Getting your public health card in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

What it is

In the Canary Islands the tarjeta sanitaria individual is issued by the Canary Islands health service (SCS, Servicio Canario de la Salud). It gives you access to your GP, your local health centre and public hospitals on every island.

Before you apply

You need two things in place first:

1. Your padrón certificate, showing you live in the Canary Islands.
2. Your right to public healthcare, recognised by the Social Security Institute (INSS). You usually have it if you work or are registered as autónomo in Spain, receive a Spanish pension or an EU pension registered with an S1 form, or are the family member of someone who does. Get the INSS document that proves this.

What to bring

• Your passport or TIE (and NIE).
• Your padrón certificate.
• The INSS document showing your right to healthcare.
• Your Social Security number.

Steps

1. Find your health centre (centro de salud). It's assigned by your address.
2. Apply at the admissions desk with your documents.
3. Get assigned a GP at the same time.
4. Receive your card. The miSCS app can also show an electronic version of the card on your phone.

Cost

Free.

Common pitfalls

• Register on the padrón and sort Social Security first. Without both, the health centre can't issue the card.
• Moved house? Update your padrón and your health centre so you're assigned the right GP.
• Your residence required private insurance? With a non-lucrative or student permit, or an EU registration based on your own insurance, you usually don't qualify through the INSS. After a year living in Spain you can ask about the paid convenio especial (€60 a month under 65, €157 from 65).

When to ask a helper

If you're retired, not working, or on private insurance and unsure whether you qualify for public healthcare, ask someone in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria who's been through it.