Health
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.
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