One of the biggest worries when you’ve just moved to Spain is getting sick. With the language barrier and unfamiliarity with the local healthcare system, even a simple headache can be stressful because you don’t know which department to go to. I’ve recently looked into this and compiled a guide to common Spanish hospital departments, comparing Spanish and English terms. Hope this helps anyone in need!
Unlike in some other countries, the process for seeing a doctor in Spain for minor ailments usually starts at your local health center (Centro de Salud) with your assigned family doctor (médico de cabera). Only if your family doctor deems it necessary will you be referred to a specialist at a larger hospital. Of course, for emergencies, such as severe long COVID symptoms, you can go directly to the hospital’s emergency department (Urgencias). The process is much more flexible with private hospitals, where you can often book an appointment with a specialist directly.
Common Specialist Departments: Spanish vs. English
Below is a list of common departments found in major hospitals. You can match your symptoms to the corresponding department, which will give you more confidence when booking an appointment or finding your way around the hospital.
Quick Reference Table for Major Departments
For a clearer overview, I’ve created a simple table for quick reference. When asking at the hospital reception or booking on an app, you can show the Spanish name directly to the staff.
| Department (English) | Spanish Name | Common Conditions Treated |
|---|
| Traumatology / Orthopedics | Traumatología | Fractures, sprains, arthritis, back pain |
| Dermatology | Dermatología | Rashes, eczema, allergies, hair loss |
| Gynecology & Obstetrics | Ginecología y Obstetricia | Women’s health check-ups, pregnancy, childbirth |
| Pediatrics | Pediatría | All health issues for infants, children, and adolescents |
| Ophthalmology | Oftalmología | Myopia, cataracts, eye infections |
Feel free to save this list for future reference. If there is any other Spanish hospital department I’ve missed, or if you have your own experiences with the Spanish healthcare system, please share them in the comments below! Wishing you all good health, and I hope you’ll never need to use this guide!
