Guide to Andalucía - Healthcare

Caring for the needs of you and your family

Whether you are in your home country or living and working abroad, it's important to make sure your health is taken care of.

Medical Care - Here are a few ideas

E111 - the most important form for anyone planning to visit Spain! Get it from your Post Office and bring a few photocopies with you. It entitles you and anyone else named on it to free “emergency” health service treatment.

Private Health Care - the Spanish NHS is excellent whereas private care can be variable in quality. Where the private sector scores is that the patient has more control over appointment times etc. If you are thinking of private health care insurance (and you will need this if you apply for a “residencia”) choose a Spanish company like Sanitas rather than a familiar name from the UK. They tend to be cheaper.

Clinics - every village has a “consultorio” or clinic where you can meet your NHS GP and where some form of emergency treatment is available around the clock. It may be a paramedic rather than a doctor but for simple repairs or an immediate response in an emergency, it’s great that there’s someone quickly available locallyThere is a network of regional hospitals ensuring that a high level of service is available reasonably locally in all areas.

Pensioners - are automatically entitled to free NHS treatment.

Drugs - most drugs are as easily available in Spain as in the UK. Moreover your pharmacist will give advice on routine treatments to save a visit to the doctor. In the unlikely even that the drugs you need are not available.

Prescriptions - are at discounted prices. Private prescriptions mean paying in full.

Language - the biggest problem. In serious situations most hospitals have access to interpreters whilst many Doctors have some English for professional reasons. Nevertheless language can be a problem.