Healthcare in Spain

According to Bloomberg research, healthcare in Spain is of a high standard, contributing to the country’s increasing life expectancy, which now stands at 84 years. These indicators are explained by the high quality of medical services, the accessibility of public healthcare, and the presence of cutting-edge technologies in clinics.

Healthcare System in Spain

As in Russia, both public and private clinics operate in Spain. Residents choose their option based on personal preferences. Both types offer a wide range of medical services, including primary care, inpatient and specialized treatment, preventive care, and rehabilitation.

Public Healthcare

In Spain, central hospitals are connected to local clinics, which are in turn divided into outpatient medical points. Access to the public healthcare system is granted through participation in social security. All residents—whether employed, unemployed, retired, self-employed, or their family members—are entitled to public healthcare. To see a doctor, one must make an appointment in advance. The doctor may prescribe medications, order tests, or refer the patient to a specialist in the public clinic. Disadvantages of public healthcare include the need to make monthly contributions to social security and long wait times—several weeks to get an appointment. Additionally, not all services are completely free of charge.

Private Healthcare

In some regions, private healthcare is more popular. Clinics and hospitals often work with international insurance companies, allowing them to provide high-quality medical services. It’s easier to see a doctor in a private facility—there are no long waiting times. Private health insurance in Spain is especially popular among foreigners. It ensures quick access to doctors and a personalized approach to treatment. Furthermore, for certain residence permits and visas, private health insurance is mandatory. Disadvantages of private healthcare include the requirement to purchase health insurance, which can be costly.

Health Insurance for Relocants

Relocants are individuals who have moved abroad and reside in another country. If a person settles in Spain, they need to obtain health insurance. In some cases, you cannot obtain a visa without it—for example, a long-term visa type D without the right to work. Health insurance is divided into public and private. Public insurance is only available to those who officially work in Spain and pay taxes. These contributions grant access to public healthcare. When choosing private insurance, several factors should be considered:

• Cost: One of the main criteria. You need to assess how much you are willing to pay monthly.
• Coverage: It's important to check what medical procedures and treatments are included.
• Terms and restrictions: Carefully read the contract to avoid unpleasant surprises when seeking medical help.

Popular insurance companies:

• Sanitas: Offers doctor visits and lab tests with a small co-payment. The client can choose the amount of coverage. The minimum cost is €26.69, which includes home ambulance visits and paid hospitalization. The more you pay, the more services are covered.
• Adeslas: Provides medical services from the first day of the contract. Insurance includes general and specialized care, pregnancy management, and lab tests. Services expand monthly. After three months, you can get diagnostic imaging for free.

There’s no universal answer to how much health insurance costs in Spain. On average, it’s around €50 per month. The final price depends on the patient’s age, health condition, and selected service package.

Access to Healthcare for Relocants

To access the public healthcare system, relocants must have a residence permit in Spain. However, there are exceptions. For example, in Catalonia, any foreigner can apply for public health coverage regardless of legal status or social security contributions. It's enough to have been registered in the region for at least three months prior to requesting medical services. If eligible, you can apply for a social health card that confirms registration in the public healthcare system. Public medical centers offer accessible care to all residents of their assigned areas. To receive services, visit the local health center (Centro de Atención Primaria) and provide the following:

1. An identity document (e.g., passport)
2. Social security number proving eligibility for public healthcare
3. Proof of residence (e.g., registration certificate)

Medical staff may request additional documents. You'll be asked to complete registration forms with your contact details and other information. Two to three weeks after applying, you’ll receive a plastic health card. If the primary applicant contributes to Spanish social security, their family members (spouse, children) are also entitled to free healthcare. To receive primary medical care, you must make an appointment. If the situation is not urgent, you’ll only be seen by appointment. This is where private healthcare has a clear advantage—services are delivered much faster. In emergencies, you can call the emergency services (112, or 061 in Catalonia). The team will come if a person’s life is in danger or if there’s no way to take the patient to a hospital independently. To see a specialist, you must first visit a general practitioner, who will assess the issue and provide a referral.

Cost of Medical Services

Spanish citizens, as well as foreign residents with a residence permit who possess a social security card, are entitled to free healthcare services. Exceptions include dental care and specific medical procedures, the cost of which depends on the clinic. However, many tests can be done free of charge. As mentioned earlier, private healthcare in Spain is not cheap. Average prices for services in private clinics are as follows:

1. Full body check-up – €2,000
2. Disease diagnostics – €500
3. Surgical treatment for scoliosis – €17,000
4. Surgeries – from €3,000
5. General practitioner consultation – €100
6. Kidney stone removal – €7,500

In terms of cost, public institutions have a significant advantage. Treatment in a private clinic can amount to thousands of euros. In such cases, having medical insurance helps to significantly reduce expenses, as it may cover the services either partially or in full.

Quality of Medical Care

The quality of healthcare in Spain can be assessed using several key criteria. First, the qualifications of doctors and medical staff: specialists in Spain complete more than 6 years of higher medical education, go through strict selection processes, and possess extensive professional experience. Many employees of both public and private institutions hold notable achievements and participate in international medical conferences. Another major factor is the use of cutting-edge equipment and medical technology. Most clinics and hospitals in Spain are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and machinery, allowing for fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment. To choose the best medical facility or doctor, it’s advisable to consult online reviews and ratings. There are platforms where patients can leave feedback on their treatment experiences, as well as specialized rankings of top clinics and doctors. This helps ensure high-quality healthcare by making informed choices.

Pros and Cons of Healthcare in Spain for Relocants

Spain’s healthcare system offers many advantages for relocants. Individuals have the flexibility to choose between public and private healthcare depending on their financial means. Medical professionals provide high-quality care, and the system is tightly regulated, ensuring reliable treatment. However, those relying on public healthcare may encounter long waiting times. It can take weeks to receive a referral to a specialist. Additionally, the high cost of private services may pose challenges for some relocants.

Examples of Successful Cases

Despite some drawbacks, the healthcare system in Spain proves to be effective. For example, Alexandra successfully applied for public health insurance in Spain as part of her residence permit process. Living in Madrid, she was soon invited to undergo a free breast cancer screening as part of a national health program. Without insurance, this procedure would have cost at least €300. Another case involves Oksana, who moved to Spain with her family. She arranged private health insurance for her child and went to a private clinic to treat her daughter’s tooth. The insurance covered most of the expenses, and Oksana only had to pay €20 out of pocket for all the procedures.

Conclusion

Medical services in Spain are of high quality but can be costly. To reduce expenses, it's essential to obtain a public healthcare card or private medical insurance. To learn more about relocating to Spain and how to prepare the necessary documents, check out other articles on our website. If needed, we can assist with obtaining insurance and gathering documentation for your move to Spain. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our specialists.