Autónomo and RETA
An autónomo is a self-employed worker. RETA is the Spanish Social Security scheme for self-employed workers.
Carencia and sin carencias
A carencia is a waiting period before a stated policy benefit can be used. Sin carencias means without contractual waiting periods. It does not remove exclusions or underwriting.
Convenio especial
A paid route into the public system for eligible established residents who have no healthcare entitlement under another title. National conditions include qualifying residence and padrón registration.
Cuadro médico
The hospitals, clinics and healthcare professionals available through a particular network policy. Check the exact product and local area.
DGSFP
Spain’s insurance regulator. Its public registers can be used to check the legal insurer and its authorisation to operate in Spain.
Empadronamiento and padrón
Empadronamiento is registration on the municipal population register, known as the padrón. A padrón certificate can be required for regional healthcare procedures.
EHIC and GHIC
Cards used for medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay. EHIC is the European card. GHIC is the UK card used under post-Brexit arrangements.
INSS
The Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social. It handles recognition of several healthcare entitlements, including registration of an S1.
S1
A portable social-security document showing that one country is responsible for healthcare while a qualifying person lives in another participating country.
Sin copago
Without a separate co-payment when a covered service is used. It does not mean every service, provider or condition is covered.
Tarjeta sanitaria
The regional public healthcare card issued after entitlement and local registration are completed. Names vary by autonomous community.