Having recently moved to Spain, I’ve been thinking about getting a comprehensive physical examination—after all, health comes first. When I searched online, I found the information was scarce and fragmented. I finally went through the whole process myself, so today I’m here to share a detailed breakdown to help anyone else who needs it.
Public vs. Private: Which to Choose?
First, it’s important to understand that Spain’s healthcare system is divided into public and private sectors.
Public System: The main advantage is that it’s free, but the downside is the incredibly long waiting times for appointments. Moreover, it generally operates on a “see a doctor only when you’re sick” basis. If you want to proactively get a comprehensive preventive check-up, your family doctor might not order one for you unless you have specific symptoms or have reached a certain age. Therefore, for young people, getting a peace-of-mind check-up through the public system, including blood tests in Spain, can be quite challenging.
Private System: If you have private health insurance, getting a blood draw for a check-up in Spain becomes much simpler. Most private insurance plans include an annual check-up. You can simply find a partner hospital or lab through your insurance company’s app or website and book a chequeo general (general check-up). If you don’t have private insurance, you can also pay out-of-pocket at a private hospital, though it will be more expensive.
What Does a Medical Check-up Typically Include?
I went through my private insurance and booked an appointment at a general hospital under the Quirónsalud group. Generally, a standard annual check-up will include the following basic tests, although you can always discuss adding or removing items with your doctor based on your personal needs.
A standard check-up package usually includes:
| Test Category | Specific Tests |
|---|
| Blood Analysis | Complete blood count (CBC), blood sugar (glucose), lipid panel (cholesterol), liver function, and kidney function. |
| Urine Analysis | Urinalysis, to check the urinary system and kidney health. |
| Vital Signs Measurement | Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI). |
| Imaging Tests | Chest X-ray, to check for abnormalities in the heart and lungs. |
| Cardiac Examination | Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), to screen for heart problems. |
You’ll need to fast (no food or water) from 10 PM the night before the exam and go for the blood draw on an empty stomach the next morning. The whole process was very quick; it took me about an hour and a half to get everything done. The nurses and doctors were all very nice, so there’s no need to be nervous.
The results were available in about a week, and I could download the report directly from the hospital’s app or website. If any indicators are abnormal, the app will notify you, and you can book another appointment with a doctor for an interpretation. My costs were covered by my insurance, so I didn’t have to pay anything. If you’re managing health for your family, it’s also worth looking into coverage for services like pediatric check-ups. If paying out-of-pocket, a basic check-up package like this costs approximately €150 to €300, depending on the hospital. I hope my experience is helpful, and feel free to share your own check-up experiences in different cities or hospitals!
