Health Card

What documents do I need?

In order to process the Health Card, you must submit an application form, together with the DOCUMENTATION required in each case.

A copy of the application form, stamped by a health centre, can be used to access healthcare from the time of application until you receive your actual card.

Generally, the following

• The applicant’s identity card.
• Social Security card including the beneficiary sheet.
• Identity card(s) of the beneficiaries or, if none exist, your Family Record Book.
• If you come from another Autonomous Community, you must provide the card for that community.

Specific groups:

• Pensioners: Document issued by the National Social Insurance Institute recognising your status as a pensioner.
• Other groups entitled to free prescriptions: Document recognising the user as belonging to one of these groups, issued by the corresponding entity (IMSERSO, INSS, etc.).
• ISFAS, MUGEJU or MUFACE mutual society members who opt to receive healthcare from the Health Service:
• Mutual society membership card.
• Card showing the social security membership number.
• Non-nationals belonging to the European Union: Residence card.
• Non-EU nationals: Residence permit or, failing that, work permit.
• Non-nationals under 18 years of age who are not legally resident in Spain: Compulsory data (name and surname, date of birth and sex) must be certified by the government department responsible for the child’s guardianship. If the child is not under guardianship, this information will be obtained from the child's own or family passport or, failing that, from a social services report. If none of these options is possible, a report from the area social worker will be required.

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION:

ROYAL DECREE 183/2004, of 30 January 2004, regulating the individual health card.

Organisation:

Organisation responsible

• Consejería de Sanidad
• Gerencia Regional de Salud (SACyL)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

You must apply for a NEW CARD in the following cases: breakage or loss, wrong information on the card (name, identification card number, social security number, etc.), change in any membership status, or a change of address.

In general, and with some exceptions, the health card is valid for an unlimited period of time and will be automatically renewed even if it expires 10 years after issue.

You must always show your health card when accessing health services.

When applying for a new card, please hand in your old card to the administrative services at the health centre or send it in by post.

You must carry your health card with you when travelling in Spain.

The Health Card is issued to users free of charge.