Access to healthcare in Spain

Changes to UK European Health Insurance Card ..

Important information for UK State pensioners living in Spain

If you are a UK State pensioner and are resident in Spain then you probably access free healthcare through the form E121 issued by the Department for Work and Pensions. Currently, if you travel back to the UK or to any other EU member state then you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by the Spanish Social Security Authorities (INSS) to access free necessary healthcare during your visit.

From 1st May 2010, the UK will become responsible for issuing the EHIC to UK pensioners resident in other EU countries. For further information on this change visit the NHS website

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

The UK European Health Insurance Card is valid for holidaymakers and temporary visitors who need to use the state health system while in another EU country. If you are not normally a resident of the UK and spend less than six months of the year there, the Spanish authorities may decide to treat you as a private patient.
If you are a resident in the UK, you should apply for your EHIC before travelling to other European Union Member States.  A UK EHIC is usually valid for three to five years – but if you stop being a UK resident, you need to return your EHIC to the Department of Health immediately.

Getting free prescriptions if you are a pensioner
Additional documentation is often requested as proof of pensioner status to get free prescriptions when on holiday. If you provide proof of pensioner status and that is not accepted by the local health authorities, you can apply for a refund when you return to the UK. Send your receipts, along with a covering letter to:

DWP International Pension Centre
Overseas Healthcare Team
The Pension Service
Tyneview Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
United Kingdom

Where to get more information
Detailed information on the UK EHIC can be found on the NHS website. For general information on the EHIC for all countries, go to the European Health Insurance Card page on the European Union website

The above information was provided by the Foreign & Commenwelth Office and is Crown copyright.