Citizens who wish to travel to Europe for tourism, work or study temporarily are entitled to health care in their destination country if they have a European Health Insurance Card, which they can apply for free of charge before starting their trip.
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European Health Insurance Card
Applying for a European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card is a personal, non-transferable document that entitles you to receive medically necessary health care during a temporary stay in the 27 member countries of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland).
Countries that accept the European Health Insurance Card
Who can apply?
People who are insured in the social security system can apply for it, both for themselves and for their registered beneficiaries.
When applying, they will need to have a DNI or NIE and the Social Security number. Each person travelling, both insured and beneficiary, must have their own card.
In certain circumstances, such as theft, loss, urgent need or because you are in certain Social Security categories, the card may be replaced by a Provisional Replacement Certificate valid for 90 days.
Does the European Health Insurance Card include scheduled medical treatment in another country?
No. It is not valid when the purpose of the trip is to receive scheduled medical treatment outside Spain, in which case, the National Social Security Institute (INSS) must issue the corresponding form, following a favourable report from the Health Service.
Do I have to apply for the European EHIC if I am going to live in another EU country?
If you move your habitual residence to another European Union country or to the United Kingdom, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland, you must fill in form S1, instead of using the European Health Insurance Card, in order to receive medical care in your new country of residence.
Does the European Health Insurance Card cost anything?
No, the European Health Insurance Card is free of charge in Spain.
Does the European Health Insurance Card include scheduled medical treatment in another country?
No. It is not valid when the purpose of the trip is to receive scheduled medical treatment outside Spain, in which case, the National Social Security Institute (INSS) must issue the corresponding form, following a favourable report from the Health Service.
Do I have to apply for the European EHIC if I am going to live in another EU country?
If you move your habitual residence to another European Union country or to the United Kingdom, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland, you must fill in form S1, instead of using the European Health Insurance Card, in order to receive medical care in your new country of residence.
Does the European Health Insurance Card cost anything?
No, the European Health Insurance Card is free of charge in Spain.
What health services does it cover?
The card covers medical expenses arising during the trip due to unexpected health problems. You will be able to receive public health care if you have an accident, fall ill, get worse from a chronic illness or are in labour. You will be treated by a doctor, in a hospital or health care centre, as if you were a resident of the country, with the services provided there, not the care you receive in Spain. In addition to care, this includes the prescription and dispensing of medicines, also under the same conditions as for residents in the country.
However, please note that some services are not included. The European Health Insurance Card does not cover private healthcare, nor does it cover repatriation or rescue. In addition, if you are a resident with the nationality of a non-EU third country, pay special attention to the conditions of access to health care in Denmark, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland, as you may be excluded from the scope of coverage.
It is always advisable, when preparing for your trip, to find out about the health care conditions and services in your destination country on this EU website.
Do I have to pay for health care in another country?
Having a health insurance card does not mean that health care is completely free of charge.
In some countries and for certain services, you will have to pay a fixed amount or a percentage of the cost of health care, on an equal footing with insured persons in that country. These charges, known as co-payments, are non-refundable.
In other cases, reimbursement systems may be in place in the country of destination. Under these systems, you may be required to make a refundable advance payment of the cost of care. This charge will be refunded to you, and you may request it both at your destination and on your return to Spain.
In any case, if the treatment you need is free for residents of the destination country, you will not have to pay anything.
You should also bear in mind that if you are a pensioner in Spain and need medication in the country of destination, you will have to pay the amount applicable in that country.
When do I apply for reimbursement for health services?
As stated in the previous section, you can only request compensation for any reimbursable advances that you may be charged, not for co-payment expenses.
This reimbursement can be claimed in the country where you receive healthcare. If this is not possible, you can also do so in Spain by applying to the Social Security, either electronically or in person, by filling in this form.
What do I do if my European Health Insurance Card is not accepted in the country where I am staying?
A valid European Health Insurance Card must be accepted by all the countries included in its scope of coverage.
However, you can contact the SOLVIT network (solvit@ue.maec.es), which is a free service for resolving problems between administrations applying the Community Social Security Regulations. You can also contact the national SOLVIT Centres by telephone by dialling one of the numbers available at this link.
If you need consular assistance, you can contact the Spanish consular office in the country where you are. In addition to the ordinary service, each office has an emergency telephone number available 24 hours a day, which can be consulted at this link.
How can I apply for or renew my European Health Insurance Card?
You can apply for or renew your card or that of your beneficiaries without electronic identification systems at:
Online, at the Social Security Electronic Headquarters by filling in a form.
By telephone on 901 16 65 65/ 91 542 11 76.
In person at the Social Security Care and Information Centres (CAISS).
With electronic identification systems at:
A section of the Social Security Electronic Headquarters.
On the Tu Seguridad Social (Your Social Security) portal.
On both portals you will have to identify yourself using Cl@ve Permanente, Clave PIN, DNIe or electronic certificate or via SMS.
If you request it by SMS, your mobile phone must be registered in the Social Security database, which will send you a one-time password. If you do not have your phone registered, you can do so on the portal of the Social Security General Treasury.
How to apply for a European Health Insurance Card
Where will I receive my European Health Insurance Card?
You will receive it at the address you have registered with the Social Security. If you have changed your address, you can change it immediately in the Change of address of worker/company section of the Social Security E-Office.
How long does it take to send it?
The expected delivery time is around five days.
What do I do if I have to travel immediately and the European Health Insurance Card has not arrived in time?
When it is not possible to issue the card, or if your trip is imminent, you can request the Provisional Replacement Certificate for the EHIC. It consists of a .pdf file, of which you can obtain printed copies and which contains the CEA code (Electronic Authenticity Code) with which you can check its authenticity by going to the Documentary Integrity Verification Service.
How long is it valid for?
The card is valid for two years from the date of issue, with some exceptions. For resident foreigners, the validity coincides with the expiry date of the residence permit; for recipients of unemployment benefits and subsidies, it is valid for the duration of the benefit.
The use of the card during its period of validity is conditional on the holder continuing to meet the requirements that gave rise to its issue.
What do I do if my European Health Insurance Card is going to expire during my trip?
Check that the period of validity of the card includes the planned date of return. If this is not the case, apply for renewal before leaving Spain and, if necessary, for a Provisional Replacement Certificate.