If you're heading to Spain as a Language Assistant, for a job, or to study, the organisation may have sent you its own "Medical Certificate of Good Health" form to get signed by a doctor. Yes, we can complete it. There are just two things you need to know first.

These forms usually ask a doctor to confirm three things: that you have no disorders or psychological conditions in your medical history that could affect you or others, that you are free of drug addiction, and that you don't have any disease that could cause serious repercussions to public health. Some also mention that you'll be working with children.

1. This form is not the official Spanish visa certificate

The medical certificate for a Spanish visa is a different document. The Spanish Consulate in London asks for a certificate confirming you don't suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health under the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). That exact reference to the IHR 2005 is what the consulate looks for.

The template from your programme, school or university is their own internal form. It adds extra statements about mental health and drugs, and it doesn't carry the IHR 2005 wording the consulate expects. So:

• If you only need it for your job, programme or university (not for a visa), that's absolutely fine. We'll complete their form.
• If you're also applying for a visa, you'll need the official Spain visa medical certificate as well. Don't send the programme's template to the consulate in its place.

2. The drug statement needs evidence

The form asks the doctor to confirm you are free of drug addiction. A doctor can't sign that from a conversation alone. We confirm it in one of two ways.

Route A: your medical records

If you have a GP record, share a copy of it with us. In England, most people can see their GP health record in the NHS App, or you can ask your GP surgery for a copy. Our doctor reviews your history before your consultation. If your records aren't in English, get in touch before you book.

Route B: a laboratory drug panel test

If you don't have medical records you can share (for example, you're an international student without a UK GP), you'll need to take a drug panel test that is analysed by a laboratory, and send us the lab's report showing negative results.

What is a drug panel test?

"Panel" just means the number of drug groups the test checks for. A 7-panel test checks for seven groups, a 10-panel test for ten. We accept either, as long as it's analysed by a lab.

The exact list depends on the provider, so check before you buy. As an example, one UK laboratory's 10-drug urine test covers:

A 7-panel test covers fewer groups, and which ones varies between providers, so check the list before you buy. If you're not sure which to choose, a 10-panel gives the doctor the fuller picture.

Urine, not breath

Please take a urine test. Breath tests measure alcohol, not drugs, so they can't support this statement.

What a negative result actually shows

Urine tests pick up recent use. Most drugs show for up to about four days, while cannabis can show for up to around 30 days in regular users. So a negative result tells the doctor there's no sign of recent use. The doctor puts that together with your consultation before signing, which is why the test and the consultation go hand in hand.

What your lab report must show

• Your full name, matching your passport, and your date of birth
• The date your sample was collected, within 30 days before your consultation
• The name of the laboratory. Look for one accredited by UKAS to ISO 17025, the standard for testing laboratories
• The list of drugs tested and a result for each one

Lab tests are widely available online. You collect a urine sample at home (or at a collection point) and post it to the lab. Search for a "laboratory urine drug test" rather than a "home drug test kit", and check the product says the sample is analysed in the lab and you receive a report. Allow a few extra days for posting and results.

How it works, step by step

1. Send us your organisation's form. Upload the exact template when you order, so the doctor completes that form rather than a generic letter.
2. Provide evidence for the drug statement. Either your medical records (Route A) or a laboratory drug panel report with negative results (Route B).
3. Have a live video consultation with a UK GP. A GMC-registered doctor goes through your health history and your evidence with you. It's never questionnaire-only.
4. Your form is completed, signed and stamped. The doctor fills in your name and passport number, wet-signs the original, and adds the place, date and stamp.
5. The original is posted the same day by Royal Mail 1st Class. If your organisation also wants an apostille or translation, we can help with that too.

The mental health statement

The form also asks the doctor to confirm there are no disorders or psychological conditions in your medical history that could affect you or others. Having had a mental health condition in the past doesn't automatically mean you can't get this signed. The doctor will talk it through with you and look at your records. What the doctor won't do is sign a statement that isn't accurate, so please be open with us. It protects you as much as anyone.

Students with university forms

Some universities in Spain send their own health certificate template too, and many look very similar to the Language Assistant form. The process is exactly the same: send us the form, provide your evidence, and have your consultation. If you're applying for a student visa as well, remember you'll also need the official Spain visa medical certificate with the IHR 2005 wording.

Frequently asked questions