What to Do If You Get Sick While Studying in Spain

Studying in another country is an exciting experience. You can discover a new culture, make friends from different places and experience a different way of life. However, what happens if you get sick, develop a fever or need to see a doctor while you are in Spain?

Feeling unwell when you are far from home can be difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with the healthcare system or do not speak the language fluently. Fortunately, knowing where to go, which documents to bring and who to contact can help you manage the situation more calmly.

In this guide, we explain what to do if you get sick while studying in Spain, how to find medical care, what you need to know about your health insurance and which emergency numbers you should save on your phone.

The first thing to do is assess how urgent the situation is. Not every illness requires a hospital visit, and knowing where to go can save you time.

If you have a cold, a sore throat or another health issue that needs medical assessment but does not seem to be an emergency, you can find out how to make a doctor's appointment.

In Spain, basic healthcare is mainly provided through primary healthcare centres. In Catalonia, these are known as CAP (Centres d'Atenció Primària).

Access to these services will depend on your personal circumstances and the health coverage you have.

If you do not know where to go, contact your insurance provider or, if you are in Catalonia, call 061 for medical advice.

If you need to be seen quickly but are not facing a life-threatening situation, contact the relevant healthcare service to find out where to go.

In Catalonia, 061 Salut Respon can guide you towards the most appropriate healthcare service based on your symptoms.

If someone is unconscious, has severe difficulty breathing, shows symptoms of a possible stroke or experiences another potentially life-threatening situation, call 112 immediately.

Explain what has happened, say where you are and follow the operator's instructions.

Do not delay emergency medical care to contact your university, student residence or insurance provider first.

Having the right numbers at hand can be very useful if you feel unwell or need to help someone else.

• 112 - Emergencies: for serious situations that require immediate assistance.
• 061 - Salut Respon: in Catalonia, this service provides medical advice and helps you find out where to go. It is available 24 hours a day.
• Your health insurance assistance number: if you have private health insurance, save your insurance provider's contact number.

If you are studying in another autonomous community, check the official website of that region's healthcare service to find out about its urgent care facilities.

You can find information on the official websites of CatSalut and 061 Salut Respon.

Before travelling to Spain, it is important to understand what medical coverage you have and how to use it. Your options may vary depending on your country of origin, the length of your stay, your insurance and your personal circumstances.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows people who meet the requirements to access medically necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay in another participating country.

Care is provided under the same conditions that apply to people covered by the public healthcare system in the country you are visiting.

However, you should bear in mind that the EHIC:

• Is intended for medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay.
• Does not cover private healthcare.
• Does not cover planned medical treatment abroad.
• Does not cover repatriation or all travel-related expenses.
• Does not guarantee that all treatments or medicines will be free.

If you are entitled to use it, make sure you have a valid card with you when you need medical care. If you have lost it or cannot access it, contact your healthcare provider to ask whether they can issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate.

You can check the conditions on the European Commission's official European Health Insurance Card website.

Some international students have private health insurance, either because it is required for their stay or because they want additional coverage.

Before making an appointment, check:

• Which clinics and hospitals are included.
• Whether you need to contact your insurance provider before receiving medical care.
• Whether you have to visit affiliated medical centres.
• Whether you need to pay for the appointment upfront and then request reimbursement.
• Which documents you need to provide.

Keep your policy details and assistance phone number somewhere accessible. This way, you will not have to rely solely on information stored on your computer.

If you do not have an EHIC or are unsure about the coverage you are entitled to, contact your insurance provider, your university's international office or the relevant healthcare authority to find out about your options.

Access to public healthcare depends on your circumstances. If you come from outside the European Union, do not assume that you can use the EHIC or that you have the same access conditions as other students.

If you need urgent medical care, do not delay it because you are unsure about the paperwork. You may have to deal with questions about costs or reimbursement afterwards.

If you need a medical appointment, the best option is to start by contacting your insurance provider or healthcare provider. They can explain which services you can use and help you find a suitable healthcare professional.

If you are in Catalonia, a CAP (Primary Healthcare Centre) is one of the main access points for basic healthcare for people who are entitled to use this service.

These steps can help you:

1. Check your coverage: Find out whether you should use public healthcare or visit a private medical centre.
2. Ask where to go: Contact your insurance provider or call 061 if you are in Catalonia and need guidance.
3. Prepare your documents: Bring your passport or identity document, your EHIC if applicable and your insurance details.
4. Explain your symptoms: Make a note of when they started, what symptoms you have and which medicines you take.
5. Follow medical advice: Ask any questions you may have if you do not understand the instructions or need to know how to continue your treatment.

You can find more information about access to healthcare on the official CatSalut website.

No dominar el idioma puede hacer que una visita médica resulte más intimidante, pero hay varias formas de prepararte para comunicarte mejor.

Antes de acudir a la consulta, escribe tus síntomas y la información médica relevante. Si tienes alergias, una enfermedad crónica o tomas medicación habitualmente, asegúrate de poder explicarlo.

También puedes:

• Preparar una breve descripción de tus síntomas en español.
• Llevar una lista de tus medicamentos y sus principios activos.
• Preguntar si el centro puede atenderte en inglés u otro idioma.
• Utilizar una aplicación de traducción para facilitar la comunicación básica.
• Pedir a una persona de confianza que te acompañe si necesitas ayuda y es posible.

Estas expresiones en español pueden resultarte útiles:

• No me encuentro bien.
• Me duele la cabeza.
• Tengo fiebre.
• Soy alérgico/a a…
• ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?
• ¿Dónde está el centro de urgencias más cercano?

No necesitas hablar español perfectamente. Lo importante es explicar cómo te encuentras y comprender las indicaciones médicas que recibas.

Having your documents ready can make the process easier when you need medical care.

Depending on your coverage and the type of appointment, you may be asked for:

• Passport or national identity document.
• European Health Insurance Card, if applicable.
• Private health insurance card or details.
• Spanish health card, if you have one.
• List of medicines you take and known allergies.
• Relevant medical reports or prescriptions.
• Contact details for your insurance provider.

It is also useful to keep digital copies of important documents in a safe place. However, check whether the medical centre requires original documents or any specific proof.

If you need medication, ask how to obtain it and whether you need a prescription. Do not assume that a medicine will be available under the same name or on the same terms as in your home country.

If a doctor prescribes medication or recommends a treatment, make sure you understand the dosage, how often to take it and how long you should take it for.

You can ask a pharmacist how to use a medicine or how to obtain a prescribed one. If you have allergies, take other medication or have a medical condition, mention this before starting a new treatment.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Follow the healthcare professional's instructions.
• Check the active ingredient if you are looking for an equivalent to a medicine from your home country.
• Do not share prescription-only medicines with other people.
• Keep medicines in their original packaging whenever possible.
• Ask your insurance provider whether you can claim reimbursement for any expenses.

The price of medicines and the conditions for coverage may vary depending on your insurance and treatment. If you have any doubts, ask the pharmacist or your insurance provider.

When you live in another country, feeling unwell can be more difficult because your family and the people you trust are far away.

If you are not feeling well, you can let a friend, flatmate or someone you trust at university know. They may be able to help you find a medical centre, accompany you to an appointment or check how you are feeling later.

If you live in a student residence, you can also ask the staff for practical help, for example, to find a pharmacy or work out how to get to a healthcare centre.

Residence staff cannot replace professional medical care, but they can help you find your way around an environment you are not yet familiar with.

If you have serious symptoms, do not rely solely on help from a friend or your accommodation staff: contact the emergency services whenever necessary.

You cannot predict every illness, but preparing a few things in advance can make things much easier if you need medical care during your stay.

Before travelling to Spain:

• Check that your health coverage will be valid throughout your stay.
• Save your insurance provider's assistance phone number.
• Bring your EHIC or any other health documents relevant to your situation.
• Check the rules for travelling with your regular medication.
• Prepare a list of relevant allergies and medical conditions.
• Save emergency phone numbers on your mobile phone.
• Find out where you can receive medical care near your accommodation.

It is also worth checking your policy to find out whether it covers private consultations, hospitalisation, medication and other services you may need. Having this information ready will allow you to focus on recovering without having to sort out all the paperwork from scratch while you are feeling unwell.

Studying in another country means adapting to a new routine, meeting people and balancing classes with everyday life. When you are busy with your studies or plans with friends, it is easy to forget to rest or pay attention to your health.

Try to maintain regular mealtimes, get enough sleep, drink water and rest when you are ill. If your symptoms concern you, get worse or do not improve, seek medical advice rather than relying solely on information you find online.

Looking after yourself also means knowing when to ask for help. You do not have to deal with everything on your own, especially when you are far from home.

Studying in another country is about much more than attending classes. It also means learning to live independently, adapting to a new environment and discovering where to find help when you need it.

Knowing how healthcare works in Spain before you arrive can help you feel more prepared if you get sick during your stay. Keep your documents safe, check your medical coverage and have important phone numbers at hand.

If you are organising your arrival in Spain, choosing accommodation that suits your needs can also help you settle in and meet other students.

You can explore Unihabit's student accommodation options and discover which option best suits your stay.

Assess how urgent the situation is. If it is a medical emergency, call 112. If you are in Catalonia and need medical advice, you can call 061 Salut Respon. For other health problems, check your medical coverage and contact your insurance provider or an appropriate healthcare centre.

If you are entitled to use it and your EHIC is valid, you can generally access medically necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay. It does not cover private healthcare, planned treatment abroad or repatriation. Check the official conditions that apply to your situation.

Not necessarily in every case. The cost depends on your circumstances, the type of care, your coverage and the conditions that apply to the service. Having an EHIC does not mean that all treatments, medicines or private consultations are free.

It depends on your situation and the requirements for your stay. The EHIC has limitations, as it does not cover private healthcare or repatriation. Check the coverage you already have and consider whether you need additional protection for services that are not included.