Procedures for registering for State healthcare and for the Covid-19 vaccine differ from region to region, although nationally, the vaccine and public medical attention are universally available to all residents.
‘Illegal immigrants’, or undocumented migrants, are also included, but the process to follow is likely to be different from that of people with either a photographic residence card or TIE, or a ‘green certificate’ in A4 or credit-card size.
In the Comunidad Valenciana, comprising the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón expats will need to be on the padron and be registered for State Healthcare. Those who are not already on the Social Security system through their working or contributory benefits or via their State pension will need to make sure they are registered. Those who have never ‘paid into the system’ and are not yet able to claim their State retirement pension from their home countries are able to use the public health network if they are legally resident, although a high number opt for private medical insurance cover, especially in areas where they are likely to find private clinics with international management who may speak their native language.
The Comunidad Valenciana says people with private insurance are able to request being registered for a vaccine by contacting their local health centre and presenting their padrón, residence document, private health insurance card and Spanish telephone number.
If you do not have a SIP card, but do have private medical insurance, you can register on the website: https://coronavirusregistro.san.gva.es/sipcovid19/registrosinsip?language=es. Once you have completed and submitted the form online, you will receive a text with a SIP number, stating that you are now registered.
Residents in any region who are not sure how to register with a local GP and get a SIP card allowing them to access public healthcare, or how to ensure they are included on the list for the vaccine, should contact their nearest surgery for advice.