Michael74

Having SIP cards issued under E121 in Generalitat Valenciana does anybody know what the health care entitlements are in other regions of Spain Have heard rumours - probably unfounded - that we would not be entitled to the same cover.

The reason I ask is we are thinking of touring by caravan around Spain

scampicat

AFAIK, if you are covered under the E121 it is the same throughout Spain.

I understand that Valencia has a special scheme for those NOT covered under the E121 that other regions do not have, but if you are covered under the E121 it should be the same everywhere in Spain.

VFR

Our experiance............
Valencian SIP card / Spanish SS number etc etc.

Went into the surgery in Mijas (Andalucia) to ask if we could nip in to have blood pressure taken (yes I know the chemist do this)
Puzzled look at our SIP card and given a form to fill out ?, duly done and an appointment made for next week (in our center you just ask who is last)
Booked an appointment to see the doctor for some additional prescriptions, he looked at our Valencian ones and just ripped them up ?. No good here so take these ! (odd)
Call from the local SS office a few days later to tell us that our Valencian SIP card is not recognised here, so a visit was needed to obtain a Provisional Targeta that would cover us for our stay.

Q ? are you telling me that a person who has a valid medical card from another region, who also pays into the national system & has a national SS number will always need a provisional card when moving into another province.
A yes!
Q even if they are on holiday ?
A yes!

I do though suspect that a Spanish EHIC card would overcome this as this was what they first asked for, but I was under the impression that a EHIC card was for use outside of your country.

Fred James

It could be a twisted piece of logic.

If you have a Spanish EHIC card it proves that are entitled to healthcare in Spain.

Maybe they find it easier to recognise a EU card rather than a strange card from a different province. In Andalucia they would have no idea what a SIP card was.

VFR

That I can kind of accept, but a Sip card also has my Spanish SS number on it & I assume that they can instantly access my details.

megmet

Unless you are a Spanish national you would not now have a Spanish EHIC card, as of May 2010 the EU directive is that they must be issued from your country of origin.

VFR

For those reciving a State Pension, or in recipt of an E121 (as a pensioner has)
In my case I would be issued with an Spanish EHIC card as far as I am aware.

Fred James

That was precisely my point. Anyone producing one, must, by definition, be in the Spanish health system.

Fred James

As Megmet said, UK holders of an E121 no longer get Spanish EHIC cards. They are issued by the UK.

snikpoh

To clarify, this ONLY applies to pensioners (or if you are on disability I think).

Everyone else living in Spain gets their EHIC from Spain

gardner8

This question has been asked many times on other forums and I believe previously on this one. The answer seems to be typical of Spain,ie. depends where you are and who you ask.
Many have received treatment on their SIP cards ( OAPs etc ) in other parts of Spain including Majorca/Minorca without any problems ?

Fred James

But only if they qualify for one which means being entitled to healthcare by being employed or paying social security.

There are many non working non pensioners living in Spain and they are not entitled to an EHIC either from Spain or the UK.

Michael74

I think then, before we set out on our travels it would be best to get any prescriptions from our Doctor, get them supplied by our local pharmacy and take our EHIC cards with us (issued by UK)

gill556

If you have a SIP card it entitles you to cover everywhere in Spain including the Islands, I have already confirmed this with the British Consulate. To be entitled to a Spanish EHIC you have to be a Spanish National or working and paying in to the system. If you are a pensioner from the UK you get your EHIC from the UK.If you are resident in Spain and are not a pensioner and do not pay in to the system then you would have no medical cover and need private insurance.

VFR

So to answer your question
Just make sure that you also have your EHIC (UK one in your case) card with you & then you should not have a problem.
But ???????????