Important healthcare terms you need to know in Spanish

When moving to another country, there are dozens of considerations, from visas to housing to choosing the right place to settle. But no matter what your circumstances, healthcare affects everyone. As a non-citizen, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance for a visa application or to obtain your residency; depending on your citizenship, you may be eligible for the national social security scheme, or you may have to take out private insurance.

Make sure to learn and use the most important vocabulary for healthcare in Spanish by using this handy guide.

Fast facts about healthcare in Spain

Spain has universal healthcare coverage that is available to citizens and residents alike, and Spanish citizens enjoy one of the longest life expectancies in the world. What’s more, Spain sits close to the top in global healthcare rankings, pulling in within the top 25 on numerous ranking sites.

Spanish citizens and residents can be a part of the Sistema Nacional de Salud or choose a private insurer – or even be a part of both systems simultaneously. While this is an individual choice, healthcare costs are far lower than countless other developed nations, with prescriptions heavily subsidized. In short, healthcare and lifestyle in Spain are top-notch.

For additional information about healthcare, it’s best to refer to the autonomous community in which you live or plan to move to for specifics.

How to talk about healthcare in Spanish

No matter what system you will choose for your health and well-being, you should know how to communicate about healthcare in Spanish. Here are 40+ of the most important terms and short phrases to know in Spanish:

Hospitals, clinics and other equipment terms

1. Farmacia: pharmacy.
2. Hospital: hospital.
3. Clínica: clinic.
4. Ambulatorio: outpatient care.
5. Urgencias: emergency room.
6. Residencia de tercera edad: nursing home.
7. Cuidados Intensivos: intensive care.
8. Laboratorio: laboratory.
9. Quirófano: operating room.
10. Sala de curas: treatment room, often for small wounds or vaccinations.
11. Sala de espera: waiting room.
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Healthcare Systems

1. Copago: copay.
2. Tarjeta sanitaria: health insurance card.
3. Seguridad social: national social security system.
4. Reclamación: claim.
5. Factura, justificante: Invoice
6. Seguro médico: medical insurance plan.
7. Seguro médico privado: private medical insurance plan.
8. Red: network.
9. Telemedicina: telehealth.
10. Baja: Medical leave.
11. Reembolso: reimbursement.

Medical personnel

1. Médico/a: doctor.
2. Enfermero/a: nurse.
3. Cirujano: surgeon.
4. Dentista: dentist.
5. Pediatra: pediatrician.
6. Psicólogo: psychiatrist.
7. Farmaceútico: pharmacist.
8. Especialista: specialist. Each medical specialty will have its own name, too. Just don’t try to pronounce an earth, nose and throat doctor – otorrinolaringólogo is a mouthful!
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General terms

1. Receta: prescription.
2. Vacuna: vaccine.
3. Diagnostico: diagnosis.
4. Pronóstico: prognosis.
5. Tratamiento: treatment.
6. Prevención: prevention.
7. Síntoma: symptom.
8. Mascarilla: surgical mask.

Conditions and treatments

1. Crónico: chronic illness.
2. Alergia: allergy.
3. Cirugía: surgery.
4. Antibiótico: antibiotic.
5. Medicamento: medication.
6. Infección: infection.

Bonus: Important phrases

1. ¿Dónde está el hospital más cercano?: Where is the nearest hospital?
2. ¡Ayuda! / ¡Socorro!: help!
3. Necesito un médico: I need a doctor.
4. ¿Habla inglés el médico?: Does the doctor speak English?
5. Tengo una cita a las (hour): I have a [medical] appointment at (hour).
6. Me duele aquí: it hurts here.
7. Soy alérgico/a a ___: I am allergic to___.
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What you need to know about health care and treatment in Spain

Spain’s vast network of healthcare facilities, specialists and commitment to ground-breaking research and development have long placed it at the forefront of medicine. The country’s social security health insurance scheme means that all citizens are eligible for public healthcare and many residents qualify, too. To sign up for the public health system, you will need to go to the ambulatorio (remember what that means?) nearest to your residence and enquire; note that you will be asked to provide additional paperwork, such as your residency card and a copy of your social security number, if applicable.

Many residents and even Spaniards take advantage of private health insurance policies for them and their family. Among the biggest reasons why are quicker access to non-emergent treatments, like surgeries or specialists, reduced wait times, and better access to telehealth options.

Telehealth is a relatively new standard of care in Spain, skyrocketing with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Using technology, you can access healthcare services remotely, from the privacy of your home, and consult with healthcare professionals. In many cases, it can take the place of an in-person visit. Telehealth is not universally available in the public, social security sector, save specific home visit options.

What are the advantages of telehealth?

In some cases, like in the event of long commutes to nearby healthcare facilities, frail health or concerns about infection, telehealth is the best option for diagnosis, care and follow-up. In the case of all Caser health insurance options for expat, telehealth is a standard of care that is included with each healthcare plan.

The list of advantages is long:

• It’s simple, fast and convenient; you can skip lines, forget about wait times for specialists and avoid waiting rooms;
• Book and review your telehealth appointment easily online through the Caser Salud App or the Customer Area online, choosing the Centro Médico Caser;
• Choose how you want to be seen: video appointment, online medical chat or simply by sending a selfie;
• Share medical information and documentation quickly and securely with a healthcare professional via the app;
• Receive prescriptions – including referrals for additional medical tests;
• Speak in your language and guarantee you don’t have to use any words or phrases from the list above;
• Have the peace of mind that Caser’s vast network has your health and safety in mind, every step of the way.

If you’d like to avoid speaking in Spanish and use Caser’s telehealth solutions, the first step is to fill out an online quote calculator, indicating any additional family members or pre-existing medical conditions that could alter your quote. After you’ve chosen the plan that best suits your needs, you can begin using its advantages right away – including telehealth!

The Takeaway

Healthcare is a major concern, and it affects everyone. Whether you plan to reside long-term in Spain or even if you’re simply traveling, knowing a few words in the local language can help you receive the best care possible. Bookmark or print this handy list if you’re traveling to Spain (and don’t forget about travel insurance!).