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Planning a holiday or an extended stay on the Costa Blanca? A little preparation can make accessing healthcare in Spain easier if you need it.

Whether you are visiting Spain for a few days, spending the winter on the Costa Blanca or living here as an international resident, it is worth preparing for your healthcare needs before you travel.

Knowing which documents to bring, how your health insurance works and what medical information to keep available can help you feel more confident during your stay.

Here is a practical checklist to help you prepare.

1. Which documents should you bring?

If you need to see a doctor or visit a hospital in Spain, having the right documentation available can help the healthcare team identify you and understand your healthcare coverage.

Before travelling, prepare the following:

• Passport or valid identification: keep an accepted form of identification readily available.
• Health insurance details: bring your insurance card, policy information and the telephone number of your insurer or assistance provider.
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), if applicable: if you are eligible, this can provide access to medically necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay in Spain, under the applicable conditions. It does not cover private healthcare.
• Other healthcare entitlement documents: depending on your country of origin and circumstances, you may need additional documents to demonstrate your entitlement to healthcare in Spain.
• Medical information: prepare a list of your current medication, allergies, relevant medical conditions and any important medical reports.

Keep digital copies of essential documents in a secure location, as well as any original documents you may need to present.

2. Check your health insurance before travelling

Healthcare coverage in Spain depends on your circumstances, the type of insurance you have and the healthcare provider you visit.

If you have private health insurance or travel insurance, do not assume that every medical consultation, test or hospital visit will automatically be covered.

Before your trip, check:

• Which medical services are included in your policy.
• Whether you can access private hospitals and specialists.
• Whether you need prior authorisation before receiving certain treatments or undergoing diagnostic tests.
• Whether your insurer has an agreement with the healthcare provider you intend to visit.
• Whether you need to pay for treatment upfront and submit a claim afterwards.
• Which telephone number to call if you need medical assistance.

If you are travelling from another European country, remember that the European Health Insurance Card and private health insurance serve different purposes. The EHIC does not replace travel insurance and does not cover private healthcare.

A useful tip: save your insurer’s contact details on your phone before departure. If you need medical care, you will not have to search for your policy while feeling unwell.

3. Prepare your medication and medical information

If you take medication regularly or have a chronic condition, preparing in advance is particularly important.

Before leaving home:

• Make sure you have enough medication for your stay, allowing for possible travel delays.
• Keep medication in its original packaging and follow its storage instructions.
• Carry a current list of your medication, including the names and doses prescribed.
• Bring details of any known allergies and relevant medical conditions.
• Consider carrying copies of recent medical reports if they could be useful for your ongoing care.

If you need to bring prescription medication into Spain, check the applicable rules before travelling, particularly for controlled medicines.

If you have a condition that requires regular monitoring or specialist appointments, it is also worth considering how you would access medical care during your stay.

4. What about a small travel medical kit?

Once your documents, insurance and regular medication are organised, you can prepare a small kit for minor health problems.

Depending on your needs, this might include:

• Plasters and basic wound dressings.
• A digital thermometer.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Any familiar, appropriate over-the-counter products you may need, used according to their instructions.

Consider the climate at your destination when packing. On the Costa Blanca, sun protection and staying hydrated are particularly important during the warmer months.

Keep medicines and other products in suitable storage conditions, and check their expiry dates before travelling.

Remember that a travel medical kit is intended for minor problems. It should not delay professional medical assessment if you have concerning symptoms.

5. Where can you seek medical care on the Costa Blanca?

If you become unwell during your stay, knowing where to seek help can make the experience less stressful.

Your options will depend on the urgency of your symptoms, your healthcare needs and your insurance coverage. If you need private medical care, check your policy and contact your insurer when appropriate.

At HCB Hospitales, we care for local and international patients across the Costa Blanca. Our teams can help international patients understand the available healthcare options and, where applicable, navigate insurance and administrative requirements.

If you need immediate emergency assistance in Spain, call 112.

For more information, you can also read our guides:

• What to Do If You Have a Medical Emergency on the Costa Blanca
• What to Do If You Need Medical Care While on Holiday in Spain

A little preparation can make a difference

Before travelling to Spain, take a few minutes to organise your identification, healthcare documents, insurance details and medication.

You may never need them, but having everything ready can make it easier to access appropriate medical care if the unexpected happens.

Enjoy your stay on the Costa Blanca, knowing you are better prepared.

This article provides general information and does not replace professional medical or insurance advice. Healthcare entitlement and coverage depend on individual circumstances and applicable rules.

Being on holiday or living abroad should be a positive experience. But when you suddenly become ill, have an accident or need urgent medical attention, knowing what to do can make a stressful situation much easier.

If you are on the Costa Blanca and need medical care, you may have questions that you would not normally have at home:

Should I call an ambulance? Where should I go? Can I go to a private hospital? Will I be able to communicate with the medical team?

This guide explains what to do if you need urgent medical assistance on the Costa Blanca and how to access healthcare when you need it most.

Is it a medical emergency?

If someone is seriously injured, unconscious, having difficulty breathing, experiencing severe chest pain, suffering a major accident or is in a situation where their life may be at risk, call 112 immediately.

112 is the emergency telephone number in Spain and is free of charge.

If the situation is urgent but does not appear to be life-threatening, you can seek medical assessment at an Emergency Department.

If you are unsure about the seriousness of the situation, it is always better to seek professional medical advice rather than trying to assess it yourself.

Where should I go if I need urgent medical attention?

If you need immediate medical assessment but do not require an emergency ambulance, you can go directly to an Emergency Department.

On the Costa Blanca, HCB Hospitales provides emergency care for both residents and international visitors.

HCB Benidorm and HCB Dénia have Emergency Departments open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 112.

What happens when you arrive at the Emergency Department?

When you arrive, a healthcare professional will carry out an initial assessment known as triage.

Triage determines how urgently you need to be seen according to the seriousness of your condition.

This means that patients are not necessarily treated in the order in which they arrive. Someone who arrives after you may be seen first if their condition requires more immediate attention.

Once you have been assessed, the medical team will determine the appropriate tests, treatment or further care you may need.

What if I don’t speak Spanish?

For many international visitors, language is one of the biggest concerns when they need medical care abroad.

You should never delay seeking urgent medical attention because you are worried about communicating in Spanish.

HCB Hospitales has a healthcare model specifically adapted to international patients, with multilingual medical, healthcare, administrative and interpreting support.

Language assistance is also available for patients attending Emergency Departments.

Our aim is simple: to make sure you can understand what is happening and communicate with the healthcare team when you need medical attention.

What if I am staying in a hotel or holiday apartment?

Not every urgent medical situation requires you to travel to a hospital.

Depending on your symptoms and circumstances, medical assistance may sometimes be provided at your accommodation.

HCB Benidorm also offers a 24-hour home emergency medical service, providing medical assistance at your accommodation when appropriate.

This can be particularly useful for tourists, older travellers, families with children or people who have difficulty travelling to a medical centre.

If you are unsure whether you need a home visit or should go to an Emergency Department, seek medical advice.

Emergency care for international patients

The Costa Blanca is home to a large international community and welcomes visitors from all over Europe and beyond.

For an international patient, needing medical attention in another country can be stressful enough without having to navigate an unfamiliar healthcare system or language barrier at the same time.

At HCB Hospitales, international patients are an important part of our healthcare model. Our teams are experienced in caring for patients from different countries and can provide multilingual support throughout their healthcare journey.

Because when you need medical attention, being far from home should not mean being alone.

Need urgent medical attention?

If you are on the Costa Blanca and need urgent medical care, HCB Benidorm and HCB Dénia have Emergency Departments available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Find your nearest HCB Emergency Department.

Discover HCB International Patient Services.

https://hcbhospitales.com/en/

Everything international visitors should know before seeking medical assistance on the Costa Blanca

 Enjoy your holiday with peace of mind

The Costa Blanca is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations, welcoming millions of visitors every year. While most trips are filled with unforgettable experiences, unexpected health problems can happen to anyone. Whether you develop a high fever, twist your ankle, suffer an allergic reaction or simply feel unwell, knowing where to find medical care can make all the difference.

Being prepared means you can enjoy your holiday with greater confidence, knowing that expert medical care is available whenever you need it.

When should you see a doctor?

Some health problems shouldn’t wait until you return home. You should seek medical advice if you experience:

• A high fever that doesn’t improve.
• Ear infections or severe sore throat.
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Signs of dehydration.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Allergic reactions.
• Sports injuries, sprains or falls.
• Cuts that may require stitches.
• Heat exhaustion or sunstroke.

If your symptoms are severe or you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should go to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.

Public or private healthcare in Spain

Spain offers both public and private healthcare, with high standards of medical care across the country. Many international visitors choose private healthcare because it can provide:

• Shorter waiting times.
• Easier access to specialists.
• Multilingual medical teams.
• Modern diagnostic facilities.
• Personalised care.
• Support with international health insurance.

For travellers, this often means a smoother and more reassuring healthcare experience when medical attention is needed away from home.

Can I use my international health insurance?

In many cases, yes. Most international private health insurance providers have agreements with private hospitals in Spain. Before attending your appointment, we recommend that you:

• Bring your passport or ID.
• Carry your insurance card or policy details.
• Check with your insurer if pre-authorisation is required.
• Contact the hospital’s International Department if you need assistance.

Hospital staff can often help verify your insurance details and guide you through the admission process whenever possible.

What should you bring to your appointment?

To help make your visit as efficient as possible, it’s useful to have:

• Passport or national ID.
• Health insurance information.
• A list of your current medications.
• Relevant medical reports, if available.
• Emergency contact details.

Having this information ready helps healthcare professionals provide the safest and most appropriate care.

A healthcare experience designed for international patients

Receiving medical care abroad can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the healthcare system or don’t speak the local language.

At HCB Hospitales, we have been caring for international patients for more than 40 years. Our healthcare model has been designed to make every stage of the patient’s journey as straightforward, comfortable and reassuring as possible.

From the moment you contact us, our dedicated International Department is available to assist with appointments, insurance queries and administrative procedures, helping you navigate the process with confidence.

Our multilingual healthcare professionals and support teams communicate in several languages, ensuring that patients clearly understand their diagnosis, treatment options and medical recommendations.

Whenever possible, we also assist with international health insurance procedures, helping patients coordinate with their insurers and simplifying the administrative process.

Whether you need emergency care, a specialist consultation, diagnostic tests or hospital treatment, our network of hospitals and medical centres across the Costa Blanca offers comprehensive healthcare with a strong focus on quality, safety and personalised attention.

For us, caring for international patients means much more than providing medical treatment. It means offering peace of mind, clear communication and continuous support throughout your healthcare journey.

Medical care on the Costa Blanca

Nobody expects to need medical attention while travelling. However, knowing where to go before an unexpected illness or injury occurs can save valuable time and reduce unnecessary stress.

Whether you’re visiting the Costa Blanca for a holiday or spending a longer stay in Spain, having access to experienced healthcare professionals, multilingual support and comprehensive medical services allows you to focus on what matters most: enjoying your time here.

At HCB Hospitales, we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare for both residents and international visitors, ensuring that expert medical care is always within reach.

Enjoy your holiday with confidence, knowing that we’re here whenever you need us.