Spain and the EHIC Form
You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. This is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals.
You will not be covered for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. The card is free and valid for up to five years.
You can download an EHIC Application Form and find out more information and at the Department of Health website.
You can also find out more about Healthcare Abroad here.
Using the EHIC Form on Holiday in Malaga Spain
We have had a baby since moving to Spain and can say with authority that the Hospitals and health service here on the Costa Del Sol are first rate.
At the main Costa Del Sol hospital they have a team of 20 volunteer translators for those who don't speak English and the level of cleanliness throughout is second to none. We even had an Irish midwife!
One subtle difference is patient care, the family or friends of the patient are expected to help out with basic care such as making the tea, help with getting in and out of the bed etc.
My only other advice is this, if it is an emergency just go straight to the Costa Del Sol Hospital (N340 just to the east of Marbella Town ) this is a fantastic hospital and would put any UK hospital to shame, they have 20 translators and a special A&E department for children, BUT you will need Health Insurance or an EHIC card. . If not you will have to pay.
You can apply for an EHIC Form online by clicking here and following the instructions!
Healthcare arrangements for UK residents in Spain
It is essential to establish that the medical practitioner you consult works within the Spanish State Health Service. Treatment under the EHIC arrangement is only provided by practitioners within the Spanish Health Service, and in some parts of the country you may have to travel some distance to attend a surgery (consultorio), health centre (centro sanitaro) or hospital clinic (ambulatorio) operating within the health service.
You can find out more at the Spanish Ministry of Health website.
If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make it clear that you have an EHIC and that you will want to be treated under EU arrangements. Any time you need treatment, have a photocopy of your EHIC card ready; show the doctor the original and hand over the copy.
Dental treatment is not generally provided under the Spanish state system. The costs will not be reimbursed.
Spanish doctors, health centres and hospitals have separate surgery times for private patients and those treated under the health service. If you are asked to pay you are not being treated under the Spanish Health Service, but privately, and your EHIC will not be accepted.
Medicines prescribed by health service practitioners can be obtained from any pharmacy (farmacia). You will have to pay up to 40% of the cost unless you are a UK or other EEA pensioner, in which case the medicines will be free of charge.
Any hospital treatment you may need will usually be arranged by a doctor. If you require urgent treatment, it will only be provided free of charge in a public ward at a public hospital and you need to show your EHIC. You will have to pay 40% of the cost. If you are a UK or other EEA state pensioner, the medicines will be free of charge.
If you fail to do this, you will be charged as a private patient and will not get your money back. Warning: Under the strict terms of the Spanish Health Service, refunds of private patient charges are not made. Make sure you have private medical insurance in case you are treated in an emergency in a private hospital.
Please note no special immunisations are required for this country.
Getting your EHIC Card when you live in Spain
You need to go to your local CAISS Office which you can locate on the Spanish Social Security Website.
Take all your documents NIE, Passport, a utlities bill and Social Security Card and they will issue you with a card straight away. Its only valid for 1 year, so 1 year later you need to go the office once again and queue up and they will issue you with another new card.
