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Healthcare

European Health Insurance Card

Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea

What it is

The European Health Insurance Card (TSE) is a free personal document that proves the right to receive necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom or Switzerland. It is not valid if the trip is to receive medical treatment or if you move to live in another country. It is requested by the person entitled to healthcare, also for their beneficiaries, on the Social Security Benefits Portal. It is sent to your home within no more than 5 days; if your trip is imminent you can request the Provisional Replacement Certificate.

Official wording
Una vez solicitada la TSE, se enviará, en un plazo no superior a 5 días, al domicilio, no entregándose en mano en ningún caso.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

When

Before travelling to a European Economic Area country or Switzerland: check you have the card and that it is valid until your return date; if not, apply for a new one.

Official wording
compruebe que dispone de TSE y que su periodo de validez comprende la fecha de regreso prevista.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Apply on the benefits portal

    You apply for or renew it on the Social Security benefits portal. The person holding the right applies, also for their beneficiaries.

    Official wording
    Podrá solicitar o renovar su Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea, o la de sus beneficiarios, en el Portal de Prestaciones de la Seguridad Social.

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Receive it at home

    It is sent to your home within 5 days at most and is never handed over in person. If you want it at another address in Spain and your mobile is registered, you request it with a code sent to your phone.

    Official wording
    se enviará, en un plazo no superior a 5 días, al domicilio, no entregándose en mano en ningún caso.

    Official sources

FAQ

I am leaving now and it will not arrive — what can I do?

If the trip is imminent or the card cannot be issued, you can request the Provisional Replacement Certificate.

Official wording
Cuando no sea posible la emisión de la TSE, o si su desplazamiento es inminente podrá solicitar el Certificado Provisional Sustitutorio de la TSE.

Official sources

Can I use it to go for treatment abroad?

No. If the trip is to receive medical treatment, the INSS or ISM must issue the relevant form, after a favourable report from the health service. Nor is it valid if you move to another country.

Official wording
La Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE) no es válida cuando el desplazamiento tenga la finalidad de recibir tratamiento médico

Official sources

Will I have to pay anything?

In some cases you pay a fixed amount or a percentage, like the insured people of that country; those amounts are not refunded.

Official wording
Estos importes no son reintegrables.

Official sources

What if I lose my entitlement before it expires?

Using it requires still meeting the requirements; otherwise the costs may be claimed back from you as undue benefits.

Official wording
La utilización de la TSE durante su periodo de validez se encuentra condicionada a que su titular continúe reuniendo los requisitos que dieron lugar a su obtención.

Official sources

Related procedures

Terms used on this page