Illness, accident, emergency care

As a Hungarian EU citizen, you are entitled to emergency medical care in Tenerife according to European Union regulations.
Here are the most important things to know:

Make sure you have your European Health Insurance Card! (EHIC / EU Card)

1. Where can you get medical care in Tenerife?

  • Public hospitals and clinics (Centro de Salud)
    • In emergencies, they provide free medical care if you have a
      European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / EU Card).
    • Such institutions include:
      • Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) – La Laguna
      • Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria – Santa Cruz de Tenerife
      • Hospital del Sur de Tenerife (El Mojón, Arona)
      • Local health centers (Centro de Salud) near your residence
  • Private hospitals and clinics
    • Here you must pay for care unless you have appropriate travel insurance that covers the costs.
    • Popular private hospitals in Tenerife:
      • Hospiten Sur (Costa Adeje)
      • Hospiten Bellevue (Puerto de la Cruz)
  1. What do you need to show for public healthcare?
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / EU Card)
    • Entitles you to free emergency and necessary healthcare in the Spanish public health system.
    • You receive care under the same conditions and prices as Spanish citizens.
    • If you don’t have the card with you, the Hungarian NEAK (National Health Insurance Fund) can send confirmation by fax or email.
  • ID card or passport
    • May always be required for identification.
  1. What cases does the EU Card cover?
  • Emergency care (accident, sudden illness, severe pain, etc.).
  • Acute care for chronic conditions (e.g., insulin administration for diabetics, dialysis for kidney patients, chemotherapy if already started).
  • Pregnancy-related emergency care and childbirth (if occurring during travel).
  • Care deemed necessary by a doctor that cannot be postponed until return to Hungary.
  1. What does the EU Card NOT cover?
  • Planned medical care (e.g., surgery, dental treatment, check-ups).
  • Private medical treatments (private hospitals, private clinics not contracted with the public health system).
  • Repatriation to Hungary (only covered by separate travel insurance).

 

  1. What to do if you don’t have your EU Card?
  • After receiving emergency care, you must pay the costs, then you can submit the bill to NEAK in Hungary for reimbursement.
  • Or NEAK can send confirmation of your eligibility by fax/email.
  1. Recommended additional protection: Travel Insurance

Although the EU Card covers emergency care, travel insurance is recommended for cases such as:

  • Treatment at private clinics (where treatment might be faster).
  • Repatriation if needed.
  • Other costs (e.g., medications, rehabilitation).

Summary: What to do if you get sick in Tenerife?

  1. In case of emergency, call 112, or go to a public hospital / Centro de Salud.
  2. Show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and your passport / ID card.
  3. If you don’t have an EHIC Card, NEAK can send confirmation by fax/email.
  4. If you go to a private clinic, you must pay, unless you have travel insurance.
  5. If needed, you can contact the Hungarian NEAK for cost reimbursement.

The contact details for the National Health Insurance Fund (NEAK) central customer service are:

  • Phone: (+36 1) 350-2001
  • Fax: (+36 1) 298-2403
  • Email: neak@neak.gov.hu
  • Postal address: 1139 Budapest, Váci út 73/a
Scroll to Top