Emergency Room Spain: Complete Guide for Expats 2025

Needing emergency medical care in Spain can be stressful, especially if you're unfamiliar with the Spanish healthcare system. Whether you're facing a sudden illness, injury, or medical emergency, understanding how emergency rooms work in Spain will help you get the care you need quickly and efficiently.

Emergency rooms in Spain operate differently than in many other countries. The good news? Public emergency care is free or low-cost for residents and EU citizens, with private emergency services available for around €100-200 if you need faster service or prefer English-speaking staff. This guide explains everything you need to know: when to call 112, what documents to bring, what to expect during the process, how to navigate language barriers, and practical tips for getting the best care.

When to Call 112 in Spain

112 is Spain's universal emergency number, equivalent to 911 in the United States. It's free to call from any phone, including mobiles without credit, and connects you to emergency services including ambulance, police, and fire services.

Call 112 immediately for:

• Chest pain or suspected heart attack
• Difficulty breathing or severe asthma attack
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• Suspected stroke (facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
• Severe burns or traumatic injuries
• Poisoning or drug overdose
• Choking
• Severe allergic reactions
• Any life-threatening situation

Important: 112 operators in major cities typically speak English. State "English, please" immediately when the call connects. They'll transfer you to an English-speaking operator who can coordinate the appropriate emergency response. Ambulances typically arrive within 10-15 minutes in urban areas, longer in rural locations.

For non-emergency medical situations like minor injuries, mild fever, or non-urgent conditions, visit an emergency room directly or call your GP instead of using 112.

Public vs Private Emergency Rooms

Spain offers two emergency care options, each with distinct advantages.

Public Emergency Rooms (Urgencias Públicas)

Public hospital emergency rooms provide high-quality care at minimal or no cost. Treatment is free for Spanish residents with a health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual), EU citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and those with reciprocal healthcare agreements.

Costs: €0 for residents and EU citizens; non-residents may be charged but often receive treatment first and billing later. Emergency care is prioritized over payment.

Quality: Spanish public healthcare ranks among the world's best. Major hospitals have excellent facilities, experienced doctors, and modern equipment.

Language: English-speaking staff availability varies. Major city hospitals often have some English speakers, but don't count on it. Smaller towns rarely have English-speaking staff.

Wait times: Can be significant for non-urgent cases—anywhere from 1-6 hours depending on triage category.

Private Emergency Rooms

Private hospitals offer emergency services with generally shorter wait times and more English-speaking staff, particularly in expat-heavy areas like Madrid, Barcelona, Costa del Sol, and Valencia.

Costs: €100-200 for emergency room visit, plus additional charges for tests, procedures, or admission. You pay upfront and claim back from insurance if covered.

When to choose private:

• You have private health insurance
• You need English-speaking medical staff
• Your condition is urgent but not life-threatening
• You want minimal wait time
• You're in an expat area with established private facilities

Tip: For life-threatening emergencies, always go to the nearest emergency room regardless of public or private preference. You can transfer later if needed.

Required Documents for Emergency Room

Bring these documents when visiting a Spanish emergency room:

Essential documents:

• Passport or national ID card - Required for registration
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - For EU citizens using public healthcare
• Spanish health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria) - If you're a Spanish resident
• Private health insurance card - If using private emergency services
• NIE certificate - Your foreigner identification number (if applicable)

Helpful to bring:

• Current medications list with dosages
• Recent medical reports or test results
• Doctor's contact information
• Emergency contact details
• Travel insurance documentation

What if you don't have documents?

Emergency rooms in Spain will not refuse life-threatening emergency treatment due to lack of documentation. Patient safety comes first. However, you'll need to provide identification and payment information before discharge. Without proper documentation, you may receive a bill later, which can be expensive without insurance coverage.

If you're a tourist, keep your passport and EHIC (for EU citizens) or travel insurance documents accessible at all times.

The Emergency Room Process: What to Expect

Spanish emergency rooms follow a standardized triage system that prioritizes patients by medical urgency, not arrival order.

Step 1: Registration (Admisión)

Upon arrival, you'll check in at the admissions desk (admisión). Provide your identification and health documentation. Staff will create your medical record and admission bracelet.

Step 2: Triage (Triaje)

A nurse will perform an initial assessment to determine urgency level. They'll check vital signs, ask about symptoms, and assign a priority level (see Wait Times section below). This process typically takes 5-10 minutes.

Step 3: Waiting Room

You'll wait in the general waiting area until called. Comfortable seating is provided, but bring water and snacks for longer waits. Bathrooms are available.

Step 4: Medical Examination

A doctor will examine you in a treatment area or private room. They'll take medical history, perform physical examination, and order necessary tests (blood work, X-rays, CT scans, etc.).

Step 5: Treatment

Based on diagnosis, you'll receive treatment: medications, stitches, casts, IV fluids, or other interventions. Serious cases may require hospital admission.

Step 6: Discharge

You'll receive discharge papers (informe de urgencias), prescriptions if needed, and follow-up instructions. Public hospitals may provide medications directly; private hospitals give prescriptions to fill at pharmacies.

The entire process typically takes 2-8 hours depending on severity and wait times.

Emergency Room Wait Times

Spanish emergency rooms use a five-level triage system that determines wait times:

Level 1 - Resuscitation (Red): Immediate life-threatening conditions requiring instant intervention. Wait time: 0 minutes. Examples: cardiac arrest, severe trauma, stroke symptoms.

Level 2 - Emergency (Orange): Very urgent situations requiring quick attention. Wait time: 15-30 minutes. Examples: severe chest pain, high fever with altered consciousness, major bleeding.

Level 3 - Urgent (Yellow): Urgent but stable conditions. Wait time: 1-2 hours. Examples: moderate injuries, severe pain, high fever, dehydration.

Level 4 - Less Urgent (Green): Non-urgent conditions that need medical attention. Wait time: 2-4 hours. Examples: minor fractures, sprains, mild infections, minor cuts.

Level 5 - Non-Urgent (Blue): Minor conditions that could wait for GP appointment. Wait time: 4-6+ hours. Examples: minor injuries, prescription renewals, chronic condition monitoring.

Factors affecting wait times:

• Time of day (evenings and weekends busier)
• Hospital location (urban hospitals busier)
• Season (summer tourist season increases wait times in coastal areas)
• Day of week (Monday mornings particularly busy)

Tip: If your condition worsens while waiting, inform staff immediately for re-triage.

Language Barriers and Solutions

Language challenges are the most common concern for expats in Spanish emergency rooms. Here's how to navigate communication difficulties:

Translation Services Available

Many major hospitals in Spain now offer translation assistance:

• Telephone interpretation services for multiple languages
• Google Translate tablets at some modern facilities
• Multilingual staff in international departments
• Family members can often translate if present

Request: "¿Hay alguien que hable inglés?" (Is there anyone who speaks English?)

Useful Emergency Phrases

Learn these basic Spanish phrases:

• "Ayuda, por favor" - Help, please
• "Me duele aquí" - It hurts here (point to location)
• "Soy alérgico a..." - I'm allergic to...
• "Tomo estos medicamentos" - I take these medications
• "No entiendo" - I don't understand
• "¿Puede escribirlo?" - Can you write it down?
• "Necesito un traductor" - I need a translator

Practical Solutions

• Write it down: Prepare a written summary in Spanish of your symptoms, medical history, allergies, and current medications before arriving. Google Translate works well for this.
• Bring a Spanish-speaking friend: If possible, bring someone who speaks Spanish to help translate.
• Use translation apps: Download Google Translate offline in case of poor mobile signal in hospitals.
• Medical symbol cards: Point to body parts or symptoms on visual cards (many apps available).
• Insurance assistance: Some private insurance policies offer 24/7 telephone translation support.

Documentation in English

Request "informe en inglés" (report in English) when being discharged. Many hospitals can provide bilingual discharge summaries, especially in areas with large expat populations.

Practical Tips for Spanish Emergency Rooms

Before You Need Emergency Care

• Know the location of your nearest emergency room (public and private)
• Save 112 in your phone contacts
• Keep a Spanish-language medical summary with allergies, conditions, medications, and emergency contacts
• Photograph your important medical documents for easy access
• Register with the public health system if eligible

What to Bring

• Identification and health documentation (see Required Documents)
• Mobile phone charger (waits can be long)
• Water and light snacks
• Current medications in original packaging
• Comfortable clothing and layers (hospital temperatures vary)
• Notepad and pen for communication

During Your Visit

• Be patient with wait times—triage determines priority
• Don't eat or drink unless permitted (in case procedures needed)
• Inform staff if symptoms worsen
• Ask questions—staff are generally helpful despite language barriers
• Take photos of medical reports and prescriptions

Cultural Differences

Spanish emergency rooms may feel different than what you're used to:

• Less privacy in some areas (curtains rather than walls)
• Family members often stay with patients
• Medical staff may be more direct in communication style
• Pain medication prescribed more conservatively than in some countries

After Your Emergency Room Visit

Follow-Up Care

Your discharge papers will include follow-up instructions. You may need to:

• Visit your GP within a specific timeframe
• Schedule specialist appointments
• Return for test results
• Continue prescribed treatments

Prescriptions

Take prescriptions to any pharmacy (farmacia). Pharmacies with green cross signs are everywhere in Spain. Most medications are subsidized for residents but full price for tourists.

Medical Reports

Keep all medical reports (informes) for your records and future medical appointments. These are essential for continuity of care.

Insurance Claims

If using private emergency services, request itemized bills for insurance reimbursement. Submit claims promptly with all documentation.

Find English-Speaking Healthcare in Spain

Navigate Spain's healthcare system with confidence. Browse our directory of English-speaking doctors, private clinics, and health insurance providers across Spain. Get the medical care you need in your language.

Related guides:

• English-Speaking Doctors in Spain by City
• Private Health Insurance Spain: Complete Comparison
• Spanish Healthcare System Guide for Expats