Alright,

So I’ve been here about a year and a half now and was Empodramiento (sp?) when I first got here.  Recently I started to get some pains in my stomach and I may need to go to the hospital soon, not sure if it has to do with my appendix.  (sounds more dramatic than it may be).  I’ve heard that the healthcare here is free but wanted to check with people who have experience.

Thoughts?  Experience?  What is the process for this kind of stuff?

You need to go to your barrio/council’s local clinic with your empadronamiento. They’ll give you a health care card and assign you a doctor which you can make an appointment to see. All free.

See the doctors in spain page

Does it not matter that I dont have working papers or a visa?

And to follow up to your comment on the doctors in spain page, (oops) yes you can get your card without working papers… they’ll ask you for your work information, etc but put on a sympathy-inducing face, say that you’re working on getting your papers and getting legal but that it’s tough. They should hook you up.