Spain has long been one of the most popular overseas holiday destinations for British holidaymakers, and around 13 million of us visit the country every year. With that many people travelling, the law of averages says that a few of them are bound to run into trouble. It’s one thing being prepared and having your EHIC cover in place before you leave the UK, but would you know how to access healthcare in Spain if you needed to?

Pharmacy

For many Spaniards, the local pharmacy is the best place to seek cures for minor ailments. Look for the word “farmacia” and a large green cross outside the building. Spain has a system whereby pharmacies take it in turns to open late, overnight and at weekends. The rota for the “farmacia de guardia” will be posted on the local pharmacy door. Pharmacists will mostly speak some English, and can advise and dispense medicines for conditions such as allergies, sunburn, sprains, bruises, upset stomachs or coughs and colds. Their advice is free, and medicines are charged at a standard rate so every pharmacy will charge the same.

GP Care

If you’d prefer to see a doctor but are not ill enough for an A&E visit, seeing a doctor is also possible using EHIC. Some hotels and apartments will have a visiting doctor – these are almost always private medics who will not take EHIC cover and will expect you to foot the full bill. A GP in Spanish is “medico de cabecera”, and to find one who is operating in the state system, look for the words “asistencia sanitaria publica”. Most GPs, especially those in areas with a high number of foreign visitors, will be able to speak at least a little English. Phrase books and translators can be useful for a consultation where there is a language barrier.

Urgent Care

If you are involved in a serious accident or become ill enough to need hospital care, then the Spanish equivalent of A&E is “Urgencias”. Not all hospitals operate in the state system, so again make sure you look for the word “publica”. If you are asked for a credit card when you arrive at hospital, chances are that you’re in a private establishment. Travel insurance may cover costs of treatment here, but you won’t be able to use EHIC. Treatment in a state hospital for an urgent condition is free of charge.

Prescriptions

If you are seen by a hospital doctor in a Spanish hospital and they advise that you take medication, don’t expect to be discharged with your tablets from the hospital pharmacy. All medicines in Spain are dispensed by local pharmacies, so take your prescription to the nearest one to get your medication. You must pay for your prescriptions in the way many of us do here in the UK. This money cannot be claimed back under EHIC rules, but the pharmacist will be happy to explain the charges. Always keep receipts and packaging for any medication to make it easier to bring items home to the UK.