Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Granada, Spain
Last updated on Mar 04, 2023
Summary: Granada, Spain is home to several hospitals and clinics, including the Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, the Hospital San Juan de Dios, and the Hospital San Cecilio. Emergency services in Granada are provided by the 061 emergency medical service, which can be contacted by dialing 112. The quality of medical care in Granada is generally considered to be on par with the US, with many of the same treatments and technologies available.
How are healthcare services Granada?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Granada, they replied:
"I would say medical care is excellent. For chronic medical conditions, it may be difficult to get an insurance and they will have to pay more. there are other expats with chronic condtions who are able to get private insurance," mentioned one expat in Granada.
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What are medical services in Granada like?
When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Granada, they replied:
"Granada offers a wide range of medical services for its citizens and visitors. The city has several public and private hospitals, as well as numerous clinics and health centers. The public hospitals provide free or low-cost medical care, while the private hospitals offer more specialized services. Granada also has a number of pharmacies, which provide prescription and over-the-counter medications. Additionally, the city has a number of specialized medical centers, such as those for dentistry, optometry, and physical therapy," commented one expat who moved to Granada.

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Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Granada?
"I have a private insurance with Sanitas and it costs 80€ per month for a full coverage. I have to see doctors in Sanitas network. I had used the emergency service at the hospital and received excellent care. I also saw a general doctor, and OB/GYN and received excellent care. I’m very happy with the plan with Sanitas," said one expat.
"We have a private health insurance with Sanitas and are happy with them. It’s acceptable at our nearest hospital. Sanitas was most well known health insurance among expats. They will take payments without a Spanish bank account, which we find very convenient because we didn’t have a Spanish bank account last year before we moved to Spain," remarked one expat in Granada.
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What are emergency services like in Granada?
When we asked about emergency services, members in Granada wrote:
"We are about one kilometer from our hospital “Vithas”. It is a very good private hospital. We received excellent care during our emergency visit last year. We were in and out under two hours, which is unheard of in the US. We would call our insurance Sanitas emergency line or dial 112 for emergency," mentioned one expat in Granada.
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Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
"Yes, Granada has a good number of medical specialists. People in Granada can access a wide range of medical services, including general practitioners, specialists, and highly specialized medical care. For highly specialized medical care, people in Granada typically go to the University Hospital of Granada, which is one of the largest and most advanced hospitals in the region. The hospital offers a wide range of specialized services, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, and more. Additionally, there are several private clinics in Granada that offer specialized medical care," wrote one expat.
"I know of a friend who travels from Granada to Malaga for a cancer treatments weekly for her son. Other than that, I’m afraid I don’t know much about specialist care. I feel that the hospital Vithas has excellent teams of specialists. One of my friends recently had her heart procedure angiogram done at Vithas a few months ago and recived excellent care at Vithas. I don’t think I will travel any," commented one expat who moved to Granada.
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Are common prescription medications available in Granada?
"Prescription medications are widely available in Granada. Most pharmacies in the city carry a wide range of medications, including those prescribed by doctors. Many of the medications available are generic versions of brand-name drugs, which are often cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. In addition, some pharmacies also offer home delivery services for those who are unable to visit the store in person," said one expat.
"Prescription is inexpensive and available at the local pharmacy. There are many pharmacies at every corner of the town," remarked one expat in Granada.
Do you have anything more to add about local medical facilities in Granada?
"I'm 0.5 kilometers from the hospital. It's a very good private hospital. The quality is very good. There are both public and private hospitals. I used the emergency service once and I'm very impressed at the speed and quality of care I received. It's much better than in the US," remarked one expat in Granada.
"Haven't used, but hear they are fine. Private insurance first year (about $80 per month with NO deductible), after that can get on state medical for free," remarked one expat living in Granada.
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As a foreigner living in Granada, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
"Yes, as a foreigner living in Granada, you will have access to public healthcare. The public healthcare system in Spain is known for its high quality and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The system is funded by the government and is available to everyone regardless of their income level. The public healthcare system in Spain is divided into primary care, which is provided by general practitioners, and specialized care, which is provided by specialists. In addition, there are also public hospitals and clinics that provide emergency care and other services," commented one expat who moved to Granada.
"I’m not eligible to enroll for a public healthcare. However, private healthcare in Spain is excellence and very affordable when compared to the US. I pay 80€ a month for a full coverage with no copay and no deductible," said one expat.
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What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
We asked expats in Granada if they have access to public healthcare in Granada. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...
"The healthcare system in Granada has been very responsive to the pandemic. The government has implemented strict safety protocols to ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. All medical appointments are now conducted virtually, and the hospitals have implemented strict safety protocols for in-person visits. The healthcare system has also been providing free testing for those who are showing symptoms of the virus. Additionally, the government has provided financial assistance to those who have been affected by the pandemic, such as those who have lost their jobs or have been unable to work due to the pandemic. Overall, the healthcare system in Granada has been very responsive to the pandemic and has done its best to ensure the safety of its citizens," remarked one expat in Granada.
What advice do you have for expats having a baby in Granada?
We asked expat moms who gave birth in Granada about their experiences and advice they have for other moms to be. They said:
"It is important to research the healthcare system in Granada before having a baby. Make sure to find a doctor or midwife that you trust and feel comfortable with. Additionally, it is important to familiarize yourself with the local maternity and childcare services available in the area. It is also a good idea to join a local expat group or forum to connect with other expats who have had babies in Granada and can provide advice and support. Finally, make sure to take time to relax and enjoy the experience of having a baby in Granada," explained one expat.
"To ask about the antenatal classes run by the midwife. They're not advertised and I just asked if there were any private ones, and it turned out that she ran classes," said one person in Granada.
Are healthcare services good in Granada?
We asked people if they have access to good medical care in Granada. They wrote:
"Granada offers a wide range of healthcare services for its citizens. The public healthcare system is provided by the Spanish National Health System, which is free for all citizens and residents. The city also has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer a variety of medical services. Granada also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as the Granada University Hospital, which provides specialized care for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other complex medical conditions. Additionally, Granada has a number of pharmacies and health centers that provide basic medical services, such as vaccinations and general check-ups," explained one expat living in Granada.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
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