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 Spain, 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 turismo. 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. Accordingly, it's
essential to have comprehensive
travel insurance.
