Healthcare and Insurance in Spain
Public and Private
Hi! Today we're going to talk about healthcare and insurance in Spain—how the system works, what types of insurance exist, and how they differ. We'll cover both private and public healthcare, as well as dental and other types of insurance
Private Healthcare and Insurance
Let's start with private insurance companies, as for many of us, it's the most convenient option. In Spain, popular companies include DKV, MAPFRE, SANITAS, ADESLAS, and AXA.
The main advantage of private insurance is speed and comfort. For example, "you go straight to the doctor without needing a referral." You can schedule an appointment via the app, arrive at the designated time, and "you’re expected, no waiting." It's incredibly convenient!
Insurance costs
My personal insurance costs €62 per month and covers almost all medical services. Additionally, for an extra €12, I have dental insurance, which covers an annual cleaning, and for more complex procedures like braces, there’s a 20-30% discount.
As you can see, "health insurance covers everything, while dental only covers a full cleaning, but offers discounts for more complex procedures."
Prices range from:
€500 per year
€700 per year
€900 per year
The more health issues and older the person, the more expensive it gets.
It’s cheaper for children, and more expensive for pregnant women.
And yes, some companies may not accept you based on your condition.
3. Hospitals: Comparing Public and Private Clinics
A lot depends on the hospital you end up in. For example, my local public hospital, K.A.B., is just a few minutes from my house. This hospital reminds me of old Soviet clinics: simple interiors and paper queues. Upon entering, you need to take a ticket to get your queue number, and then the waiting process begins.
Even if you're there for emergency care, you may have to wait a long time. First, an administrator checks if your doctor is available. If not, you'll be sent to the waiting area again. After that, nurses will see you, followed by the doctor.
Visiting a CAP (public clinic)
"Visiting a CAP (public clinic) can take several hours, and sometimes you wait, even if you just have a cough or need urgent care," but the doctors and nurses are generally very attentive.
Every time I visit a public clinic, I'm treated well, but it takes a while.
If I need immediate help for non-serious reasons, I go to the CAP.
For more significant concerns, I go straight to the private doctor.
For example, during my last visit, they measured my blood pressure, listened to my lungs, and asked some questions. The doctor then prescribed three medications. The prescription indicated how to take them and the cost.
Interestingly, "the prescription said €13, but it ended up being only €8." So public healthcare can sometimes pleasantly surprise you.
However, during my last visit, they prescribed me three antibiotic tablets, which ran out in three days and didn't help much. To be honest, sometimes in public hospitals, they might prescribe chamomile, ibuprofen, or even recommend drinking more Aquarius water, which really made me laugh. This kind of treatment can seem too basic and insufficient at times.
Private Hospitals — A Completely Different Story
When you go to a private hospital, you immediately notice it's on another level. Everything is clean, modern, and tech-equipped. You can see your appointment number on a screen, and everything is well-organized. Waiting times in private hospitals are much shorter: "I usually see the doctor within 10-15 minutes," although, of course, this depends on the day and number of patients.
Another major advantage of private clinics is the medical record system. You go straight to your doctor, and they already have your full medical history. Plus, "you can always view all your test results and visits in the app," which is very convenient for you and your doctor.
Visiting a Private Clinic
For example, I frequently visit my oncologist through private insurance. Every time, I book my appointment via the app, and "at the scheduled time, in the same hospital, the same doctor is waiting for me."
Last time, I had an issue with anemia, and the doctor prescribed an iron injection, which cost €500, but "my insurance covered it." This is a huge support, especially when dealing with expensive medications.
Public Healthcare (SIP)
Now let's talk about public healthcare. It works differently depending on the region. To access healthcare services, you need to have a SIP card, and getting an appointment can take some time. For example, in public hospitals, you may have to wait longer compared to private ones.
You can get your SIP card with a passport and proof of residence.
Ukrainians were given SIP cards even without proof of residence.
In Catalonia, everyone is served.
Dental Care
It's important to remember that dental care in Spain is paid for separately. Neither public nor regular medical insurance covers it. Therefore, if you don’t have separate dental insurance, you'll have to pay for dental services out of pocket.
I’ve always gone to private clinics:
€60 for a cleaning
€100 for a tooth extraction
But now I have insurance for €12 a month.
It doesn't cover everything, but it gives discounts.
Other Types of Insurance
Besides medical insurance, there are many other types of insurance in Spain, such as pet insurance, home insurance, or work-related incident insurance.
There’s also the Seguridad Social system, which covers social benefits. For example, "if you’re pregnant, they will pay for your maternity leave."
Or if you fall off a bike on your way to work.
Oncology and Complex Cases
If we're talking about serious illnesses like cancer, it's important to have all the necessary documents in order in advance. Private insurance allows you to choose both your hospital and doctor, which greatly improves the quality of care. However, keep in mind that not all doctors are covered by insurance, especially if they’re not part of the medical guild.
Medication and Costs
The cost of medications in Spain depends on your income. For example:
Our Doctors (English speaking one)
Most of them work legally, but there are exceptions.
"Many of our doctors work from home or in someone else's licensed clinic, but they can’t prescribe medications," which is a significant limitation.
To work as a doctor in Spain, you must homologate your degree, pass exams, and have at least a B2 level of Spanish.
Let's start with private insurance companies, as for many of us, it's the most convenient option. In Spain, popular companies include DKV, MAPFRE, SANITAS, ADESLAS, and AXA.
The main advantage of private insurance is speed and comfort. For example, "you go straight to the doctor without needing a referral." You can schedule an appointment via the app, arrive at the designated time, and "you’re expected, no waiting." It's incredibly convenient!
Insurance costs
My personal insurance costs €62 per month and covers almost all medical services. Additionally, for an extra €12, I have dental insurance, which covers an annual cleaning, and for more complex procedures like braces, there’s a 20-30% discount.
As you can see, "health insurance covers everything, while dental only covers a full cleaning, but offers discounts for more complex procedures."
Prices range from:
€500 per year
€700 per year
€900 per year
The more health issues and older the person, the more expensive it gets.
It’s cheaper for children, and more expensive for pregnant women.
And yes, some companies may not accept you based on your condition.
3. Hospitals: Comparing Public and Private Clinics
A lot depends on the hospital you end up in. For example, my local public hospital, K.A.B., is just a few minutes from my house. This hospital reminds me of old Soviet clinics: simple interiors and paper queues. Upon entering, you need to take a ticket to get your queue number, and then the waiting process begins.
Even if you're there for emergency care, you may have to wait a long time. First, an administrator checks if your doctor is available. If not, you'll be sent to the waiting area again. After that, nurses will see you, followed by the doctor.
Visiting a CAP (public clinic)
"Visiting a CAP (public clinic) can take several hours, and sometimes you wait, even if you just have a cough or need urgent care," but the doctors and nurses are generally very attentive.
Every time I visit a public clinic, I'm treated well, but it takes a while.
If I need immediate help for non-serious reasons, I go to the CAP.
For more significant concerns, I go straight to the private doctor.
For example, during my last visit, they measured my blood pressure, listened to my lungs, and asked some questions. The doctor then prescribed three medications. The prescription indicated how to take them and the cost.
Interestingly, "the prescription said €13, but it ended up being only €8." So public healthcare can sometimes pleasantly surprise you.
However, during my last visit, they prescribed me three antibiotic tablets, which ran out in three days and didn't help much. To be honest, sometimes in public hospitals, they might prescribe chamomile, ibuprofen, or even recommend drinking more Aquarius water, which really made me laugh. This kind of treatment can seem too basic and insufficient at times.
Private Hospitals — A Completely Different Story
When you go to a private hospital, you immediately notice it's on another level. Everything is clean, modern, and tech-equipped. You can see your appointment number on a screen, and everything is well-organized. Waiting times in private hospitals are much shorter: "I usually see the doctor within 10-15 minutes," although, of course, this depends on the day and number of patients.
Another major advantage of private clinics is the medical record system. You go straight to your doctor, and they already have your full medical history. Plus, "you can always view all your test results and visits in the app," which is very convenient for you and your doctor.
Visiting a Private Clinic
For example, I frequently visit my oncologist through private insurance. Every time, I book my appointment via the app, and "at the scheduled time, in the same hospital, the same doctor is waiting for me."
Last time, I had an issue with anemia, and the doctor prescribed an iron injection, which cost €500, but "my insurance covered it." This is a huge support, especially when dealing with expensive medications.
Public Healthcare (SIP)
Now let's talk about public healthcare. It works differently depending on the region. To access healthcare services, you need to have a SIP card, and getting an appointment can take some time. For example, in public hospitals, you may have to wait longer compared to private ones.
You can get your SIP card with a passport and proof of residence.
Ukrainians were given SIP cards even without proof of residence.
In Catalonia, everyone is served.
Dental Care
It's important to remember that dental care in Spain is paid for separately. Neither public nor regular medical insurance covers it. Therefore, if you don’t have separate dental insurance, you'll have to pay for dental services out of pocket.
I’ve always gone to private clinics:
€60 for a cleaning
€100 for a tooth extraction
But now I have insurance for €12 a month.
It doesn't cover everything, but it gives discounts.
Other Types of Insurance
Besides medical insurance, there are many other types of insurance in Spain, such as pet insurance, home insurance, or work-related incident insurance.
There’s also the Seguridad Social system, which covers social benefits. For example, "if you’re pregnant, they will pay for your maternity leave."
Or if you fall off a bike on your way to work.
Oncology and Complex Cases
If we're talking about serious illnesses like cancer, it's important to have all the necessary documents in order in advance. Private insurance allows you to choose both your hospital and doctor, which greatly improves the quality of care. However, keep in mind that not all doctors are covered by insurance, especially if they’re not part of the medical guild.
Medication and Costs
The cost of medications in Spain depends on your income. For example:
- If your income is less than €18,000 a year, you pay 10% of the medication cost, up to a maximum of €8 a month.
- If your income exceeds €18,000 but is less than €100,000, you pay 50%.
- If you earn more than €100,000 a year, you cover 60% of the cost.
Our Doctors (English speaking one)
Most of them work legally, but there are exceptions.
"Many of our doctors work from home or in someone else's licensed clinic, but they can’t prescribe medications," which is a significant limitation.
To work as a doctor in Spain, you must homologate your degree, pass exams, and have at least a B2 level of Spanish.
Let's discuss the details
Contact us, and we’ll help you choose the best insurance! From our Barcelona office, we’ll analyze your case and guide you through the next steps.
