How to find your own region's healthcare rules and forms

Terms used

• Padrón — The padrón is the register of residents kept by your town hall, with a certificate showing your home address.
• Tarjeta sanitaria — The tarjeta sanitaria is the public health card issued by your region, showing your assigned GP and health centre.
• Centro de salud — The centro de salud is your local public health centre, where your GP works and where you register.
• Zona básica de salud — The zona básica de salud is the small local health area, based on your address, that decides your health centre.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is Spain's government digital identity system for using public services online.
• Cita previa — The cita previa is a prior appointment that some offices require before you can be seen.

Key rules

• Your region: The health service of the region where you live decides your forms, portal and appointment line.
• Health centre: Your assigned centre follows your padrón address, and your health card confirms it once you are registered.
• Appointment: Check whether your region requires a cita previa before you apply for the health card.
• First registration: If you register for the first time, expect to go in person with original documents.

Follow your own region's rules, not another region's

Public healthcare in Spain is run region by region. You are covered by the health service of the region where you habitually live. The padrón (the register at your town hall) and your registration at a local health centre show where that is. Documents, appointment systems and forms differ from region to region, so do not copy a process you read about for Madrid or Catalonia if you live elsewhere.

If you have no other cover, you usually first prove your entitlement to public healthcare, for example through Social Security or your region's route for people without other cover. Then you apply for the tarjeta sanitaria (health card). The documents you need are in the box below.

Step 1: Find your regional health service and portal

Every autonomous community has its own health service and its own website, usually inside the regional government's site. Search for the name of your region's health service. Examples are the Servicio Madrileño de Salud in Madrid, CatSalut in Catalonia and the Servicio Andaluz de Salud in Andalucía. Ceuta and Melilla are served by INGESA.

Each region also runs its own appointment line. The number is usually printed on your health card or shown on the regional portal. Take it from there, since numbers change. The resource below lists the main regional portals.

Step 2: Find your health centre and basic health zone

Your centro de salud (health centre) depends on the address on your padrón. That address falls inside a zona básica de salud (basic health zone), and the zone decides your centre.

• Use the search by address or postcode on your regional portal.
• If the portal has no search, ask at the nearest health centre or call the regional information line.
• Once you are registered, your health card shows your assigned GP and centre. Many regions also show this in their citizen app or in the portal after you identify yourself with Cl@ve or a digital certificate.

Step 3: Choose how to apply

Most regions accept health card applications online and in person.

• Online: you need a digital certificate, Cl@ve or your region's own digital access. Several regions also ask you to book a prior appointment (cita previa), so check this first.
• In person: go to the admissions desk (atención al usuario) at your health centre, or to a regional citizen service office.

If you have no digital identity yet, or you are registering for the first time and someone must check your original documents, expect to go in person. Regions such as Catalonia, Madrid, Andalucía and the Basque Country have extensive online services. Smaller regions rely more on the health centre desk.

If you are not yet legally resident

You may still be able to get care. The rules for people in an irregular situation are set nationally and by each region, so ask at your health centre or your regional information line what applies to you.

Documents you need

• Your ID or NIE, the identity number for foreigners, to apply for the health card.

• A padrón certificate from your town hall showing your home address. Some regions accept other proof of residence.

• Proof that you are entitled to public healthcare, for example from Social Security (INSS) or the regional route for people without other cover.

• Original documents for the in-person check, if you register for the first time at the health centre.

Checklist

• Find your regional health service's own portal, usually under the regional government's website.

• Find your health centre and basic health zone (zona básica de salud) with the portal's search by address or postcode.

• Note the appointment phone line from the portal or your health card.

• Check whether your region requires a prior appointment (cita previa) for the health card application.

• Choose online with Cl@ve or a digital certificate, or in person at the health centre admissions desk.

Regional health service portals and phone lines

Regional health service portals and apps

• Servicio Andaluz de Salud (Andalucía): Book appointments and get health information through Salud Responde on 955 545 060, or the Salud Andalucía app.

• CatSalut (Catalonia): Use the La Meva Salut portal and app to see your records and book appointments. Call 061 for health advice, or 060 for general information.

• Servicio Madrileño de Salud, SERMAS (Madrid): Book appointments with the Cita Sanitaria service and show your card with the Tarjeta Sanitaria Virtual app.

• Conselleria de Sanitat (Comunitat Valenciana): Use the GVA Salut app and the Conselleria de Sanitat website to book appointments and find your health centre.

• Sergas (Galicia): Use the Sergas Móbil app to book appointments and see your health information.

• Osakidetza (Basque Country): Use the Osakidetza app and website to book appointments and see your records.

• Sacyl (Castilla y León): Use the Sacyl Conecta app to manage your appointments.

• Servicio Aragonés de Salud (Aragón): Use the Salud Informa app for appointments and information.

• Your region's health service (other regions): Find its portal on your regional government's website. The services are SESPA (Asturias), IB-Salut (Balearic Islands), Servicio Canario de la Salud, Servicio Cántabro de Salud, SESCAM (Castilla-La Mancha), Servicio Extremeño de Salud, Servicio Riojano de Salud (SERIS) and Servicio Murciano de Salud.

• INGESA, the national health management institute (Ceuta and Melilla): Contact INGESA for health care in Ceuta and Melilla, as it runs health care there instead of a regional service.

• Your health card or regional portal: Find your region's appointment phone line printed on your health card or on the regional health portal.

• Ministry of Health digital portal: Use the national Mi Carpeta Salud service to view your health records from another region.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for my health card online as a newcomer?

Yes, most regions accept online applications, but you need a digital certificate, Cl@ve or regional identity access first. Newcomers without digital identity, and first-time registrations that need original documents checked, usually have to go in person.

Where do I apply for the health card in person?

You apply at the admissions desk (atención al usuario) of your local health centre, or at regional citizen service offices. Smaller regions rely more on the health centre desk. Ask whether you need cita previa before you go.

Where can I find the appointment phone line for my region?

The appointment phone line is usually printed on your health card or shown on your regional health portal. Each region runs its own line. Ceuta and Melilla are covered by INGESA, the national health body for those two cities.

Can I get care if I am not yet legally resident?

Yes, people without legal residence can get care under regional or national rules for those in an irregular situation. Details differ by region, so ask at your local health centre or regional health service.