Your rights if you need health treatment on holiday
Everything you need to know about the EHIC, which gives UK residents free or reduced-cost state healthcare when travelling in Europe.
Everything you need to know about the EHIC, which gives UK residents free or reduced-cost state healthcare when travelling in Europe.
The EU is probing reports Spanish hospitals are refusing to accept the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). So, what does it mean for you?
Andrew Moran, who had been on the run since 2009, was arrested in a dramatic raid at a luxury villa in the Calpe area of Alicante.
Jonathan Todd the European Commission spokesman on Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion told ITV News that; "some of the stories are quite harrowing. We've had people who've broken their arm who are in pain... but have been told they cannot have treatment."
Spain's director of general services and pharmacy has said that hospitals in the country always ask people whether they want public or private care.
Agustín Rivero was responding to complaints that a number of UK holidaymakers were refused care in Spain, despite showing an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
– Agustín Rivero, Spain's Director General of Services and PharmacyThey have sent us four very specific cases. Four cases. We're talking about 500,000 [foreign citizens receiving health care].
Even if it were only one case, logically it would have to receive the same treatment as a Spaniard, and we have talked to health services and hospitals about those four cases.
What the insurance companies have told the UK government does not coincide with what our hospitals report. In those four cases, the patients themselves signed their consent requesting private care.
Mr Rivero said 50 million people visit Spain every year, adding: "I'd like to know if other European countries have the same percentage of this problem as we do."
Everything you need to know about the EHIC, which gives UK residents free or reduced-cost state healthcare when travelling in Europe.
Read the full storyAmerican rock band Bon Jovi will waive the fee for their concert in Madrid because of the economic problems the country is facing.
The concert, due to take place in Madrid on June 27, was originally left out of the European tour in case they couldn't sell enough tickets.
But lead singer Jon Bon Jovi told Spain's El Mundo newspaper that the group decided to perform for free as a thank you to Spanish fans for 30 years of support.
Tickets, priced between €18 and €39 (£15 and £33), have already sold out.
The EU is probing reports Spanish hospitals are refusing to accept the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). So, what does it mean for you?
Read the full storyTheCommission's request for information about the EHIC from Spain takes the form of a letter offormal notice - the first step in EU infringement procedures.
Spainhas now two months to respond to the concerns expressed by theCommission.
For further information about the EHIC, visit the NHS website
The European Commission has requested information from Spain about complaints Spanish hospitals are refusing to recognise the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The Commission says it is concerned Spain might be failing to fulfil its obligations under EU law to provide emergency healthcare to temporary visitors from other member states on the same terms and conditions as are available to Spanish nationals.
The request for information follows an increasing number of complaints that hospitals, in mainly tourist areas of Spain, are refusing to treat citizens on the basis of their European Health Insurance Card and instead request a travel insurance policy and credit card details.
Fugitive Andrew Moran was captured in a dramatic raid at a luxury villa in the Costa Blanca, police said.
An elite team of armed officers swooped on the robber while he was relaxing by a swimming pool.
They recovered two handguns, 60 rounds of ammunition and a machete at the property.
Moran was on the most wanted list for Crimestoppers' Operation Captura campaign.
One of Britain's most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Spain, police said.
Andrew Moran, 31, from Salford, Greater Manchester, was arrested in the resort of Calpe in Alicante on Friday, the Serious Organised Crime Agency said.
Moran, who has been on the run for over four years, fled the country in 2009 after he vaulted the dock in a Burnley courtroom as he went on trial over a £25,000 armed robbery of Royal Mail guards.
He was convicted in his absence for the theft in 2005 in Colne, Lancashire.