Spain is the second most visited country in the world, with more than 80 million tourists during a normal year. So that’s a lot of people who might need medical assistance. However, the good news – if you are unfortunate to become ill or suffer an injury – is that Spain’s healthcare (both private and public) is highly regarded throughout Europe.
Travellers are advised to take out travel insurance including medical and repatriation costs. Bring the policy, together with your European Health Insurance card and a copy of your ID card or passport, whenever you see a medical professional in Spain. Children under 18 have the right to universal healthcare, regardless of their status and country of origin.
If you do not speak Spanish, it is also recommended that you are accompanied by a translator when visiting a doctor. Although some medical personnel do understand and speak a reasonable level of English, many don’t.
Before you are admitted to hospital, always contact your insurance company’s 24-hour helpline.
For information about how to proceed in the event of an emergency, call the Tourist Emergency Helpline: 902 102 112 (in English, French, German and Italian).
Following is a list of the main public hospitals in the area, as well as private hospitals, plus public health centres (“centros de salud”) in villages along the coast.
Note: The listed opening hours (and services) are meant as a guide only and may vary at different times of the year, or be updated due to changing circumstances.
Águilas
Centro de Salud Águilas Norte (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Nurses, Dentistry, Social Worker
Where: Avda. Democracia-Las Majadas, 30880 Águilas
Tel: 968 493 350
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-3pm, weekends closed
In case of an emergency outside opening hours, visit the Centro de Salud Águilas Sur (next on this list).
Centro de Salud Águilas Sur (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Nurses, Social Worker
Where: Calle Rey Carlos III (Ctra. de Vera), 30880 Águilas
Tel: 968 446 014
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-3pm, weekends closed
This is also a 24-hour emergency and first aid service.
Cabo Ruig
Centro de Salud Orihuela Costa (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Nurses, Social Worker
Where: Calle Mar 1 (Urbanización Aguamarina), 03189 Orihuela Costa
Tel: 966 748 353
This is also a 24-hour emergency and first aid service.
Caravaca de la Cruz
Hospital Comarcal del Noroeste
Where: Avda. Miguel Espinosa 1, 30400 Caravaca de la Cruz
Tel: 968 709 100
This general public hospital has a 24-hour emergency service.
Cartagena
Hospital General Universitario Santa María del Rosell
The university hospital is a full-range health facility with 24-hour accident and emergency (A&E) services (“Urgencias”), by the main entrance on the right.
Where: Paseo Alfonso XIII 61, 30203 Cartagena
Tel: 968 325 000
Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucía
This futuristic hospital with 656 beds offers top-notch treatment facilities using the latest in high-tech equipment for cancer patients in Murcia region, as well as many other advanced surgery facilities.
Where: Calle Mezquita, Paraje Los Arcos, 30202 Santa Lucía, Cartagena
Tel: 968 128 600
This general public hospital has a 24-hour emergency service.
Hospital de Caridad (a.k.a. Hospital Los Pinos)
This is a private hospital with 140 beds where expats with private insurance cover can go for scans, tests and medical consultations. It offers 24-hour A & E care, general medicine and nursing care, home visits and much more.
Where: Calle Navarra, Cartagena
Tel: 968 510 300
Hospital Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro
This is full-range private hospital with a 24-hour emergency service.
Where: Calle Sebastián Feringán 12, 30205 Cartagena
Tel: 968 510 500
Cieza
Hospital de la Vega Lorenzo Guirao
This public health facility opened in 1997 with 172 beds. It offers 24-hour emergency care.
Where: Ctra. de Abarán, 30530 Cieza
Tel: 968 775 550
Huércal-Overa
Hospital Público Comarcal la Inmaculada
This is the closest hospital for visitors in the north of Almeria (bordering southern Murcia). It has 171 beds and offers a 24-hour emergency service.
Where: Avda. Dtra. Ana Parra Hospital San Isidro, 04600 Huércal-Overa
Tel: 950 02 90 00
Los Alcázares
Centro de Salud (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Nurses, Social Worker
Where: Calle Mar Tirreno 58, 30710 Los Alcázares
Tel: 968 575 800
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-2pm, weekends closed
In case of an emergency outside opening hours, visit the Centro de Salud Santiago de la Ribera in San Javier.
Mazarrón
Centro de Salud Mazarrón (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Nurses
Where: Avda. Constitución 0, 30870 Mazarrón
Tel: 968 592 388
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8am-9pm; Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 9am-5pm
This is also a 24-hour emergency and first aid service.
Espacio de Salud DKV Mazarrón
This is a national private health company that provides full-range services, including general medicine, analyses, surgery, dentistry, acupuncture, nutritionist and rehabilitation – but no emergency service.
Where: Avda. Constitución 125, 30870 Mazarrón
Tel: 968 592 000
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-9pm; during August, 8am-8pm
Lorca
Hospital Rafael Méndez
This fully-equipped university hospital offers 283 beds and has a 24-hour emergency service.
Where: Ctra. Nacional 340, Km. 589, 30817 Lorca
Tel: 968 445 500
Murcia
Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca
This is the largest and main hospital in the Murcia region and one of the best in Spain, with 863 beds and all medical specialities, including heart surgery, burns treatment, neurosurgery and transplants.
For A & E care, follow the signs “Urgencias”.
Where: Ctra. Madrid-Cartagena, 30120, El Palmar
Tel: 968 36 95 00
Hospital General Universitario Reina Sofía
Murcia’s second hospital, with 330 beds, is situated in the centre of the city along the Segura River. It has 24-hour emergency care. Car parking is not easy: you might have to use underground car parks or the car parks of nearby supermarkets.
Where: Avda. Intendente Jorge Palacios 1, 30003 Murcia
Tel: 968 359 000
Hospital General Universitario Morales Meseguer Murcia
Situated in the centre of the city is Murcia’s third university hospital. The A & E department (“Urgencias”) is signposted in the hospital.
Where: Avda. Marqués de los Véle, 30008 Murcia
Tel: 968 360 900
Orihuela
Hospital Comarcal de Orihuela Vega Baja
A general, well-equipped public hospital with 336 beds and a 24-hour emergency service.
Where: Ctra. Orihuela-Almoradí, Km. 8, San Bartolomé
Tel: 965 877 500
Pilar de la Honradada
Centro de Salud Pilar de la Honradada (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Nurses
Where: Calle Vicente Blasco Ibañez, 03190 Pilar de la Honradada
Tel: 966 748 355
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-8pm
This is also a 24-hour emergency and first aid service.
San Javier
Hospital General Universitario Los Arcos del Mar Menor
Opened in March 2011, this is a modern, fully-equipped hospital providing a 24-hour emergency service – as well as a free translation service.
Where: Paraje Torre Octavio 54, 30739, Pozo Aledo, San Javier
Tel: 968 565 000
Centro de Salud (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Midwife, Dentist, Physiotherapist, A&E
For emergencies only – out of normal opening hours visit the SUAP centre in Centro de Salud Santiago de la Ribera (next on this list).
Where: Calle Cabo Ras, San Javier
Tel: 968 191 866
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8am-9pm; Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 9am-5pm
Centro de Salud Santiago de la Ribera (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Nurses, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Midwife, Social Worker.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-3pm
This is also a 24-hour emergency and first aid service.
Where: Calle Maestra Sabina Ruiz Jover, San Javier
Tel: 968 573 552
San Pedro Del Pinatar
Centro de Salud San Pedro del Pinatar (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Nurses, Social Worker
Where: Avda. de las Salinas 50, 30740 San Pedro del Pinatar
Tel: 968 182 062
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8am-9pm; Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday 9am-5pm
Torrevieja
Hospital de Torrevieja
This is a modern university hospital opened in 2006, offering a full range of medical specialists and 24-hour emergency care.
Where: Ctra. CV-95 Partida de Ceñuela, 03186 Torrevieja
Tel: 965 721 200
Hospital Quirónsalud Torrevieja
This is a modern private hospital and part of the national Quiron Hospital Group. It opened in 2002 and has 124 beds and a 24-hour emergency service.
Translators are available in 15 languages (including English, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Italian and Arab).
Where: Partida de la Loma, 03184 Torrevieja, Alicante
Tel: 966 921 313
Vera
Centro de Salud Vera (Public Health Centre)
General Medicine, Paediatrician, Social Worker, Physiotherapist, Dentisty, Nurses
Where: Calle San Cleofas, 04620 Vera
Tel: 950 451 522
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-8pm
There is a 24-hour emergency service.