Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Granada, Spain

"Granada offers a wide range of healthcare services to its citizens. The public healthcare system is provided by the Spanish National Health System (SNS), which is funded by the government and provides free healthcare to all citizens. The SNS operates a network of public hospitals and clinics throughout the city, offering a range of services including general medicine, emergency care, and specialist care. Additionally, there are a number of private healthcare providers in Granada, offering a range of services including general medicine, specialist care, and cosmetic surgery. Private healthcare providers often offer more personalized care and shorter waiting times than the public system. Granada also has a number of pharmacies, providing prescription and over-the-counter medications," commented one expat who moved to Granada.

"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," said one expat.

"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," said an expat in Granada.

"Healthcare in Granada is generally considered to be of a high quality and is available to all citizens and residents. However, it is not free and can be quite expensive for those who do not have health insurance. Health insurance in Granada is also quite expensive, and it is important to shop around for the best deal. Many employers offer health insurance plans to their employees, which can help to reduce the cost," commented one expat living in Granada, Spain.

"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," wrote one expat.

"Emergency services in Granada are provided by the Spanish National Health System. In the event of an emergency, you can call 112 to request an ambulance. The emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ambulance will be dispatched to the location of the emergency and will provide medical assistance. In addition to the ambulance service, the emergency services also provide fire and police services," said an expat in Granada.

"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," commented one expat living in Granada, Spain.

"I would not return to my home country (US) for medical care. I would stay in Spain to receive the care, it’s excellent in Spain," wrote an expat living in Granada.

"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," said an expat in Granada.

"Prescription is inexpensive and available at the local pharmacy. There are many pharmacies at every corner of the town," wrote an expat living 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 an 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," wrote one expat.

"No, not yet. We just moved to Granada eight months ago. My understanding is that after a year, we can join the public health system. Expats in my area are typically enrolled in private health insurance. We have Sanitas private health insurance and we are happy with them, It’s not difficult to enroll, We paid about €188 per month for two people with a full coverage with no copay and no deductible. There are public hospitals in our area but we have never used them because we are not yet eligible to join until after living in Spain for a year.. We used the private hospital Vithas and are very happy with them," said one expat living in Granada.

"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," mentioned one expat in Granada.

"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," said an expat in Granada.