Healthcare. What do you need to know?

How can you see a doctor in Spain?

Emergency treatment is guaranteed for everyone and is provided in hospitals and some health centres. Care at private centres will always be charged. We recommend always travelling with international medical insurance, especially if you are not a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or a country with a bilateral healthcare agreement with Spain that covers such treatment.Medical care for illness or accident is free to citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein as long as they have a European Health Card (EHIC) and the reason for the trip is not to seek specific medical treatment. If you forget your EHIC, you will have to pay all the costs and request reimbursement back in your country. If you require scheduled medical treatment, this must be authorised by the competent institution in your country of origin. In all cases, dental treatment (with the exception of extractions) are excluded, and repatriation the in case of illness.Andorra, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Tunisia have bilateral agreements with Spain that guarantee medical and hospital care to their citizens in Spain. However, you will need to have the appropriate certificate issued in your country of origin. If you forget your certificate, you will have to pay all the costs and request reimbursement back in your country. Here you can consult the various bilateral healthcare agreements with Spain.

Where can you buy medicines?

In Spain, medicines are purchased from chemists. You will see these in the streets with the green crosses. If you come from a European country or a country that has a healthcare agreement with Spain, you'll be eligible for the same pharmaceutical services as Spaniards.

Smoking. Where is it prohibited?

In Spain, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public areas (including public transportation vehicles).Smoking is also prohibited in health centres (including outdoor areas within their premises), educational and training centres (except outdoor areas of university and adult education centres) and in playgrounds and play areas (outdoor areas equipped for children).Many hotels and other establishments have rooms for smokers. These must be in separate areas with separate ventilation.

Celiac disease. Is it easy to find food for celiacs and how do you ask for it?

In Spain there is a growing awareness of Celiac Disease and the importance of providing gluten-free food. Therefore, more and more hotels, restaurants, campsites, parks and recreation centres are prepared for the needs of people with celiac disease. You can find a list of them at the official website of the Federation of Associations of people with Celiac Disease of Spain. The Federation recommends that tourists who do not speak Spanish carry a piece of paper with this text written on it:“Soy celíaco. Si consumo algún alimento que contenga trigo, centeno, cebada, avena, kamut, espelta o triticale, o bien sus productos derivados, puedo enfermar. Esto incluye la harina, pan, pasta, croquetas, dulces, salsas, algunos embutidos… Los celíacos podemos comer carne, pescado, huevos, legumbres, frutas, hortalizas, arroz, maíz, soja y también patata. Estos productos se deben cocinar sin harina, cocidos, a la plancha, a la brasa o bien crudos. Si durante la preparación de la comida le surgiera alguna duda, por favor consúlteme. Gracias”.

Travelling with food intolerances. What precautions to take?

If you have food allergies or intolerances, you should know that in Spain it is compulsory to disclose if foods contain any of the following 14 allergens and their derivatives: lupins, celery, peanuts, cereals containing gluten, crustaceans, nuts, sesame, eggs, milk, molluscs, mustard, fish, soya and sulphites. That’s why you'll see them listed on menus in bars, restaurants and food establishments; or marked in bold or in some special way in the list of ingredients when you buy packaged foods.We advise telling the waiting staff where you are going to eat (in hotels, restaurants, planes or trains, for example), or your travel agency, about your food intolerance or allergy. Always ask any questions you feel necessary; if in doubt, opt for another alternative and avoid consuming the food. At this link you can find a foldable warning card, translated into English, French and Spanish, to print out and show people the allergens you need to avoid. It will be useful for you to show it when you need it and make sure they understand it. You can also leave it folded on your table in a clearly visible place.