Crew Medical Costs in Spain

The Club has recently experienced a number of crew claims that required hospital treatment in Spanish ports.

Medical agents operate in many of these ports and Members may find that should a medical agent be used costs may be higher than would otherwise be the case. In one recent case involving a medical agency a crew member was admitted to a local private hospital for treatment, despite the fact that as an EU national he was entitled to free treatment at the nearby state hospital, which had good medical facilities.

We would strongly advise Members to contact the Club or our local correspondents where a crew member requires medical treatment in Spanish ports to ensure that they are directed to the most appropriate and cost effective medical facility.

Whilst non-EU nationals will be charged for medical treatment in state hospitals, the charges are fixed and the quality of treatment is high in many of the major ports of Spain.

It is recommended that all EU seafarers carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). EHIC cards are issued free of charge and allow anyone who is insured by, or covered by, a statutory social security scheme of the European Economic Area countries to receive
medical treatment in another member state for free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit.

For further details, please read the Club’s detailed article on crew medical expenses in Spain in Signals 96 (July 2014), page 5: www.nepia.com/media/75722/Signals-96.PDF