LIVING

PUBLIC
The public health-care system in Spain has a very good reputation and is generally considered to be as good as or better than any other European country. One difference that is often noted by foreign residents is the availability of nursing care, which is significantly less in Spanish hospitals than in some European countries. It is generally expected that the family will be involved in the patient's day to day care and most hospitals allow a visitor to stay with the patient 24 hours a day. The family factor also explains why there are less nursing homes, hospices and convalescence homes.

To qualify for free emergency care you need to be empadronat (registered at your local town hall). If you don't have the necessary documents you will be expected to pay for your treatment. You are given a number of days to present your documentation following your treatment, in which case payment no longer required.

Targeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI)

To enjoy free access to all public healthcare you need a Targeta Sanitaria Individual or TSI (Individual Healthcare Card). This card is personal and non-transferable and you will expected to show it whenever you are using healthcare, buying prescription drugs at the chemist etc. To qualify for a TSI you generally need a Social Security number, for which you need to have an employment contract, or be self-employed and paying your autónomo (freelancer) social security contributions. There are a number of ways in which a person may be eligible without a Social Security number, including old age, agreements with the country of origin and financial reasons. To find out if you are eligible you should visit your local CAP (see below). If you are elegible they will give you the forms you need to fill in. For further information about this process, Catalunya's healthcare provider, Catsalut, has a website which is also in English: www10.gencat.net/catsalut/eng/index.htm.


Centres d'Atenció Primaries (CAPs)

Once you have your TSI you will be assigned a Médico de Cabecera (GP) at your local Centre d'Atenció Primaria (Primary Healthcare Centre). CAPs are for all non-emergency visits. You will be provided with the name, timetable, and phone number of your doctor and paediatrician (if you have children) as well as a phone number for after-hours care. Once you have been assigned a doctor, this is the person you will then see for any health reason. When you need to see a specialist your doctor will refer you. You can book visits in person or on-line at www.gencat.cat/ics/usuaris/visites.htm. If you require medical attention outside of the CAP's opening hours you should go to your nearest Centre d'Atenció Continua or CAC (Continual Attention Centre). These centres are open 24 hours a day. If you are unable to reach a centre, the telephone to call in an emergency is 061.

Chemists

Spanish pharmacists are highly trained and helpful. Many drugs that need a prescription in other countries, such as the contraceptive pill and some antibiotics, are available over the counter in Spanish chemists. If you have a social security card, you will get prescription drugs at a 60 percent discount. Pensioners get them for free.

PRIVATE
About 25 percent of people living in Spain have private health insurance. Advantages to private insurance include immediate access to specialists, more choice in which specialist you choose and much lower waiting times for operations.

Some companies that offer private healthcare in Spain are:
Mapfre
Asisa
Sanitas