Healthcare in Spain

Moving to Spain is a huge decision. Before you start searching for your dream property in the Costa del Sol and booking flight tickets, there are lots of factors to consider – including healthcare.

The pandemic has forced us all to re-evaluate our lives. For many, it’s placed a renewed emphasis on the importance of health – as well as generating new-found respect and appreciation for the NHS. As much as you’d love to relocate to sunny España, is it really worth giving up your entitlement to the UK’s healthcare system? And how does the Spanish healthcare system compare?

This is something we’re asked frequently, here at Bromley Estates Marbella. In fact, we’d say it’s one of the main reasons why people usually have doubts about relocating. But it doesn’t need to be a sticking point.

Spain has a comprehensive public and private healthcare service, ranked as one of the best in the entire world. And despite Brexit, as a UK national, you’re still entitled to use it.

How does healthcare in Spain work?

The Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) is Spain’s answer to the NHS.

Founded in 1986, this national system provides healthcare to approximately 99% of Spanish citizens, and it covers almost all types of medical services – including general medicine, specialised hospital care and a wide range of surgical treatments.

The SNS is funded by social security contributions, taken from the salaries of working people – and, as such, is mostly free. However, there is an additional charge for prescription drugs.

A private healthcare system also runs alongside the SNS, with hundreds of private clinics and hospitals across the country – creating greater accessibility for all residents.

Is Spanish healthcare of a good standard?

Absolutely. On a global level, healthcare in Spain is very highly regarded. According to the 2022 Mid-Year Health Care Index, Spain received a total score of 78.14 – securing 6^th place in the worldwide healthcare rankings. To put this into perspective, the UK ranked 16^th.

The government invests an impressive 9% of its annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) on healthcare, making Spain the 13^th biggest healthcare spender out of all EU/EFTA nations. And the system has recently received praise for its improving health outcomes.

Hospitals – whether public or private – are clean and modern, equipped with the latest technology. Health professionals are well-educated and highly trained, capable of offering the highest standards of care. They can also usually speak fluent English – but if not, an interpreter will be provided.

Both state-run and private ambulance services are available. In the case of an emergency, simply call 112. The operators are typically multi-lingual and will dispatch the appropriate service immediately.

Medication isn’t available to buy from supermarkets in Spain. However, pharmacies can be found in most areas. These tend to be open daily, including weekends, with many offering a 24 hour service. And thanks to strict price restrictions, medication costs tend to be fairly low.

The only real downside to the Spanish healthcare system is the long waiting times. If you wish to see a specialist or need a particular procedure, you may be placed on a waiting list for several months. But in some cases, it’s possible to jump the queue by paying for private treatment.

Will I be entitled to healthcare in Spain as an expat?

This is the big question – especially since Britain has left the European Union (EU). And in short, the answer is yes. Regardless of the red tape surrounding Brexit, as a UK national, your right to healthcare will not be affected.

If you only intend to stay in the country for relatively short periods of time (i.e. less than 90 consecutive days), a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can be used. This will allow you to access the same healthcare in Spain as a residing Spanish citizen.

If you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, you’ll need to apply for an appropriate visa, and provide proof of adequate healthcare cover. This is usually done by investing in private health insurance in Spain, making social security contributions or paying voluntary contributions.

If you’ve started to draw a UK State Pension, you may also have the right to apply for a UK S1, which entitles you to public healthcare in Spain – paid for by the NHS.

Want to find out more about healthcare in Spain?

Here at Bromley Estates, we’re on hand to offer our expertise.

We understand that relocating to a new country is a big leap – daunting even. And whether you’re heading into retirement, have underlying health conditions, or just like to prioritise your health, it’s natural to wonder how the healthcare services work in Spain (and how they compare to the NHS).

If you have any questions or concerns, you’re more than welcome to get in touch.

As a leading real estate agency, we have excellent knowledge of the Spanish healthcare system and we’re always happy to help. We’ve assisted countless UK citizens to both find their ideal property in the Costa del Sol and settle into their new Spanish life – helping them to secure adequate insurance where necessary and successfully register for local services.

To learn more about healthcare in Spain for expats, and take another small step towards your dream life in the sun, simply give us a call on +34 952 939 460 (+44 208 068 7606) . Alternatively, you can send an email to

in**@br********************.com











and a member of the team will respond as soon as possible with further information.