Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE): request it online and receive it at home
It lets you get care from the public health system of another EU/EEA country and Switzerland during temporary stays if you have the right to healthcare in Spain. You apply through the INSS and they send it by post; if you’re in a rush you can get a Certificado Provisional Sustitutorio (CPS) immediately.
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What the agency does
INSS / TGSS
- Receives and reviews your application
- Issues the resolution or official document
Guía completa
What you need to have on hand
- Cl@ve, certificado digital or DNIe. Without this you can still request it, but it takes longer and you can’t download the CPS on the spot.
- DNI/NIE and NUSS/NAF. They’ll ask for these for you and the beneficiaries.
- Postal address in Spain correctly entered. That’s where the physical card arrives.
- Mobile and email in case you need SMS or to save the CPS.
Documentation
- ID: DNI/NIE or passport of the holder and each beneficiary.
- Número de la Seguridad Social for everyone you include.
- Means of electronic identification (Cl@ve/certificado/DNIe) or a mobile phone registered for SMS.
- Updated address in Social Security (if not, correct it first in Import@ss).
- Right to healthcare recognised by the INSS (they check this; if you don’t have it you’ll need to regularise it first).
Step by step
- Go to the Sede de la Seguridad Social: sede.seg-social.gob.es > Ciudadanos > Asistencia sanitaria > Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea.
- Identify yourself with Cl@ve, certificado or DNIe. Without a certificate, use the “sin certificado” option (slower).
- Choose between TSE or CPS if you’re in a hurry. Tick the holder and the beneficiaries that apply.
- Check the address. If it’s wrong, open another tab and change it in Import@ss (importass.seg-social.es > Tus datos). Then come back and continue.
- Confirm the request and download the receipt. If you asked for CPS, download the PDF straight away.
- Wait for the post: the TSE arrives in 5–15 días hábiles. If you travel before then, use the CPS.
Time-saving tips
- If the site is slow, try Chrome or Firefox and disable blockers. The Sede can be picky.
- Travelling soon? Request the CPS even if you also apply for the TSE. It will save your trip.
- Check beneficiaries before you apply. If your kids don’t show, register them as beneficiaries and then request the TSE.
- If you’re with MUFACE/ISFAS/MUGEJU, don’t insist here: go to your mutualidad and avoid wasted attempts.
Common mistakes that can ruin the process
- Outdated address: the card gets lost and you’re left waiting. Change the address before you send the request.
- Thinking it covers everything: the TSE isn’t insurance. There can be copayments and it doesn’t cover private care or repatriation.
- Wrong competent country: if another country is responsible for your healthcare (e.g. S1), the INSS will deny it. Get it from the competent country.
- Not checking expiry: look at the date printed. If it’s expiring soon, renew in time so you don’t lose cover.
- 1.Go to the Sede de la Seguridad Social and search “Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE)”. Service path: sede.seg-social.gob.es > Ciudadanos > Asistencia sanitaria > Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea.
- 2.Identify yourself with Cl@ve, certificado digital or DNIe. If you don’t have these, use the option without certificate (it takes longer).
- 3.Choose whether to request the TSE or a Certificado Provisional Sustitutorio (CPS). Select the holder and, if needed, beneficiaries (children, spouse) who are registered as dependent.
- 4.Check the postal address. If it’s wrong, update it first in Import@ss (importass.seg-social.es > Tus datos) and then come back to request the TSE.
- 5.Confirm the application and save the receipt. If you picked CPS, download the PDF immediately.
- 6.Wait for Correos to deliver the TSE to your mailbox. If you travel before it arrives, use the printed or digital CPS.
- DNI/NIE or passport of the holder (and of each beneficiary if you apply for family members)
- Número de la Seguridad Social (NUSS/NAF) of the holder and beneficiaries
- Cl@ve (PIN or Permanent), certificado digital or DNIe; alternatively a mobile phone registered for identification by SMS
- Updated postal address in Spain where you want to receive the card
- Mobile phone and email for notices/downloads (especially for the CPS)
- Be registered as insured/beneficiary in the INSS with the right to healthcare (they check this automatically)
Wrong address and lost card
They send it to the address that Social Security has on file. If that’s out of date, you’ll lose the card. Change the address first in Import@ss.
Mutualistas don’t go through this route
If you belong to MUFACE, ISFAS or MUGEJU, your TSE is issued by your mutualidad, not the INSS. Request it from your mutualidad’s office.
The TSE is not travel insurance
It covers necessary care in the public health system of the destination country, with possible copayments. It does not cover repatriation or private clinics.
Recognised right and competent country
If another country pays your healthcare (S1, pensioner with a different competent country), that country must issue your TSE. The INSS can deny it for this reason.
Emergencies: CPS
If you’re travelling now, get the CPS. It usually has short validity (commonly up to 90 days) and prevents you being stuck waiting for the post.
How long does the TSE take to arrive?
Normally 5-15 working days by post. If that’s too slow, get the CPS in the same procedure and take it printed or on your phone.
Can I request the TSE for my children or partner?
Yes, if they appear as beneficiaries dependent on you in the INSS. If they don’t appear, register them as beneficiaries first and then request the TSE.
Will they send it to an address outside Spain?
No, they send it to the address recorded in the Spanish Social Security. If you’re abroad, use the CPS or a reliable address in Spain.
Does the TSE cover everything and is treatment free in any country?
It covers necessary care in the public system of the country you’re in and there may be copayments. It doesn’t cover private care or repatriation. Get travel insurance for that.
I’m unemployed, can I apply?
If you retain the right to healthcare in Spain (most people do), you can apply. If you don’t have recognised rights or another country is competent, it will be denied.
Can I renew it even if it’s still valid?
Yes, you can usually request a new one as expiry approaches. Exact validity depends on your situation; check the date printed on the card.
I’ve lost the TSE, what do I do?
Request a replacement via the same Sede. If you travel before the new card arrives, download a CPS to cover you.
¿Qué es Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea y ante qué organismo se presenta?
Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea es un trámite gestionado por INSS / TGSS. Trámite oficial de Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea gestionado por INSS / TGSS. Incluye guía completa, requisitos y plazos reales según normativa vigente.
¿Cuánto cuesta realizar Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
El coste de Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea es Gratis. Verifica importes actualizados en la sede de INSS / TGSS antes de presentarlo.
¿Cuánto tarda Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
El tiempo estimado para Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea es 1–4 semanas. Puede variar según la carga del organismo INSS / TGSS y la complejidad del expediente.
¿Qué sistema de identificación necesito para Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
Para Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea el usuario requiere Cl@ve (PIN o permanente). Si no dispones del medio exigido, valora alternativas presenciales o apoderamiento.
¿Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea necesita cita previa?
No, Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea se puede iniciar sin cita previa. Puedes comenzar directamente por la sede electrónica o ventanilla correspondiente.
¿Necesito estar dado de alta para Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
En muchos trámites ante el INSS o la TGSS, como Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea, la Seguridad Social exige situación de alta, asimilada al alta o periodos mínimos cotizados. Comprueba tu vida laboral antes de solicitarlo.
¿Cómo compruebo el estado de mi solicitud de Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
Puedes consultar el estado de Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea en "Tu Seguridad Social" con Cl@ve, certificado o vía SMS. El INSS/TGSS también notifica resoluciones por carta o por la sede electrónica.
¿Qué puedo hacer si me deniegan Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea?
Ante una denegación de Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea puedes presentar reclamación previa en el plazo indicado en la resolución (normalmente 30 días) y, en su caso, demanda ante el juzgado de lo social.
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Your next step
1.Go to the Sede de la Seguridad Social and search “Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE)”. Service path: sede.seg-social.gob.es > Ciudadanos > Asistencia sanitaria > Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea.
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