Travel to Spain

Spain, it is said, it the perfect destination for everyone.

Cheap e-tickets from low cost airlines make weekends, short breaks and frequent travel inexpensive.

Spanish holidays are not just about soaking up the sun, and you may be tempted to more active persuits.

Active holidays and leisure persuits:

• skiing - learning to experienced, snowboarding, sledding, cross-country skiing
• cycling, hiking & trekking
• wellness spas and springs

• golf - high quality courses and clubs
• sea shores, bars and beaches
  • stag parties
  • hen parties
  • birthday trips
  • work colleague weekends
• Theme parks, zoos, safari wildlife parks, museums, nature trails

Expat insurance

If you have decided to work, retired or simply live under a Spanish sun, then independent health insurance brokers can provide would-be expats with a free quote service and advice on health insurance in your dream home destination. More on specialist insurance brokers: Medibroker, Portwood.

Where to Obtain Information

GENERAL: District Offices (Dirección Provincial) of the National Social Security Institute (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social - INSS)

OTHERWISE: Health Service offices of the autonomous regions, e.g. CATALONIA: Catalan Health Service (Instituto Catalan de la Salud).

OTHER AREAS: National Institute for Health (Instituto Nacional de la Salud).

Doctors, Dentists & Prescriptions

It is essential to establish that the medical practitioner you consult works within the Spanish State Health Service.

Treatment under the E111 arrangements is only provided by practitioners within the Spanish State Health Service, and in some parts of the country, particularly the outlying islands, 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.

If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make it clear that you have an E111 and that you will want to be treated under the EC arrangements.

Any time you need treatment, have a photocopy of your E111 ready - show the doctor the original and hand over the copy.

Dental treatment isn't generally provided under the state system. The costs won't be reimbursed.

Important: In Spain, doctors, health centres and hospitals have separate surgery times for private patients and those treated under the health service.

If you're asked to pay you are not being treated under the Spanish Health Service, but privately, and your E111 won't be accepted.

Medicines prescribed by health service practitioners can be obtained from any pharmacy (farmacia). You'll have to pay up to 40% of the cost unless you're a UK or other EEA pensioner, in which case the medicines will be free of charge.

Hospital Treatment

Any hospital treatment you may need will usually be arranged by a doctor.

If you require urgent treatment, it'll only be provided free of charge in a public ward at a public hospital. Show your E111 - if you fail to do so, you'll be charged as a private patient and you won't 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.

Important: At the emergency services in hospitals forming part of the public health network, the doctors prescribe medicines on the appropriate medical report but don't issue official prescriptions. It is necessary that you take the medicine report to a primary care doctor who will issue the official prescription.

©Crown copyright