This questionnaire is designed to help guide you to register correctly for state healthcare in Spain. It will make assumptions based on your answers to questions, but please remember that your final entitlement will be decided by the Spanish and/or UK authorities.

Please click on the answer that applies to you

Are you:

You may have problems deciding where you are resident if you spend part of the year in Spain and part of the year in the UK. It is not necessarily related to being registered at the town hall, or having a residency certificate. If you are unsure where you are resident, call the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 191 218 1999.

If you are a citizen of an EEA country you must present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the Spanish authorities. This will provide you with all medically necessary treatment during the course of your stay and includes the treatment and monitoring of ongoing, chronic conditions as long as the treatment can't wait until you get home. For more information on the EHIC click here.

Please note that the EHIC is not valid if you are travelling with the express purpose of receiving medical treatment. For more information on this, please click here.

Are you working and making social security contributions in Spain?

If you are working and making social security contributions in Spain you can register directly with your health centre, using your social security number.

Go to the Spanish social security web page

Find your local health centre in the Valencia Community

Are you in receipt of a Spanish state pension or benefit?

If you are in receipt of a pension or long-term sickness benefit from Spain, the INSS will issue you with a document showing the result of your pension or benefit application. You must present this at your local health centre to access state healthcare.

Find your local health centre

Find your local INSS office

Have you been in receipt of Spanish state unemployment benefit/allowance that has now stopped and you are still under state pension age?

Apply for the 'documento acreditativo del derecho a asistencia sanitaria' from the INSS

Find your local INSS office

Click here for more info on the Spanish state healthcare system

Are you in receipt of a State Pension or long-term Sickness Benefit from the UK?

Apply for an S1 form from the International Pension Centre or your local INSS

Contact the International Pension Centre

Find your local INSS office

Are you a posted worker in Spain?

You will need to contact Her Majesty's Revenue & customs to determine your correct form of health cover.

Please call the HMRC Centre for non-residents on 0044 191 203 7010

Have you made UK national insurance contributions in the last three years but no longer work?

Apply for an S1 form from the Overseas Healthcare Team.

Please click here for more information.

Do you hold a Spanish residency certificate issued before 24th April 2012, have no entitlement to healthcare from the UK and your annual income does not exceed €100,000?

Healthcare as a resident in Spain

In order to get a Spanish health card (tarjeta sanitaria) you will first need to contact the Overseas Health Care Team to get a legislation letter (in Spanish) confirming that the UK no longer gives you or your dependants healthcare coverage. They can be contacted at:

Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle)Room TC001Tyneview ParkWhitley RoadNewcastle upon TyneNE98 1BA Phone +44 191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday 8am-5pm)

Once in receipt of this letter, go to your nearest INSS regional office where they can give you more information. For your nearest INSS office please click here.

If none of these situations apply to you, speak with your local health centre to see if there is a special scheme you can join or take out private health insurance.