How To See A Doctor In Spain On Holiday?2024

How To See A Doctor In Spain On Holiday?

How To See A Doctor In Spain On Holiday
Medical specialists in Spain – As Spain has world-class medical care, you will be able to see almost any specialist you need. To see a specialist in Spain, you will need a referral from your doctor. With private insurance, you may be able to visit a specialist clinic directly, as long as the clinic is approved by your insurance company.

Can I see a doctor in Spain as a tourist?

Seeing a doctor in Spain without international health insurance – Travellers should check before their trip whether their health insurance covers the costs of medical treatment in Spain. If this is the case, a doctor can be consulted in one of the state health centres.

However, some Spanish health centres will still require a cash payment;
In addition, dental treatment in Spain is not covered by the national health system and has to be paid for privately;
The patient does not have the right to choose a doctor Patients are expected to go to their nearest health centre;

It is not usually necessary for tourists to be able to speak Spanish when they see a doctor. Doctors in private practices often speak English, especially at popular tourist resorts such as Mallorca. This is convenient for travellers, but it can be costly.

Often, the patient has to pay in advance and then try to get the money back from their health insurance company. Sometimes this is only partially successful. Some health insurance companies are now cooperating with Spanish private doctors.

In this case the bill is settled directly between the private doctor and the health insurance company. In principle, Spanish hotel staff tend to refer tourists to private doctors. If you do not want to advance the costs yourself or even pay them in full, you should make sure before travelling that you know where to find a state health centre.

Is healthcare free in Spain for tourists?

Does Spain have free healthcare for tourists? – Spain does not have a general policy of free healthcare for tourists, although European visitors may be able to access free or reduced medical care by presenting an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

How much does a doctor’s appointment cost in Spain?

Quick facts on the healthcare system in Spain – Money in Spain is denominated in the euro and can be written as EUR in global trading markets or simply as €. Some other quick facts on Spanish healthcare:

Type of healthcare system: Public, with the option for additional private coverage
Average cost of an emergency room visit: €200 (£184, US$240, AU$160)
Average cost of a doctor’s visit: Free with European Health Insurance Card, otherwise €100 (£92, US$120, AU$80)
Number of pharmacies: 21,458
Number of hospitals: 453
Population covered by health insurance: 99%

You won’t always know your home currency’s exact value when you arrive in a new place as the global exchange rate always fluctuates. To figure it out, refer to an online currency converter to check your money’s exact current value. At the time of writing, these are the very approximate exchange rates you can expect:

€1000 = £900
€1000 = US$1175
€1000 = AU$1500
€1000 =CA$1500

What is the average wait time to see a doctor in Spain?

Waiting Times to See a Doctor in Spain – You should be ready for long wait times with public healthcare in Spain. You may need to wait about 57 days on average to see a specialist. For traumatologists, it can be as much as 68 days, and for ophthalmologists, 64 days.

The average wait time for surgeries is 93 days. The duration may vary in different areas of the country. In Madrid, La Rioja, and the Basque Country, the waiting time for surgery can be as short as 48 days.

On the other hand, in the Canary Islands, Castilla-La Mancha, and Catalonia, it can be around 140 days.

How do tourists get antibiotics in Spain?

Texto completo Sr. Director: Consumption of antibiotics leads to emergence and selection of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains which have become a problem in most countries 1,2. Despite the fact that antibiotics are considered as prescription-only medicines, these drugs are often requested by and dispensed to patients without a medical prescription in many areas of the world.

Despite being illegal, over-the-counter sales of antibiotics still occurs in Spain;
The supply of an antibiotic from a pharmacy without a prescription involves a consultation with a pharmacist;
From our experience, having good communication skills can help pharmacists to convince patients about the need for not taking some drugs customers ask for;

However, research focusing on this aspect is lacking. A prospective study was performed in 2008 in a randomised sample of pharmacies in Catalonia 3. Antibiotics were obtained without a medical prescription in 45. 2% of the pharmacies surveyed. This study aimed to determine whether pharmacists who sell antibiotics without a prescription have different communication skills from those who refuse to sell them.

The methodology of the study has been described elsewhere 3;
Two actors presented three different cases (sore throat, acute bronchitis, and urinary tract infection) in a sample of 197 pharmacies and asked pharmacists for an antibiotic without a medical prescription;

In case that pharmacists refused to sell them the actors collected information about the type of reasons given. A response was considered administrative if the reason given only referred to the regulations or law in that, without a prescription the antibiotic could not be sold.

A health-related point of view or comprehensive reason involved the response that it is not good for your health to sell you this medication or antibiotics cannot be given for viral infections or that selling an antibiotic in this case could lead to the spread of drug resistance.

The specific skills check-off list evaluated by the simulated patients consisted of nine items, described in table 1 , with each ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best). The sum of the different items was taken into account. Information about communication skills was obtained in 195 pharmacies (99%).

Of the 108 pharmacies which did not sell antibiotics, 51 pharmacists claimed purely administrative reasons for not selling the drug (47. 2%). In the remaining 57 pharmacies, a reasoned and comprehensive response related to health or drug resistance was given (52.

8%). The overall mean score of the communication skills was 64. 3 (SD = 6. 8), being significantly higher among those pharmacists who refused to sell antibiotics compared to those who did sell them (65. 4 vs. 63. 1; p < 0. 05). Differences were observed in listening, cordiality, tranquility, optimism, and intelligible expression. Among law-abiding pharmacists, the overall mean score observed among those who only gave administrative reasons for not selling antibiotics was significantly lower than those with a reasoned response (61. 8; p < 0. 001). The importance of communication skills for pharmacists has been acknowledged in other papers 4,5. However, to our knowledge this is the first report demonstrating that communication skills are slightly better among law-abiding pharmacists, but more importantly, those who only give administrative reasons for not selling antibiotics rate much lower than those who provide an explanation and sound reasoning for their refusal.

5 vs. 68. This paper has practice implications. There is no doubt that effective communication is an important skill for all health professionals. On the basis of the results of this study it is important to carry out studies to determine whether teaching of communication skills addressed to pharmacists enables them to communicate more effectively and confidently.

It should also be evaluated whether a teaching program could lead to a reduction in antibiotics sold in pharmacies in areas where over-the-counter sale of antibiotics is still permitted. Funding body and role The Catalonian Society of Family Medicine funded this work.

The funder had no involvement in the design and conduct of the study. Conflict of interest There are no conflicts of interest to declare. Acknowledgement We wish to thank the actors who participated in this study for their valuable contribution to the field work of this study.

The Barcelona College of Pharmacists has been informed about this study. References P. Hawkey. Action against antibiotic resistance; no time to lose. Lancet, 351 (1998), pp. 1298-1299 H. Goossens, M. Ferech, R. Stichele, M. Elseviers. Outpatient antibiotic use in Europe and association with resistance: a cross-national database study.

Lancet, 365 (2005), pp. 579-587 C. Llor, J. Cots. The sale of antibiotics without prescription in pharmacies in Catalonia, Spain. Clin Infect Dis, 48 (2009), pp. 1345-1349 N. Greenhill, C. Anderson, A. Avery, A.

Pilnick. Analysis of pharmacist-patient communication using the Calgary-Cambridge guide. Patient Educ Couns, 83 (2011), pp. 423-431 O. Hargie, N. Morrow, C. Woodman. Pharmacists’ evaluation of key communication skills in practice. Patient Educ Couns, 39 (2000), pp.

Can you use UK prescription in Spain?

Getting prescriptions – You can use a UK prescription to get medicines, including special food required for medical reasons, in Spain. Prescription medicines are not free in Spain. With an EHIC or GHIC you get a reduced rate, but you’ll still pay:

50% of the prescription price
10% of the prescription price if you have a UK State Pension ‒ you may need to show proof that you’re a pensioner to pay this rate

These prescription charges are non-refundable.

Do Brits get free healthcare in Spain?

Stay up to date – This guidance will be updated if anything changes to how you get state healthcare in Spain. Sign up for email alerts All residents in Spain need to register to access healthcare. Once registered for healthcare, basic state services are free, but there are some things that patients need to pay for. UK nationals usually access the Spanish national health system in one of these ways:

through entitlement to healthcare if they’re employed or self-employed and make social security contributions in Spain
registering a UK-issued S1 form with the social security office (see ‘UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Spain’ below)
through entitlement to healthcare as a permanent resident if they’ve lived in Spain for 5 years
paying directly into the public health insurance scheme (Convenio Especial)
using a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) or Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) for temporary stays when studying, or as a posted (detached) worker

How do I register with a doctor in Spain?

How to register with a doctor in Spain – The Spanish healthcare system is controlled by regional authorities. The Catalan Public Health system is called CatSalut: Servei Català de la Salut. As in the UK, you need to register with a doctor before you can use the service. The national health surgery is called CAP, and there’s a CAP in every district. In order to register with a doctor, you need a Spanish social security number , to be registered with your local town council ( ayuntamiento ), and show photo ID.

Your registration paper from the town hall ( empadronamiento ) must be less than three months old;
See details on how to register at your local ayuntamiento here;
I recommend that you use a gestor or ask a Spanish or Catalan speaking friend to help you get your social security number;

If you don’t speak Spanish it can be very difficult. The main social security office is opposite Estació de França in Barcelona.

Are there English speaking hospitals in Spain?

Triay Medical Centre is an English-speaking private medical centre with 24 hour emergency call out based in San Pedro de Alcantara, Malaga.

How do I get medical care in Spain?

Who can access healthcare in Spain? – State healthcare is free of charge to anyone living and working in Spain. However, on some of the Spanish islands, you may have to travel to find a state healthcare provider. As the Spanish healthcare system is decentralized, you will need to check the conditions in your own area for using healthcare services. As an expat, you can get free state healthcare if you are:

A resident in Spain and work in employment or self-employment and pay social security contributions
Living in Spain and receiving certain state benefits
A resident in Spain and recently divorced or separated from a partner registered with social security
A child resident in Spain
A pregnant woman who is a resident in Spain
Under 26 and studying in Spain
A state pensioner
Staying temporarily in Spain and have an EHIC card

Spain has bilateral agreements with some countries, such as Andorra, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru, that allow citizens from these countries visiting Spain, for short periods of time, to obtain free emergency medical treatment. Check with your local Spanish embassy to see if any agreements are in place between Spain and your home country. If you don’t have the right to state healthcare, you will have to organize private health cover.

Do you need a prescription for antibiotics in Spain?

Abstract – Background: Current regulations in Spain state that antibiotics cannot be sold without a medical prescription. The objective of this study was to quantify the percentage of pharmacies selling antibiotics without an official medical prescription in Catalonia, Spain, by the simulation of 3 different clinical cases presented by actors.

Methods: A prospective study was performed from January through May 2008. Three different cases were presented at pharmacies: sore throat, acute bronchitis, and a urinary tract infection. Three levels of demand were used to convince the pharmacists to sell an antibiotic.

Results: A total of 197 pharmacies were visited. Antibiotics were obtained from 55 (79. 7%) of 69 pharmacies when a urinary tract infection was simulated, 24 (34. 8%) of 69 pharmacies when a sore throat was simulated, and 10 (16. 9%) of 59 pharmacies when acute bronchitis was simulated (P <. 001). Among the pharmacies that sold antibiotics, the pharmacists provided an explanation as to the number of times per day the drug should be taken in 84. 3%, explained the duration of treatment in 68. 7%, and inquired about allergies prior to the sale of the antibiotic in only 16.

9%;
Of the 108 pharmacies that did not sell the antibiotics, only 57 (52;
8%) explained that they could not be given over the counter for health care reasons or to avoid antibiotic resistance;
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that, although illegal, the sale of antibiotics without a prescription continues in Spain;

This should be taken into account by countries that are currently considering the possibility of making some antibiotics available over the counter.

Can I still use my EHIC card in Spain?

Will there be exceptions where the EHIC will still be valid after Brexit? – There are a couple of particular cases where the EHIC will remain valid. UK state pensioners who have moved to Spain before the end of 2020 will be able to use the EHIC beyond 2020, after Brexit fully comes into effect.

However, if you are included in thi category, you must apply for a new EHIC as your current one won’t be valid;
If you a UK S1 holder living in Spain then you can now apply for your new EHIC via the NHS website;

Keep in mind that in order to apply for your new European Health Insurance card, you need to have registered your S1 form with the INSS (Spanish social security office). The British Embassy in Spain states that they are aware that many British pensioners living in Spain have not been able to do this because of the coronavirus lockdown measures, as well as a severe lack of appointments.

If this applies to you, the British Embassay have stated on their Facebook page that “your EHIC entitlements still continue and you will still be able to apply for your new EHIC once you have managed to register with the INSS, even if that is after 31st December 2020”;

In a similar light, the card will also be valid for British students who started a university course in the EU before the end of 2020 and they will be able to use the EHIC until their course finishes. The final exception applies to ‘ frontier workers ‘.

Is it worth seeing a private GP?

What’s the difference between an NHS GP and private GP services? – The major difference between the two services is that access to NHS GPs and health services are free, whereas private GP’s work in independent hospitals and clinics which require a membership or one off payment.

Often, private health care is a perk that you can access through your employer, but it can be a worthwhile investment if you choose to sign up yourself. The overall service that you receive before, during and after your appointment is generally a lot more efficient in private healthcare.

Your initial wait time to book an appointment with the doctor will be significantly reduced when arranged through private healthcare. Following this, you will be a lot less restricted with time during your appointment, meaning you can have a thorough chat with your GP without feeling rushed or a nuisance.

Although GPs of both sectors will be fully qualified, if they identify a medical problem which requires a specialist, private GPs often work in clinics or hospitals which have these departments readily available so a referral can be arranged a lot sooner.

Private clinics and hospitals will have better resources, less crowding, nicer hospital rooms and more attentive staff.

How do I make a doctors appointment online in Spain?

Online consultations can also be booked via the SMS website – Last year the SMS public health service of the Region of Murcia reports that over 3 million appointments were made either via the service’s website or by the “Portal del Paciente” smartphone app, and yet many people are still under the impression that appointments can only be made either by telephone or by visiting the local medical centre in person.

The procedure for making an appointment from the comfort of your own home could hardly be easier;
Simply go to https://sms;
carm;
es/cmap/ , select the option “Acceder a Cita Previa”, and then enter you identity number (for most non-Spanish residents, the NIE) and date of birth;

Four options then appear on screen: doctor’s appointment (cita médica), nurse’s appointment (cita enfermería) (for regular bandage changing, for example), patient data (datos usuario) and close session (cerrar session). At this point the top right of the screen offers the option of changing into English language! In order to take advantage of the option of online consultations with your family doctor , it is necessary to register as a user, either in person at the local health centre or using an electronic DNI.

Once these have been obtained, access is also via https://sms. carm. es/cmap/. Alternatively, if you have supplied the SMS with an email address, a password can be requested by entering the code number beginning CARM on your health service card at the following address: https://sede.

carm. es/sms/portaldelpaciente/view/password/obtenerPassword. jsf .

Do you need a prescription for antibiotics in Spain?

Methods: A prospective study was performed from January through May 2008. Three different cases were presented at pharmacies: sore throat, acute bronchitis, and a urinary tract infection. Three levels of demand were used to convince the pharmacists to sell an antibiotic.

9%. Of the 108 pharmacies that did not sell the antibiotics, only 57 (52. 8%) explained that they could not be given over the counter for health care reasons or to avoid antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that, although illegal, the sale of antibiotics without a prescription continues in Spain.

This should be taken into account by countries that are currently considering the possibility of making some antibiotics available over the counter.

How much does it cost to go to hospital in Spain?

Type of healthcare system: Public, with the option for additional private coverage
Average cost of an emergency room visit: €200 (£184, US$240, AU$160)
Average cost of a doctor’s visit: Free with European Health Insurance Card, otherwise €100 (£92, US$120, AU$80)
Number of pharmacies: 21,458
Number of hospitals: 453
Population covered by health insurance: 99%

€1000 = £900
€1000 = US$1175
€1000 = AU$1500
€1000 =CA$1500

How can I get medicine in Spain?

Pharmacies In Spain – La Farmacia Expat Tips Published: 04 June 2019 15:46 CET Updated: 12 August 2022 15:46 CET If you decide to up sticks and move to Spain permanently or even come here for your holidays, at one point or another you will need to pay a visit to your local Spanish pharmacy or chemist. As the Spanish farmacia is such an integral part of life in Spain, it’s important to become familiar with how they operate and the services that they provide. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about visiting a pharmacy in Spain. You will find out about:-

How to easily find your nearest farmacia online
Spanish pharmacy opening times
Information on prescriptions
Common painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
Essential Spanish phrases to use at the farmacia

And lots more. Let’s take a look! The chemists in Spain are referred to as ” Farmacias ” plural or ” Farmacia ” singular. Even in the smallest of Spanish towns, you can find more than one. In larger towns and cities they can be found on virtually every street corner and are easily recognised with their large green neon crosses.

Most pharmacies are part of a chain although there are some smaller independent pharmacies in most of the Spanish regions. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen In Spain In Spain, nearly all medicines have to be purchased at a Farmacia.

Unlike in some other countries, you cannot purchase medicines in supermarkets and corner shops. Even everyday medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and codeine have to be purchased via a Farmacia. Although this may seem like a bit of a bind at first, you soon get used to it and will find that the local pharmacists ( Farmacéuticos ) are generally very friendly and helpful.

New legislation introduced in 2015 meant that certain medications in higher doses such as Ibuprofen 600mg, Omeprazole, certain cough mixtures and antihistamines had to be prescribed by a medical professional;

Smaller quantities of painkillers such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can still be purchased over the counter if approved by the pharmacist. Due to EU regulation, a new medicine verification system was introduced in 2019 which is used to identify, verify and register the distribution of Spanish pharmacy products in Spain.

Further info can be found at the link below from the CAB ( Citizens Advice Bureau In Spain ) https://www. citizensadvice. org. es/prescription-needed-for-high-doses-paracetamol-and-ibuprofen/ The Spanish pharmacy is not only a place to pick up your prescriptions ( Recetas ) though, in many towns they act as a social hub where the locals come to gossip, socialise and share their health woes with the pharmacists, other members of staff and the local community.

Another important thing to note about the Spanish farmacias is that many people use them instead of going to the local doctor or GP. This is not only because the pharmacists are able to offer professional medical advice (minor ailments), but also because many medicines are available to buy over the counter without a prescription.

Antibiotics such as amoxicillin are not available to buy over the counter. You will need to show a prescription if you require these. So if you have a minor ailment, don’t worry about making an appointment with your doctor, just pop down to your local farmacia first.

Pharmacists in Spain are generally very well trained and will save you from making an appointment with your GP. When are Spanish Pharmacy Opening Times? Most Farmacias are open between the hours of 9:30 am until 2 pm and then open again from around 5 pm to 9:30 pm from Monday to Friday. At weekends they are open from 9:30 am until 2 pm on a Saturday. Most towns will have at least a couple of farmacias with each one taking it in turns to open out of hours. In some regions, you will find several farmacias that are open 24 hours ( Farmacia de Guardia ) so that you can obtain important medications in an emergency.

If you find that your nearest farmacia is closed, you will usually find a list on the door or window notifying you of an alternative within your town that will be available;
Getting and Paying for your Prescriptions at the Farmacia As in the UK and other countries, if your doctor does give you a prescription ( Receta ), simply take this to your nearest farmacia;

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to pay a certain amount towards your prescription. This will depend on things such as whether you are a pensioner or have a certain level of income. Pensioners will pay around 10% of the full prescription costs, with non-pensioners paying up to 60%.

Please see our Spanish co-payments prescription charges page for current rates and discounts https://www;
healthplanspain;
com/blog/health-news/144-co-payment-prescription-charges-in-spain;
html Do Spanish Pharmacists Speak English? This will all depend on where you are living/staying;

As a rule of thumb, if you are staying in a tourist area, many of the pharmacists will be able to speak with you in English. This may not be the case though in other parts of the country, especially inland where English is not so widely spoken. If you will need to acquire certain medications regularly, make sure that you practice those key Spanish phrases before visiting the farmacia so you will feel confident and get exactly the medication you need and not something else.

Free Health Check-Ups In many pharmacies, you can get certain health checks and treatments done for free including your cholesterol levels , blood pressure monitoring and heart health checks;
Do you need to wear a face mask in Spanish pharmacies? As of April 20, 2022, it is no longer mandatory to wear a face mask indoors or outdoors in Spain;

However, despite the number of Covid cases falling, there are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, you must still wear one when visiting your local pharmacy, a healthcare centre or a hospital. You must also wear one when travelling by plane, boat, train and any other form of public transport.

Finding your Local Farmacia via the Internet If you are moving to a new area and are unsure of where the nearest farmacia is, use the link below where you can search for a farmacia near you. https://www.

farmaceuticos. com/farmacias-de-guardia/?lang=en Online Pharmacies In Spain You may be wondering whether you can purchase non-prescription drugs and medicines online in Spain and other parts of the EU and the answer is yes you can. However, it is important that you make sure the online pharmacy website is regulated and registered with the competent authorities.

In Spain’s case, this is the Ministry of Health or Ministerio de Sanidad;
Below you will find an official page which lists the authorised online pharmacies for each of the Spanish regions;
https://distafarma;

aemps. es/farmacom/faces/inicio. xhtml Some Common Spanish Phrases When Visiting the Farmacia I think I’ve eaten something that was off Creo que he comido algo en mal estado Have you got anything for it? Tiene algún remedio? I have a headache Me duele la cabeza I have a pain in the stomach/stomach ache Yo tengo dolor de estómago What are the symptoms? Cuáles son los síntomas? My son has a pain in. Mi hijo tiene un dolor en. My daughter has a pain in. Mi hija tiene un dolor en. How much is it? Cuanto cuesta? or Cuanto es? I have a prescription Yo tengo una receta Where is the out of hours pharmacy (24 hours)? Dónde está la farmacia de guardia? I don’t feel good Me encuentro mal I feel ill Estoy enfermo When can I collect my medicine? Cuando puedo recoger mi medicamento? This is just a small selection.

Take a look at the page below from the Guardian which provides you with further phrases and translations;
https://www;
theguardian;
com/travel/2009/jul/07/learn-spanish-phrases-pharmacy Pharmacy Cover with Health Plan Spain There’s no doubt about it; prescription costs can mount up over a year, especially if you have young children;

If you are concerned about the cost of paying out for regular prescriptions, take a look at our pharmacy option which allows you to claim back 50% on all of your prescribed drugs and medicines up to a maximum of €200. So for example, if your annual prescription costs were €400, you would receive a reimbursement of €200 for the year.

Further information can be found here. https://www. healthplanspain. com/sanitas/extra-options/pharmacy. html — If you found this article of benefit, please consider sharing it with your friends and family via our social media buttons.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia. Private Health Insurance in Spain for Expats Please check out our current range of expat private health insurance products all of which are in English and underwritten by Bupa. All of our policies satisfy the requirements when applying for a Spanish residency visa .

Can I get my prescription in Spain?

Last checked: 02/04/2022 A prescription delivered by a doctor in your country is valid in all EU countries. However, a medicine prescribed in one country might not be available or it may have another name. You can ask your doctor to give you a prescription to use in another EU country , also known as a “cross-border prescription “.