An elderly family member wasn’t feeling well recently, so I accompanied them to the hospital. I had read in the news that Spain had already lifted the mandatory mask mandate in healthcare facilities, but when we arrived at the hospital entrance, I noticed most people were still wearing masks out of habit, especially in the waiting area, where almost everyone had one on. I initially planned not to wear one, but ended up buying one from a vending machine at the entrance. This made me want to talk about the current price of masks in Spanish hospitals.
We went to a public hospital, and in the lobby, there was one of those common vending machines that sell hygiene products. The price for a surgical mask was 1 euro each. Yes, you read that right, 1 euro for a single, individually wrapped mask. It looked very hygienic, but the price felt like a throwback to the early days of the pandemic. Honestly, it felt a bit expensive, considering you can now buy a box of 50 at a pharmacy for just a few euros.
Later, I chatted with a friend who had been to the private hospital Quirónsalud, and his experience was similar. At their hospital, you could buy a mask directly from the reception desk for 0.80 euros each. Although slightly cheaper than at the public hospital, it was still considerably more expensive than buying from a pharmacy. It seems that masks sold in hospitals are mainly for convenience, intended for those who forget to bring one or need one unexpectedly.
To give you a clearer picture, I’ve compiled a list of recent mask prices from different places for your reference:
| Place of Purchase | Mask Type | Approximate Price |
|---|
| Public Hospital Vending Machine | Surgical Mask | 1.00 € |
| Private Hospital Reception | Surgical Mask | 0.80 € |
| Regular Pharmacy | Surgical Mask | 0.10 € - 0.20 € |
| Supermarket | Hygienic Mask | Rarely seen anymore Occasionally available, cheaper |
The conclusion is quite clear: if you’re just going to the hospital for a routine check-up or follow-up, it’s best to buy your own masks from a pharmacy in advance to save some money. Of course, for emergencies or unexpected situations, having medical masks in Spain available for purchase at the hospital is a good safety net. What are the mask prices you’ve seen at hospitals recently? Or do you think it’s still necessary to wear a mask when visiting a hospital now? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
