UK Healthcare

Spanish European Health card required for treatment in the UK

The UK's Department of Health has informed that from April 1st 2008, British nationals who permanently reside in Spain will have to present the Spanish equivalent of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should they require medical treatment whilst visiting the UK or any other EU member state.

This applies to UK nationals who either live in Spain and make Spanish Social Security contributions, or live in Spain while receiving a state pension or long term incapacity benefit from the UK through the registration of an E121.

Failure to present the Spanish EHIC could result in people being considered as a private patient. The Spanish equivalent of the EHIC is called la Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea and can be applied for at a Spanish social security office (INSS). The cards have to be renewed annually.

UK nationals who use an E106 do not need to apply for the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea

Date Added: 28/03/2008