Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 for all emergencies (police, fire, medical). Urgencias departments at public hospitals provide free emergency care to everyone including tourists and undocumented individuals. Private hospital ERs (e.g., Quirónsalud, HM Hospitales) charge but offer shorter waits.
Response time: 10-15 minutes in cities, 20-45+ minutes in rural/island areas
Cost: Emergency care (Urgencias) is free for everyone — no charges regardless of nationality or insurance status. Private ER: €100-300+.
Healthcare System
Spain's Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) provides universal healthcare funded by taxation and managed by its 17 autonomous communities — meaning healthcare quality, wait times, and access vary significantly by region. Public primary care is delivered through Centros de Salud (health centres) with assigned GPs. Emergency care is free for everyone, including visitors and undocumented individuals. However, the public system is under pressure with GP waits averaging 8+ days and specialist waits of 3-6+ months. A large parallel private system (used by ~25% of Spaniards) offers much faster access.
Designed for: Registered residents. Managed independently by 17 autonomous communities.
GP Access & Costs
Centro de Salud (health centre) with assigned médico de cabecera (GP). Specialists require GP referral in the public system. Private clinics offer direct access.
Typical wait: Public: 2-10 days routine (8.34 days national average, 2024). Same-day urgent slots available but limited. Specialists: 3-6+ months. Private: same-day to next-day.
Availability: Good in cities and tourist areas. Shortages in rural Spain (España Vaciada) and on smaller islands. Private clinics widely available in coastal/expat areas. Use SaludResponde or regional health apps to book public appointments.
GP Visit
Public: free for registered residents
Private GP
€40-80 per GP consultation. Private specialists: €80-150. Private insurance (Sanitas, Adeslas, Asisa): €50-150/month.
ER Without Insurance
Public Urgencias: free for everyone. Private ER: €100-300+. Ambulance: free (public). Private hospital stay: €300-1,000+/day.
Medication
Prescription copay 0-60% based on income (pensioners 10%, capped at €8-18/month; employed 40-50%). Without public coverage, full pharmacy prices apply. Dental care is largely private and NOT covered by SNS (except extractions and children's dental).
Health insurance is strongly recommended
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–2pm & 5–8pm (split schedule). Farmacia de guardia (duty pharmacy) operates 24/7 on rotation in every town — green cross flashing = open. Check turnodefarmacia.net or call 010.
OTC: Spanish pharmacists are very accessible and often dispense medications that require prescriptions elsewhere (e.g., certain antibiotics, stronger anti-inflammatories). Pharmacies are the first port of call for minor ailments.
Controlled substances: Opioids, benzodiazepines, and ADHD medications require Spanish prescription. Travellers should carry medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter (ideally in Spanish). Cannabis is decriminalised for private use but not legal.
Practical Tips
- Get empadronamiento (address registration) first — it unlocks healthcare, NIE, bank accounts, and official services
- Your Centro de Salud (health centre) is your primary care hub — register there for a GP assignment
- Private insurance (Sanitas, Adeslas, Asisa) costs €50-150/month and dramatically reduces wait times
- Learn basic Spanish medical vocabulary — English proficiency is low in public healthcare settings
- Farmacia de guardia (duty pharmacy) is available 24/7 — check turnodefarmacia.net or look for a flashing green cross
- Use CitaPrevia apps or regional health service websites to book public GP appointments online
What is the emergency number in Spain?
112 for all emergencies (police, fire, ambulance). Operators speak English in most regions. You can also call 061 for medical emergencies in some autonomous communities.
Is healthcare free in Spain for tourists?
EU/EEA visitors with a valid EHIC or GHIC card receive free public healthcare including emergency treatment, GP visits, and hospital care. Non-EU visitors should have travel insurance — without it, public hospital emergency care is provided but you will be billed.
Join the waitlist to see 3 more FAQs
Sources: Ministerio de Sanidad, Seguridad Social, CDC Travelers Health 2025, Barómetro Sanitario 2024, Defensor del Pueblo (health wait time reports)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by Gewardz Health
Further Reading
EHIC, GHIC & E111: Free Healthcare in Europe
How the EHIC works in Spain for EU/EEA visitors — coverage, limitations, and how to claim.
Read guideHealthcare in Portugal
Compare Spain with neighbouring Portugal — a top expat and digital nomad destination.
Read guideHealthcare in France
See how France's reimbursement model differs from Spain's public system.
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