EHIC Rights- Useful information for family members coming to visit

You may have heard in the press that some British tourists are having difficulty using their European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) to access healthcare in Spain. Rest assured that if you have friends and family that come for a visit, the EHIC is accepted in public hospitals for medically necessary treatment that cannot wait until they return home. What is considered medically necessary treatment is determined by the doctor here in Spain. They should also be aware that there are hospitals that offer both public and private healthcare. It is their responsibility to tell the admissions staff if they want to be treated under the EHIC and check it will be accepted. They should also know that the EHIC does not cover every eventuality like private care or repatriation back to the UK. For further information on what EHIC rights are, visit our Healthcare Team´s website.