Healthcare in Gran Alacant: SIP card, health centre and emergencies

Machine translation made with AI: it may contain errors. Please check the details in the official sources.

Emergencies: 112

For an emergency (accident, chest pain, loss of consciousness) call 112, the European emergency number, free of charge throughout Spain. Outside an emergency, do not use it for general enquiries.

How public healthcare is organised

Public healthcare in the Valencian Community is run by the Conselleria de Sanidad (regional Department of Health). Santa Pola, and therefore Gran Alacant, belongs to the Elche – Hospital General Health Department, which covers Elche and Santa Pola.

Reference hospital: Hospital General Universitario de Elche. According to the Generalitat's online office, the address is Camí de l'Almazara, 11, 03203 Elche (Elx).
Primary care in Santa Pola: Santa Pola Health Centre, with auxiliary clinics, including the Gran Alacant Clinic (consultorio).

Gran Alacant Clinic

According to the website of the Elche Health Department:

Address: Avenida de Escandinavia, 31.
Telephone: 966 912 360.
General opening hours: 8:00 to 21:00; from 1 July to 30 September, 8:00 to 15:00.
Continuous care (primary care emergency service): in summer, 24 hours; in winter, from 21:00 to 8:00; and at weekends, 24 hours all year round.

Opening hours and services may change, so check the current information on the clinic's website before you go. You can book an appointment with your GP using the Generalitat's primary care appointment service or by telephone.

The SIP card

The Valencian health card (SIP, Sistema de Información Poblacional, Population Information System) identifies you to the public system and is needed for most healthcare procedures.

Who can get it: people registered on the padrón (municipal register) in the Valencian Community who have a recognised right to public healthcare. For insured people, that right is recognised by the INSS (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social, the national social security institute), or by mutual funds such as Muface, Mugeju or Isfas. Since access is tied to registration on the padrón, start with our guide to registering on the padrón.

How to apply: in person, at the SIP points in public health centres and hospitals. You are usually asked for:

Official identity document (passport, TIE or registration certificate).
Certificate of registration on the padrón, or authorisation for the centre to verify it.
INSS document proving the right to healthcare, if the centre asks for it.

Cost: according to the Conselleria de Sanidad, the SIP card is free. A fee is only charged if you request a duplicate because of loss or damage attributable to the person. Check the current amount in the health card FAQs.

Who is entitled in practice

Employees and self-employed people registered with Social Security (Seguridad Social), and their dependants: have access.
EU/EEA/UK/Swiss pensioners with an S1 form: the country paying the pension covers healthcare and no special agreement is needed.
Economically inactive people with no other cover: can sign the convenio especial (special agreement) with Social Security, which requires at least one year of continuous effective residence and registration on the padrón. According to the Ministry of Health and the Conselleria de Sanidad (checked on 2026-10-05), the contributions are 60 euros a month (under 65) and 157 euros a month (65 or over). The agreement does not cover medicines, which are paid for at 100%.
Other cases (new arrivals, retirees without an S1, etc.): it is best to ask at the health centre or at Social Security, because the rules depend on nationality and situation.

If you are a tourist or do not yet have entitlement

EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens: the European Health Insurance Card from your country gives access to medically necessary public care during a temporary stay, on the same terms as residents. It does not cover private healthcare or repatriation, and co-payments may apply. It cannot be used to establish residence. For long-term residents it does not replace the SIP.
Other nationalities: you need travel insurance or private health insurance.
Emergencies: urgent care is provided regardless, but you may be billed if you have no cover. The conditions depend on your situation; check the current information in the Conselleria de Sanidad's health card FAQs or at your health centre.

Private healthcare and insurance

There are private clinics and insurers in the area. If you are considering insurance, check: hospital cover, age limits, pre-existing conditions, waiting periods and whether it is accepted for a residence application (some authorisations require insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods). We do not recommend any specific provider.

On-duty pharmacy

On-duty pharmacies are organised by the Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Alicante (Alicante Pharmacists' Association), which publishes the calendar by town. Check the current rota on the Association's website or on the notice at the door of any pharmacy. Association telephone: 965 123 123.

Before you go: document checklist

Passport, TIE or registration certificate.
Certificate of registration on the padrón.
INSS healthcare document, S1 or special agreement, depending on the case.
European Health Insurance Card, if you are a visitor.

Disclaimer: general information, not advice

This guide summarises public information as at 2026-10-05 and does not replace medical or legal advice. In an emergency call 112. Verify opening hours and requirements on the Conselleria de Sanidad website.