The European Health Card, also known as the EHIC or Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE) in Spain, gives you access to state-provided healthcare throughout the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland either free of charge or at a reduced rate.
Long-term Spanish residents:
If you are permanent resident in Spain and you’re affiliated with the Spanish Social Security system (Seguridad Social), you can apply for your card and use it when you travel to other EU countries (including your country of origin). If you don’t have the card, you may be considered as a private patient and will have to pay for the cost of any treatment you receive.
The card is free to obtain and is valid for two years, you can apply online via the link below or at any of the Social Security Offices (INSS).
Short-term Spanish residents:
If you are only planning on residing in Spain for a couple of months and you have already been issued an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) from your previous country of residence, this will entitle EU residents to free public healthcare for the first three months of their stay in Spain.
Bear in mind that this only covers emergency treatment and is not valid for Spanish residents, therefore you must be prompt when registering with the Spanish Social Security system in order to take advantage of the healthcare system in Spain.