Healthcare in Spain - Villanueva de la Concepción

The rules for obtaining state healthcare in Spain are different to the UK.

There is a free universal health care system in Spain. The problem is that to become insured you have to have a social security number.

The system is contribution-based, which means that normally you must have paid into the social security system in order for you and your dependants to get state healthcare. These social security contributions can be paid by your employer or by yourself as a self-employed worker. You may also be eligible to register to pay voluntary contributions if you have paid contributions at any point in Spain and have paid contributions for 3 out the last 12 years in any European Union Member State – apply at your local Tesoreria (Tax office).

If you are not paying into the Spanish social security system you may also get state healthcare if:

• You are in receipt of a UK state pension, long-term contribution-based Incapacity benefit or Bereavement benefit (apply for an S1 form);
• You are an early retiree to Spain and have been resident here less than two years (apply for an S1 form);
• You are a posted worker for a UK company;
• You are a dependant of someone who falls into one of the categories above;
• You are a temporary visitor to Spain and have a valid UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC);
• You will be receiving planned treatment abroad or are in receipt of UK sickness or maternity benefit - apply for an S2 form (previously E112). For more information, please visit the NHS website
• You are a child under the age of 18 and have no access to healthcare through your own or your parent’s means. This is called ‘La Ley de Minor’ and you apply through the social worker at your local health centre.

You may be asked to provide evidence of your UK income when applying for health care or social security benefits in Spain.

Please remember that if you do register with the state health system in Spain, it is important to de-register with your GP in the UK. Likewise if you decide to return to the UK, then you must de-register with the Spanish authorities.

If you are not eligible to use the Spanish health system then it is advisable to have private health insurance.

Some private health insurance companies are:

Sanitas [Spanish, English]

Mapfre [Spanish]

DKV Seguros [Spanish]

Asisa [Spanish]

Serviour Insurance – broker (English/Spanish)

To register go to your nearest Health Centre with your necessary documents and fill out the appropriate form that they will give you. At this stage you will also be asked to select a doctor from the list who has places available. Your form will be certified and you must keep that safe and present it if you need to use the services before your proper plastic card arrives usually in 30 days. For every family member that also wishes to be covered there are many forms to fill out!
The health centre in Villanueva de la Concepción is on Avenida Blas Infante and the telephone number is
952 753 181. To make an appointment go to the health centre or call the central number 902 505 060. On this number you can ask for an appointment whether it is for a prescription only or a consultation with the doctor, it is necessary to give your social security card number or your NIE number.
For emergencies there is a doctor and a nurse on call in Villanueva but the nearest hospital is in Antequera which is 21 km away. The address is Avenida poeta Muñoz Rojas, Antequera which is next to the Industrial estate. The central telephone number is 951 061 600 and for emergencies 902 505 061.