A SIP card is a personal and non-transferable card that allows you to access the Spanish Healthcare System (NHS).
Holders of the SIP card are entitled to receive the same care as Spanish nationals. It is highly convenient, especially for Spanish residents.
But how do you know if you are entitled to a SIP Card?
Pensioners
If you a resident in Spain, you are a pensioner from a European country and you receive a state pension, you are entitled to a SIP card.
All you need are the following documents:
- A valid passport.
- Residency certificate (Green Certificate).
- Padrón (Certificate of Census from your town hall).
- Proof of pension.
- An S1 form.
- Your Birth Certificate translated into Spanish (sworn translation) bearing the Apostille of the Hague.
Workers
If you are a Spanish resident, you work in Spain and you have a Spanish employment contract you are also entitled to a SIP card.
All you need are the following documents:
- A valid passport.
- Residency certificate (Green Certificate).
- Padrón (Certificate of Census from your town hall).
- A working life certificate (Certificado de la Vida Laboral).
- An S1 form.
- Your Birth Certificate translated into Spanish (sworn translation) bearing the Apostille of the Hague.
Beneficiaries of spouse/parents
If you are a resident in Spain, but you are not employed in Spain, you do not receive a state pension (because you have not reached pensionable age), or you are under 26 years of age, you may also be eligible to receive Spanish health care coverage as a beneficiary of your spouse or your parents when they do receive a pension or work income under a Spanish employment contract.
All you need are the following documents:
- A valid passport.
- Residency certificate (Green Certificate).
- Padrón (Certificate of Census from your town hall).
- An S1 form.
- Your Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate translated into Spanish (sworn translation) bearing the Apostille of the Hague, proving the kinship with the person entitled to Spanish health care.
- Your birth certificate translated into Spanish (sworn translation) bearing the Apostille of the Hague.
Paying a fee
So what happens if you have emigrated to Spain to take advantage of early retirement, but you have never worked in Spain, you are too young to receive a state pension and you don’t have a spouse who meets the previous requirements?
You may be able to access the Spanish health care system by paying a small monthly fee.
To be able to apply for this service you will need to have been a Spanish resident for at least one year immediately before applying for a SIP Card and have the following documentation:
- A valid passport.
- Residency certificate (Green Certificate).
- Padrón (Certificate of Census from your town hall).
- An S1 form.
- Your birth certificate translated into Spanish (sworn translation) bearing the Apostille of the Hague.
- Direct debit form ordering the payment of the monthly amount due.
How much does it cost to be included in the Spanish National Health System?
The cost depends on your age: if you are under 65 years old, the monthly cost is 60 euros, and if you are 65 years old or over, the monthly cost is 157 euros.
Until you have been resident for a full year, you will need private health insurance, since you will not be able to apply for this National Health monthly payment scheme.
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