Tarjeta sanitaria in Catalonia: how to get a medical card

What is Tarjeta Sanitaria in Catalonia?

In Catalonia, the medical card is called Targeta sangitoria invidual, shortened by TSI. This is a document by Servei Català de la Salut (CatSalut), which identifies you and provides access to public health centres and services. [1][4]. Each map corresponds to CIP code (códigigo de identificación personal) [1].

The Catalonia Act (Llei 9/2017) guarantees medical care to all residents of Catalonia, but to receive it from the public system, it is necessary to confirm status through INSS or obtain coverage from CatSalut for other reasons. [3]The name "tarjeta sangaria" is Spanish form, and in Catalonia and in documents you will meet TSI and "targeta sangitriaria" more frequently.

To whom is Tarjeta Sanitaria: three situations

General condition one: padrón in the municipality of Catalonia [1]The way you're going to go depends on your Seguridad Social situation:

INSS is the institutional body for the National de la Seguridad Social, a body that recognizes the right to assistance throughout Spain. [1]. CatSalut describes it this way: INSS recognizes the right to assistance for employees, pensioners, benefit recipients of Seguridad Social and their beneficiaries, i.e. children, spouses and partners. [1]General rule in Ley 16/2003, article 3: the right to have aliens with legal and permanent residence who do not need to confirm the cover in another way [6]I'm not sure what an alta is. Alta in RETA and Seguridad Social.

How to get a Tarjeta Sanitaria in Catalonia: the order of steps

1. Put the padron on. Without registration, the municipality of Catalonia will not physically issue TSI. Empadronamiento in Barcelona [1].
2. Confirm the right to help. If you work, you get a pension or benefit, you already have the right. For family members, INSS provides them as beneficiaries: online with digital certificate, online without it, or in person on record. [1].
3. Request TSI. Either online on CatSalut, or personally at CAP, your home or your selected CAP [1].
4. Wait for the test. After sending the form CatSalut checks with other agencies: padron and alta in INSS. If the answer is yes, the email will be temporarily confirmed with CIP, it will allow access to centres and services before receiving a physical map. If additional checks are required, the application will be held as pendiente and resolved in the following days. [1].
5. Get the map. When requested to do so, CatSalut sends it to the home address free of charge. [1].

What documents are needed for TSI?

When applying to CAP CatSalut, requests [1]:

• Identification document: DNI, NIE or passport;
• certificat d'empadronament issued less than three months ago. If your ayatamiento allows online checking, you can not bring the paper; if not, you need the original;
• If the application is submitted by another person, the representation documents: birth certificate, copy of libro de familia or other document.

The online form can be filled out without a visit to CAP, but physical TSI is issued only if the main condition is met: [5]How to obtain a registration certificate: registration certificate in BarcelonaI'm sending an application, you allow CatSalut to request data from other authorities. [1].

What if you don't have Seguridad Social: convenio special and other options

CatSalut calls two main paths outside INSS [2].

Convenio especial (special agreement, Real Decreto 576/2013) is intended for those who are not asegurado or beneficiario and do not have access to any public health system [2][7]II. BOE Conditions [7]:

• Residence in Spain for at least a year in a row immediately before the application;
• Padrón in the municipality of the region where the agreement is being submitted at the time of the submission;
• Lack of access to public health protection on other grounds, including under the Seguridad Social Agreements between Spain and other countries.

Contribution is 60 y per month for signatories up to 65 years and 157 yrs from 65 years; amounts can be revised and the region can raise the quota if services are added [7]. CatSalut accepts applications to unitats d'atenció al ciutadà health regions by appointment, the decision is notified within 30 days, the right is valid from the date of signature after payment of the first monthly quota [2]I. CatSalut on the agreement updated in 2017, before applying the conditions [2].

Special cases Under Real Decreto 1192/2012 and RDL 7/2018: Minors, Pregnant Persons, Applicants of International Protection, Victims of Trafficking. If you are not registered and authorized as resident but have a padrón for at least three consecutive months and family income below the basic inclusivity rent, you can request access through CAP [2]These grounds are intended for people without a residence permit. As CatSalut looks at those who have a permit but do not have an alta in the Seguridd Social, depending on the grounds for stay: specify before filing.

Specialities for Russian, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine

Citizenship itself does not change order: CatSalut looks at the Padron and whether you have a recognized right to assistance (alta in Seguridd Social, Pension, Beneficial Status) or access on special grounds [1][3]There are no individual lists of countries on the TSI page.

There is one exception for Ukrainian citizens: CatSalut has a separate procedure for applicants and recipients of temporary protection (Orden PCM/169/2022): this status must be applied in person at the Police National or elsewhere that the State determines. For TSI, a temporary protection decision or application document is attached to CAP. After recognition of access, CatSalut issues TSI with "cobertura Sanitaria". The European Union (EC) is a member of the European Union and is a member of the European Union. [8]I. More detailed status: Temporary protection for Ukrainians.

As CatSalut is dealing with the DNV holder, who works for a foreign company and is not an alta in Seguridad Social in Spain, we have not found in official sources. DNV insurance and number NUSS.

How long do you wait and what do you do while the map's coming?

The official date for the issuance of the physical card CatSalut is not called. If the check is passed, the e-mail is temporarily confirmed with CIP: while the card is not available, it gives access to public system centres and services. [1]. TSI in digital format is created automatically when you assign a CIP, even if you do not already have a plastic card; it is visible in La Meva Salut and La Meva Cartera, it is accepted in pharmacies and centers in Catalonia, and outside of it, if you have a suitable reader [4]. CatSalut advises to wear a physical card, because readers are gradually introduced. [4].

How to make a appointment with a family doctor when you have a map: Recording for a doctor in CataloniaWhere to call if you need to: Number 112 and 061.

Dublicate, address change, return to Catalonia

The duplicate is requested by CAP for loss, theft, card damage or breakage of the magnetic strip; the old card is no longer valid because the document is unique and personal [5]B. Data errors report to CAP or 061; if error affects CIP (name, sex, date of birth), CatSalut sends a new card free of charge [5]When moving, you need to report to CAP or 061: address changes and CAP, doctor and pediatrician changes, but no new card is released because of this. [5].

If you used to have TSI in Catalonia, you left and you came back, the application is re-applied like the first time. [1].

Typical Errors

• Delivery without padron. It's a basic requirement for everyone, and without it, the map will not be physically issued. [1].
• Overdue certificat d'empadronement. At CAP, it has to be issued less than three months ago. [1].
• Application to TSI before recognition of the right. For family members, first they make a beneficiary status in INSS [1].
• The expectation that private insurance will replace TSI. If you're working, TSI still needs to be done: only a public health doctor can process a sick leave for temporary incapacity. [9].
• NUSS buzz. The Seguridad Social and TSI numbers are different documents, one doesn't replace the other.
• Unchanged CAP after moving. Give new address to CAP or 061 [5].

When Individual Review Is Needed

The procedure depends on your basis of stay, employment and family. A separate question is needed if you have been granted a residence permit without a right to work and are required to have private insurance, if you work for a foreign employer without an alta in Spain or if your family members have arrived after you. In these cases, it is better to check the scheme with a gendarme or a lawyer before filing, so as not to lose time to refuse. replaces the consultation.

What can we help you with?

The NEXO team helps collect a package for TSI: check if you have the right to help, prepare the application and the list of documents, explain where to go in Barcelona. The result is decided by CatSalut, and the time frame for the response is not dependent on us. The first 30 minutes of consultation is free: to be registered for examinationIII. On the family theme: family and reunificationorder of steps in family questionnaire; general overview of grounds of residence available on page Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.