Medical Care in Spain

In Spain both state and private health care are available.

EU citizens who are in Spain for less than three months they can use emergency health care services from the Spanish state medical facilities as long as they have an EHIC card.

For people who are here for longer than three months - generally those people who buy or rent long term here - there are two options:

1. State Health Care - you can gain use of this "free" system if you are self employed or officially employed here in Spain and therefore have a social security number. Of course, if you are self employed or employed, you make contributions to the system within your taxation, so it is not free as such. If you are moving to Spain & have been paying tax & NI in the UK, contact the DWP in Newcastle for S1 forms. If you qualify this gives you access to the state healthcare system for up to 2 years. UK state pensioners & those in receipt of some invalidity benefits should also do the same; they can also gain full access to state healthcare in Spain.

For further information go to the UK in Spain website.

2. Private Health Care - there are many different companies that can provide you with private health care, & for holidays you may wish to take out travel insurance before you leave the UK, although you will then need to check the medical facilities that are available as part of the policy.
As a resident of Spain you might find that using a Spanish insurance company is preferable. Also, you are able to pay directly to many private doctors and private hospitals for treatment.

VillaMia also offers clients insurance through Britta Peters from Axa, who is also based at the office – telephone 607 414 129.