Foreigners must show they reside legally in Spain to receive medical treatment

Not clear about how this affects EU citizens

SPAIN (Agencies) The Government is to reform the law on foreigners to harden the requirements for legal residence. Those who do not qualify will only have access to the basic medical treatment that is available to all: emergencies and maternity. This measure, which is aimed at curtailing abuse of the system, is likely to impact enormously on the approximately half million 'illegal' immigrants the country hosts. It will no longer be enough to show a Certificado de Empadronamiento (registration at one's local town hall) to obtain a tarjeta sanitaria (which is coupled with the Social Security card). Anyone seeking this medical card will be investigated to make sure they reside legally in Spain and that they pay their taxes. How this affects the EU regulations regarding citizens of the Union is as yet to be clarified, but it is generally expected that application of the laws will be considerably tightened.