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Medical treatment in Spain is generally excellent. However the ability to obtain it varies. It very much depends on how stretched the medical services are in your area of Spain.
Generally speaking, if you are part of the Spanish National Insurance system, you are automatically eligible for medical treatment.
If you are not paying into the social security system you can still obtain treatment if you have an EHIC card (E 111) and a passport or NIE number. The medical practice will register you for six months. However, if need be you can renew this.I hasten to add that this is for emergency treatment only, the EHIC card is really to cover the medical needs of tourists on holiday in Spain, to make sure that they don’t end up paying for healthcare whilst on holiday. This will not cover any long-term treatment.
I have heard horror stories of injured children being refused treatment, of people being turned away from medical centres and hospitals but at the same time some areas of Spain have even offered hip replacement operations to non-Residents, so it really depends on where you live.
From personal experience, my local medical centre on the Costa del Sol is excellent. I was not registered with them but they still treated me for an emergency when I had a really nasty cut.
Likewise a friend of mine has recently been treated for cancer in our local hospital and all she can do is praise the doctors, staff and superb facilities.
Of course there is also private healthcare. Sometimes, especially if you are having tests, it is worth going private as it is so much faster than the state system.
You do not need to take out medical insurance to go to a private clinic - you can simply turn up and ask to see a doctor.
Overall the standard of healthcare in Spain is very high, the doctors and nurses are well-trained and most hospitals and medical centres are modern and well-equipped.
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Suesaid
Having just read the post above about private medical clinics if you are thinking of coming to live anywhere near Elche - La Marina - Guardamar, San Fulgencio, Catral, Dolores, La Hoya and surrounding areas there is a superb private clinic in La Marina Urbanisation - It is called Clinica La Marina - and is in Calle Madrid, right next to Super Valu. Tel 966 796 380. It is run by Dr Pepa and her amazing team of people, to name but a few Lynda, Gudren, and Teresa. You can have a one off visit for about 50 euros - or pay approx 180 euros for the year. After that you only pay for tests ie blood tests etc. I have used this clinic now for about 3 years and it is fantastic. My dealings there have mostly been with Dr Pepa and Lynda, and I cannot speak highly enough of both of them - no need to speak Spanish there either so thats a big plus -
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