Public care. The SAS lists the Guadiaro clinic, the San Enrique de Guadiaro clinic and the Torreguadiaro auxiliary clinic in the San Roque health zone, within the Campo de Gibraltar Este health area, whose public hospital is the Hospital Universitario de La Línea de la Concepción (SAS (opens in a new tab)). The SAS decides which hospital provides each specific service.
Private care. Hospital Quirónsalud Campo de Gibraltar is in Palmones, Los Barrios, and advertises 24-hour adult, paediatric and obstetric-gynaecological emergency services (Quirónsalud (opens in a new tab)). To the east, Hospiten Estepona offers emergency care, admissions, surgery and outpatient clinics (Hospiten (opens in a new tab)).
How international residents get cover
Eligible pensioners may register an S1 form issued by the country responsible for their healthcare, after which they are treated on the same terms as someone insured in Spain. This can include EU, EEA and Swiss pensioners and people receiving a UK State Pension; eligibility depends on your circumstances, so check with the issuing authority before moving (Your Europe, European Commission (opens in a new tab); GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)).
The EHIC is not the route for a permanent move: it covers medically necessary treatment during temporary stays. This is one of the most common misunderstandings among people moving abroad.
Non-lucrative residence holders need qualifying public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain (Ministerio de Inclusión (opens in a new tab)). Check the detailed requirements published by your Spanish consulate before you apply.
Private premiums depend on age, family composition, pre-existing conditions and level of cover, so ask insurers for quotes for your own profile.
