It is important to make the distinction between the public health service (an universal right, public service and free of charge under many circumstances) and private healthcare. Any foreign visitor or new citizen may be entitled to use the public health service provided certain provisions are met and paperwork and bureaucracy has been done in advance.

Public Healthcare in Sitges: In order to access the public health service, a patient must be in possesion of the “Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual” or “TSI” (personal healthcare card), which certifies he/she is covered by the Catalán Health Service “Servei Català de la Salut” also known as “CatSalut”. This healthcare card is unique to each individual and must be shown at the pharmacy if you wish to benefit from any of the prescribed medicines that may be subsidized by the public health service. The personal healthcare card is free of charge and may be requested by any person living in Catalonia who has registered with their municipality.

To obtain the card, in Sitges you must go to the “CAP” (public health centre) and provide the necessary documents: passport or ID card; “libro de familia” in the case of minors born in Spain; a certificate proving you are registered in your municipality or town “certificado de empadronamiento” – request this at the “OAC” citizens help bureau; a “certificado de convivencia” confirming your beneficiaries (children and/or spouse) live with you – you may also request this at the “OAC” citizens help bureau; an original & photocopy of your Spanish social security document “documento de afiliación a la Seguridad Social”. As new citizens, you may request the “Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual” despite not having yet obtained a Spanish social security number.

There is no hospital in the municipality of Sitges, however the closest public hospitals are:

The cost of private healthcare may vary in function of the medical specialist visited. There are no standard fees. Some doctors with a private practise have agreements with medical insurance companies.

See Medical Centers and private healthcare specialists in Sitges