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Healthcare

Health card

Tarjeta sanitaria individual

Madrid versionOnly applies in Community of Madrid

In other cities: Barcelona · Valencia

Where to ask

Your health centre, or the Community of Madrid citizen information line 012 (also by chat and WhatsApp).

Official wording
Contacto 012 Chat 012 WhatsApp

Official sources

What it is

In the Community of Madrid, the individual health card identifies you as a user of the public health system and gives access to health services. For a first card you must be registered on the padrón in the Community of Madrid, have your right to healthcare recognised by the INSS and, if you are a foreign national, hold a valid residence permit or one being renewed. Online applications are temporarily suspended: apply in person at your assigned health centre (8:30–20:30). In general you bring your DNI or, if you are a foreign national, a valid TIE; a volante de empadronamiento issued in the last ninety days (residents of the city of Madrid can authorise a padrón check instead); and the INSS healthcare entitlement document (DAD), or authorise a check. There is no fee. Once the documents are validated, the card is sent to the health centre in about 3 or 4 weeks. A foreign national's card is valid for as long as their TIE: update the date at the health centre each time the residence permit is renewed. If you need medical care before receiving the card, you can go to your health centre.

Official wording
la solicitud telemática de la Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual se encuentra temporalmente suspendida

Official sources

Where it applies
Community of Madrid

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Health card (Community of Madrid)

When

When you are registered on the padrón in the Community of Madrid and the INSS has recognised your right to healthcare; foreign nationals also need a valid residence permit or one being renewed.

Official wording
En caso de personas extranjeras, disponer de un permiso de residencia en vigor o en trámite de renovación.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Get your entitlement recognised by the INSS

    You need the INSS healthcare entitlement document (DAD), showing you as a worker, pensioner or beneficiary dependent on a holder. You can get it online on the Social Security website, or authorise the centre to check it. To become a dependent beneficiary of a holder you must go to a Social Security office.

    Official wording
    Para obtener la condición de beneficiario a cargo de un titular de la Seguridad Social es preciso acudir a una Oficina de la Seguridad Social, organismo competente en la materia.

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Get your padrón certificate

    The volante de empadronamiento must have been issued by your town hall in the last ninety days. If you live in the city of Madrid, you can authorise a padrón check instead of bringing it.

    Official wording
    El Volante de Empadronamiento, emitido por su ayuntamiento de residencia en los últimos noventa días previos a su presentación.

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Apply at your health centre

    Online applications are temporarily suspended: apply in person at your assigned health centre, 8:30–20:30. At the health centre you do not need the application form; the administrative staff will tell you which documents you need in your case.

    Official wording
    Si acudes a tu centro de salud para hacer el trámite, no necesitas aportar el formulario de solicitud.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Collect the card

    Once the documents are validated, the card is sent in about 3 or 4 weeks to the health centre where your family doctor or paediatrician is assigned. Collect it Monday to Friday, 08:30–20:30.

    Official wording
    El horario de atención para recoger la tarjeta o la etiqueta es de lunes a viernes de 08:30 a 20:30.

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: Update it when you renew your TIE

    A foreign national's card is valid for as long as their TIE: each time you renew your residence permit, update the expiry date at your health centre.

    Official wording
    Estos deberán actualizar en su centro de salud la fecha de caducidad de su permiso de residencia, cada vez que lo renueven.

    Official sources

Documents

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

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Fees

No fee is required.

Official wording
No requiere el pago de tasas

Official sources

FAQ

Can I see a doctor before I have the card?

Yes: if you need medical care before receiving the card, go to your health centre, where they will give you access to care.

Official wording
Si necesitas atención médica antes de recibir la tarjeta, puedes acudir a tu centro de salud, donde te facilitarán el acceso a la asistencia sanitaria.

Official sources

If I move, do I get a new card?

No. When you change address the data is corrected and your health centre gives you a new label to stick on the back of the card. No new card is issued for a change of employment situation, phone or email either.

Official wording
La solicitud de modificación del domicilio. Sólo corregiremos la información en nuestros ficheros y te facilitaremos una nueva etiqueta en tu centro de salud, para adherirla en el reverso de la tarjeta sanitaria.

Official sources

I lost my card. What do I bring?

For a new card after loss, theft or damage: your DNI or, if you are a foreign national, a valid TIE (children under 14 without DNI or TIE, the family book). If you have changed address, also a padrón certificate from the last ninety days.

Official wording
Si ha cambiado su domicilio: el Volante de Empadronamiento, emitido por su ayuntamiento de residencia en los últimos noventa días previos a su presentación.

Official sources

Is there a card on my phone?

Yes, the Virtual Health Card lets you carry the card on your phone and use it at health centres and pharmacies in the Community of Madrid.

Official wording
Con su Tarjeta Sanitaria Virtual podrá disponer, en todo momento en su dispositivo móvil, de su tarjeta sanitaria individual para poder utilizarla en centros sanitarios y farmacias de la Comunidad de Madrid

Official sources

Related procedures

Terms used on this page