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Applying for the Tarjeta Sanitaria in Mallorca: the IB-Salut health card

The Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) is your ID card within the public healthcare system of the Balearics – without it, you won't get a permanent GP at a Centro de Salud, no electronic prescriptions, and no regular access to hospitals such as Son Espases. Responsible for this is the Servicio de Salud de las Islas Baleares (IB-Salut), based at Calle del Carme 18 in Palma. In this guide you'll learn who is actually entitled to it, which of the three application routes suits you, which documents IB-Salut specifically requires – and in which Mallorca municipalities you can even skip the Empadronamiento certificate.

Tarjeta Sanitaria Mallorca: applying for the IB-Salut card

Not sure whether you're even entitled to the public card or whether you need private supplementary insurance?

Who is entitled to the Tarjeta Sanitaria?

The TSI is tied to existing coverage within the Spanish healthcare system – it doesn't create the entitlement itself, but documents it. The legal basis is primarily the Real Decreto 183/2004 (last amended by RD 702/2013), supplemented by the Real Decreto-ley 7/2018 on universal access to the Sistema Nacional de Salud.

Group of people Description Card type
Personas aseguradas Employees, pensioners, recipients of state benefits, people without their own means Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual
Personas beneficiarias Family members of an insured person (spouse, children) Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual
Foreign nationals from the EU/third countries, with regular residence status Meet residency and documentation requirements Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual
Foreign nationals in an irregular situation No other means of coverage available Tarjeta DAS

Note: EU pensioners who cannot yet prove Spanish employment or contributions usually gain access via the S1 form from their home country. You can find details on this in the guide S1 form Spain.

The three ways to apply

IB-Salut offers the application digitally, in person at the Centro de Salud, or – only for the DAS card – exclusively in person. For people in an irregular situation, the digital route is generally excluded.

Route Requirement Process
A) Digital Certificado digital, electronic DNI or Cl@ve permanente Digital procedure of the CAIB, select "initial application" as the reason; notification is sent to the Carpeta Ciudadana along with the collection point
B) In person Appointment required Cita previa via INFOSALUT CONNECTA, Tel. 971 220 000, followed by an in-person visit at the relevant Centro de Salud
C) Irregular situation (DAS) – In person only, no digital option

Please note: In February 2026, IB-Salut switched the prescription system from RELE to SIGMA. On the changeover weekend (21/22 February 2026), the Tarjeta Sanitaria was temporarily unusable for prescriptions – a reminder that it's worth collecting ongoing prescriptions well ahead of any announced system maintenance.

Step by step: applying at the Centro de Salud

Process: applying for the Tarjeta Sanitaria from IB-Salut — from proof of entitlement to the health card
  1. Arrange a cita previa via INFOSALUT CONNECTA (971 220 000) or directly online if you have a Certificado digital, DNI-e or Cl@ve permanente.
  2. Gather your documents (see table below) – in particular a current passport photo in 26 x 32 mm format.
  3. Check proof of empadronamiento: only required if you have changed address, unless you live in one of the exception municipalities listed below.
  4. Attend your appointment at the Admisión desk of your local Centro de Salud.
  5. Wait for delivery: for digital applications, the Carpeta Ciudadana will inform you of the collection point; for in-person applications, you will usually receive further information directly on site.

Which documents do you need?

The requirements differ between adults, minors, and applications submitted by a third party on your behalf.

Group of people Documents
Adults DNI/NIF or NIE, current colour photo 26 x 32 mm (same requirements as for the DNI)
Minors DNI/NIF or NIE (if available), Libro de Familia / passport / custody document, colour photo 26 x 32 mm
Minors, EU foreign nationals NIE plus passport or photo ID document
Application by a third party (adult) Written power of attorney with names, DNI/NIF/NIE and signatures of both parties, original/copy of the ID of the person granting power of attorney, original ID of the authorised person, photo 26 x 32 mm
Application by a third party (minor) ID of the responsible adult, the child's ID document (if available), Libro de Familia or proof of custody, power of attorney form

Note: A Certificado empadronamiento "para viajar" (travel-purpose certificate) is not accepted by IB-Salut – you need the regular, current registration certificate from your town hall. More on this in the guide Empadronamiento Mallorca.

Empadronamiento special case: These municipalities waive the requirement

In numerous Balearic municipalities, IB-Salut retrieves registration data directly and digitally – meaning you no longer need to submit the Empadronamiento certificate separately. However, this only applies as long as no change of residence is pending.

Island Municipalities without a separate Empadronamiento document
Mallorca Alaró, Banyalbufar, Binissalem, Búger, Calvià, Deià, Escorca, Esporles, Estellencs, Felanitx, Fornalutx, Lloret de Vistalegre, Lloseta, Mancor, Manacor, Maria de la Salut, Palma, Petra, Puigpunyent, Sa Pobla, Sant Joan, Santa Eugènia, Santa Maria del Camí, Sencelles, Sineu, Valldemossa
Menorca Alaior, Es Castell, Ciutadella, Ferreries, Maó, Es Mercadal, Migjorn Gran, Sant Lluís
Eivissa Eivissa (town)

If you live in a Mallorca municipality not listed (e.g. Andratx, Pollença, Sóller or Marratxí), you should bring your current Empadronamiento certificate as a precaution.

Validity, renewal and loss

The TSI is valid for four years. After that – or in the event of loss, theft or damage – the procedure is identical to the initial application, only with a different Motivo in the digital Trámite.

Reason Procedure
Process after 4 years Digital Trámite, Motivo "Renovación", or in person at the Centro de Salud
Loss / theft / damage Digital Trámite, Motivo "Duplicado", or in person
Change of identity, address or contact details Digitally ("Modificación de datos"), in person at the Admisión, or by phone (contact details only) on 971 220 000

Attention:For the digital route – whether it's a first application, renewal or data change – you absolutely need a Certificado digital, DNI electrónico or Cl@ve permanente. Without one of these three identification methods, only an in-person appointment remains an option.

Formal deadlines according to the CAIB procedure register

The application is registered with CAIB under the procedure identifier SIA 2896237 and is processed by the Servicio de Targeta Sanitaria.

Parameter Value
Procedure code (SIA) 2896237
Maximum processing and delivery period 6 months
Silencio administrativo not applicable
Application type Instancia de parte
Processing by an authorised representative possible Yes
Costs Free of charge

These six months represent the maximum permissible administrative period – in practice, actual processing is often considerably quicker, especially when the documentation is complete and an in-person appointment is used.

Tarjeta Sanitaria for EU citizens, pensioners and non-working individuals

Anyone paying into the Spanish Seguridad Social as an employee or Autónomo automatically gains access to the TSI via their social security number. EU pensioners with a state pension from their home country often first apply for access via the S1 form, before the actual TSI is issued. Anyone who is neither employed nor a pensioner generally needs another basis of cover before IB-Salut issues the card. Check your status in advance in the guide Health insurance Spain and clarify your social security registration via Cita Previa Seguridad Social.

Special case: application for children and via an authorised person

For minors, alongside their own identification document (if available), what matters most is the Libro de Familia, a passport or proof of custody. If you do not apply for the card yourself but have it collected or issued by another person, IB-Salut requires an informal but complete power of attorney form with signatures from both parties and the respective identification documents, either as originals or copies. Families who have just moved to Mallorca should plan this step alongside the Residencia application as both procedures require similar documentation.

Most common mistakes when applying

  • Outdated or incorrect passport photo: The photo must be exactly 26 x 32 mm and in colour – like for the DNI, not like a job application photo.
  • Travel-purpose Empadronamiento instead of a regular registration certificate: IB-Salut does not accept a Certificado „para viajar“.
  • Missing Cita previa: Without an appointment via INFOSALUT CONNECTA (971 220 000) you will usually be turned away at the Centro de Salud.
  • Digital application without valid means of identification: Without a Certificado digital, DNI-e or Cl@ve permanente, the online route simply doesn't work.
  • Confusion with other regional cards: The Balearic TSI is called differently from, say, the Andalusian SAS card or the Valencian SIP card – the procedures are similar, but they are organised separately by region.

What happens next?

As soon as you have the TSI, you should register at your local Centro de Salud in order to be assigned a permanent GP (Médico de Cabecera). For specialist treatments or hospital stays, it's worth taking a look at our overview of hospitals in Mallorca. If you want to keep private insurance alongside the TSI – for example, for shorter waiting times – you'll find suitable contacts in our general practitioners directory or in the directory for clinics and hospitals.

Checklist: Applying for the Tarjeta Sanitaria

  • Basis of entitlement clarified (employee, Autónomo, pensioner with S1, family member)
  • Colour passport photo 26 x 32 mm obtained
  • Empadronamiento status checked (exception municipality yes/no)
  • Certificado digital, DNI-e or Cl@ve permanente available (for the online route) or Cita previa arranged via 971 220 000
  • For minors: Libro de Familia or proof of custody brought along
  • For representation: power of attorney form and both identity documents prepared
  • After receipt: registration at the Centro de Salud for a permanent GP

Conclusion

The Tarjeta Sanitaria is not a bureaucratic add-on, but your practical access key to the Balearic health system – from GP appointments to the pharmacy. The process itself is straightforward, as long as the order is right: first the basis of entitlement (employment relationship, S1, family status), then the appropriate documents, then one of the three application routes. Anyone who knows the exception municipalities for the Empadronamiento and books an appointment via INFOSALUT CONNECTA in good time has already done most of the work.

Official sources

How long does processing the Tarjeta Sanitaria take?
According to the CAIB procedure register, the maximum processing and delivery period is 6 months, though in practice it's often much quicker when the documentation is complete.
Does the Tarjeta Sanitaria cost anything?
No, the application, renewal and duplicate request are free of charge with IB-Salut.
How long is the Tarjeta Sanitaria valid?
The card is valid for 4 years and must be renewed afterwards, as well as in cases of loss, theft or damage.
Do I always need an Empadronamiento certificate for the application?
Only in the case of a change of residence, and in certain municipalities such as Palma, Calvià or Manacor, IB-Salut retrieves the padrón data directly and digitally anyway.
Can I apply for the Tarjeta Sanitaria entirely online?
Yes, via the CAIB's digital trámite, though only with a Certificado digital, DNI electrónico or Cl@ve permanente.
What applies to people without regular residency status?
They can apply for a Tarjeta Modelo DAS, provided no other cover exists – this application can only be made in person.
What phone number do I need for an appointment?
INFOSALUT CONNECTA, on 971 220 000, handles cita previa and appointment scheduling.
What do I do if my address or contact details change?
You can report data changes digitally, in person at the Admisión desk of your Centro de Salud, or by phone (contact details only) via 971 220 000.