Healthcare in Spain: your health card, the doctor and private vs public — in one place
Getting the health card, actually seeing a doctor, and deciding whether you need private insurance — the whole healthcare journey in Spain, explained simply and routed to a check with NAVI.
Check my healthcare situation →✓ No account · ✓ A few minutes
Pick your situation
Public healthcare access: proof of address (usually municipal registration, padrón) → recognition of the right → TSI card and your médico de cabecera.
Open guide → How to see a doctorCentro de salud, cita, urgencias vs cita, specialist referral and e-prescriptions.
Open guide → Private vs public / insuranceWhen you need a seguro médico (incl. visas): carencias, copagos and what to check.
Open guide → Pregnancy & childbirthFree public maternity care: matrona, follow-up, hospital birth and after.
Open guide → Dentist & dentalWhat public covers (urgent, extractions, kids' PADI) vs private — and what to check.
Open guide → Prescriptions & pharmacyReceta electrónica, copago, chronic meds and a foreign prescription.
Open guide →Not sure how to get seen?
Tell NAVI where you are — no card yet, need a GP, a specialist, urgencias or private cover. It picks the right path and the next step, no account.
Describe my situation →Explore the other hubs
Informational guide on healthcare (sanidad) in Spain. Rules vary by region — check your case with NAVI.
Change history
- Participation in the OVHcloud Startup Program was removed; the OVHcloud mark and the membership badge no longer appear. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- The programme logos in the shared site footer were restyled; the page text did not change. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- The AI Pact programme statement now records the signed Pillar II voluntary pledges and links to the European Commission signatories list. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Participation in EU AI Pact Pillar I was added to the programme information. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Participation in the Google for Startups Cloud Program and OVHcloud Startup Program was added. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Programme and certification marks were added to the shared site footer. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR, UK, DE, NL, PL
- Correction: an inaccuracy found in an internal quality review was fixed. Versions: EN, ES, RU, FR, RO, PT, AR
- Page published.
This guide is general information about Spanish law, not a legal opinion on your case. Rules change and outcomes depend on your own facts and documents — check your situation before you act on it.
Need everyday protection, not just a one-off check?
Included: checks of Spanish documents, letters, requests and contracts before signing, Action Plans, consultation and sending your claims by burofax.