Spain's Healthcare System

Public System (Sistema Nacional de Salud)

• Tax-funded, universal coverage for citizens/legal residents.
• Managed by Ministry of Health.
• Primary Care: Health centers (GPs, nurses).
• Specialized Care: Hospitals for complex procedures.
• Access via Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) for free/subsidized services.

Private Sector

• Complementary: private hospitals, clinics, specialists.
• Private insurance (premiums vary widely) or self-pay.
• Shorter waits for elective care.

Quality & Challenges

High-quality overall (top global rankings), but waits for some specialties can be long.