Care without full residency status

You will learn what care is guaranteed, which documents regions ask for, and what a visitor may be billed.

Start with "Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get". It explains which care is guaranteed and how to get a health document. Then read the page that fits your situation:

• "Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for" shows which proofs of time in Spain, such as address registration, regions accept for the health document.
• "Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works" explains the health entitlement that comes with international and temporary protection.
• "Visiting from outside the EU: what if you need a Spanish hospital?" explains when care may be billed, how invoices work and how travel insurance fits in.

Emergency care, residence permit applications and legal advice on regularising your status are not covered here.

Key rules

• Time in Spain: Adults without a residence permit usually need to show at least 90 days in Spain to get the health document, but this does not apply to children under 18.
• Visitor billing: Non-EU visitors without treaty or insurance cover are billed for hospital care, and emergency care is never refused but is charged.
• Children: Children under 18 are covered without waiting for the 90 days.
• Entitlement: Asylum applicants and temporary-protection beneficiaries have the right to public healthcare on the same terms as Spanish nationals.
• Before formalisation: Emergency care, care for pregnant women and care for minors are guaranteed even before your application is formalised.
• Regional rules: Each region sets its own accepted proofs, so confirm with your regional health service before you gather papers.

Care without full residency status: the whole process, step by step

• Register on the padrón at your town hall (see: Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for): As soon as you have a place to live; you can do this whatever your legal status

• Gather your passport or ID and proof of time in Spain: Before you apply; adults usually need to show at least 90 days in Spain, and this does not apply to children under 18

• Sign a declaration that no other healthcare cover applies to you (see: Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get): When you apply

• Apply at your local health centre's admissions desk or through your regional health service: After the 90 days are covered; some regions ask for an appointment first

• Receive your health card or temporary document, which may need renewing: Usually within days to a few weeks of applying

• If you are an asylum applicant, use the route for protection applicants (see: Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works): Access usually starts once your application is formalised and you hold the resguardo; before then, emergency care and care for pregnant women and minors are guaranteed

• If your asylum claim is finally rejected, apply through the route for people without a permit: When the decision becomes final or your red card expires; the card often continues while an appeal with suspensive effect is pending

• If you are visiting from outside the EU, expect a bill for hospital care (see: Visiting from outside the EU: what if you need a Spanish hospital?): Whenever you need care; emergency care is never refused but is charged

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your passport
• Empadronamiento certificate — Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works

Translations and legal papers

• A sworn declaration — Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for

Other documents

• Proof that you have been in Spain for at least 90 days — Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get
• Proof of asylum application — Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works
• The regional health card or temporary health document — Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get
• Red card — Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works
• A certificate from your home country's health institution — Visiting from outside the EU: what if you need a Spanish hospital?
• A report from social services or from an NGO or recognised entity — Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for

Care without full residency status: questions that cross several articles

Can I get a health card if I have no residence permit and no padrón?

Yes, you may still get a health card if you can show at least 90 days in Spain by other documents, such as medical records, rental or utility documents, or travel tickets. Some regions also accept a report from social services or an NGO. Read "Proving you live here without papers: what regions ask for" and then "Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get".

Which office issues the health document if I have no permit?

The regional health service of the region where you live issues the health document, and in Ceuta and Melilla it is INGESA, the national health management body. You apply at your local health centre's admissions desk or through the regional service. See "Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get" for the steps.

Can I register on the padrón without a residence permit?

Yes, you can register on the padrón, the municipal population register, whatever your legal status, using your passport or ID and proof of address such as a rental contract or utility bill. Registration gives no residence rights but is the easiest proof of time in Spain.

What happens to my healthcare if my asylum claim is rejected?

Your asylum health card is usually cancelled once the rejection is final, but you can then apply under the route for people without a permit, and emergency care is always available. Read "Asylum seekers and temporary protection: how healthcare access works" and then "Healthcare without a residence permit in Spain: what you can get".