Healthcare in Spain
The good news if you’re planning to buy a property in Spain is that its healthcare is among the best in Europe. The excellent state SALUD system is one of the best in Europe, far outperforming Britain’s NHS, and is complemented by a first-class private sector available through Spanish and international medical insurance companies.
Like the rest of the country, southern Spain offers superb facilities. Take a look at this quick guide to healthcare in the area:
Eligibility for State Healthcare
UK and European non-resident visitors
If you’re below retirement age and on a short visit to Spain from the UK, EU or some non-EU European countries, you’re entitled to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment. This will be equivalent to the treatment Spanish nationals receive, though it may vary from what is offered in your country of residence.
Before you are treated you’ll need to produce a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC, known in Spain as a Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea) which has replaced the former E111 form, and several other healthcare forms.
You should note that this only covers you for medical emergencies within the state sector and does not include repatriation due to illness, the so it’s not an alternative to private insurance.
The EHIC card is available and valid in all European Community countries, as well as Switzerland and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
Apply for the EHIC card in your country of residence prior to departure. In the UK, EHIC forms are available free of charge from post offices and travel agents. For further information or to download an application, log on to: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers
EU (and EEA) visiting pensioners
If you’re a pensioner resident in the EU or European Economic Area (see above) you’re entitled to receive, subject to certain criteria, the same free or low-cost state emergency medical treatment as Spanish pensioners, provided that you are in possession of an E121 form, issued in your country of residence.
In the UK, the E121 can be obtained from The Department for Work and Pensions. Contact them on 0191 218 7777 or visit: www.dwp.gov.uk
You’ll need a separate E121 form per person, which must be shown to the doctor or hospital before receiving treatment. It does not entitle you to non-urgent medical or dental treatment, or repatriation, and is no substitute for private health insurance.
Non-European visitors
In life-threatening emergency Spanish state hospitals are required to provide vital primary care treatment irrespective of the patient’s ability to pay. Non-European visitors should always be covered by appropriate medical insurance – usually private – and in many cases will not be able to obtain the necessary visa without proof that such cover exists.
Residents of Spain
If you are resident in Spain, you’ll have to pay monthly Social Security (Seguridad Social) contributions to qualify for state healthcare. If you are an employee, part of the cost will be borne by your employer and the state. If you are self-employed, you will be responsible for making the payments yourself (the same applies to those neither working or yet of pensionable age).
Hospitals in Southern Spain
Southern Spain has several major hospitals serving the state and private sector. Many doctors and nurses are fluent in English and there are volunteer translators on hand to help. (see list of hospitals below)
Doctor's Surgeries and Clinics
There are state-operated medical centres (ambulatorios) in every town and village, offering a wide range of medical services. Unfortunately, these GPs tend to speak only Spanish and are often booked up for days in advance.
You may prefer to visit one of the many private GPs, family practitioners and paediatricians in the area. Many allow you to drop in without an appointment, with some open 24 hours a day.
The British Consulate in Málaga can provide you with a list of doctors from the UK in practice on the Costa del Sol, and there are other English-speaking GPs from Spain, Scandinavia and Germany.
Dentist
There’s a vast network of private dental clinics in the area, but very few state dental practices.
Pharmacies
Chemists or pharmacies are called farmacia in Spanish and they usually have a green or red cross outside. They’re open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30 to 8.00pm. Details of the nearest 24-hour pharmacy (farmacia de guardia) will be displayed on all pharmacy doors.
Non-prescription drugs are only sold in pharmacies in Spain; you won’t find them in supermarkets or elsewhere.
Useful Contacts
Emergencies
Emergencies operator: 112
Police: 092
Medical: 061
Sea Rescue: 900 202 202
State Hospitals in Costa Blanca
ALCOY
Hospital Mare de Deu dels Lliris
Pol. Caramanxel, Alcoy
Tel: 965 337 400
ALICANTE
Hospital General Universitario de Alicante
C/ Pintor Baeza, Alicante
Tel: 965 938 300
BENIDORM
Hospital de Levante
C/ Ramón y Cajal 7, Benidorm
Tel: 966 878 787
DENIA
Hospital Marina Alta
Partida Plana Est 4, Dénia
Tel: 965 787 012
ELCHE
Hospital General de Elche
Camino de la Almazara 11, Elche
Tel: 966 679 000
ELDA
Hospital general de Elda
Ctra. Elda-Sax, Partida Torreta, Km. 3, Elda
Tel: 966 989 000
ORIHUELA
Hospital Vega Baja
Ctra. Orihuela-Almoradí, Partida San Bartolomé, Orihuela
Tel: 966 776 166
SANT JOAN D’ALACANT
Hospital Universitario Sant Joan D’Alacant
Ctra. Alicante-Valencia, Sant Joan D’Alacant
Tel: 965 938 700
SAN VICENTE DEL RASPEIG
Hospital San Vicente del Raspeig
C/ Lillo Juan 137, San Vicente del Raspeig
Tel: 965 660 512
VILLAJOYOSA
Hospital Vila Joiosa
Partida Jalandú 5, Villajoyosa
Tel: 966 859 800
Private General Hospitals in Costa Blanca
ALCOY
Clínica Levante Mediterránea
Roger de Llúria 6, Alcoy
Tel: 965 540 088
Sanatorio Sant Jordi
Oliver 55, Alcoy
Tel: 965 330 400
ALICANTE
Sanatorio Perpetuo Socorro
Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla 15, Alicante
Tel: 965 201 100
Clínica Vistahermosa
Avda. Dénia 103, Alicante
Tel: 965 264 200
Institut Oftalmológic
Avda. Dénia 111, Alicante
Tel: 902 233 344
entre Clínic San Carlos
Avda. Dénia 78, Alicante
Tel: 902 373 737
BENIARBEIG
Hospital Maternidad Acuario
Avda. del Verger, Beniarbeig
Tel: 966 476 260
BENIDORM
Clínica Benidorm
Avda. Alfonso Puchades 8, Benidorm
Tel: 965 853 850
DENIA
Centre Médic Dénia
Beniarmut 1, Dénia
Tel: 965 787 911
Policlínica San Carlos
Las Madrigueres Sur, A 14, Dénia
Tel: 965 781 550
ELCHE
Clínica Médica-Quirúrgica Ciudad Jardín
Palmerers 2, Elche
Tel: 965 452 272
MUTXAMEL
Hospital Els Jardins de Sofía
Partida Almajada, Mutxamel
Tel: 965 955 195
ORBA
Colonia Sanatorio San Francisco de Borja
Ctra. Orba-Vall de la Guart, Km. 4, Orba
Tel: 965 583 350
TORREVIEJA
Hospital San Jaime
Partida de la Loma, Torrevieja
Tel: 966 921 313