As an EU country, Spain has free reciprocal health agreements with other member states (you should carry form E111, available from main post offices). Even so, some form of travel insurance is still all but essential; with it, you should be able to claim back the cost of any drugs prescribed by pharmacies. European policies generally also cover your baggage/tickets in case of theft, so long as you get a report from the local police.
No inoculations are required for UK and other EEC visitors, though if you plan on continuing to North Africa, typhoid and polio boosters are highly recommended. The worst that's likely to happen to you is that you might fall victim to an upset stomach. To be safe, wash fruit and avoid tapas dishes that look as if they were cooked last week.
For minor complaints go to a farmacia - they're listed in the phone book in major towns and you'll find one in virtually every village. Pharmacists are highly trained, willing to give advice (often in English), and able to dispense many drugs which would be available only on prescription in most other countries. They keep usual shop hours (9am-1.30pm & 5.30-8pm), but some open late and at weekends while a rota system keeps at least one open 24 hours. The rota is displayed in the window of every pharmacy, or you can check in one of the local newspapers under Farmacias de guardia .
In more serious cases you can get the address of an English-speaking doctor from the nearest relevant consulate, or with luck from a farmacia , the local police or tourism. If you have special medical or dietary requirements, it is advisable to carry a letter from your doctor, translated into Spanish, indicating the nature of your condition and necessary treatments. In emergencies dial 091 for the Servicios de Urgencia , or look up the Cruz Roja Española (Red Cross) which runs a national ambulance service. treatment at hospitals for EU citizens in possession of form E111 is free; otherwise you'll be charged at private hospital rates, which can be very expensive.
There are many Clinics and smaller surgeries located in all the main tourist resorts which cater for the holiday maker, speaking many languages and are well used to dealing with foreign patience.
Without doubt it is highly advisable to carry good quality travel insurance, here are two excellent companies which offer affordable quality travel cover which can meet all requirements such as normal travel. long term travel, winter sports and much more.
Staysure Travel Insurance - The Over 50s Experts
Staysure offer a excellent quality travel insurance. There quality products extend to, single trip travel insurance ,
annual multi trip, medical travel insurance, long stay travel Insurance and over 65`s travel insurance. Very interestingly, 220 pre existing medical conditions
are covered for FREE. Staysure have insured over one million travellers and take pride in delivering some of the most competitive rates in the market. They operate with leading insurance providers in order to bring you very competitive premiums.
Single Trip Travel Insurance cover all destinations including UK, Europe and worldwide, this cover starta at £4.99. This policy is typically for trips up to 100 days and will cover you for up to 10.000.000 emergency medical cover, is for people up to 85 years of age, 5.000 cruise cancellation, weddings, golf winter sports and single item upgrades.
Annual Multi Trip Travel Insurance - If your thinking of travelling more than once in a year then you will save money by buying their annual multi trip policy, premiums are again reasonably priced and start from £29.99. Policy conditions include, coverage for up to 185 days travel per annum, up to 17 days of Ski cover Free, no age-based restrictions on medical cover, low fixed price upgrade to cover financial faliure and travel legal dispute cover. Applications are for customers over 65 years of age.
Medical Travel Insurance - If you have a medical condition that falls outside the 220 free conditions Staysure can offer additional medical screening. Premiums here start at £14.99 and will provide peace of mind if you feel that an existing medical condition could cause you enough problems to ruin your holiday or worse. If you are planning a long stay rip or holiday Staysure cover travel typically from 3 to 18 months. Policy conditions here include, 220 medical conditions are covered at no extra cost, Most serious conditions covered through
medical screening, medical screening is available online and through their call centre . This applies to Single trip, annual multi-trip and long stay
and up to age 85.
Long stay Travel Insurance - provides cover for trips between 3 and 18 months, cover up to age 75, no extra cost for cruise holidays, you can book up to 13 months in advance
Staysure have a Low-cost option to cover the basics, i.e. medical emergency and baggage .
With Staysure you do not have to let your age interfere with your travel plans when it comes to travel insurance, they have many specialized policies to cover all ages and medical conditions for traveller over 65.
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Flexicover Direct Travel Insurance
Flexicover have over 30 years' experience in selling travel insurance at affordable prices. Policies cover travellers in the UK, Europe or worldwide. They will cover many pre-existing medical conditions and for the over 65`s. Their excellent policies include emergency medical expenses and dental treatment, cancellation, baggage, personal liability, personal accident, and 24/7 access to medical assistance.
Single Trip Insurance has been designed for travellers up to age 85, Cover for trips up to 100 days ,No extra cost for cruise holidays, cover available for over 2,000 medical conditions, one way trips covered, FREE cover for over 120 sporting activities , cover for business trips is included at no extra cost.
Annual Multi Trip Insurance - up to age 85, independent travel at no extra cost, trips of 35, 50 or 100 days (subject to age), optional 17 days winter sports cover (up to and including age 65), over 2,000 medical conditions can be covered, FREE cover for over 120 sporting activities, ravel as many times as you like over the year, discounts are available for families, couples and single parent families.
Gap Year Insurance - This travel policy is ideal for the Gap Year traveller or those going abroad to study. Conditions and cover include for ages between 16 and 45 years.
maximum trip duration of 18 months, optional winter sports cover for the months required, optional cover for thousands of medical conditions, temporary returns home allowed
computer equipment cover up to £1,000 (Gold Plus) , course fees covered up to £2,000 (Gold Plus), discount for 2 people travelling on the same policy.
Long Stay Insurance Conditions include Long stay cover up to age 75, single trip cover for 3 to 18 months (subject to age), cruise holidays covered at no extra cost,
one way trips covered, cover ceases 12 hours after arrival at the final destination. Optional pre-existing medical condition cover, Optional winter sports cover (up to age 65)
FREE cover for over 120 sporting activities Discounts are available for families, couples and single parent families
Winter Sports Insurance Includes Single trip cover up to and including age 65, cover for trips from 1 to 100 days, winter sports cover is also available on Annual, Long stay and Gap year policies.
Optional cover for over 2,000 medical conditions, cover provided for over 25 winter sports activities and discounts are available for families, couples and single parent families.
Purchase any Flexicover travel insurance policy online (2012) or register with Flexicover Direct today for an automatic chance to win a fantastic weekend trip worth up to £1,000. Plus receive our regular, free travel newsletter.
As we have mentioned on various ocasions it is always recommended in taking out comprehensive travel insurance which includes health cover whilst travelling in Spain.
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