Health Care Costs in Spain

The Spanish health-care system is very good. The 4th best healthcare system in the world, an average annual growth rate of 3 per cent. (The highest in Europe) Most hospitals are modern and well-equipped. The doctors and pediatricians are excellent.

There are a few differences in policy between the European and Spanish health systems, but overall they are very similar. The biggest difference is the level of nursing care available in Spain. While Spanish nurses are well-trained and efficient, they simply do not perform many of the duties carried out by European nurses, and many tasks (particularly personal care and feeding) are carried out by the patient's family instead. All hospitals allow one companion to be with the patient 24 hours a day. Visiting times vary for other visitors. If you are planning to live in Spain then do remember that many medical staff do not speak English, even in resort areas.

In some tourist towns a voluntary translation service is available for doctor's appointments, but that will not be available at all times. It is a good idea to find out whether or not such a service exists in your local medical centre when you first arrive in Spain, and if so, at what times it operates.

Dental treatment is Spain is entirely private and, as in the UK, the quality is rather variable. Before moving to Spain, you should make sure you apply for the new European Health Insurance card (EHIC), which replaces the old E111. An EHIC will cover you for emergency healthcare treatment in Spain. It is really for tourists, but will ensure that you do not end up having to pay for treatment during your first few weeks or months in Spain. It will not cover you for most types of non-urgent treatment such as treatment for ongoing conditions, full maternity care or vaccinations and you should not rely on it if you are living in Spain.

Private health insurance is widely available and on the coasts at least there are many schemes specifically aimed at British ex-pats. Do read your policy carefully though as you may find some things you will need are excluded. Some policies only cover you for emergency treatment in the home and/or an ambulance to the local hospital for example and you may find that you have to pay for the hospital treatment after you have received it.

Many medicines that are prescription only in the UK are available to over the counter in chemist's shops in Spain, including Asthma inhalers and antibiotics. If you are registered for free healthcare under Spanish social security, you can get medicines you need on prescription for a 60% discount or for nothing if you are a pensioner. For families it’s good to know that the Spanish government subsidizes all state schools and  basic health care in Spain is free for those who come from another EU member state or who become tax paying residents in Spain.