General

In Spain, there are a parallel public healthcare system and a network of private health insurance companies. Spain's national health service is regarded as among the best in Europe. Hospitals are well run and offer a very high standard of care. However, limited state treatment is available to foreign residents, after that you need private healthcare. Some Spaniards choose a private insurance as a supplement to the public system.

Public Healthcare

Spain provides universal healthcare to all of its citizens under a tax-financed scheme run by Insalud (Instituto Nacional de Gestión Sanitaria). Over 90% of the population uses this system for their medical needs. This plan allows Spaniards to choose their primary care doctor, through which they access the rest of the system.

Most patients get to see their primary care doctor within a day or two. There are generally no out-of-pocket expenses as Insalud pays for all medical care. In order to consult a specialist, patients must first be referred by their primary care doctor (except in emergencies).

Unfortunately, as in some European countries there can be long waiting lists to see specialists and for elective and non-emergency surgical care. Lastly, the Spanish public system only covers medical care (with some exceptions). Dental and eye care is covered privately.

Private Healthcare

In recent years, the private health care sector has become more important. An estimated 15% of the population holds private health insurance including most civil servants who have the choice of coverage by the public or the private systems. This insurance is used either as a supplement or an alternative to public care.

The advantage of private insurance is that the companies have their own network of hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Policyholders usually do not have to wait as long for treatment. The only downside is that these companies can insist that patients use only doctors who are members of their group. However, most have programs that refund 80% of the fees charged by physicians outside the group. Adeslas, Asisa and Sanitas are the largest private health care providers.