How healthcare works in Catalonia
While everyone is covered in the event of an emergency, getting medical treatment depends on whether you are a registered resident or a visitor from outside the EU
If injury or illness strikes at home just about everyone knows what to do, but when it happens while abroad in unfamiliar surroundings then that's another matter.
Fortunately, anyone in Catalonia has at their disposal both the public and private healthcare systems, but before charging off to the doctor or clinic it's a good idea to know in advance how to access Catalonia's health services and who is eligible for treatment.
Am I eligible for public healthcare?
Foreign residents must first register with the local town hall and apply for a CatSalut health card from the Primary Healthcare Centre (CAP) in the area in which they live. This can now be done online due to the current public health crisis.
Citizens of EU countries who are here temporarily also have the right to access the system as long as they've applied for a European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC).
Lower-income foreign residents who are not registered in the Spanish social security system can usually apply for coverage here, but given the current circumstances are now requested to do so through the generic online application form.
Higher-income foreign residents and their dependents who are not registered in the Spanish social security system - that is to say, people who are not employed by a Spanish company or registered as self-employed workers here and earn above a certain threshold - are only entitled to public emergency care.
Yet, for those who do not qualify for free public care, there's a state insurance scheme (the conveni especial), which requires you to register with your town hall and pay a basic monthly fee.
What if I'm an irregular immigrant?
You are entitled to public care regardless of your residency status and can apply for a CatSalut card like anyone else.
Where do I go if I have a problem?
If it's not an emergency, you should visit your local primary care center, known as CAPs (Centre d'Atenció Primària), which is also the place to be assigned a GP.
If the CAP is closed, there are other centers that are open 24 hours a day that are called CACs, or continual attention centers (Centre d'Atenció Continua).
For less serious problems, pharmacists in Catalonia are all extremely well-trained and usually more than happy to help with answering basic health inquiries.
And if I have no choice but to use private healthcare?
While the public system is very good, private healthcare is also generally high quality in Catalonia, with the advantage that it's often cheaper than in other European countries.
In fact, private healthcare can often be the best option, especially if you need specialist treatment, an English-speaking professional, or speedy attention without any queues.
But what if it's an emergency?
Everyone is provided with essential medical attention in the case of an emergency, although if you're not registered with the system you could be asked to pay costs.
Clearly for anyone coming to Catalonia without healthcare cover should invest in travel insurance, which usually has the added benefit of covering other emergency situations.
Hopefully, your visit to Catalonia will be entirely problem-free, but should a health emergency arise, don't hesitate to call 112 for an ambulance.