Hi there,

I very recently underwent medical care in CdS Hospital Marbella after going down with pneumonia - but I discovered as I left that my Spanish Social Security Card is “cancelled”, prompting Reception to start the process of invoicing me instead.

I DO have a valid EHIC card, however. Am I covered please if I present this?

Thank you in advance for your reply(ies) and my apologies if this has been asked/answered before.

Best wishes -

Russ

Where are you resident (Spain, Gib)? Were you taken in to hospital as an emergency?

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

I am resident in Spain, working in Gibraltar.
I wasn’t taken as an emergency (but would have been, probably within a few days, given my condition).

Hmm, you may have to wait for someone in the same position re work/residency in Gib and Spain. My initial thought is that if you work in Gib you are probably paying Gib NI (or else you would not be able to get a Gib EHIC). Therefore, you are covered elsewhere in Europe with your EHIC (incl Spain), but for emergencies only. As you live in Spain then perhaps you should have private health cover for Spain. As I say, you prob need someone who is in a similar position to give you a better answer. Seems like, if you are ill you should cross in to Gib unless it is an emergency!

Hmm resident in Spain - then by the book the EHIC does not cover you in Spain - that is for tourists whilst traveling abroad…...

Thanks for responses above.

I have spoken to Facturaci?n Dept over the phone at CdS Hospital and unless you hear differently within a week or two perhaps due to some verbal misunderstanding, take this post as confirmation that you ARE covered with a valid EHIC card. I just need to fax a copy of my card to them.

So for anyone living in Spain and working in Gibraltar - get the card NOW if you haven’t already - it could be more valuable than you imagine.

Best Regards -

Russ