Hello everyone, I just settled in Madrid not long ago, and recently my partner had a minor health issue, which gave me the chance to experience both public and private hospitals in Spain. I noticed there aren’t many discussions on this topic in the forums, so I decided to start a post to share my real experience and provide a reference for other newcomers.
First Experience with a Public Hospital
We first went to the public hospital assigned to our residential area. My first impression was, it was crowded, really crowded
! We had an appointment with our family doctor (GP)
, but still waited for about an hour. The good thing was the doctor was very kind and conducted a thorough consultation without rushing us. Later, further tests were required, and we were referred to a larger general hospital. The waiting time for this appointment was even longer—the ultrasound was scheduled for two months later…
Pros: Almost free, with professional and responsible doctors.
Cons: The waiting times are extremely long, which is not feasible for urgent conditions.
Switching to a Private Hospital
We couldn’t afford to wait for the public system’s schedule, so we used our Sanitas private health insurance to book an appointment with a specialist at a Quirónsalud hospital. We booked directly through the app, which offered a wide choice of doctors and time slots. We were able to see a doctor the very next day. The environment and service were impeccable; it felt like being in a hotel. A nurse guided us the whole time, and the various tests were coordinated very efficiently. We basically completed all examinations and received the diagnosis report within two days, which really speaks to the quality of Spanish hospital care.
Cost Comparison: Public vs. Private
Many people are concerned about the cost, so I’ve created a simple comparison table to make it clearer:
| Service | Public Hospital | Private Hospital |
|---|
| Basic Consultation | Free | Free |
| Specialist Consultation | Free | Free or with Co-payment |
| Ultrasound/CT Scan | Free | Free or with Co-payment |
| Waiting Time | Weeks to months | Within a few days |
| Medication Costs | Fully covered Partially self-paid | Depends on the insurance plan |
My feeling is that if you unfortunately have an emergency or need a quick diagnosis, having private insurance is quite essential for receiving good [care in Spanish hospitals]. However, for managing chronic conditions or dealing with minor ailments, even if you’re not at one of the top institutions in the Spanish hospital rankings, public hospital doctors seem more thorough, and it saves a lot of money. Many people use a combination of both public and private systems. What are your experiences with seeing a doctor in Spain? Feel free to discuss and share in the comments below!
