Immigration to Spain has rapidly captured the immigration market and become one of the most preferred projects for investment immigrants due to its extremely low requirements for applicants, highly livable environment, and comprehensive social welfare system.
Spain is a country with a high-level social welfare system, and all citizens enjoy social medical insurance, which is one of the reasons that attracts immigrants to Spain. However, for those who have just immigrated to live in Spain, seeking medical treatment can be somewhat troublesome due to unfamiliarity with the local environment. Here, we will provide a detailed introduction on how to seek medical care after immigrating to Spain.
Medical treatment in Spain is based on an appointment system; patients must make an appointment by phone before they can see a doctor. Currently, in most regions of Spain, the way to book a family doctor is through the internet, phone, or at the counter. Therefore, after immigrating to Spain, you must first go to a nearby community clinic to apply for a public health card. Before the official health card is issued, you can use the temporary health card application form to book an appointment with a doctor.
Every city in Spain has its own medical appointment website. After entering the website, you need to fill in your health card number, date of birth, and residence permit number. Generally, in Spain, unless it is an emergency, you must make an appointment; you cannot see a doctor without one.
The national emergency number in Spain is 061, but it is best to remember the emergency number of the hospital closest to your residence after immigrating to Spain.
For common ailments like colds or headaches, you can simply buy medicine at a pharmacy. Pharmacies in Spain are usually open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:30, and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 14:30. Even in the smallest villages in Spain, there are 24-hour pharmacies, which can also provide emergency contact numbers.
