Month 1
Time
20 min at the CAP
Cost
Free
Difficulty
Medium
EU vs non-EU
EU/EEA: Working EU citizens are covered via social security; not working yet, bring your EHIC or S1 form while CatSalut processes residence-based access.
Non-EU: You'll need your TIE and padrón. If your visa required private insurance, keep it until your TSI arrives. The gap is real.
What to bring
Padrón (volante less than 3 months old)
NIE or passport
Social security number (if you're working)
Not needed: Private insurance. Public access is residence-based in Catalonia
Our pick
Compare all 4 →Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Find your CAP
catsalut.gencat.cat → "Cercador de centres". Your CAP is fixed by your padrón address, not by choice.
- 2
Walk in with padrón + ID
First registration is in person. Mornings are quieter; some CAPs let you book a slot via La Meva Salut beforehand.
- 3
Get your CIP number and TSI
They register you in the system and give you your CIP (personal health code) immediately. The plastic TSI card posts in 2–4 weeks.
- 4
Activate La Meva Salut
Ask the desk to switch it on, then install the app. Appointments, prescriptions, and reports all live there.
Words you'll hear
TSI
Targeta sanitària individual. Your public health card, issued once you have padrón + a coverage basis.
CAP
Your local primary-care centre. Which one is yours depends on your padrón address.
Padrón / empadronamentpa-DRON
Your address registration at the town hall. Gets you on the list for healthcare, schools, and half of all paperwork.
Common questions
I'm not working yet — can I get public cover?
EU citizens lean on their EHIC meanwhile; non-EU without social security can buy into the convenio especial (~€60/month) after a year on the padrón.
Which CAP do I belong to?
The one for your padrón address — that's why the padrón comes first. You can check and change your assigned CAP on the La Meva Salut portal.
Does the TSI cover the rest of Spain?
Yes for emergencies and basics — CatSalut is Catalonia's arm of the national system. For planned care elsewhere you re-register locally.
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