We have been informed by the Commission for Employment and Social Affairs that the health protection
cover afforded by production of this card now relates to "all necessary treatment" throughout the European Union and in consequence the EEA States. Gone are the expressions 'emergency care' and ‘immediately necessary care’. When properly interpreting this, we should hope that no person was ever given unnecessary treatment. Regulation 631/04 as of 1 June 2004 amended E.U. Regulations 1408/71.

We therefore ask you to ignore all other websites and media, which still carry inaccurate advice. You can rely upon accurate information from our Association. Expatriates who are entitled to receive the issue of the EHIC, are employees, former employees, where they have contributed to the Spanish Social Security system and all expatriates who have obtained their S.I.P. card following their registration of their E.121. These citizens acquire a similar right for their family member dependants. 

The EHIC is obtainable from your local INSS (Institute National Social Security) Office. You must present your S.I.P. card and identification. The card will then be immediately issued. It is now issued with a validity period of 12 months to all residents of Spain; we have secured this extended period for you, since initially it was only issued to expatriates for 3 months. We decided this also breached Community law and the Commission agreed with us.

We advise you to renew your card annually, since you will never know when you may need to use it in a hurry.

When applying for this card you are not obliged to reveal the countries to where you intend to travel. It is not the business of the INSS, other than to give you advice. We have also been advised by the Overseas Department of Health that you may be required to produce the EHIC when visiting the U.K. Do not allow yourselves to be persuaded to a contrary opinion. To view the Commissions letter to our Association click on here.

Please remember that you will only get the same level of care as that offered to those entitled to receive treatment in the E.U. EEA country of your destination. This health care will not cover you for any rehabilitation to your State of residence. For this you may have to consider private health insurance protection cover.