Barcelona Healthcare

Spain, and in particular Catalonia, holds an enviable reputation for the quality of its public and private healthcare, and in fact many countries have recruited Spanish doctors and nurses, in large numbers, to fill vacancies in their own health systems. However, even if you’re eligible for public healthcare, given the post-pandemic economic strain and the fact that waiting lists for operations can be lengthy, and doctors might not necessarily speak your language, it’s more important than ever to know and consider all your options

Whether you’re here as a tourist, or planning on residing in Barcelona for the medium to long-term, will determine what advice and precautions you need to take, and what steps you will need to take to access medical attention, should you need it. On this page we’ll try to give some basic information to some often complex questions, as well provide some handy names, addresses, websites and contact details.

Health Advice for Travellers

– EHIC Cards (European Travellers)

The most important piece of advice for any European traveller coming to Spain is to apply for their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if they haven’t already. It entitles the holder to free healthcare in 30+ European countries (or same cost as healthcare in holder’s nation) and is also free to obtain. You can find out how to apply for your card on the European Commission’s website. In case of needing treatment, you will need to be able to produce a valid card (in other words check the expiry date of your card before you travel!) and your passport.

– GHIC Cards (UK Travellers)

Post Brexit, and UK residents meanwhile can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card, which performs the same role as the EHIC.

– Travel Insurance

The prudent traveller may also want to take our travel insurance, as this usually also covers repatriation flights and private medical expenses (although do check the individual policy of the insurer in question and whether they cover the entire costs or there is a waiver), not to mention the fact that travel insurance also covers lost luggage, stolen goods (a common danger in Barcelona, as pickpockets are active in the touristic parts of the city) and other eventualities.

For American, Australian and other non-Eu travellers, insurance is a must, as, although you will be treated in the case of an emergency, you will also be asked to pay your medical bills.

– Emergencies

In the case of an emergency, you should call 112 for an ambulance. This number is free of charge, and the Spanish word for A&E department is “urgencias”.

– Minor Ailments

For minor problems you could take advantage of the Catalonia’s excellent farmàcias (pharmacies), where the men and women in white coats often have some advice, not to mention plenty of pills and remedies (many of which aren’t available in the UK without a prescription!) to sort out your ails.

Finally you’ll be playing a bit of lingo lottery if you don’t speak Spanish (or Catalan), so we’ve tried to come up with some private practitioners who speak English… see further down the page.

Health Advice for Expats

The picture changes for expats, as travel insurance, or cards like EHIC, are only intended for tourist uses and are not valid for those living in Spain.

– Targeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI)

Provided that you are gainfully employed, or registered in Spain as self-employed (“autonomo”), then you will be paying social security that in turn entitles you to free healthcare. However, you will have to apply for your Targeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) (‘personal health card’) in order to see a doctor at a public clinic / hospital.

The best resource we can find for now is the Spanish version of the health section of the Generalitat de Catalunya’s website (the English version seems like a work in process!) for more on how to register.

Many expats also choose to take out private healthcare to be sure of being able to access medical help as fast and efficiently as possible.

– Private Health Insurance

If you have the means to afford, private health insurance is probably a good idea for most expats, especially those getting on a bit in years. Some employers will provide you with insurance as a perk, while banks tend to have a preferred provider that they will tee you up with… whether they are the best choice or not is debatable. Sanitas, AXA, Cigna and Allianz are well known. In all cases, do your research (Trust pilot is a good place to drop by and check public opinion), ask fellow expats and read the policies carefully.

– Feather Insurance

For new arrivals in the city, Feather Insurance ticks a lot of boxes. It is really designed with medium term visitors in mind, with pay per month plans, help getting your TIE or visa, and coverage across the whole of Europe (not just Spain). So it’s perfect for digital nomads and anyone planning on staying for just a year or two. They started in Germany and have a great rating on Trustpilot and you can book a consultation with them via their website.
es.feather-insurance.com/expat-health-insurance

Barcelona Doctors & Health Services

Where exactly can you access healthcare in Barcelona? Below you’ll find a number of doctors and private clinics, where you can talk with an English speaking specialist. If you are too sick to leave the house you can also book a house call doctor, or video consultation.

– House Call Doctors

MedinAction

When you’re in a foreign country, where you don’t speak the language, accessing health providers can feel rather complicated and overwhelming. MedinAction was built to serve the needs of both travellers and expats, delivering a qualified, English-speaking, doctor to your Barcelona home, office or hotel when you need them most. You simply book through their website, app, or via Whatsapp, and see your physician in the same day – it’s that easy! And if you only need to speak to a doctor (not see one in person), then you can book an online video consultation instead, via their website.
www.medinaction.com

– Online Consultations

Mobi Doctor

If you don’t need to see a doctor in person, but would be happy chatting with one via your laptop or mobile, then Mobi Doctor provides an ideal and affordable solution. Using their website you can quickly register and book an appointment without having to locate a clinic and spend hours in a waiting room. The price of a consultation is typically €29. Meanwhile, if you forgot to pack your prescription drugs for your trip, or you need medication for a common complaint, you can also apply for an express prescription via their website. Reassuringly, Mobi Doctor has excellent Trust Pilot rating and positive reviews from customers using the service from Spain.
www.mobidoctor.eu/doctors/barcelona

– General Health

Below you’ll find a couple of useful addresses for English-speaking medical help. Otherwise head to our feature article for a longer list of Barcelona doctors.

English Doctor Barcelona

A very useful address if your Spanish isn’t up to much, English Doctor Barcelona is a medical centre in the central Vila Olimpica district which offers every type of GP service you might require, such as a full range of diagnostics, referrals to specialists, minor surgeries, mental health services, sexual health checks, travel vaccinations and on-site Ultrasounds and ECGs. Their team is led by Dr. Steven Joseph, an English-speaking doctor who has been working in Barcelona since 2008, and is complemented by a diverse team of medical experts. The team pride themselves on being approachable and friendly, and they do their best to take the stress out of visiting the docs!
www.englishdoctorbarcelona.com

Turo Park Medical Centre

At The Turo Park Medical Clinic you can book an appointment with English-speaking doctors in virtually every field of medicine, including family medicine, gynaecology, paediatrics, dentistry, orthodontics, dermatology, otolaryngology, cardiology, infectious diseases and travel medicine, speech therapy, physiotherapy, as well as aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery. They can also perform blood tests, electrocardiograms and other analyses, such as biorhythm analysis, if you’re suffering from a sleep disorder, and services such as laser treatments for removal of skin blemishes and scar reduction.
www.turoparkmedical.com

– Dental Clinics

El Cedro Barcelona

This modern dental clinic in the centre of Barcelona boasts an international team of experienced English-speaking dentists, led by Dr. Leticia Rodriguez. Staying on top of the latest dental trends and technology, they focus on delivering pain-free treatment, tailored for each patient’s needs. Offering both dental surgery (such as implants, bone grafting, complete rehabilitation), as well as prosthetic treatment (dental crown, bridge), El Cedro Dental Clinic uses the best European-based implants on the market market: Nobel biocare, GC AADVA and Global D. They also have their own prosthesis laboratory, enabling them to offer the best quality of prosthesis. Check out their website for more info, and/or drop them a line with your requirements. As well as English, they speak French and Spanish.
www.elcedrobarcelona.com

Check out our full article to discover more English speaking dentists in Barcelona.

– Mental Health

PsIcare Health

This team of American-trained, English-speaking psychologists specialise in helping expats with their mental health, and have a thorough understanding of the challenges that moving to a new culture can provoke. They offer counselling to both adults and children and are experienced in helping sufferers of depression, anxiety, PTSD, cultural distress, alcoholism, sexual abuse or domestic violence. They also work offer relationship counselling to couples, and can help the LGBT community with the specific issues they face.
www.psicarehealth.com

– Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Barcelona

If you’ve started home-working and currently spend far too long in front of a computer everyday, you may be suffering from pain in your back, neck and shoulders. The good news for the digital generation is that the Dutch / German team (who speak perfect English) at this clinic can treat back conditions with a mix of physiotherapy and manual therapy (and dry needling on request), as well as any number of conditions derived from sports injuries, work related injuries, pregnancy related issues or post surgery rehabilitation.
www.physiotherapybarcelona.com

– Eye Care

Visioncore

Established by two leading ophthalmologists, with international experience, the team of specialists at Visioncore offer their services in the fields of cornea and ocular surface, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, refractive surgery, retina and pediatric ophthalmology.

– Midwifery

Imma Sarries Zgonc

Imma Sarries Zgonc in an independent midwife who offers private homebirth services and support through all the stages of pregnancy (and the early stages of infancy). She speaks English, German, French, Spanish and Catalan.
www.immallevadora.com

More Info

For more helpful information on healthcare in Barcelona, try these links:

Expatica
Internations
CatSalut