Emergencies - 061
Ambulances - [34] 952 303 034
Hospital C del Sol - [34] 952 828 250 Marbella
Carlos Haya Hosp - [34] 951 030 100 Malaga
Civil Hospital - [34] 951 030 300 Malaga
Materno Infantil Hosp - [34] 951 030 200 Malaga
Hospital Clinic - [34] 951 032 000 Malaga

Healthcare in Spain
"Almost as perfect an environment as it is possible to obtain"
(World Health Organisation)
Andalucia is a healthy place to live, and Spain has a very well-developed modern healthcare system.

• As co-members of the EU British and Spanish people are entitled to free general healthcare when in each other's countries.
  Visitors (less than 3 months) will need an EHIC card, which is the replacement for the former E111 document. For information and to apply for an EHIC card online, see the Department of Health website.
• Doctors work privately and at public health centres ('centros de salud'). Quite a few Spanish doctors speak some English; and English and English-speaking physicians are easy to find (as are Dutch, German and Scandinavian).
• Many general remedies are prescribed and obtained at the pharmacist's ("Farmacia" - they have a green cross sign). There are many dentists, opticians and other medical specialists.
• No special vaccinations or precautions are required in Spain - other than avoiding unnecessary exposure to strong sunlight . . .

What follows below in italics is our previous information, which may now be superceded by the EHIC card and associated regulations - unfortunately, we don't know the current situation - we suggest you look at the EHIC website :

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Permanent residents need document E121 and will need to be working or otherwise contributing to the Spanish social security system to enjoy free medical cover.

Under the current regulations, anyone who spends more than 3 months living outside the UK is no longer automatically entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England. To cover you for emergency treatment in Spain whilst you wait for your residency (if you decide to become one) visit your local post office in the UK before you leave to obtain an E111 form. The E111 is for non residents only so can not be relied on for the long term. Due to recent changes in European law the old E111 form expires on the 31st December 2004 and will be replaced by a European Health Insurance card. The main difference between the old and the new form is that the new form is now issued on an individual, as opposed to a family basis.

If you are of state retirement age or receiving a UK Incapacity Benefit then you will require an E121 form rather than an E111. As a UK state pensioner if you are not planning to move permanently to Spain, as long as you spend not less than 6 months in the UK and not more than 6 months in Spain each year you will be exempt from charges for NHS hospital treatment whilst living in the UK - as long as you are not registered as a Spanish resident.
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If you are a citizen of the EU and you are not a pensioner, self-employed or in paid employment you are entitled to full health care under the Spanish State Social security system. To apply for a ‘Tarjeta Sanitaria’ go to your local main health centre and refer to ‘la extension de asistencia sanitaria a demanda segun la Circular 1/2002’ You will need:

• Your passport
  
• A recently issued Empadronamiento certificate.
  
• And you will have to complete an application form.
  

If you work in Spain, then you will be paying into the Spanish social security system and therefore eligible for free healthcare. Once you take any job in Spain your employer is required to deal with all the paperwork for you, pay part of your contributions and deduct the other part from your wages.

If you are self employed, you should obtain your residence card and also your 'Alta Fiscal' (from Hacienda - the tax office). These documents must be presented to the office of the Tesoreria de Seguridad Social and an application made for the 'Alta de Autonomo' and 'Inscription en la Seguridad Social'. Unless your Spanish is very good, then it is probably advisable to get a gestoria (an accountant) to do this for you.

Your medical card entitles you to full medical cover. Do not lose your medical card as you must present it each time you visit a hospital or the clinic. At the Costa del Sol hospital there are translators on hand to assist with language differences but you may have to wait for their services due to demand. It is recommended that you are accompanied by a Spanish speaker as it is so easy for misunderstandings to occur if you are depending on gestures alone. It may also be frustrating for the medical staff who have a long list of patients to see after you.

Local Health Centres
Mijas - [34] 952 485 404
Fuengirola - [34] 952 468 653 Las Lagunas

Private Healthcare
Although the healthcare in Spain is extremely efficient and available to all EU residents, having your own private health insurance is highly recommended. Private health insurance is widely available in Spain but always read the small print and check that you will be covered for everything you need. Some policies only cover you for emergency treatment in the home and/or an ambulance to the local hospital for example and you may find that you have to pay for the hospital treatment after you have received it.

The cost of private health insurance is less expensive than in the UK. There are a few large companies such as Sanitas [owned by BUPA], Previaso, Asisa and Adeslas that provide coverage for ex-pats. Prices vary depending upon your medical history and age. As a guideline, if you are under 60 you can expect to pay approximately 75€ per month as an individual. Family cover, including dental care, can be obtained for approximately €190 per month for a family of five.

If you use the Spanish National Health Service, you can still carry a comprehensive medical emergencies policy from one of the private emergency medical companies who will respond to call-out 24 hrs a day & 365 days a year. The cost is around €95 per person or €210 for a family of five.

Insurance
Sanitas-BUPA - [34] 902 400 232
AXA PPP - [UK] 01892 505 990
Helicopteros Sanitarios - [34] 952 816 767
Taurus

Medication
Medications prescribed by the Spanish State Health system are free for pensioners. If you are working and paying Spanish taxes and insurance contributions, you will still pay for your prescriptions but at a reduced cost than over the counter. Many medications are freely available without prescription, however it is always advisable that you consult your doctor before taking any medication.

Chemists in Spain (just look for the large green cross on the outside of the building) are plentiful and you can buy much more over the counter than you can in the UK. The law states that farmacias must operate on a rota system so there is always one open – details can be found in local press or on your local chemists door.

Dental Care
Dental treatment is Spain is also very good but it is not free. It is however cheaper than private dental treatment in the UK.

Dr Chris Littler - Av J Santos Rein, Fuengirola [34] 952 466 056
Smile - Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucia [34] 952 810 908
Dr Ian Fraser James - Sotogrande [34] 956 795 273
Marcel Dieltiens - [34] 657 966 615 Denture Technician

Vision
DanOptica - Av J Santos Rein, Fuengirola [34] 952 583 910

XYZ
WeightWatchers - [34] 704 100 405 Pippa
Tim Errington, Chiropractor - Guadalmina, Marbella [34] 952 880 398
Dogs and pets - click here

Alternative Health and Beauty Facilities
Alternative health in the Costa del Sol is becoming increasingly big business. Whether you prefer to see an individual therapist or practitioner at a local health centre, or indulge in some alternative classes in some of the spas at the regions biggest hotels, make sure you check their credentials beforehand and have a chat to a professional at the centre to make sure each treatment is suitable for you and your ailments.

Talasotheraphy Centre - Hotel Byblos
Only 9 kilometres from Mijas, the Thalassotherapy Spa is the epitome of elegance and tranquility and is set within the 5 star Hotel Byblos Andaluz. Talasotherapy involves covering the body with the mineral elements that constitute sea water, such as; iodine, sulphur, calcium and magnesium which are then absorbed by the skin. The centre has multiple treatment and relaxation rooms and a room for the rehabilitation from ailments such as; rheumatism, post-traumatic stress, muscular pains, obesity and cellulite.

Chinese Medicine
Located at the Hotel El Paraiso in Estepona this centre of Chinese medicine offers both traditional and natural treatments for a range of conditions including gynaecological illnesses, urology complaints, heart disease, circulation problems, gastro-intestinitis, rheumatism, locomotive and neural symptoms and also skin complaints. The programmes are based on natural cures, herbal remedies, pools, turkish baths and saunas. They offer massage, acupuncture, neuraltherapy, colon hydrotherapy, oxygen therapy, ozone therapy, homeopathy, thermal regulation and bioresonance therapy.

Serenity Spa
Located at the Hotel Las Dunas in Estepona, this luxurious establishment offers various health and beauty programmes for the body, mind and soul. It offers facial treatments including lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, seaweed baths, talasotherapy, termolipolysis and reflexology to name but a few.

Marbella Club Hotel Spa
Located at the well-known Marbella Club and ranked as one of the finest spas in Europe, the spa is also popular with the rich and famous. There are over 800 metres of state-of-the-art facilities, including an indoor seawater pool, saunas, solarium, steam baths and 12 treatment rooms. Treatments on offer include Thalassotherapy, slimming treatments, beauty and rejuvenation to anti-stress packages.

The Polly Mar Beauty Spa & Wellness Centre
The Polly Mar Beauty Spa & Wellness Centre at the Kempinski Resort Hotel in Estepona specializes in body and facial treatments for example, gynaecology, urology, dermatology, homeopathy and allergies as well as incorporating aromatherapy, music therapy and colour therapy into some of their programmes. Visit for more information.

Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa, Marbella
The Hydrotherapy Centre/Spa offers total relaxation at the hands of professional therapists. You can enjoy a hydro massage bath with enriching seaweed, high power jet spray, Jacuzzi, aromatherapy and lots more. Packages are available for Anti-stress, body beautiful, balancing holistic therapies and skin cleanse/detox.

Albayt Spa Resort - Costa Galera, Estepona [34] 901 120 361
Nagomi Spa - Benalmadena [34] 952 661 174