In short: since 13 March 2026, foreign nationals without legal residence can access full public healthcare (SNS) by proving habitual residence. The provisional document is issued immediately.
Royal Decree 180/2026, of 11 March regulates access to publicly funded healthcare (art. 3ter of Law 16/2003) based on habitual residence, not legal status.
Who gets access: foreign nationals in Spain without legal residence; international-protection applicants (from the moment of application); with enhanced access for minors, pregnant women, victims of trafficking, gender or sexual violence, temporary-protection applicants and stateless applicants.
What changes: limiting care to emergencies and pregnancy was the 2012 rule (RDL 16/2012); since 2018 the law already gives these people healthcare on the same terms as Spanish nationals (art. 3 ter of Law 16/2003, as worded by RDL 7/2018), but each region applied it differently and with barriers. RD 180/2026 sets one common procedure for all of Spain. A responsibility declaration replaces complex paperwork; an immediate provisional access document; 3-month resolution (positive silence: if undecided, deemed approved); no minimum residence period; a unified health ID (CIP-SNS).
How to apply, step by step: documents, where to file and what happens next, in Healthcare without papers: how to get the health card.
What to do: submit identity + proof of habitual residence (municipal registration or alternative) + responsibility declaration, at the regional health authority offices.
Official source: BOE-A-2026-5714.
Informational only; check the official source and your health centre or social services for your specific case.
