How to get healthcare in Spain as a tourist

It’s the height of tourist season right now in Spain, like much of the rest of Europe, and while no one likes to think about getting ill on holiday or having an accident, it can happen, and you need to make sure you know what to do.

Here’s how healthcare works in Spain for tourists and other visitors.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that if you’re going on holiday abroad, you should have adequate travel insurance which includes health coverage. This will hopefully cover you for any medical emergency.

Health cards

If you’re from an EU country you can apply for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your local health authority which gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay only any of the 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

This is only for emergency or unplanned treatments, not to simply visit a GP and have a checkup.

If you’re from the United Kingdom, you can apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA). It lasts for up to five years.

It’s important to note that these shouldn’t be used instead of travel insurance as it doesn’t necessarily cover everything like repatriation back to your home country, it also doesn’t mean that your healthcare is guaranteed to be free. You may still have to pay a fee, depending on what you need.

Of course if you’re from a non-EU country other than the UK, you will need to make sure you have travel insurance as you will not be covered for either of the above.

READ ALSO: What Brits in Spain need to know about the GHIC health card

Doctor

If your problem isn't urgent enough for hospital treatment then you will likely want a GP/family care physician, known in Spanish as a médico de cabecera or médico de familia.

The best way of doing this is by visiting a local public health centre and showing your GHIC or EHIC card and asking for an appointment. Remember if it’s not an absolute emergency, you may have to wait a while. Even for residents in Spain, it’s not uncommon to have to wait up to a month to see their GP, so as a tourist you won’t always be guaranteed to see one in time.

It's also worth keeping in mind that these doctors may not speak English very well, even in big cities like Barcelona or do not have the confidence to treat you in English, so communication may be an issue.

Alternatively, there are many online doctors you can consult for a fee, many of whom advertise services in English and can provide you with a prescription if you need one. Sites include Doctorosa, Virtual Clínica, and Mobi Doctor.

If you need to see an English-speaking doctor quickly in person, you can always book an appointment with a private doctor too. You’ll find lots of these available all over the country simply by Googling. Again you’ll pay a private fee for this and it will not be covered by your EHIC or GHIC card.

LISTED: English-speaking doctors in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante

Pharmacy

Spanish pharmacies are excellent resources and almost every town has at least one, easily recognisable by the green illuminated cross outside.

There will be at least one in every area open on a bank holiday or Sunday too.

Pharmacies in Spain have qualified pharmacists on the premises, and they can give advice about a wide range of ailments, offer over-the-counter medication you don’t need a prescription for and treat minor injuries.

They can sometimes perform in-store tests for certain common illnesses

They can also offer advice on local medical services and how to find a doctor if you need one. In big cities and tourist areas, most pharmacies have someone who can speak some English.

You can often use prescriptions from other countries to get medicines, including special food required for medical reasons, in Spain.

Remember though prescription medicines are not free in Spain. With a GHIC or EHIC you get a reduced rate, but you’ll still pay 50 percent of the prescription price or 10 percent of the prescription price if you have a UK State Pension.

READ ALSO: Six things foreigners often find surprising about pharmacies in Spain

Hospital

If your problem is more serious, or if you have an injury and think you might need an X-Ray or scan, then you will need to visit the hospital.

The Urgencias department is Accident & Emergency Room in Spain and operates on a walk-in basis like many countries in Europe, with patients seen in order of priority. If your problem is not an emergency then you may have to wait for treatment, and wait times are usually higher during the summer when many staff are on holiday.

During the check-in process, you will likely be asked if you have your GHIC or EHIC card, as well as your passport. If you are from outside the EU and the UK you can still use the services, but they will charge you a fee, depending on what needs treating.

Upon leaving hospital, you will usually be asked to settle the bill if need be or you may be sent one in the post. You may be able to claim back the costs via travel or health insurance.

Ambulance

If you are in an urgent or life-threatening situation, or you cannot transport yourself to the hospital, you can call the emergency services.

The number for the ambulance and other emergency services is 112. You may be able to find someone that can speak to you in English on this number too.

Dentists

If you have a dental emergency, you will generally only be able to use the services of a private dentist. You can usually find your nearest one online. The state dentist is usually only for checkups even for Spanish residents and citizens – even they have to pay for treatments.

You will typically pay after your appointment for any treatment that you need. Check if your travel insurance includes any dental emergencies and you may be able to claim this back.

Vocab

médico de familia - GP or family doctor

Una receta - prescription

Me gustaría hacer una cita - I would like to make an appointment

¿Hay un doctor que hable inglés? - Is there an English-speaking doctor?

Dentista - dentist

Check out our guide on more Spanish health vocabulary you might need if you're ill in Spain.