Use the insurer’s emergency route
Many policies expect you to use a named private hospital, assistance number or approved provider. Store the relevant numbers before you need them and check nearby facilities.
Public emergency services
Calling the public emergency number may lead to a public hospital. Your entitlement to public care and any charge are separate from the private contract. Reimbursement should not be assumed.
Ambulances
Private ambulance cover can depend on who arranged the transport, clinical necessity and destination. A public ambulance and one organised through the insurer may be treated differently.
Life-threatening situations
Get urgent help first. Spain’s general emergency number is 112. Authorisation and billing can be addressed once the immediate danger is dealt with.
Check the contract
Read the emergency definition, network rules, overseas limit, notification deadline and reimbursement procedure.
Prepare before an emergency
Save 112 and the insurer's assistance number separately. Identify the nearest approved private emergency department and keep the policy or membership details accessible.
Possible billing routes
Treatment arranged through the insurer may be paid directly when covered and authorised. Care outside the network can be rejected or handled under a limited reimbursement benefit. Public hospital billing depends on public entitlement rather than the private policy.
After urgent treatment
Notify the insurer within any contractual deadline, retain reports and invoices and ask what follow-up treatment needs prior authorisation.