Practical Living — Spain
Year-round life in Andalusia, Catalonia, Galicia — climate, infrastructure, and healthcare for foreign owners.
Updated February 2026
Spain
For EU citizens becoming Spanish residents (>183 days/year)
EU/EEA citizens who register as residents gain access to the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) — Spain's universal health service. Registration requires empadronamiento (town hall registration) and a TIE (foreigner identity card).
For UK nationals post-Brexit
UK nationals can register for state healthcare if they become legal residents and contribute to social security. Non-resident UK visitors rely on the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for emergency treatment.
For non-resident second-home owners
Travel or international health insurance is recommended for visits. EHIC/GHIC covers EU and UK citizens for emergency treatment.
Private health insurance
Spain has an excellent private health sector. Private health insurance (seguro de salud) for an individual aged 40–60 typically costs €80–€200/month with leading providers (Sanitas, Adeslas, Mapfre). This is significantly cheaper than equivalent cover in the UK or Scandinavia and provides access to private hospitals, specialists without referrals, and English-speaking doctors in major cities and coastal areas.
Regional healthcare quality
The SNS quality varies by autonomous community. Catalonia, Basque Country, and Madrid have excellent public hospitals. Rural areas in Extremadura or Castilla-La Mancha may have longer distances to specialist services. Coastal areas with large foreign populations (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca) have well-developed private healthcare infrastructure.
Based on Ministerio de Sanidad, INSS
Last reviewed: Feb 2026