Every citizen in Spain is covered for health treatment under social security.

However, people who can afford it, they voluntarily purchase private health insurance pakages, which offer a wider choice of medical practitioners and hospitals, and more importantly, frees them from public health waiting lists. Moreover, private insurance provides a full range of services. You will find covers for sickness, specialists, pregnancy, care home, dentist, hospital, fitness, etc.

Usually prices start at about €45/month for someone in generally good health around 30 years old.

A number of companies offer private health insurance in Spain. For example:

• Axa Seguros
• Cigna - https://www.cignasalud.es/
• Sanitas
• Adeslas
• Mapfre
• Generali

European Health Insurance Card

If you are an EU/EEA national travelling or staying temporarily in another state of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are entitled to receive medical care if you become ill or have an accident. If you are a student or a seconded worker, or if you are entitled to a social security pension in that state, you will be entitled to health care beyond the immediate treatment.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has been replaced by a number of other 'E' forms including the E128, making it easier for you to get medical care quickly and easily. To obtain healthcare with the Card, you can go to the nearest public system doctor, public hospital, or other public treatment centre and present your Card.
Public health care systems vary from country to country, and few countries pay the full cost of health care for holders of the Card, so there may be some element of co-payment for the services you receive.

Currently, the EEA comprises the 28 member states of the European Union together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Your European Health Insurance Card is valid for use throughout any of these countries and in Switzerland.

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