Healthcare in Spain
Overview
Just like the UK, Spain has a public (national) health system which provides free or low cost health care for those contributing to Spanish social security systems and their dependants. Most hospitals are modern and well-equipped and the doctors and pediatricians are excellent. There are a few differences in policy between the British and Spanish health systems, but overall they are very similar. The biggest difference is the level of nursing care available in Spain. While Spanish nurses are well-trained and efficient, they simply do not perform many of the duties carried out by British nurses, and many tasks (particularly personal care and feeding) are carried out by the patient's family instead. All hospitals allow one companion to be with the patient 24 hours a day. Visiting times vary for other visitors.
If you are planning to live in Spain then do remember that many medical staff do not speak English, even in resort areas.
Once you get to Spain you should also make sure you look up the local emergency phone number(s). There is no national equivalent of a 999 call, although the police can contact the other emergency services for you.
The system also caters for pensioners and includes those from other EU countries.
The country has an excellent system of private medicine and this exists easily alongside the State system with both operated so as to compliment each other.
UK NATIONALS RESIDENT IN SPAIN
Residents in Spain should ensure they are covered by private insurance if Spanish National Insurance does not cover them.
Long-Term Residents
Long-term residents in Spain who are not pensioners, employed persons or officially resident do not normally qualify for Spanish State health care or NHS treatment in England.
UK nationals living in Spain are not entitled to health care in Spain at UK expense. Using an old UK-issued E111 to obtain Spanish health care (which is charged to the NHS) is fraud. They have no right to health care in the UK either, as they are not ordinarily resident in the UK. However, they would receive emergency NHS health care in England, in the same way as those persons who are officially registered as resident in Spain may receive emergency healthcare in England while on a visit there.
Dental treatment is Spain is entirely private and, as in the UK, the quality is rather variable.
Chemists
Many medicines that are prescription only in the UK are available over the counter in chemist's shops in Spain, including Asthma inhalers and antibiotics. If you are registered for free healthcare under Spanish social security, you can get medicines you need on prescription for a 60% discount or for nothing if you are a pensioner.