Healthcare in Spain
The system of healthcare in Spain is excellent; according to a 2008 study by the World Health Organization, the Spanish are 
the second-most satisfied population in Europe when it comes to healthcare (behind France). Though the central government used to be the sole regulator, now, each of the country’s 17 regions takes individual responsibility for implementation and execution within their respective locale.
The system combines both private and public healthcare, and locals and expats alike in possession of a Spanish social security number and the necessary medical card are entitled to receive free or low cost healthcare.
The public hospitals provide much of the first line healthcare and emergency services for the Spaniards. The people in the industry are efficient and well educated, and hospitals employ personnel who speak English or offer the services of interpreters. Unlike in many other health systems, Spanish doctors will try find you the cheapest drug to use, rather than one that gives them a rebate.
Public hospital facilities are generally very well equipped, and even private health institutions often send seriously ill patients to state facilities because they can't afford to finance the same standard of progressive instruments and medical equipment supported by public funds.
The downside? The public sector has been known to suffer from staff shortfalls, and the queues and waiting periods to see a specialist or have a procedure done can, in some cases, take more than two months. Still, there a fewer deaths caused due to delays in the healthcare in Spain than in the US, according to a study by Health Affairs.
To be able to use the public healthcare system (Seguridad Social) expats need to get a social security card first (previously yellow coloured card, but has now been replaced by a simple certificate) at the Social Security Treasury Office (Tesorería de la Seguridad Social). It is then necessary to obtain a medical card (blue coloured) at your local clinic, which will give you rights to use the services of the nationwide public health network.
Expats should note that a social security number can only be organised by those who have successfully arranged a work permit, or residents who have obtained their Empadronamiento. As a non-resident you do not qualify to receive the universal healthcare available.
Expats who choose to use the public healthcare facilities in Spain should note that they will not be able to choose their physician; a doctor will be appointed to you.
Furthermore, there’s a pointed lack of creature comforts, and those who prefer cushioned chairs and private rooms will need to utilise private healthcare.
Expats may prefer private healthcare in order to have access to more options for treatment and physicians, and to avoid the queues of the public health system.
There are hundreds of private clinics across the country, so the private healthcare system gives a greater degree of accessibility.
While single consultations within the private heatlchare system may be affordable for most expats, the care required in the case of a medical complication or in an emergency can quickly become expensive. As a result, it's recommended that those expats who plan to regularly utilise the public system take out private health insurance.
While the public health service sometimes only covers 75 percent of the cost of treatment, private companies will pick up the full amount if you pay your monthly premiums.
Most employers offer a private health insurance for expat assignees, so check your company contract before arranging coverage yourself. Private insurance providers operate in different ways; some reimburse the amount spent on healthcare, others pay medical bills directly.
The rule of thumb is to call your insurance company before you call a doctor.
If your company doesn’t offer private health insurance, it's possible to make your own arrangements. Expats should note that most Spanish health insurance providers offer plans that best suit the local market, and it follows, that considering contracting an international service provider or one that services the entire Europe-market may be beneficial.
Pensioners moving to Spain to unfold their sun chairs should take special care to ensure that they can obtain optimal treatment for the best price.
Two reputable international health insurance companies are Sanitas and Axa-PPP. Sanitas, the BUPA owned local provider, provides packages tailored to suit expats who move between Spain and another European country for most of the year. Axa-PPP is a competitive scheme that covers the entire Europe-market.
the second-most satisfied population in Europe when it comes to healthcare (behind France). Though the central government used to be the sole regulator, now, each of the country’s 17 regions takes individual responsibility for implementation and execution within their respective locale.The system combines both private and public healthcare, and locals and expats alike in possession of a Spanish social security number and the necessary medical card are entitled to receive free or low cost healthcare.
Public healthcare in Spain
The public hospitals provide much of the first line healthcare and emergency services for the Spaniards. The people in the industry are efficient and well educated, and hospitals employ personnel who speak English or offer the services of interpreters. Unlike in many other health systems, Spanish doctors will try find you the cheapest drug to use, rather than one that gives them a rebate.
Public hospital facilities are generally very well equipped, and even private health institutions often send seriously ill patients to state facilities because they can't afford to finance the same standard of progressive instruments and medical equipment supported by public funds.
The downside? The public sector has been known to suffer from staff shortfalls, and the queues and waiting periods to see a specialist or have a procedure done can, in some cases, take more than two months. Still, there a fewer deaths caused due to delays in the healthcare in Spain than in the US, according to a study by Health Affairs.
To be able to use the public healthcare system (Seguridad Social) expats need to get a social security card first (previously yellow coloured card, but has now been replaced by a simple certificate) at the Social Security Treasury Office (Tesorería de la Seguridad Social). It is then necessary to obtain a medical card (blue coloured) at your local clinic, which will give you rights to use the services of the nationwide public health network.
Expats should note that a social security number can only be organised by those who have successfully arranged a work permit, or residents who have obtained their Empadronamiento. As a non-resident you do not qualify to receive the universal healthcare available.
Expats who choose to use the public healthcare facilities in Spain should note that they will not be able to choose their physician; a doctor will be appointed to you.
Furthermore, there’s a pointed lack of creature comforts, and those who prefer cushioned chairs and private rooms will need to utilise private healthcare.
Private healthcare and health insurance in Spain
Expats may prefer private healthcare in order to have access to more options for treatment and physicians, and to avoid the queues of the public health system.
There are hundreds of private clinics across the country, so the private healthcare system gives a greater degree of accessibility.
While single consultations within the private heatlchare system may be affordable for most expats, the care required in the case of a medical complication or in an emergency can quickly become expensive. As a result, it's recommended that those expats who plan to regularly utilise the public system take out private health insurance.
Health insurance in Spain
While the public health service sometimes only covers 75 percent of the cost of treatment, private companies will pick up the full amount if you pay your monthly premiums.
Most employers offer a private health insurance for expat assignees, so check your company contract before arranging coverage yourself. Private insurance providers operate in different ways; some reimburse the amount spent on healthcare, others pay medical bills directly.
The rule of thumb is to call your insurance company before you call a doctor.
If your company doesn’t offer private health insurance, it's possible to make your own arrangements. Expats should note that most Spanish health insurance providers offer plans that best suit the local market, and it follows, that considering contracting an international service provider or one that services the entire Europe-market may be beneficial.
Pensioners moving to Spain to unfold their sun chairs should take special care to ensure that they can obtain optimal treatment for the best price.
Two reputable international health insurance companies are Sanitas and Axa-PPP. Sanitas, the BUPA owned local provider, provides packages tailored to suit expats who move between Spain and another European country for most of the year. Axa-PPP is a competitive scheme that covers the entire Europe-market.
