TSE card: How to get a Spanish European Health Insurance card
Those residents in Spain who are entitled to Spanish healthcare should apply for a European Health Card which ensures they can recieve medical treatement when travelling across the European Union.
It also allows those Brits who are resident in Spain to receive emergency healthcare when visiting Britain. Besides having to exchange your driving license and applying for TIE card, Brits resident in Spain will also have to apply for a new European health card.
The Spanish version is called a TSE (Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea).
British Pensioners in Spain who are S1 holders and UK students studying in Spain will however need to apply for a new version of the EHIC issued by Britain. (Click here for more information)
But here's some information for all other residents in Spain who, if they haven't already, will need to get a TSE card.
What is it?
The Spanish version of the European Health Card or EHIC is called the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea or TSE and entitles residents of Spain to health care in other European countries.
Who is it for and who is eligible?
The card is for those residents in Spain who have the right to health care within Spain, and their beneficiaries. You need to have a social security number and actively be paying into the social security system in order to be eligible.
When is it to be used and why do I need one?
The TSE is to be used in emergencies when you are visiting or on holiday in Europe. It is not valid when moving to another country or if the trip is for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
Your Spanish Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) is only valid in Spain, so if you need to be treated when you are abroad, you'll need a TSE instead.
For those Britons resident in Spain before the end of the Brexit transition period and registered in the Spanish health system, they can use the TSE card for health emergencies when visiting the UK in future.
How to get one?
You need to apply for card online. There are several different ways to do this which we will explain below:
1) You can apply by clicking on the following link. Here you can apply for your TSE card, renew it or check on status once you’ve applied. Click on ‘Request/Renew European Health’ ‘Solicitar/Renovar Tarjeta Sanitaria’ and then you’ll be directed to a page to fill out your details. As well as your basic personal information, you’ll need your NIE/TIE number as well as your social security number to hand.
2) If you have a Cl@ve and digital certificate you can also log-in to the system you’ll be directed to your social security page. Here you’ll click on the ‘Healthcare’ or ‘Sanidad’ section, click on ‘Request a European health insurance card’ and indicate the address you want the card sent to.
3) A third way to apply is via SMS. In order to confirm your identity, you’ll be sent a code via SMS to the phone that is registered to your social security number. Once you’ve been identified, you’ll be able to request the card.
Where is it valid?
The TSE card is valid in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland. And in the UK for those Brits covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
How long is it valid for?
Your TSE, for both the person applying and their beneficiaries will be valid for a total period of two years. After this time you must renew it. Your card will have an expiration date on it so you will know when it runs out.
READ ALSO:
- What are the best private health insurance options in Spain for Brits?
- BREXIT: How to access Spain's public healthcare if you're not a pensioner or working
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It also allows those Brits who are resident in Spain to receive emergency healthcare when visiting Britain. Besides having to exchange your driving license and applying for TIE card, Brits resident in Spain will also have to apply for a new European health card.
The Spanish version is called a TSE (Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea).
British Pensioners in Spain who are S1 holders and UK students studying in Spain will however need to apply for a new version of the EHIC issued by Britain. (Click here for more information)
But here's some information for all other residents in Spain who, if they haven't already, will need to get a TSE card.
What is it?
The Spanish version of the European Health Card or EHIC is called the Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea or TSE and entitles residents of Spain to health care in other European countries.
Who is it for and who is eligible?
The card is for those residents in Spain who have the right to health care within Spain, and their beneficiaries. You need to have a social security number and actively be paying into the social security system in order to be eligible.
When is it to be used and why do I need one?
The TSE is to be used in emergencies when you are visiting or on holiday in Europe. It is not valid when moving to another country or if the trip is for the purpose of receiving medical treatment.
Your Spanish Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) is only valid in Spain, so if you need to be treated when you are abroad, you'll need a TSE instead.
For those Britons resident in Spain before the end of the Brexit transition period and registered in the Spanish health system, they can use the TSE card for health emergencies when visiting the UK in future.
How to get one?
You need to apply for card online. There are several different ways to do this which we will explain below:
1) You can apply by clicking on the following link. Here you can apply for your TSE card, renew it or check on status once you’ve applied. Click on ‘Request/Renew European Health’ ‘Solicitar/Renovar Tarjeta Sanitaria’ and then you’ll be directed to a page to fill out your details. As well as your basic personal information, you’ll need your NIE/TIE number as well as your social security number to hand.
2) If you have a Cl@ve and digital certificate you can also log-in to the system you’ll be directed to your social security page. Here you’ll click on the ‘Healthcare’ or ‘Sanidad’ section, click on ‘Request a European health insurance card’ and indicate the address you want the card sent to.
3) A third way to apply is via SMS. In order to confirm your identity, you’ll be sent a code via SMS to the phone that is registered to your social security number. Once you’ve been identified, you’ll be able to request the card.
Where is it valid?
The TSE card is valid in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland. And in the UK for those Brits covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
How long is it valid for?
Your TSE, for both the person applying and their beneficiaries will be valid for a total period of two years. After this time you must renew it. Your card will have an expiration date on it so you will know when it runs out.
READ ALSO:
- What are the best private health insurance options in Spain for Brits?
- BREXIT: How to access Spain's public healthcare if you're not a pensioner or working
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