Healthcare in Oviedo

If you are travelling from another Spanish autonomous community

If you live in Spain and are temporarily staying in Oviedo, bring your Individual Health Card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual) issued by the autonomous community where you are insured, together with an identity document.

If you need medical care during your trip, you can use the public healthcare system. Your health card helps identify you and verify your entitlement to healthcare.

Visitors from the European Union and other European countries

Travellers insured in a European Union country, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom, should travel with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the corresponding equivalent document.

The EHIC gives access, during a temporary stay, to medically necessary public healthcare under the same conditions that apply to people insured in Spain.

The European Health Insurance Card is not a substitute for travel insurance: it does not cover private healthcare or, as a general rule, costs such as repatriation. It is also not intended for trips made specifically to receive planned medical treatment.

If the card has been lost, has not arrived in time or cannot be issued before the trip, a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) may be requested, temporarily providing the same entitlement.

Visitors from other countries

If you come from a country not covered by the European Health Insurance Card arrangements, access to healthcare depends on your country of origin, any healthcare agreements with Spain and your personal circumstances.

Before travelling, it is advisable to check the healthcare coverage that applies to you and take out travel medical insurance covering illness or accidents and, where appropriate, hospitalisation and repatriation.

Where to go if you need medical care

For an illness or medical problem that is not a life-threatening emergency, care may be provided at centres and services of the Health Service of the Principality of Asturias (SESPA). Depending on the severity, time of day and type of problem, the healthcare system can direct you to the most appropriate service.

For mild or moderate health problems, it is not always necessary to go directly to a hospital emergency department. Primary Care centres and out-of-hours services can deal with many medical problems and refer patients to hospital when necessary.

Pharmacies in Oviedo

Oviedo has numerous pharmacies throughout the city. In addition to normal opening hours, there is an on-duty pharmacy system to provide pharmaceutical services outside regular hours.

On-duty pharmacies vary according to the day and time, so it is advisable to check the latest information from the Official College of Pharmacists of Asturias. Pharmacies themselves also usually display information about which pharmacies are on duty.

Medicines and prescriptions

In Spain, some medicines can be purchased from a pharmacy without a prescription, while others require a medical prescription. If you take regular medication, it is advisable to bring enough for your entire stay and, whenever possible, keep it in its original packaging.

If you use medicines subject to special controls or need to carry large quantities, check before travelling whether additional medical documentation is required.

Electronic prescription systems increasingly allow interoperability between Spanish autonomous communities and with certain European countries, but availability may depend on the country, the medicine and the healthcare system of origin. Carrying a copy of your prescription or a medical report can help if any problem arises.

If you have a chronic condition

People with chronic conditions should bring the medication they need, a list of the medicines they take and, where appropriate, a basic medical report. If you require treatment during your trip that needs specialist facilities or staff —for example dialysis, oxygen therapy or certain hospital treatments— it is advisable to arrange this in advance with the appropriate healthcare provider.

What to bring

• Individual Health Card, if you are insured in Spain.
• European Health Insurance Card or equivalent document, where applicable.
• DNI, passport or another identity document.
• Details of your medical or travel insurance, if you have it.
• Enough of your regular medication for the duration of your stay.
• Prescriptions or a medical report when necessary, especially for chronic treatments.
• Information about allergies or relevant treatments that could be important in an emergency.