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Learn about the health care system on the Costa Blanca.
This guide will help you understand the healthcare system in Spain if you live in Costa Blanca. It will explain the practical steps to take: how to contact the emergency number (112), how to get an urgent care appointment, how to apply for the SIP card in the Valencian Community and where to find English-speaking hospitals and doctors in Alicante. This guide will explain how GP referrals are made, how you can book an appointment using GVA+Salut and how you can verify that a doctor’s registration is correct. This page will help you to act quickly and confidently when you need medical treatment on the Costa Blanca.
112 is the emergency number.
In Spain 112 is the universal emergency number. The service is available 24/7 and is free. On the Costa Blanca calls are handled by the 112 Comunitat Valenciana and medical emergencies are sent to the Health Emergency Coordinating System (CICU).
Calling the number, you should start with three things. Your exact location, an explanation of what happened and whether or not the person is breathing and conscious. Add the building, floor number and landmarks. Also, include a callback phone number. Hold on until you are told to hang-up by the operator.
When you need help, where should you go?
Primary care is the foundation of Spain’s public health system. For most non-life-threatening problems, your starting point is your centro de salud, where you are assigned a GP (médico de familia). The GP you are assigned can diagnose you, prescribe medication, ask for tests, or refer you to specialists.
If you need urgent care outside of regular hours, then you can use an urgent care service or hospital urgencys. The severity of the situation is a simple rule to follow.
For red flag symptoms, such as severe chest pain, stroke-like signs, breathing difficulties, major traumas, uncontrolled bleeding or sudden loss consciousness, dial 112. You will be seen more quickly by primary care or urgent-care pathways for issues that are painless or stable but still worrying.
Visit this page for more information on settling and moving to Spain. Moving to Spain in 2026: The Ultimate Expat Work & Life Guide.
How to obtain the SIP card on Costa Blanca
The Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual TSI is required by residents of the Valencian Community to access the public healthcare system. SIP card locally. The SIP assigns you a doctor, allows routine appointments and prescriptions to be filled, and can refer you for referrals.
Documents needed will depend on the situation but you’ll need these three: an identity document, proof address and proof entitlement to public health care. People can qualify through different means, such as Spanish Social Security Contributions, recognized coverage routes or specific residency-linked rights. You can check with your local clinic if you have a complicated case. However, arriving prepared helps to reduce the amount of time it takes.
Keep copies of all documents together in one phone folder. When you can scan a document immediately, it makes administration easier.
GVA +Salut allows you to book appointments and manage your care.
GVA +Salut is the official health app of the Valencian Community. Once your SIP/TSI has been set up, it’s the easiest way to manage daily healthcare logistics. You can request and manage appointments, and you can access key functions related to your public health profile.
Do it early and not when you’re sick. Check that you are able to view or request a GP’s appointment and confirm your contact details so you can be contacted by your centre about any changes or test results.
EHIC & S1: What tourists and residents of long-stay should know
A valid EHIC will cover medically necessary treatments during your temporary stay if you’re visiting from an EU country. However, the treatment must be provided by state healthcare. One of the most common Costa Blanca pitfalls is to be directed to a clinic by an intermediary or hotel, only to receive a bill. You should confirm that the EHIC provider is public before you receive treatment if possible.
The S1 can be used by long-term residents covered by an insurance policy from another country. Spain’s Social Security uses a system to register S1s for access to healthcare in Spain. Realistically, this means that you must first register the S1 and then take the result to your local healthcare centre to complete the process of assigning local care. Travel insurance is a good option if you’re in a transitional phase.
You might also be interested in planning for the long-term. Spanish Inheritance tax explained: What non-residents need to know in 2026 useful.
The Costa Blanca has many English-speaking hospitals and doctors.
They want to be able to communicate with their doctors in English. In public primary care, the availability of English is dependent on both the clinician and their location. English is more common in private hospitals where international patients are served.
To increase your chances quickly:
- Begin by contacting private clinics and hospitals that offer explicit international patient support.
- When you see a list of languages, use the established specialist directories.
- Before booking, ask in writing if the consultation will be conducted in English.
- If you need complex care, bring a Spanish speaking friend with you or arrange an interpreter.
Referrals to specialists and tests by GP
In the public sector, your GP will usually refer you to specialists and hospitals for non-urgent services, such as imaging. It may feel extra to you if you are used self-referring. But it is a normal path.
The most efficient way to handle routine problems is to schedule an appointment with a GP. Explain your symptoms, then ask what is next: a treatment plan, testing, follow-ups, or referral. Bring a brief list of symptoms, including timelines. This is especially true if Spanish was not your first-language.
Health card scams: Avoid fake renewals and fake health cards
Spain has been hit by scam messages that claim your health card is due for renewal urgently. They include links to steal your personal or financial details. Do not click. The health card process is handled by official channels such as your local government portal, or through your health center, and not by random SMS links.
Check the message by going to the official Valencian Health pages or calling your centre of health directly.
Understanding the Costa Blanca healthcare system will make it easier to manage. To get a better understanding of the paperwork, daily life and residency in Spain, check out Essential Spain: A Guide for Daily Life and Finance in 2026.
