Job Discussion Forums

[dan m.]

Do you need to get any shots or anything before going to Spain?

Also do the hospitals accept U.S. medical issurance?

Thanks - Dan

[Noureli]

You do not need any shots before travelling to Spain and about American insurance you should call your insurance company before travelling. Good luck.

[dan m.]

Thanks Noureli.

Checked with my company. "Urgent Care" only.
I guess I'm only alright if I get trappled by a bull or worse.

[expatben]

Maybe its because I am EU but when I worked in Spain I was issued a Spanish medical card which entitled me to hospitals.

[jr1965]

Dan,

Hospitals and clinics here don't accept US insurance (unless, as you said, it's for something serious, though to be honest, I'm not sure how you'd process the bills with an American insurance company if you ended up in a Spanish hosptial).

I'm an Amercian and when I had to go to a clinic here earlier this year in January because of a bad flu, I was told flat out that I had to pay b/c I wasn't an EU citizen (or sponsored by a company here in Spain). All that changed the minute I explained that my husband was Spanish and that I was in the process of getting my paperwork sorted out. The people at the clinic processed me right away and I was able to see the doctor for free. Same story with hospitals and other medical care if you're going through the public health system.

[spiral78]

Great information! Thanks for pointing out that you would have been required to pay if your husband weren't Spanish.

I really wish this thread had been posted in the Newbie forum - it applies to more countries than just Spain! I'm always going on ad nauseum about this particular negative of teaching illegally, and it also ties in to the idea of not heading off abroad on a financial shoestring. Not everyone has the bad luck to run out of money or have a medical emergency, of course, but it's only reasonable to be sure that you have access to a decent amount of money to cover any emergency. Particularly if you really must live/teach illegally. Personally, I'd always choose some place where I can get papers; there are tons of interesting places to go - but I see on this forum how many people are driven by their dreams to countries that don't legally accept them.....it's pretty scary.

When I was a newly-certified teacher back in 1998, I was really shocked to find another new teacher whom I knew slightly standing on a streetcorner in the centre of Prague, with all her belongings piled around her, in tears, panhandling for enough money to phone home/buy a plane ticket. It only takes a little bit of bad luck or irresponsibility, if you're living on the edge financially and legally!

Newbies, be careful! If you feel you must teach illegally, then at least be sure to have access to money to cover any possible emergencies or unforeseen issues.

[jr1965]

Yes, it's true. You really have to be prepared, especially if you're planning to live in another country for a year or more. If you're not working legally or don't have some other form of sponsorship, don't assume that you'll just be able to walk into a hospital or clinic and get help by showing your (foreign) insurance card.

I will say that in Madrid, there are several private clinics that offer a variety of services (GYN, gastro, dental work, internal medicine, etc.). The thing is, you pay--in full--out of pocket.

One clinic that I've been to here in Madrid that is VERY GOOD is

Unidad Medica
Conde de Aranda, 1
28001 Madrid
Phone: 91-435 18 23

The doctors and support staff all speak Spanish and English, and though it's a private clinic and all services must be paid for, you can set up payment plans if necessary.

For more info about medical care and what's available to you (wherever you may be from), I'd suggest contacting your embassy here in Spain (e.g., if you're from the US, contact the US Embassy in Madrid) to find out what your options are.

Salud!