TIE HoyHealthcare in Spain without papers
A practical guide to healthcare rights and access options for people without legal residence.
Do undocumented immigrants have access to healthcare in Spain?
Yes, they can access healthcare. Emergency care and care for children have specific protections; for routine care, follow the route available in your autonomous community.
Can I apply for healthcare without a residence permit?
Yes. Check your autonomous community's entitlement procedure. Not having a residence permit does not automatically mean you have no access to healthcare.
What to do
Separate emergency, child and ordinary-care routes; they are not the same process.
Steps
- Use urgent care in an emergency
- Register a child through the health service
- Identify your autonomous community
- Ask for its recognition process
- Keep every receipt and decision
Basis
Royal Decree-law 7/2018 restored access to the SNS; Law 16/2003 Article 3 ter covers specific cases.
More questions
Do I need to be registered on the padrón to apply for routine healthcare?
Many autonomous communities require it as proof that you normally live there, although requirements and time limits vary. Register on the padrón as soon as possible and check the regional healthcare procedure.
Will I be treated in an emergency if I do not have documents?
Yes. Go to A&E if you need urgent care; do not delay treatment. Afterwards, ask social services or admissions about the regional route for routine healthcare coverage.
Where can I apply for a health card without legal residence?
Apply through your autonomous community's health service, usually at your local health centre. Ask for the procedure to establish healthcare entitlement and submit the required documents.
Does having minor children change healthcare access?
Yes. Children have specific protection and must receive healthcare. Arrange paediatric registration in your autonomous community, even if the adults' immigration status is different.
More to read
Healthcare for children→official:https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2018-10752;https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/promocionPrevencion/entornosSaludables/saludMigrantes/home.htm