European Commission investigates Spain’s refusal of EHIC

The European Comission is looking into claims that some Spanish Hospitals are refusing to give free treatment to holders of the European Health Insurance Card.

This card entitles the holder to free treatment in hospitals in any country and the NHS pays the costs. But according to the Commission, hospitals in Spain are not honouring this agreement, charging foreign patients for treatment received and telling them they have to claim it back on their travel insurance.

The Commission has asked the Spanish government to investigate these claims and if they refuse, they could be fined.