All students at UPF must have health care insurance.

If you are a citizen of Spain, you must have medical coverage that is valid in Barcelona (whether Social Security coverage, a private health insurance policy,etc.).

If you are a citizen of a Member State of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland and entitled to coverage under the social security system of your country, then you can applyto the European health Insurance Card (EHIC), which can be obtained from the public health authorities of your home country. While the European Health Insurance Card gives EU citizens access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in Spain, the EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel insurance. It does cover NEITHER accidents NOR any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. Moreover, the EHIC does NOT cover your costs if you are traveling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland, then you must find out whether there exists a mutual health provision agreement between the Social Security system of your country and Spain (this is the case of a number of Latin American countries). If such an agreement exists, you can obtain a document from the relevant authorities in your country entitling you to free medical coverage in Spain.

If you do not fall into any of the above categories or cannot give proof of the document issued by the relevant national authority of your country, then prior to departure, you must take out private medical insurance to cover the whole stay at UPF

All international students, including Erasmus, are required to have full coverage of eventual risks during their stay in Spain and UPF will check that at least an accidents and travel insurance has been contracted to complement the EHIC. These are the minimum requisites. Besides, we recommend considering other benefits packages offered to UPF students at a special price:

Barcelona has a wide range of health centers and hospitals. The public health system provides free universal access, while ensuring good quality care levels:

• Centros de Atención Primaria - CAP (Primary Care Centers). This is the first place you should go when you have a health problem. They offer health and social care. You must be a TSE cardholder in order to access to their services for free. Barcelona has a comprehensive network of CAPs. To find the CAP closer to your place of residence you can visit the City Hall's website.
• Public Hospitals. You should go to a Hospital only in case of an emergency. If you face a common health problem you should go first to your nearest CAP. If the CAP health staff considers that it is necessary they will refer you to the Hospital. To access to their services for free, it is also necessary to be a EHIC cardholder.

In Barcelona, there are also private hospitals and clinics. If you have acquired private health insurance, check the documentation to find out which health centers or hospitals you are assigned to.

For more information about the medical and health care, see health care section of the City Hall's website.

In case of emergency, you should call the emergency phone number 112.