A large number of people in Spain are covered for health treatments by their social security payments. However this does not stop the majority of those people, those who can afford it, from taking out additional private health cover.

Private health insurance provides a wider choice of medical practitioners and hospitals as well as getting treatments quicker than through the public health waiting lists.

If you are not covered by the Spanish social security system, and have not yet taken out private health insurance, be prepared for some very hefty bills if you need to use the Spanish hospitals etc!

Spanish and foreign companies differ greatly in the degrees of cover, limitations and restrictions, premiums, and the choices of doctors, hospitals and specialists that are offered through their policies.

Spanish companies

Some of the smaller Spanish insurance companies offer very regionalised medical insurance, just covering their local area. However, the majority of good Spanish companies offer their cover nationally.

The better companies will also offer a much wider choice of hospitals, doctors and professional clinics for their clients to use. An important consideration for many foreigners is being able to choose a clinic or hospital with multilingual staff.

Having a wider freedom of choice gives the policy holder the control they need at what could be a very difficult time. Therefore make a point of checking this out, before contracting, to see that you have an adequate selection to choose from in your area.

Becoming a member

Once you become a member you are normally provided with a handbook of health care professionals to choose from in your area as well as a patients membership card. This card is shown to the doctor, clinic or hospital on arrival so that all relevant paperwork is then forwarded to your specific insurance company.

The major Spanish insurance companies have improved their policies greatly for the English expatriate market, with many of them now offering documentation and help-lines in English. The better companies and policies even include a good level of cover whilst abroad, including a repatriation facility. Again, it is worth checking that the company you are considering has this facility before taking out a policy!

Emergency only cover

Be aware of those Spanish companies who may offer a much cheaper premium, but who only offer emergency cover. This ‘emergency only cover’ means that they will get you to a hospital but from there on in it’s up to you to cover all other expenses.

The limited cover offered by these few remaining companies makes the comprehensive policies, offered by the better companies, most peoples number one choice for peace of mind!

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