The Ministry of Health and Social Services & Equality declared their intention to provide immigrants in irregular situations with the healthcare they previously had, allowing them to enjoy primary healthcare services within the National Healthcare System. However, this does not mean that they will be given a healthcare card like other Spanish citizens or foreign nationals who previously had them prior to the healthcare reform of 2012.
No other country in the European Union provides irregular immigrants with healthcare cards, and for that reason, Spain has decided against it as well.
Despite the protests and demonstrations, which are positive for the cause, there is no further information regarding the provision of healthcare services to immigrants in irregular situations. We also don´t know yet if prescription medications and diagnostic tests will be included in the provided healthcare services.
Translated by: Katherine Pascal
