Spain has one of the most efficient and accessible healthcare systems in Europe, with a developed network of public and private institutions. Understanding how the system works is crucial for anyone planning to stay or move.
🏥 How healthcare works in Spain
The public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is financed from taxes and offers free or very affordable healthcare to citizens and legal residents. It covers:
General practitioner and specialist consultations
Hospital care
Emergency services
Most medications with a supplement
To access the system, you need to have a registered address in Spain and a social security registration (Seguridad Social).
🌐 Whether foreigners are covered by healthcare
Foreigners who have a residence and work permit have the right to access public healthcare through a contribution. EU citizens can use the European health insurance card (EHIC) during temporary stay.
For those who are not employed, it is possible to:
Enter the system through a family member
Voluntarily contribute (Convenio Especial)
Use private insurance until you get access to public
🧰 Private vs. public healthcare
The public system is widely available and of high quality, but it may have longer waiting times for specialists.
The private system offers:
Faster access to doctors
Greater choice of specialists and institutions
Multilingual staff, which is more convenient for foreigners
Many residents use a combination of public and private insurance to ensure wider access and flexibility in treatment.