Safety and Health Care
In general, Spain is a completely safe country. However, we do recommend that you take the minimum precautions – don’t carry large amounts of money on you, keep valuable objects such as mobile phones out of sight, don’t accept “suspicious offers” and try not to walk around in very lonely places. If you need help you can call the free emergency number 112.
Health Care
Spain has a National Health System that provides health care to citizens in public centres.
1. If you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will need to apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before you come so you are entitled to medical treatment in Spain. Get in contact with your local health authority.
2. If you come from a country other than those listed above, before you come check if there is an agreement between your country and Spain regarding Social Security and medical care. If there is, the public health authorities in your country should process the corresponding document so that you may be entitled to medical treatment.
3. If your country does not have an agreement with Spain, remember that you must take out private medical insurance, which you will also need to present when applying for your student visa. The medical insurance must be valid while you are in Spain. This insurance policy can be taken out with a Spanish or a foreign company and it is important that is high level.
Things to remember
The National Health System only covers general health care – other treatments such as dental and eye treatments must be arranged privately.
Private doctors and hospitals in Spain do not accept the European Health Insurance Card.
If you forget your European Health Insurance Card or the official certificate from your country you will have cover the costs in advance.
Once you are in Spain, go to the nearest health care centre in the place where you live.
In Spain medicine is bought at chemists. They are easy to spot on the street – they have a green cross on the front.
http://www.msc.es/ciudadanos/prestaciones/centrosServiciosSNS/hospitales/home.htm
You do not need any vaccinations to come to Spain. As in any part of the world, we recommend being up-to-date with your tetanus vaccination if you are going to be in contact with nature and the countryside, and your vaccination calendar should also be up-to-date.
However, as conditions may vary, it is advisable to get informed before travelling, at the relevant office in your country of origin for full details regarding current requirements to receive medical care in Spain.