Healthcare in Barcelona

Healthcare in Barcelona, as in the country overall, is of high-quality and holds a good reputation among both locals and expats.

As of late, even international patients have taken notice of the nation’s exceptional treatment, and foreigners have started to filter into Spain as potential medical tourists.

 

As a result, both the public and private healthcare sectors in the city have risen to meet the challenge. 

 

The Catalan public health system – known casually as CatSalut, offers largely subsidised care for those who have a Targeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI), or health card, but is often associated with long queues for simple examinations or seemingly endless waits for routine operations. 

 

In light of these setbacks, the private healthcare system in Barcelona is robust and highly recommended for expats moving to the Catalan region.

 

 

Expats relocating to the city who wish to take advantage of CatSalut  will need to register with the local social security office in order to qualify for the subsidised medical aid. The main office in Barcelona is located opposite Estacio de Franca, and you will need to bring your Empadronamiento. If you are a retiree relocating to Barcelona you are eligible to receive free prescriptions and a permanent health card.

After you receive your health card you will be assigned a Médico de Cabecera (GP) at your local primary healthcare centre. 

 

In the public sector, specialists are mostly referred from your designated GP.

Expats should keep in mind that in the public sector, while emergencies will be immediately dealt with, less urgent care can often fall to the wayside until a time slot opens for available personnel. 

 

 

Private clinics in Barcelona tend to be less crowded and more efficient. The Catalan city contains more than a quarter of the entire population of Spain’s private clinics. Such a spoiling of options has in turn raised the standard of care in the cosmopolitan centre. 

 

Many of these clinics are part of the Barcelona Centre Medic (BCM), an umbrella organisation for some of the most reputable cites.

 

Some of the best private medical clinics in public opinion are Corachan, Hospital de Barcelona, Quiron, Teknon and USP Institut Universitari Dexeus. 

 

Still, an expat's clinic of choice may be largely informed by the direction of their private insurer. If paying directly, expats can choose any clinic in the city.

 

American citizens can contact the American Consulate for a list of English speaking doctors and dentists.
 

 

Avinguda Diagonal 656-660

08034 Barcelona, Spain

+34 932 542 400 

 

Sabino de Arana 5-19,

08028 Barcelona

+34 93 227 4747