If you are visiting or planning to reside in our country, surely one of your most important doubts is whether you can go to the doctor in Spain if you are a foreigner. Due to the importance of this issue, it is essential that you have clarity about your medical rights as a foreigner. It does not matter if you are passing through, you are a legal resident or you are processing your documentation.
Aware of that, in this article we explain everything you need to know to access healthcare in Spain as a foreigner in 2025.
Foreigners who have access to health care in Spain
In Spain, the right to receive public health care, if you are a foreigner, depends on your administrative situation and other legal requirements. In general, the following people can go to the doctor in Spain if they are foreigners:
Foreigners with legal residence and who pay Social Security contributions (e.g., self-employed or dependent workers) are entitled to the same health coverage as Spanish citizens. Their dependents can also access the public system, provided they meet the established requirements.
On the other hand, citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein can receive medical care in Spain by means of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which guarantees coverage for emergencies and necessary treatments during their temporary stay. Outside these cases, foreigners without a residence permit are only guaranteed emergency health care (in cases of serious illness, accident or vital risk), as well as pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care.
In addition, children under 18 years of age are entitled to the same coverage as Spaniards, regardless of their legal status.
It should be noted that some autonomous communities have implemented their own regulations to extend coverage to immigrants in an irregular situation, especially in primary care and pediatrics. However, access to specialists and hospitalization is still more restricted. In all these cases, there are specific conditions.
In short, the Spanish healthcare system prioritizes care in critical situations, but limits full access according to migratory status and economic conditions. For those who do not have a NIE or a job, it is advisable to take out insurance for foreigners in Spain, such as that offered by Adeslas.
Steps to obtain a health card in Spain
To be able to go to the doctor in Spain if you are a foreigner and to do so through the public system, one of the key steps is to apply for a health card, which allows you to access the National Health System. This procedure is mandatory if you want to benefit from public health services as a legal or regularized resident. Let’s take a look at the steps to obtain a health card in Spain:
- Register in the municipality where you reside.
- Obtain your NIE or current legal documentation.
- Go to a Social Security Attention and Information Center (CAISS) and register.
- Apply for your Social Security health card at your corresponding health center.
This process usually takes between 1 and 3 weeks depending on the autonomous community where you live. In the meantime, it is advisable to have a temporary private insurance, such as the one you can take out with Adeslas, to cover your needs while you complete the process.
What is the importance of the Social Security health card?
Having a Social Security health card guarantees you access to general practitioners, specialists, emergencies, hospitalization and subsidized prescriptions.
In addition, the health card is essential for scheduling appointments online at many regional health services and keeping digital control of your medical history. It also allows you to renew chronic treatments, request consultations and access services such as psychology or sexual and reproductive health, depending on the community.
In other words, it gives you access to the same public health system enjoyed by all citizens and residents with legal coverage in Spain.
Is there a charge to go to the emergency room in Spain if you are a foreigner?
It depends. If you do not have coverage from the public system or a current private insurance, you will be charged for going to the emergency room in Spain, unless it is a vital emergency. Some hospitals may ask for a guarantee of payment or bill you after care.
In addition, if you must repeat visits or have additional tests, the costs can add up quickly. Bottom line:
- Vital emergencies are always attended, regardless of your nationality or legal status.
- If you are registered and have been registered for more than 90 days, you can request universal access to public health care.
- If you are a tourist or do not have coverage, you may be charged for non-emergency care.
- If you have a private insurance, such as Adeslas, you will not have to pay anything on the spot and you will be able to quickly access centers and specialists.
That is why it is important to take out insurance for foreigners in Spain to avoid these situations.
Other ways of accessing a doctor in Spain if you are a foreigner
To obtain medical care in Spain as a foreigner, apart from the public system, you can opt for a private health insurance. This is your best alternative if:
- You do not have a NIE and you are not yet registered.
- You are in the process of residency.
- You need fast consultations or attention without waiting.
Access to a doctor in Spain with Adeslas
In short, going to the doctor in Spain if you are a foreigner is possible, but it depends on your legal situation and whether you have health coverage. Whether you are registered, a student, a tourist or in the process of residency, there is a solution for you.
Adeslas offers you plans adapted to each stage of your migratory process, with personalized assistance, complete coverage and without complications.
- Full medical coverage from day one.
- Assistance in Spanish and English.
- Network of more than 50,000 professionals.
- No co-payments or co-payments in many modalities.
In addition, you can manage everything from the Adeslas mobile app: video consultations, electronic prescriptions, medical history and much more, without leaving home. These digital services allow you to access the doctor wherever you are, even from another province.
