healthcare in Spain , particularly when they are not working or not paying contributions.
A clear case is when tourists do not have an EHIC or European Health Insurance Card , in the circumstance of being expired or when the person did not pay for such right of being treated by public healthcare or other EU country for free. So, private medical insurance must be hired.
Do they speak English in Spanish hospitals?
At public health centres and public hospitals services are provided in Spanish, although some doctors and health workers speak English and, if needed, you should ask for somebody who speaks English if available.
How do I get medical treatment in Spain?
What EHIC and GHIC covers – An EHIC or GHIC covers state healthcare, not private treatment. With an EHIC or GHIC you can get medically necessary treatment in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. This means that you’ll get healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost.
- An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance – it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation);
- Make sure you have both before you travel to Spain;
You may need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have an EHIC , GHIC or provisional replacement certificate (PRC).
Are visitors allowed in Spanish hospitals?
Accessing emergency treatment as a tourist in Spain – Anyone, including tourists, can access emergency medical treatment at a public hospital in Spain if the injury or illness is deemed life-threatening or grave. EU/EEA residents visiting Spain on holiday have access to free healthcare at public medical centers if they show a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
This is called the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea in Spain. If you’re visiting from a non-EU/EEA country, it’s best to get travel insurance before traveling to Spain for any smaller healthcare issues that could arise.
Remember that the hospital will make a call on the severity of your situation and your eligibility for free treatment under the EHIC scheme. For non-life-threatening situations, you should seek to make a doctor’s appointment through your insurance provider or using your EHIC.
How much is a prescription in Spain?
- Health, Pharma & Medtech
- Health System
Premium Premium statistics Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access. This statistic displays the average expenditure per medical prescription in pharmacies in Spain from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, the average cost of a medical prescription in pharmacies in Spain amounted to approximately 11 euros.
How much is health care in Spain?
Average Cost of a Health Insurance in Spain – Are you wondering how much private health insurance is? The cost will depend on your age, gender, and any pre-existing conditions. The average cost of health insurance is typically from 100 to 200 EUR (112 to 224 USD) per month.
- You can also find plans for as low as 50 EUR (56 USD) per month with some of the bigger insurance companies;
- Primary care consultations and specialists in the private sector usually cost between 100 and 150 EUR (112 to 168 USD) per consultation;
For those who prefer to use private health insurance to supplement services not covered by public health insurance, there are basic, affordable plans that include services like dental care and blood tests, but exclude surgeries and hospitalization. With most private plans, you will be asked make co-payments upfront for services.
- The rest of the treatment will usually be covered by your insurance;
- However, you may still receive additional bills via the mail even after your co-payments, so always check which specific procedures are covered by your insurance plan;
You may also have some triangulation between your insurance provider and hospitals or medical centers, so expect to play some part in the communication between these services.