Who it is for

Those entitled to medical assistance and their dependent beneficiaries who meet the requirements of Spanish law and EU Social Security Regulations by being holders of a European Health Insurance Card.

What you can do

• You can request or renew the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for the holder entitled to healthcare and for their beneficiaries.
• Check the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) application status.

What you need to do it

• You must complete the information requested by the form and have your current address included in the Social Security database, as it must match the address you enter. You can update your address in the Change of worker/company address service if you are an active worker or Change of bank details and address of the pensioner (REM) if you are a pensioner.

Please note

Countries where the EHIC is valid: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.

The EHIC is not valid when the purpose of travel is to receive medical treatment. In such a case, the Social Marine Institute (ISM) must issue the corresponding form, having first received an affirmative report from the Health Service.

More information on "Scheduled medical treatment".

In certain cases, you will have to pay a fixed amount or percentage of healthcare expenses, in line with the conditions applicable to residents in the State to which you are travelling. These amounts are not reimbursable.

For more information please visit: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=es

The EHIC is valid from the date of receipt until the expiry date indicated on the card. Use of the EHIC during the validity period is dependent on the holder continuing to meet the requirements that resulted in the certificate being issued. Otherwise, expenses incurred may be recovered as undue benefits, in accordance with the provisions of article 76 of Regulation (EC) 883/04.

Some insured persons are unable to obtain the EHIC via this Internet service, such as:

• Persons who draw unemployment benefit and their beneficiaries.
• Insured persons who have the right to receive medical assistance as residents in Spain, or those who are no longer entitled to unemployment benefits.
• Beneficiaries of non-EU nationality with NIE, and
• Persons insured who must submit specific documentation to export their entitlement to healthcare.

In these cases, you must visit Provincial or Local Offices of the ISM.

Next steps

The European Health Card will be sent, within a period not exceeding 5 days, to the address that appears in the Social Security databases.

Additional information on the EU Single Digital Gateway
Access the assessment platform