People living/working in Spain are required to have a Social Security number for entitlement to government pensions, sickness, unemployment and healthcare and need to register with the
Seguridad Social (Spanish Social Security - SS) as soon as possible after arriving in Spain. You will need your social security card to be seen in the Ambulatorio or consultorio (the state-operated health centres found in many Spanish towns) but getting the paperwork can be a lengthy process.
Until the paperwork is complete, your EHIC (
European Health Insurance Card), which entitles you to medical treatment which becomes necessary during a trip due to illness or accident, will be necessary.
