- How To
- Healthcare
- Health System
- Doctors & Emergencies
Finding a Doctor, a Dentist, a Pharmacy or Hospital
- Moving
- Housing
- Working
- Money
- Family
- Healthcare
- Transport
- Lifestyle
How to go about making sure you have the medical services you need in Spain...
The
Spanish Health Service offers an extensive network of hospitals and health
centres throughout the country, Health centres offer primary health care
services and hospitals more specialised attention. To receive medical
treatment, those enrolled in the Spanish social security programme should visit
a public health centre (centro
de salud) in their area of residence (normally located within 15
minutes of any place of residence), or their general practitioner (médico de cabecera).
They will be referred to a specialist if necessary, however, there can be
waiting lists to see specialists and for non-urgent operations. In rural areas
health centres are only open on certain days.
Lists
of English-speaking health professionals can be found at many tourist offices
and through Embassies or Consulates.
All
doctor’s offices must provide the leaflet Carta de Derechos y Deberes (Charter
of Rights and Obligations), outlining the services patients are entitled to.
Medical Emergencies
In
case of an emergency go directly to a hospital, where emergency services are
generally available. Casualty or A&E departments are called 'Urgencias'.
A
social security card, a European
Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or proof of private insurance
should be presented at the hospital. The EHIC card gives the right to free
emergency treatment for residents of EU/EEA countries in state hospitals or
clinics only. Treatments not qualifying as an emergency are not free.
Bilateral
agreements exist with some countries such as Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Chile,
Brazil and Andorra. Citizens from these countries may benefit from free medical
treatment in cases of medical emergencies or accidents. Citizens of other
countries should have private medical insurance when travelling to Spain.
- For emergency
services, Tel:
112
Pharmacies
Pharmacies
(farmacias)
are widely available and can be identified by a large green cross signage. In
order to exercise their various professional activities, pharmacists must
register with the appropriate provincial Pharmaceutical Association. All of the
Pharmaceutical Associations form part of a national body, the Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Farmacéuticos (General
Spanish Council of Pharmacists). Registered pharmacists are able to provide
first line care and consultation. The association's website provides useful
information in English, including health advice and a vaccination calendar.
Pharmacies
are generally open from Monday to Friday from 09:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to
21:30, and Saturday 09:30 to 14:00. Information about pharmacies open 24 hours
a day (Farmacia de guardia)
can normally be found on the window or doors of any pharmacy.
- The General
Spanish Council of Pharmacists' pharmacy finder
Dental Procedures
Dental
treatment is not covered by social security. Private health insurance can cover
dental treatments if this has been opted for in the policy.
Free
annual check-ups and emergency dental treatments are offered to children aged
6-16 years old. The dental care offered varies between cities or regions.