Why We Like Healthcare In Spain

In this episode of Ah... Spain!, we chat about the joys and quirks of Spanish healthcare — from the mysterious SIP card to why so many expats end up juggling both the public and private systems. We compare our experiences with US insurance to Spain’s surprisingly affordable coverage, explain why “just go to urgencias” is often the go-to advice, and share tips on navigating GPs, specialists, and that DIY approach to preventive care. Along the way, we cover pharmacies (where meds are so cheap it feels like a scam), the oddities of dental and vision care, vaccines, mental health access, and the cultural differences that mean you’ll probably need Google Translate and a little patience. If you’re an expat wondering how healthcare here actually works, consider this your reassuring — and humorous — guide to why Spain’s system really isn’t so scary after all.