Children's healthcare in Spain

Moving to Spain with children means integrating them into a healthcare system that prioritizes pediatric care. Spanish children receive comprehensive health monitoring from birth through adolescence, with regular check-ups, vaccinations, and access to specialists when needed. Understanding how the system works helps you ensure your children get appropriate care.

This guide covers pediatric care in Spain, from registering your child to managing ongoing health needs, vaccinations, and common childhood illnesses.

Registering children for healthcare

Children’s healthcare access mirrors the adult system. If parents qualify for public healthcare, children are covered as dependents. Register your child at your local centro de salud with their passport, NIE (if they have one), and proof of relationship (birth certificate).

Newborns should be registered within the first few weeks of life. The hospital provides documentation to take to the centro de salud, where staff will enroll the baby and assign a pediatrician. Don’t delay this—early well-child visits begin soon after birth.

For children arriving in Spain from abroad, bring vaccination records and any relevant medical history. These help Spanish providers understand what care your child has received and what’s needed going forward.

Private health insurance for children typically costs €30-60 monthly depending on coverage level and the insurer. Family policies often offer discounts for multiple children. If you’re using private care, register with your chosen pediatric clinic and confirm what’s covered.

The pediatric care system

Spanish pediatric care (pediatría) provides dedicated doctors for children from birth through age 14-15, when patients transition to adult primary care. This differs from systems where family doctors see all ages.

In the public system, each centro de salud has assigned pediatricians (pediatras) who see children from the catchment area. Your child will typically see the same pediatrician for most visits, building continuity of care. Nurses (enfermeras pediátricas) handle vaccinations, growth monitoring, and routine procedures.

Appointments work similarly to adult care. Schedule routine visits by calling the centro de salud or using the regional health app. Same-day urgent appointments are available for acute illness—call early in the morning to request one. After-hours care goes through urgent care centers or hospital emergency departments.

Private pediatric care offers choice of doctor, typically shorter waits, and often English-speaking providers. Private pediatricians may work in their own clinics, within multi-specialty medical centers, or at private hospitals. Building a relationship with one provider simplifies care coordination.

Well-child visits

Spain’s Programa de Salud Infantil schedules regular check-ups throughout childhood. These visits monitor growth and development, administer vaccinations, and catch potential problems early. The schedule varies slightly by region but follows a general pattern.

Age	Focus
First week	Initial newborn assessment
1 month	Growth, feeding, early development
2 months	Physical exam, first vaccinations
4 months	Development check, vaccinations
6 months	Growth, feeding transition, vaccinations
12 months	Development milestones, vaccinations
15 months	Walking, language assessment
18 months	Development, vaccinations
2 years	Language, behavior, growth
3-4 years	Pre-school assessment, vaccinations
6 years	School-age check, vaccinations
11-12 years	Pre-adolescent check, vaccinations
14 years	Adolescent health, final childhood vaccinations

Visits include measuring height, weight, and head circumference (for babies), physical examination, developmental screening appropriate to age, discussion of feeding, sleep, and behavior, and vaccinations according to the schedule.

Attending these scheduled visits matters. They catch developmental delays, vision and hearing problems, and growth issues when early intervention helps most. Schools may request documentation of completed health checks.

Vaccination schedule

Spain maintains a comprehensive childhood vaccination program, with slight variations between autonomous communities. Vaccines are free through the public system and administered at scheduled well-child visits.

The standard Spanish vaccination schedule includes:

Age	Vaccines
2 months	Hexavalent (DTPa-IPV-Hib-HepB), Pneumococcal, Rotavirus
4 months	Hexavalent, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Meningococcal B
6 months	Hexavalent, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal B
11 months	Hexavalent, Pneumococcal
12 months	MMR, Meningococcal ACWY, Meningococcal B
15 months	Varicella (chickenpox)
3-4 years	MMR, Varicella
6 years	DTPa-IPV booster
12 years	Meningococcal ACWY, HPV (boys and girls), Varicella (if not immune)
14 years	Tdap booster

If your child arrives in Spain with a different vaccination history, bring their records. The pediatrician will compare what they’ve received against the Spanish schedule and create a catch-up plan if needed. Most vaccines are similar internationally, but timing and specific products may differ.

Some vaccines not in the standard funded schedule are recommended and available privately. Parents pay for these at pharmacies, then bring them to the health center for administration. Ask your pediatrician about any additional vaccines recommended for your child’s situation.

Vaccine records are documented in the Cartilla de Vacunación, a paper booklet you keep and bring to appointments. Digital records also exist in regional health systems. Keep the paper record safe—schools and camps often request proof of vaccination.

Common childhood illnesses

Spanish children get the same illnesses as children anywhere—respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, ear infections, and childhood fevers. Understanding how to manage these and when to seek care helps you respond appropriately.

For minor illnesses, Spanish pharmacists provide valuable first-line advice. Describe symptoms, and they’ll recommend appropriate over-the-counter treatments. Children’s formulations of common medications (paracetamol, ibuprofen) are readily available without prescription.

When to contact your pediatrician: fever over 38°C in babies under 3 months, persistent fever over 39°C in older children, symptoms lasting more than a few days without improvement, signs of dehydration (no wet diapers, no tears, dry mouth), difficulty breathing, unusual rash, or any symptom that concerns you.

When to go to emergency (urgencias): high fever with stiff neck or light sensitivity, severe difficulty breathing, signs of severe dehydration, loss of consciousness, severe allergic reaction, significant injury, or any life-threatening situation.

Antibiotic prescribing in Spain follows guidelines to prevent resistance. Doctors won’t prescribe antibiotics for viral infections. Trust your pediatrician’s judgment—most childhood illnesses are viral and resolve without antibiotics.

Pediatric specialists

Some children need care beyond what general pediatricians provide. Spain has pediatric specialists in every field, accessible through referral.

In the public system, your pediatrician refers to specialists at the hospital serving your area. Wait times for non-urgent specialist appointments can be several weeks to months depending on specialty and region. Urgent cases are prioritized.

Common pediatric specialties include dermatology for skin conditions, allergology for allergies and asthma, neurology for developmental or neurological concerns, cardiology for heart issues, endocrinology for growth or hormonal concerns, and psychiatry for mental health needs.

Private specialists offer faster access. If your child needs timely specialist care and wait times are long in the public system, private consultation may be worth the cost. Many families use private specialists for specific issues while maintaining public care for routine needs.

For children with complex or chronic conditions, coordinated care matters. Identify a primary provider—whether your public pediatrician or a private doctor—who maintains the overall picture of your child’s health and coordinates between specialists.

School health requirements

Spanish schools require certain documentation and may provide some health services.

Enrollment typically requires proof of vaccinations. Schools want to see the Cartilla de Vacunación or equivalent documentation showing your child is up to date. Some schools accept children who are catching up on vaccines; others are stricter.

Medical certificates may be needed for specific activities—swimming, sports participation, or school trips. Your pediatrician provides these, confirming the child is healthy enough to participate.

School nurses exist in some schools, particularly international and private schools. They handle minor issues during the school day and contact parents for anything significant. Public schools may have health services visit periodically for screenings.

If your child has allergies, chronic conditions, or needs medication during school hours, communicate with the school early. Provide necessary documentation, emergency action plans, and ensure staff know how to respond to potential issues.

Managing allergies and chronic conditions

Children with allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions need ongoing management that transitions smoothly to Spain.

Bring detailed records from your home country documenting the diagnosis, treatment history, current medications, and any emergency protocols. Have this translated into Spanish if possible.

Establish care promptly with appropriate specialists. Don’t wait for an emergency to figure out where to get care. If your child has severe allergies, ensure epinephrine auto-injectors are available and everyone who cares for your child knows how to use them.

School communication is essential. Meet with school staff to explain your child’s condition, provide emergency contact information, and ensure medications are accessible if needed during school hours.

Medication availability in Spain is generally good, but brand names may differ. Work with your Spanish doctor to identify equivalent medications. For specialized medications, confirm availability and establish a reliable supply.

Mental health for children

Children’s mental health deserves attention, especially during the adjustment to a new country. Moving internationally stresses children even when they seem to adapt well.

Signs a child might be struggling include changes in behavior, sleep problems, regression to younger behaviors, withdrawal from activities they enjoyed, school difficulties, and physical complaints without medical cause.

Public mental health services for children exist but often have limited capacity and long waits. Child psychologists and psychiatrists work within the public system, accessible through referral from your pediatrician.

Private child psychologists offer faster access and often work in English. Finding someone who understands the expat experience can be particularly valuable—they’ll recognize adjustment challenges specific to international moves.

School counselors (orientadores) at Spanish schools can provide some support and refer to outside services when needed. International schools often have more robust counseling services.

Practical tips for expat families

Learn key Spanish vocabulary for children’s health. Terms like fiebre (fever), tos (cough), dolor de oído (earache), erupción (rash), and vómitos (vomiting) help communicate symptoms. Pediatric staff often know some English, but Spanish speeds communication.

Keep medical records organized and accessible. Create a summary of each child’s medical history, allergies, medications, and vaccination status. Have this available in Spanish for appointments and emergencies.

Build relationships with providers. Consistent care from the same pediatrician helps—they learn your child’s baseline and notice changes over time. Whether using public or private care, try to see the same provider when possible.

Connect with other expat parents. They share recommendations for English-speaking pediatricians, insights about navigating the system, and support during the challenges of parenting abroad.

Understand your insurance coverage thoroughly. Know what’s covered, what requires authorization, and how to access care after hours. Having this clear before an illness strikes reduces stress when you need care quickly.

Summary

Children’s healthcare in Spain provides comprehensive coverage from birth through adolescence. Regular well-child visits, complete vaccination programs, and access to specialists when needed ensure children receive appropriate care.

Register your children with the healthcare system promptly, attend scheduled check-ups, keep vaccination records current, and establish relationships with pediatric providers. With good preventive care and knowing how to access treatment when illness strikes, your children will thrive in Spain’s healthcare system.