WorldWay Immigration Comprehensive Report: Spain, a coastal country set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, may seem quite distant from us. Apart from football, ham, and flamenco, our understanding of this ancient and beautiful country is limited. However, as various international investment tycoons have begun to establish a presence in Spain, particularly with the introduction of the new Spanish investment immigration policy, Chinese investors have shifted their focus here, and an increasing number of high-net-worth individuals are choosing Spain as their ideal immigration destination. In addition to favorable real estate investment immigration policies and quick approval processes, the access to high-quality benefits such as universal free healthcare is also a significant factor.
【A Spanish doctor examining a patient】
In Spain, once you have a job, you can apply for a health card, pay social security contributions, and enter the national social security system. With the health card, you can receive free medical treatment in public hospitals. Even if a spouse is unemployed, they can still enjoy free healthcare just like children.
When you have a medical need in Spain, you should follow the guidelines below for seeking treatment.
1. Appointment: You need to make an appointment to see a doctor in Spain. Appointments can be made via phone, website, or at the counter. If you go without an appointment, you will likely face long wait times and may not be able to see a doctor.
2. Waiting: During the appointment, the nurse will ask you to choose whether to see the doctor in the morning or afternoon. You should arrive at the designated time in front of the consulting room. The nurse will call out patients in order. If you miss your number, you will have to wait until the other patients are seen before the nurse calls out the missed numbers again.
3. Consultation: If you are not proficient in Spanish, it is advisable to bring a friend or a translator to effectively communicate your symptoms, which will aid in your treatment. However, if you do not have a translator or if your Spanish is limited, remember the word DOLOR, which means "pain." When the doctor asks where it hurts, point to the area and say this word. This is a last resort solution.
4. Obtaining Medication: Spanish hospitals typically do not have pharmacies. Patients need to take the prescription from the doctor to a pharmacy to obtain medication. The prescription is very important, so do not lose it. There are two colors of prescriptions: green for employed individuals (who pay between 40-60%) and red for retirees (who pay between 0-10%). Generally, medications in Spain are quite inexpensive.
With Spain’s advantage of universal free healthcare and the immense appeal of the recently passed new Spanish immigration policy, an increasing number of Chinese investors are seeking to immigrate to Spain through property purchases. Amid today’s immigration boom in Europe, it has become one of the mainstream immigration countries. WorldWay Immigration experts state that with the European economy beginning to recover, favorable low property prices, and the aspiration for the identity of an established capitalist nation in Europe, Spain’s property-based immigration is very much in demand. An increasing number of immigrants are choosing to live in Spain, and it is essential to be familiar with these guidelines for medical care that differ from those in the home country.