Spanish Healthcare System for Expats: SIP Card, Doctors & Insurance Explained

Beyond the joys of sun, sea, and delicious food, life in Spain involves everyday tasks, and one of them is figuring out the local healthcare system. It can seem complex, especially if you're accustomed to a completely different system in your home country

The good news is that the Spanish healthcare system is rightly considered one of the best in the world. It is modern, well-funded, and offers high-quality services. We will walk you through the entire process together: from understanding the difference between public and private medicine to a step-by-step guide on obtaining the coveted SIP health card, booking a doctor's appointment, and buying medicine at the pharmacy.

On paper, everything looks quite straightforward. In real life, the process is usually a bit messier — but still manageable once you know the rules.

Spanish Healthcare: Public or Private?

The first and most important thing to understand about medicine in Spain is that it exists in two parallel worlds: public and private.

Public Healthcare

The public healthcare system, known as Seguridad Social, is the foundation of Spanish medicine. It is a universal system available to everyone who legally resides and works in the country.

It's important to note that Spanish law is humane and provides access to medical care even for those who do not fit into these categories. For example, the right to emergency care, pregnancy and childbirth care, as well as medical services for minor children, is available to everyone, including people without official resident status.

The General Practitioner

The central figure in the public system is the family doctor, or médico de cabecera. This is your general practitioner (GP), assigned to you at your local health center (centro de salud): they conduct the initial examination, write prescriptions, issue sick notes, and most importantly, provide a referral (volante) to specialists. Without a referral from your médico de cabecera, it is impossible to see, for example, a cardiologist or a neurologist within the public system.

In practice, this means you get used to your family doctor pretty quickly. You see the same person every time, and after a few visits, they usually remember you — especially if you come with the same issue more than once.

Private Healthcare

Private medicine (sanidad privada) is a paid alternative or, as is often the case, a supplement to the public system. Access is either through direct payment for services (which is quite expensive; a single visit to a GP can cost around 100 euros) or, much more popularly, through private health insurance — seguro de salud.

What does private insurance offer?

• Speed and no waiting lists: This is the main reason why foreigners and many Spaniards opt for private insurance. You can see a specialist within a few days instead of waiting for months.
• Direct access to specialists: You do not need a referral from a GP. If you want to consult a dermatologist, you simply find one in your insurance company's network and book an appointment.
• Choice of doctors and clinics: You are not tied to a single health center and can choose any doctor or hospital from your insurance company's network.
• Service and comfort: Private clinics often offer a higher level of comfort, private rooms, and staff who speak English (and sometimes other languages).
• Additional services: Private insurance often covers things that are not included in the basic public package for adults, such as dentistry or a general check-up (chequeo general).

One small but important detail: not all policies are the same. Cheap insurance often comes with exclusions, waiting periods, or limited specialists. Always read the fine print. We discussed the details of choosing health insurance, its nuances, and life hacks for using it in a separate blog post: "Private medicine in Spain: how to avoid overpaying and skip the queues".

How It All Works

The main and most frequent complaint about the public system is the listas de espera, or waiting lists. Long ones. Sometimes very long. Users share stories of waiting 7 months to see a specialist or several months for a simple ultrasound. Bureaucracy and overcrowded health centers (centros de salud), where booking an appointment with a GP can turn into a quest, are also common sources of dissatisfaction.

To be fair, not everyone waits for months. Sometimes you get lucky and grab a free slot the same week. But counting on that is risky.

However, when it comes to emergencies and serious cases (urgencias), the picture changes. Many users speak with gratitude about the work of ambulances and emergency departments in public hospitals. In critical situations — accidents, heart attacks, the need for urgent surgery — help is provided quickly and at a very high level. The system effectively applies the principle of triage (triaje), giving priority to those whose lives are in danger. This explains why you might wait 6 hours in the emergency room for a less serious injury, but be on the operating table within an hour for a life-threatening condition.

From this contradiction arises a practical approach that many expats find optimal. Having public insurance (which is mandatory for those who work) covers basic needs, treatment for chronic diseases, and provides protection in case of serious emergencies. At the same time, an inexpensive private insurance policy (which can cost from 30–50 euros a month) is used as a "fast track" for consultations with specialists, routine check-ups, and solving non-urgent but quality-of-life issues, thus avoiding months-long waits.

It is also worth remembering that the healthcare system in Spain is decentralized and managed at the level of the autonomous communities. This means that the quality of services, waiting times, and procedures can vary noticeably in Valencia, Catalonia, or Andalusia.

SIP Card: The Key to Spanish Healthcare, How to Get and Restore It

This is the individual health card, known as the Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual. However, most expats and locals simply refer to it as the SIP (pronounced "sip"). If you are wondering what SIP means in Spanish, it stands for Sistema de Información Poblacional. It is a plastic card featuring your name, a unique number, and the details of your assigned doctor. Without it, you cannot book an appointment or get prescription medication at a discount.

Getting Your SIP Card: Less Drama, More Health

Getting access to public healthcare is perhaps the biggest "milestone" after moving to Valencia. Your SIP card (Sistema de Información Poblacional) is your golden ticket to seeing a doctor, getting prescriptions, and feeling a bit more like a local rather than just a guest.

While the paperwork might seem like a deep dive into Spanish bureaucracy, the logic is simple: you need to prove who you are (NIE), where you live (Padrón), and that you have the right to healthcare (usually through your work contract or autónomo status).

The process in a nutshell:

• Get your social security number and the INSS accreditation (this is the tricky part where most people get stuck).
• Take your documents to the local centro de salud in your neighborhood.
• Walk out with a temporary paper SIP and the name of your assigned médico de familia.

We’ve been through this "quest" ourselves and know exactly where the pitfalls are — from booking that elusive cita previa to what to say at the reception desk. To make your life easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide.

👉 Read our full guide: Everything you need to know about the SIP card in Valencia

Booking an Appointment: There’s an App for That

Once the card is in your pocket, the next step is actually using it. The good news? Spain’s healthcare system is surprisingly digital. You don’t always need to call (or practice your Spanish over the phone) — you can manage almost everything via the GVA+Salud app.

Online Booking: The Most Convenient Way

The Spanish healthcare system actively encourages the use of digital channels for booking appointments. It's fast, convenient, and requires no phone calls.

Via the Web Portal

Each autonomous community has its own patient portal. In the Valencian Community, it is the Portal del Paciente on the GVA (Generalitat Valenciana) website. To book an appointment (pedir cita previa), you usually need to enter your SIP number and date of birth. The portal allows you not only to choose a date and time for your appointment with your family doctor but also to view upcoming appointments (citas pendientes), cancel them, and in some cases, even request a video consultation (videoconsulta).

Via the Mobile App

This is arguably the most convenient method. It is highly recommended to download the official app for your region. For Valencia, this is GVA +Salut (Android, iOS). After a simple registration using your SIP card details, you get access to all the main functions:

• Booking and canceling appointments.
• Viewing your electronic prescriptions and the dates when you can get the next batch of medicine.
• Downloading proof of attendance certificates for work (justificantes de asistencia).
• Adding appointment reminders to your phone's calendar.

The Classic Way (by Phone)

Despite digitalization, the option to book by phone still exists. It's a reliable backup if you have internet problems or haven't figured out the app.

• The phone number for booking appointments is usually on the back of your SIP card.
• You can also call the general information number for the Valencian health department: +34 96 386 60 00.

Example of a simple phone dialogue:

Don't despair if you can't figure out the portal or app on the first try. Feel free to use the phone as a reliable and proven method, and you can return to the digital tools when you feel more confident.

The Doctor's Visit

First of all, a small cultural nuance: the relationship with your médico de cabecera in Spain is built for the long term. They are the manager of your health, who knows your medical history. Therefore, it is important to build a trusting relationship with them.

Dialogue Builder: Your Conversation with the Family Doctor

This builder will help you construct a dialogue during your appointment. It is divided into logical blocks from which you can take the phrases you need.

1. Stating the Reason for Your Visit

After greeting the doctor, you need to briefly state the reason for your visit.

• Buenos días, doctor/a. Vengo porque... — Good morning, doctor. I've come because...
• ...no me encuentro bien. — ...I don't feel well.
• ...me duele algo. — ...something hurts.
• Necesito ver a un médico. — I need to see a doctor.

2. Describing Symptoms

This is the most important part. In Spanish, three main verbs are used to describe symptoms: tener (to have), doler (to hurt), and estar (to be).

With the verb tener (to have):

• Tengo fiebre. — I have a fever.
• Tengo tos. — I have a cough.
• Tengo dolor de cabeza. — I have a headache.
• Tengo náuseas. — I feel nauseous.
• Tengo diarrea. — I have diarrhea.
• Tengo escalofríos. — I have chills.

With the verb doler (to hurt): This verb works like gustar. The form of the verb depends on what hurts (singular or plural).

• Me duele la garganta. — My throat hurts.
• Me duele la espalda. — My back hurts.
• Me duele el estómago. — My stomach hurts.
• Me duelen los oídos. — My ears hurt.

With the verb estar (to be): Used to describe a temporary state.

• Estoy mareado/a. — I feel dizzy.
• Estoy cansado/a. — I am tired.
• Estoy resfriado/a. — I have a cold.

3. Answering the Doctor's Questions

The doctor will likely ask you a few standard questions:

• ¿Qué le pasa? / ¿Qué le ocurre? — What's wrong? / What happened?
• ¿Cuáles son sus síntomas? — What are your symptoms?
• ¿Dónde le duele? — Where does it hurt?
• ¿Desde cuándo tiene estos síntomas? — How long have you had these symptoms?
  • Answer: Desde ayer (since yesterday), desde esta mañana (since this morning), hace dos días (for two days).
• ¿Es alérgico/a a algo? — Are you allergic to anything?
  • Answer: Sí, soy alérgico/a a [name]. / No, que yo sepa. (Yes, I'm allergic to... / No, not that I know of).

4. Understanding the Instructions

At the end of the appointment, the doctor will explain the treatment plan.

• Le voy a recetar unas pastillas / un jarabe / una pomada. — I'm going to prescribe you some pills / a syrup / an ointment.
• Tome una pastilla cada ocho horas con comida. — Take one pill every eight hours with food.
• Necesita descansar / hacer reposo. — You need to rest / be on bed rest.
• Le voy a dar un volante para el especialista. — I'm going to give you a referral to a specialist.
• Venga a revisión la semana próxima. — Come for a check-up next week.

Useful Medical Vocabulary

Symptoms (Síntomas):

• Fever - Fiebre
• Cough - Tos
• Sore throat - Dolor de garganta
• Headache - Dolor de cabeza
• Stomach ache - Dolor de estómago / de barriga
• Dizziness - Mareo
• Runny / stuffy nose - Mocos / Nariz tapada
• Back pain - Dolor de espalda
• Nausea - Náuseas
• Chills - Escalofríos

Body Parts (Partes del cuerpo):

• la cabeza - head
• la garganta - throat
• la espalda - back
• el estómago - stomach
• el pecho - chest
• el oído - inner ear
• la oreja - outer ear
• el ojo - eye
• la pierna - leg
• el brazo - arm
• la muñeca - wrist
• el tobillo - ankle

Illnesses and Ailments (Enfermedades y dolencias):

• el resfriado / el catarro - a cold
• la gripe - the flu
• la alergia - allergy
• la infección - infection
• la intoxicación alimentaria - food poisoning
• la quemadura - burn
• la herida - wound

At the Clinic (En la consulta):

• la cita - appointment
• la sala de espera - waiting room
• la receta - prescription
• el volante - referral
• el análisis de sangre - blood test
• la radiografía - X-ray
• la ecografía - ultrasound
• la vacuna - vaccine
• el justificante - doctor's note / sick note

The Final Step — The Pharmacy

The last stage of your medical quest is the pharmacy (la farmacia). Spanish pharmacies are easily recognizable by their green cross sign.

Electronic Prescription: How It Works (Receta Electrónica)

Spain has fully transitioned to an electronic prescription system — receta electrónica. This is an incredibly convenient system that eliminates the need to carry paper prescriptions.

How it works:

• The doctor writes the prescription: During the appointment, the doctor does not give you a paper prescription but enters the prescription into a unified electronic system, linking it to your SIP card number.
• You go to the pharmacy: You can go to any pharmacy in Spain.
• You present your SIP card: You give the pharmacist your SIP card.
• You receive the medication: The pharmacist gives you the medicine, and the system automatically marks the prescription as filled.

A doctor can prescribe medication for up to a year, and you won't need to go to the clinic every month for a new prescription. The system itself will calculate when you can come for the next pack, and the prescription will be waiting for you at the pharmacy.

Most prescription drugs in Spain are subsidized by the state. This means you do not pay the full cost, but only a certain percentage — this is the copago (co-payment).

Buying Over-the-Counter Drugs (Medicamentos sin Receta)

Many simple medicines can be bought without a prescription — sin receta or de venta libre. These include painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), cold and cough remedies, allergy medications, ointments for bruises, etc. However, even over-the-counter drugs in Spain are sold only in pharmacies.

Essential Pharmacy Vocabulary

Types of Medication (Tipos de medicamentos):

• las pastillas / las tabletas - pills / tablets
• las cápsulas - capsules
• el jarabe - syrup
• la pomada / la crema - ointment / cream
• las gotas - drops
• el supositorio - suppository
• la inyección - injection / shot
• la venda - bandage
• las tiritas - band-aids

Useful Phrases:

• Aquí tiene mi tarjeta SIP para la receta electrónica. — Here is my SIP card for the electronic prescription.
• Quisiera algo para el dolor de cabeza / la tos / la alergia. — I would like something for a headache / a cough / an allergy.
• ¿Necesito receta para esto? — Do I need a prescription for this?
• ¿Este medicamento es con o sin receta? — Is this medicine with or without a prescription?
• ¿Cómo se toma esto? — How do I take this?
• ¿Tiene paracetamol / ibuprofeno? — Do you have paracetamol / ibuprofen?
• ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta o en efectivo? — Can I pay by card or with cash?

¡Mucha Salud! (To Your Health!)

Navigating the healthcare system in a new country can seem like a daunting task, but as you can see, the Spanish system, for all its peculiarities, is logical and convenient. The key is to be systematic and to know the basic steps.

The most important advice one can give is not to be afraid. Don't be afraid to ask questions, to ask again, to use our language templates. Pharmacists and doctors are, for the most part, responsive and willing to help. Over time, you will get the hang of it, and a visit to the doctor will become as routine as a trip to the store.