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Health MattersOne of the most difficult and most worrying problems is what to do if you are ill or have an accident. You are out of your safety zone and your stress levels rise and this makes the condition more serious. European Health Insurance Card is obtained by completing form EHIC which is available from British post offices or via the Department of Health.
Please note however, the EHIC card is not a substitute for travel insurance. Apply at a post office. If you apply directly through the Department of Health (0845 6062030; www.dh.gov.uk/travellers) it should take just seven days online or 10 days if you apply by phone. Emergency or Immediate Health Care RequirementIf you are ill and have not registered with a doctor, go to the nearest Hospital Casualty Department. They are most helpful and you will always see a doctor fairly promptly. Take your form European Health Insurance Card, form E121 or form E106, your passport or your official Spanish health (SIP) card. The E106 is for people who have moved permanently to Spain but have not reached pensionable age,
its period of effectiveness depends on the state of your past Nat Ins contributions record. Emergency Police - Fire - Ambulance. Telephone - just dial the number 112. They have multilingual operators available, just ask for the service you require and explain your problem. Prescriptions in general as in the UK are free for pensioners. If you are not a pensioner or not covered by the Spanish health system you will be pleased to know that most medicines are cheaper here then the UK
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The card, which is free, is a direct replacement for the old E111, entitling the
holder to medical treatment when visiting any of the countries in the European Economic Area, which includes
the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Cardholder's are entitled to the
same treatment, on the same terms, as the residents of the country they are travelling in - which in practice
means either free or at a reduced cost.