No. It is not so difficult.
One of the biggest concerns when arriving to a new city is to know what to do in case you get sick.
If the city is Madrid, you don’t need to worry that much, health care is one of the best and most efficient in the world. Both, public and private.
Public medicine
Its purpose is to provide the medical and pharmaceutical services necessary to preserve and restore the health of its beneficiaries, as well as their aptitude for work. Medical services are free, but pharmaceuticals are not, in most cases a percentage of the price of the medicines has to be paid.
Only Insured (“Asegurados”) persons and their Beneficiaries (“Beneficiarios”) have the right to public medicine.
People who are in one of these cases are Insured (in the link are all the cases, in this post only the most relevant):
- Those who are employees or self-employed, who, in addition, are affiliated to Social Security and registered as such.
- Those who, not having compulsory health care coverage by another means, are in some of the following cases:
- They are nationals of a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland and are registered in the Central Register of Foreigners.
- They are nationals of a country other than those mentioned in the previous point, or stateless persons, and holders of an authorization to reside in Spanish territory.
Beneficiaries are the spouse, descendants and siblings of the Insured person.
In order to become insured or beneficiary, you must follow these steps:
- Apply for affiliation and the Social Security number using form TA1 and submit it at Dirección Provincial de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. At 102, Serrano street.
- Request registration as Insured using form TA2 (employees) or TA0521 (self-employed), which is submitted to Dirección Provincial de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social. At 102, Serrano street.
- Apply for health care assistance using this form (for both the Insured and the Beneficiary) and submit it at any INSS Centro de Atención. At 2, Maldonado street (among other addresses).
- Apply for the Health Care Card (Tarjeta de Asistencia Sanitaria) at the corresponding medical centre (“Centro de Salud”) according to your address.
In the links above you’ll find working hours, contact and appointment (“cita previa”) info. Currently, you may apply to all these formalities online, with or without “Certificado Digital).
Private Medicine
Although the Spanish (and Madrid’s) Public Health Service is one of the best in the world, there is the possibility of hiring private medical insurance. And even in most cases related to Residence permits, it’s mandatory.
These private insurances offer more flexibility and some advantages:
- direct access to specialist doctors
- faster to get appointments
- more comfort for inpatient companions
- possibility of access to alternative treatments and new techniques (in some cases).
The most important insurance companies in Madrid
Each one of these companies offer a wide range of services in convenient locations. They have many plans with different coverage options, prices and payment methods and even promotions for new clients that are being updated regularly.
SANITAS has a plan, Sanitas Health Plan, designed specifically for foreigners residing in Spain, with an exclusive medical staff and bilingual attention.
CIGNA offers Cigna Health Reimbursement Blue with free choice of doctor or hospital anywhere in the world.
MAPFRE offers specific products for international clients with personal attention in English.
For further info, find out the essentials about public and private health in Madrid.
If you plan to move soon, you will find all the relevant information in The secret of relocating to Madrid. If, in addition, you need help with the organization or even if we accompany you, check out our services.
In the meantime, you can receive regular information by filling in this questionnaire. And if you find it useful, we thank you for sharing it.
