Healthcare for UK nationals visiting Spain
How to get state healthcare when you’re on holiday or travelling to Spain.
This information is about visiting Spain. There’s different guidance for healthcare if you’re going to live, study or work in Spain.
When you travel to Spain you should have either:
- a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- a UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
A GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel.
What your GHIC or EHIC covers
A GHIC or EHIC covers state healthcare, not private treatment.
With a GHIC or EHIC you can get medically necessary treatment in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. This means that you’ll get healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost.
A GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance - it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation). Make sure you have both before you travel to Spain.
You may need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a GHIC, EHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).
How to apply
Apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website
How to use it
Show your GHIC or EHIC when you visit any state hospital or doctor. You cannot use either card for private healthcare.
Find out what an EHIC covers in Spain.
Find an English-speaking doctor in Spain.
If you do not have your GHIC or EHIC with you
You’ll need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) if you need treatment and do not have your GHIC or EHIC, or your card is lost or stolen abroad.
Call the Overseas Healthcare Services. This is part of the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA).
NHS Overseas Healthcare Services
Telephone: +44 (0)191 218 1999
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Travelling with a health condition
Buy travel insurance with healthcare cover for your condition. Your GHIC or EHIC will cover medically necessary treatment.
See the Money and Pensions Service MoneyHelper website for guidance on buying travel insurance if you:
Bring any documents about your health condition or what medication you’re taking.
If you need to have treatment while you’re in Spain, you may need to pre-arrange it. For example, if you need oxygen treatment or dialysis.
You cannot take some products prescribed for health conditions with you into the EU. These include special food required for medical reasons containing meat or dairy. There are some exemptions. Read more about taking animal products, food or plants with you into the EU on the Your Europe website.
Speak to your doctor in the UK for advice before you travel.
Getting prescriptions
You can use a UK prescription to get medicines, including special food required for medical reasons, in Spain.
Prescription medicines are not free in Spain. With a GHIC or EHIC you get a reduced rate, but you’ll still pay:
- 50% of the prescription price
- 10% of the prescription price if you have a UK State Pension - you may need to show proof that you’re a pensioner to pay this rate
These prescription charges are non-refundable.
If you need oxygen therapy during your visit
You can get oxygen therapy with a GHIC or EHIC, but you need to arrange this before you travel.
You must send a written request to the Spanish health authority in the area you plan to visit at least one month before you travel.
Find out how to request oxygen therapy in Spain. This guide includes:
- a letter template in Spanish that you can download and complete
- a list of contact details for Spanish health authorities
Bringing medicine with you
You need a letter to prove your medicine is prescribed to you if it contains a ‘controlled drug’. You may need to show this at the border when you’re entering or leaving the UK and Spain.
You may also need a licence for controlled drugs if:
- your trip is longer than 3 months
- you’re travelling with more than 3 months’ supply
Read more about travelling with controlled medicines.
You should also contact your nearest Spanish consulate before you travel, to find out if you need to apply for a Spanish licence.
Travelling to have planned treatment
You cannot use a GHIC or EHIC for non-urgent planned treatment - for example, if you’re going abroad to give birth.
Updates to this page
Last updated 2 September 2021 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect the rules on taking food prescribed for medical reasons to EEA countries and Switzerland.
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Updated page to reflect that European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) will continue to be accepted in Spain from 1 January 2021.
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Updated section: ‘Using an EHIC from 1 January 2021’. Students and people with a registered S1 can now apply for a new UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that will remain valid from 1 January 2021.
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Link to the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice added.
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First published.