E111 does not exist any longer; it has been replaced by the EHIC.
Sickness Insurance
Public health care is provided to the whole population of Spain and any non-nationals who have taken up residence legally in Spanish territory (Article 1.2 and 3 of the General Law of Health 14/86).
The aim of health care is to provide the medical and pharmaceutical services required to preserve or restore health. It is managed by the public network of health and hospital centres of each Autonomous Community.
Who is protected:
Active salaried workers , even if the employer is not paying into the fund for this benefit scheme.
Pensioners and recipients of regular benefits, including unemployment benefits or assistance.
Family members or carers dependent on the above, spouses, orphans and dependents and Spanish migrants and also other groups recognised by the law.
Subsidio de Incapacidad temporal (IT) [temporary disability benefit] covers lack of income arising when an employee is temporarily unable to work and requires social security health care due to illness or accident.
Workers must go to their health centre if they become ill. Their doctor will decide whether they are fit to work and will give them a “parte de baja” [sick note] that they must submit to the company. The allowance covers at least 60% of the workers’ average income. The company normally pays the worker a temporary incapacity allowance, which Social Security repays to the company. The maximum duration is 18 months, after which the situation is reviewed.
Source(s):
https://ec.europa.eu/eures/main.jsp?coun... ..
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcarea... ..
You definitely need the EHIC CARD that has been around for quite a while now. It enables you to obtain free health care at state hospitals and health care centres. You also need good insurance if you are travelling or working in Spain. Don't skimp on this as you could end up with a very hefty bill. My partner collapsed and died in Spain while on holiday and if we had not had good insurance the cost of repatriation etc. would have been huge.
I travel regularly between the UK and Spain with just my EHIC.
I pay by credit card for additional payment protection.
I am not insured for loss of luggage ( although you usually can claim from tour operators or airlines)) etc. etc. But then I do not take out travel insurance when I go somewhere else in the UK.
The EU has been very successful in cutting the cost of travel within Europe and not really needing insurance is one of their successes.
My advice is that. you take your EHIC and say that you are a tourist until your employer gets you registered with the Spanish authorities with your NIE, identification number and your Spanish health card.
The British Embassy in Madrid has a useful website.
You're a little out of date. The E111 card has been called an EHIC for some years. Carrying an EHIC simply entitles you to reciprocal public health care. It isn't a substitute for having proper insurance. Normal travel insurance won't cover you if you're working.
You need the EHIC card AND travel insurance, it has never been an option to have one or the other. The EHIC card will only get you emergency treatment in state hospitals. It doesn't cover all the care that you might need and will not cover additional costs like extended hotel stays and it won't cover any additional travel costs like flights home if you can't travel on the scheduled flight.
I am flying out to magaluf to work very soon and juat wondered which is the better / more valid option out of travel insurance or an e111 card?
