It might not be the first thing you think of when coming to Barcelona, but it is good to have an idea where to find the main public hospitals in Barcelona and to know which services they offer should you ever need to visit.
You may, of course, prefer to take out private health insurance; but if you do find yourself reliant on the public healthcare system during your stay in Barcelona, you can rest assured that the Spanish system is one of the best in Europe, and Barcelona is no exception to this rule. Here is ShBarcelona’s guide to Barcelona’s main public hospitals.
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Hospitals and healthcare in Barcelona
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In a non-emergency situation, if you need healthcare and you don’t have a T.S.I. (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual), it is best to head to the nearest CatSalut health centre (CAP) or CUAP (for out-of-hours care). Take any health insurance documents you have (in Europe, an EHIC is sufficient) as well as proof of I.D. (passport and DNI/NIE if you have it).
The public healthcare system in Barcelona is excellent, and you should be seen by a doctor on the same day. If you have a medical emergency, but are still able to make your own way to hospital, head for the nearest Urgències (A&E) department. The CatSalut medical emergency number is 06. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency requiring an ambulance, call 112 and ask for una ambulancia.
There are no guarantees you will be seen by an English-speaking doctor or that the staff can speak English, so it is worth learning some key phrases relating to healthcare.
If you need to see a specialist, you must either hold private medical insurance or a TSI to access the public healthcare system. The medical care in the public health system as Spain is ranked one of the best in Europe.
Related article: English-speaking doctors in Barcelona
Barcelona’s main hospitals
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Not to be confused with the nearby Modernist building, which was once the main hospital in this area, Sant Pau is the main hospital serving the Dreta de L’Eixample. Affiliated to the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, this is a vast and specially-designed building that offers a full range of medical services.
There is a metro stop right outside the hospital: Guinardó/Hospital Sant Pau on L4. Sant Pau/Dos de Maig on L5 is around a 10-minute walk from the hospital.
Address (Main entrance): Carrer de Sant Quintí, 89.
Hospital Clinic
Photo by Salvador Altimir via Visualhunt
Founded in 1906 and fully renovated in 2006, Hospital Clínic is the main hospital serving L’Esquerra de l’Eixample. It is a university hospital with an emergency department, as well as a full range of clinical services. It has its own metro stop, Hospital Clinic on L5, located right outside the main building.
Address: Carrer de Villarroel, 170.
Related article: Healthcare and medical treatment in Barcelona
Hospital del Mar
Photo by Joanbrebo via Visualhunt
This hospital on the Passeig Maritim in Barceloneta was founded in 1905, following epidemics of cholera and yellow fever at the end of the 19th century. For this reason, it went on to specialize in the treatment of infectious diseases.
It was used as the main healthcare center for athletes and delegates of the 1992 Olympics and it was renovated in 2008. The buses D20, 49 and 55 stop right outside. The hospital can also be easily reached metro or tram, from the Ciutadella/Villa Olympica station.
Address: Passeig Marítim, 25-29.
Hospital Vall d’Hebron
In the north of Barcelona, on the lower slopes of the Collserola mountain range, you will find Hospital Val d’Hebron which was opened in 1955. This is a massive university hospital covering all medical and surgical areas of expertise. It also has a renowned maternity unit. It is very easy to reach from the northern part of town as several bus services stop outside the hospital, as do metro services L3 and L5 – Vall d’Hebron.
Address: Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 119-129.
Now that you have the practical healthcare information you need at your fingertips, relax and enjoy Barcelona by staying at one of ShBarcelona gorgeous apartments.
Hi there, are any of these hospitals willing to take English speakers with an EHIC Card, I need a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible i have been a student studying here for afew months and I can’t afford the private ones. Please help of you can. Thank you