Health in Spain

While traveling, the one most important thing that every traveler is concerned about is his/her health.So,it is always recommended to know not only about the places to see and visit but also the health prospects while at that place. So if you are traveling to Spain we are sure you might want to investigate further and understand the health risk you might face in Spain. So there is good news for you, you would not be required to take any pre inoculations while traveling to Spain as there are no specific diseases or viruses which catch you on your nerve, this is quite unlike to when you plan travel to North Africa where inoculations are definitely required to combat typhoid and polio.

However even while you are safe from germs and viruses in Spain it is recommended that you should maintain basic hygiene and should take ultra care while eating from outside, like you may want to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them raw. Similarly you can avoid food which does not look very fresh which could cause you stomach aches.

In case of any minor health complaints while your Spain holidays, it is recommended to go to farmacia.You can easily find their contact numbers in any of the phone books and they operate in all the major towns and villages. The pharmacists in Spain are highly trained and can help you well while giving you advice in English as well. Unlike many other countries where medicines are only available after you pay a heavy amount as doctor fee and gain a prescription you can get many drugs without a prescription in Spain. Now that sounds amazing. Isn't it.

The usual shop hours range between 9am to 1.30pm and 5.30pm to 8pm; however there are even some shops which are open late till night and at weekends also. Additionally you have a Rota system which keeps open 24 hours a day. The Rota is displayed in the window of every pharmacy and you can also check for these in any of the local newspapers under Farmacias de guardia.

However if God forbid you fall ill and need a doctor aid you can get aid from English speaking doctors. All you need to do is get in touch with the nearest relevant consulate, a farmacia , the local police or turismo from where you can get the address of an English-speaking doctor.You can also seek help from various hotels in Spain where you are staying, as most of the hotels in Spain provide this emergency service for their guests.


In the interest of your holiday mood its always advisable that any person traveling with any special medical or dietary requirements should carry the prescription letter and other vital documents from your doctor translated into Spanish.

You shall be relieved to hear that as an EU country Spain has free reciprocal health agreements with other member states, just carry your form E111 which is available from main post offices. Some form of travel insurance is still essential with it and you would be able to claim back the cost of any drugs prescribed by pharmacies.

And in case if you are caught in any emergency just dial 091 for the Servicios de Urgencia or look up the Cruz Roja Española (Red Cross) which runs a national ambulance service.

Have a healthy stay at Spain!!