If you’re moving to Spain with children or planning a long-term stay, understanding how pediatric healthcare works is one of the most important parts of settling in. From choosing the right pediatrician to following the local vaccination schedule and knowing where to go in an emergency — navigating the Spanish healthcare system can feel overwhelming at first.
Spain has one of the strongest public healthcare systems in Europe, and children under 18 are entitled to a wide range of state-funded medical services. At the same time, many expat families choose to supplement care with private pediatricians, especially when looking for faster access, multilingual support, or flexible appointment options.
This guide explains how to access healthcare for children in Spain, how to register with a pediatrician, what’s covered by public insurance, and when private care might be the better choice for your family.
Accessing children’s healthcare in Spain
Public healthcare for children
Spain’s public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud, SNS) provides free or low-cost medical care for children under 18. Services include routine checkups, vaccinations, pediatric consultations, emergency care, and specialist referrals. Public care is funded through taxes and is available to families who are residents and legally registered in the system.
To access public healthcare, parents need to:
- Register with their local health center (centro de salud)
- Provide proof of address, NIE (foreigner identification number), and social security registration
- Obtain a health card (tarjeta sanitaria) for their child
Once registered, your child will be assigned a pediatrician (pediatra) through the local public system.
Private healthcare for children
While public pediatric care is generally reliable, waiting times can be long, especially in busy cities. Many expat families choose private pediatricians for quicker access, more flexibility, and care in their native language.
Private health insurance in Spain often covers pediatric services, including consultations, diagnostics, and some specialist treatments. You can also pay out of pocket per visit — average prices range from €50 to €100 depending on the region.
If you prefer private pediatric care in your language or need faster access, you can use a healthcare marketplace like Oladoctor to book online consultations with certified pediatricians in Spain — available in English, French, Portuguese, German, Russian, Hebrew and other languages.
Pediatric services in Spain
Role of pediatricians (pediatras)
In Spain, children under 14 are generally assigned a pediatrician (pediatra) through the public healthcare system. Pediatricians are responsible for regular checkups, tracking growth and development, issuing medical certificates, prescribing medications, and referring to specialists when needed. After age 14, teens typically transition to a general practitioner (GP).
Public pediatricians work within local health centers (centros de salud) and are assigned based on your residential address. Appointments are free, but availability may vary depending on the region.
How to find and register with a pediatrician
If you’re using the public system, your child will be automatically assigned a pediatrician upon registration. You can usually request a change if needed, though options may be limited.
In the private sector, you’re free to choose your pediatrician, book same-day appointments, and communicate in your preferred language.
For expat families and residents looking for pediatricians who speak their language or offer same-day online appointments, Oladoctor connects you with trusted child health specialists across Spain.
Routine health checkups for children in Spain
Regular health checkups are an important part of pediatric care in Spain. These visits help track your child’s growth, development, and overall health, and allow early detection of potential issues. Whether through the public or private system, routine pediatric visits are strongly encouraged from birth through adolescence.
Public system checkups
In the public healthcare system, children are scheduled for regular pediatric visits at set ages — typically during infancy, at 12 and 24 months, and again at 4, 6, 10, and 13 years. These appointments usually include:
- Physical and developmental assessments
- Growth and weight tracking
- Nutritional guidance
- Vision and hearing checks
- Vaccination updates
Checkups are conducted at your local centro de salud by your assigned pediatra, and are free of charge for registered families.
Private checkups
In the private sector, checkups can be scheduled more flexibly and as often as needed. Private pediatricians may offer more time per consultation, personalized advice, and multilingual communication — especially valuable for expat parents.
Vaccination programs for children in Spain
Spain has a well-structured national childhood vaccination program, which is managed at the regional level but follows consistent guidelines across the country. All recommended vaccines are free of charge through the public healthcare system for children who are registered with a tarjeta sanitaria.
Spanish vaccination schedule
The vaccination schedule in Spain typically includes immunizations against:
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)
- Poliomyelitis
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Pneumococcal infections
- Meningococcal disease
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- HPV (for preteens and teens)
Vaccines are administered during routine pediatric checkups at public health centers and are recorded in the child’s medical file.
For expat families
If your child was vaccinated in another country, bring a copy of their immunization record when registering in Spain. Your pediatrician will review the schedule and advise on any missing or region-specific doses.
Private pediatricians also follow the national schedule and can offer additional vaccines not included in the public system, such as travel-related immunizations.
Specialist care and children’s hospitals in Spain
While general pediatricians handle most routine health needs, some children may require specialist care — such as pediatric dermatology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, or mental health support. In Spain, access to specialists depends on whether you use the public or private healthcare system.
Accessing pediatric specialists through the public system
In the public system, a referral from your assigned pediatrician (pediatra) is required to see a specialist. Referrals are processed within your local public health network, and appointments may be scheduled weeks or even months in advance, depending on availability.
Specialist care for children is free under the public system, but language support is often limited to Spanish.
Private pediatric specialists
Private healthcare offers faster access to child specialists and the freedom to choose providers — including those who speak English and other languages. Private hospitals and clinics in larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga often have excellent pediatric departments.
If you’re looking for a pediatric specialist who speaks your language and can see your child quickly, Oladoctor helps connect you with trusted professionals online — no referral required.
Dental care for children in Spain
In Spain, dental care for children is not fully included in the public healthcare system. While some regions offer limited services through the public network, most families rely on private pediatric dentists for routine and preventive dental care.
Public dental coverage for children
In certain autonomous communities (like Madrid or Catalonia), children between the ages of 6 and 16 may be eligible for basic dental services, such as annual checkups, sealants, and cavity treatment. These services are typically provided through public dental units or partnered private clinics. However, availability depends on regional policy, and appointments may be limited.
Private dental care
Most expat families prefer private pediatric dental clinics, which offer:
- Shorter wait times
- English-speaking dentists
- Preventive and cosmetic services
- More flexible scheduling
Private dental insurance is optional, but common. Many family health insurance plans in Spain offer dental coverage as an add-on or package option.
Mental health services for children in Spain
Mental health awareness is growing in Spain, and more families are seeking professional support for issues like anxiety, behavioral concerns, ADHD, learning difficulties, or emotional stress related to relocation and adaptation.
Public mental health services for children
Spain’s public healthcare system provides access to child psychologists and psychiatrists, but only with a referral from your assigned pediatrician. These services are free but often involve:
- Long waiting times
- Limited availability, especially outside major cities
- Consultations primarily in Spanish
Because of this, many expat families seek support outside the public system.
Private child psychologists and therapists
Private mental health care offers:
- Faster access
- Multilingual professionals (English, Portuguese, French, etc.)
- Online consultations from home
- Specialized therapy for expat children
On Oladoctor, you can book an online session with a certified child psychologist who speaks your language — without referrals or long waitlists.
Emergency medical services for children in Spain
Medical emergencies involving children can be frightening — especially when you’re in a new country. Fortunately, Spain has a reliable emergency care system accessible to both residents and visitors.
What to do in an emergency
For life-threatening situations (difficulty breathing, seizures, high fever, serious injury), call 112 — the national emergency number, free and available 24/7. Dispatchers typically speak Spanish and English, especially in urban areas.
Children will be taken to the nearest hospital emergency department (urgencias). Public hospitals provide emergency treatment free of charge if the child is registered in the healthcare system. Tourists or uninsured families may be required to pay upfront or present travel insurance.
Non-life-threatening cases
If your child has symptoms like mild fever, rash, or stomach pain, and it’s not urgent, you can:
- Visit a primary care center (centro de salud) during daytime hours
- Go to a walk-in urgent care center (centro de urgencias) after hours
- Use private urgent care services for faster access and multilingual support
Preventative healthcare and useful resources for expat families
Spain places a strong emphasis on preventative healthcare for children, especially through the public system. Regular checkups, developmental screenings, vaccinations, and health education programs are available throughout childhood.
Government programs
Autonomous regions may offer additional child health initiatives, including:
- School-based health checks
- Dental hygiene campaigns
- Nutrition and physical activity programs
Ask your pediatrician (pediatra) or local centro de salud about regional programs available to your child.
Online resources and support
Navigating healthcare in a new country can feel overwhelming — but there are tools to make it easier. For expat families who want quick, trusted medical advice in their own language, platforms like Oladoctor provide:
- Access to pediatricians, therapists, and family doctors
- Same-day online consultations
- Support in English, German, French, Italian, Hebrew, Russian, and more
Whether you’re scheduling your child’s first checkup or dealing with a health concern, reliable help is just a few clicks away.
