Health clinics in Andalucia

Healthcare & Clinics in Andalucia

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Health clinics in Spain are wide and varied. If it’s an emergency (say you’re on holiday in Spain) and you need treatment, then your European Health Insurance Card will be enough to see you through the public system – though many hospitals will accept just an EU passport. For residents though, it’s advisable to start paying into the Social Security system in Spain. That way you can receive a ‘seguridad social’ card (a red and white card), which will entitle you to free healthcare and subsidised rates on prescriptions. However, you will first need to apply for an NIE number (a fiscal identification number).

Many first time residents use a ‘gestor’ for all this – essentially a ‘fixer’ who you will pay to do all the paperwork for you. Ask around, and you will find a ‘gestor’ almost anywhere. Their rates vary, but are normally reasonable.After that, you can go to your nearest local doctor (ask at the town hall) and find out what you will need to register. They will most likely want to see your ‘seguridad social’ card, your NIE document, a passport photocopy, and some kind of proof of where you live. Once that’s done, you can use any public health clinic or hospital.

These days you can even book appointments to see your general GP online. Bear in mind that dental treatment in Spain is not free, though generally it is cheaper than most private dental practices that you are likely to find in other European countries.Aside from all these,there several health clinics and plastic surgery and other enhancements. Again, these will be private.