Healthcare in Mallorca for British Expats: The Complete Guide 2026

Access to quality healthcare is one of the most important practical considerations when buying property in Mallorca — and one that has become significantly more complex for British nationals since Brexit. This guide explains how the Spanish healthcare system works, what has changed for UK citizens, how to register with a doctor, what private insurance costs, and where to find the best medical care on the island.

Spain’s Healthcare System: A Quick Overview

Spain’s public healthcare system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is consistently ranked among the best in Europe. The World Health Organisation has placed it in the top 10 globally. Healthcare in the Balearic Islands is managed by the regional health service, IB-Salut (Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears), which operates all public hospitals, health centres, and emergency services on Mallorca.

The system is funded through social security contributions and general taxation. For those who are eligible, public healthcare is free at the point of use, including GP consultations, specialist appointments, hospital treatment, surgery, and most prescription medications (with a small co-payment for prescriptions).

The quality of care is genuinely excellent. Mallorca has modern hospitals, well-trained doctors (many of whom speak English), advanced diagnostic equipment, and short waiting times for most procedures compared to the NHS. The island also benefits from significant private healthcare infrastructure, giving residents a choice between public and private systems.

Post-Brexit: What Changed for British Nationals

Before Brexit, British nationals could access Spanish public healthcare relatively easily through EU freedom of movement rules. Since the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the situation has become more complex. Here is how it works now:

If You Were Already Registered Before 31 December 2020

British nationals who were legal residents in Spain before the end of the transition period and registered under the Withdrawal Agreement retain their healthcare rights. If you held a tarjeta sanitaria (health card) before this date, you continue to have access to the public healthcare system on the same terms as before. Your rights are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU.

If You Moved to Spain After 1 January 2021

New arrivals from the UK are treated as third-country nationals (non-EU citizens). Your access to public healthcare depends on your residency and employment status:

• If you are employed or self-employed in Spain: You and your dependants are covered by the public system through your social security contributions, just like any Spanish worker.
• If you are a pensioner receiving a UK State Pension: You may be able to access the Spanish public system through the S1 form (see below).
• If you have a non-lucrative visa (financially independent, not working): You are required to have private health insurance as a condition of your visa. You are not automatically entitled to public healthcare.
• If you are a tourist or short-stay visitor (under 90 days): You can use your UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for necessary medical treatment during your stay.

The S1 Form: Healthcare for UK Pensioners in Spain

The S1 form is a crucial document for British pensioners who move to Mallorca. It allows the UK to continue paying for your healthcare in Spain through the public system. Here is how it works:

• Who qualifies: Anyone receiving a UK State Pension and who is legally resident in Spain. You must be registered as a resident (empadronamiento and residencia).
• How to apply: Contact the NHS Business Services Authority’s Overseas Healthcare Services team. You can apply online or by post. Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks.
• What it covers: Full access to the Spanish public healthcare system on the same terms as a Spanish citizen. This includes GP visits, hospital treatment, specialist care, and prescriptions (with the standard Spanish co-payment).
• Registration: Once you receive your S1 form, take it to your local centro de salud (health centre) in Mallorca along with your passport, NIE, and certificado de empadronamiento (proof of registration on the padrón). They will issue you a Spanish health card (tarjeta sanitaria individual, TSI).
• GHIC entitlement: S1 holders are also entitled to a GHIC, which allows them to access necessary healthcare when travelling to other EU countries.

Important: The S1 form only covers you while you are resident in Spain. If you return to the UK permanently, you will need to re-register with the NHS. There is typically a waiting period before you regain full NHS entitlement, so plan ahead if you are considering moving back.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

The GHIC replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for British nationals after Brexit. It provides access to necessary medical treatment during temporary stays in EU countries, including Spain. Key points:

• Coverage: State-provided medical treatment that is necessary during your stay. This includes treatment for pre-existing conditions and routine maternity care, but it is not designed to cover everything — it covers what a Spanish citizen would receive in the same circumstances.
• Limitations: The GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not cover private healthcare, repatriation, lost luggage, or cancellation. It does not cover treatment that could wait until you return to the UK. Emergency treatment is covered, but elective or non-urgent care is not.
• How to get one: Apply free of charge through the NHS website. It is valid for up to five years.
• Practical use in Mallorca: Present your GHIC at any public hospital or health centre. Private clinics do not accept the GHIC. In an emergency, go directly to the urgencias (A&E) department of any public hospital.

Critical warning: Some British property owners assume they can rely on the GHIC for healthcare during extended stays in Mallorca. This is a mistake. The GHIC is designed for temporary visits, not for people who are effectively living in Spain for months at a time without formal residency. If you spend significant time in Mallorca, you should either become a resident (and access the public system through an S1 or social security) or take out private health insurance.

Private Health Insurance: Costs and Options

Private health insurance is essential for many British buyers in Mallorca. It is a legal requirement for non-lucrative visa holders, and it is the most practical option for non-resident property owners who visit regularly but do not qualify for the public system. Here is what to expect:

Typical Costs (2026)

Age Group	Monthly Premium (approx.)
Under 30	€45 – €80
30–45	€60 – €110
45–60	€90 – €160
60–70	€130 – €200
Over 70	€180 – €350+

Premiums vary significantly based on age, pre-existing conditions, the level of cover, and the insurer. Policies with co-payments (where you pay a small fee per visit, typically €5–€15) have lower premiums than those with no co-payments.

Major Private Health Insurers in Spain

• Sanitas: Part of the Bupa group, making it familiar to British expats. Excellent network of doctors and hospitals across Mallorca. English-speaking customer service. Plans from approximately €60/month for younger adults.
• Adeslas (SegurCaixa Adeslas): Spain’s largest private health insurer. Very extensive network of clinics, hospitals, and specialists. Competitive premiums. Less English-language support than Sanitas, but improving.
• DKV: Popular in the Balearic Islands with a strong local network. Good range of plans and reasonable premiums.
• Asisa: A cooperative insurer with competitive pricing and good coverage. Particularly strong in the Balearics.
• Cigna: International insurer with plans tailored to expats. Higher premiums but broader international coverage, useful if you split time between countries.
• AXA: International option with comprehensive plans and good English-language support.

What to Look For in a Policy

• Hospital cover: Ensure the policy covers inpatient treatment, surgery, and intensive care without caps or with high caps.
• Pre-existing conditions: Most Spanish insurers impose a carencia (waiting period) of 3–12 months for pre-existing conditions. Declare everything honestly — failure to disclose can void your policy.
• Repatriation: Standard Spanish policies do not cover repatriation to the UK. You will need an international policy (Cigna, AXA) or separate travel insurance for this.
• For visa purposes: The policy must meet Spanish requirements: no co-payments, full coverage, and issued by a company authorised in Spain. Not all policies qualify — check with your immigration lawyer.

Public Hospitals in Mallorca

Mallorca has several public hospitals providing a full range of medical services:

Hospital Universitario Son Espases

The island’s main public hospital, located on the outskirts of Palma. Son Espases is a large, modern tertiary hospital that opened in 2010 and provides the full range of specialist services, including oncology, cardiology, neurosurgery, and transplant surgery. It is the referral hospital for complex cases across all the Balearic Islands. The A&E department operates 24/7.

Hospital Universitario Son Llàtzer

Also in Palma, Son Llàtzer is a general hospital providing a wide range of services. It serves a large catchment area and has a busy emergency department. The hospital has been expanded and modernised in recent years.

Hospital Comarcal d’Inca

Located in Inca in the centre of the island, this hospital serves the central and northern municipalities. It provides general medicine, surgery, maternity, and emergency services. For highly specialised treatment, patients are referred to Son Espases in Palma.

Hospital de Manacor

Serving the eastern part of Mallorca, Hospital de Manacor provides general and emergency services. Like Inca, it refers complex cases to Palma.

Private Hospitals and Clinics

Mallorca has an extensive private healthcare sector, with clinics and hospitals across the island:

Clínica Rotger (Palma)

One of Palma’s most respected private hospitals, Clínica Rotger is part of the Quironsalud group. It offers a full range of specialist services, including cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology, and internal medicine. Many doctors speak English, and the hospital has a strong reputation among the expat community. Modern facilities, private rooms, and short waiting times.

Hospital Quirónsalud Palmaplanas (Palma)

Another major private hospital in Palma, Quirónsalud Palmaplanas provides comprehensive medical and surgical services. Part of Spain’s largest private hospital group, it benefits from the group’s resources, specialist networks, and quality standards. Particularly strong in orthopaedics, cardiology, and diagnostic imaging.

Clínica Juaneda (Palma and Muro)

The Juaneda group operates several facilities across Mallorca. Clínica Juaneda in Palma is a full-service private hospital, while Clínica Juaneda Muro serves the north of the island. The group also runs specialist centres and polyclinics in various locations. Competitive pricing and a wide network of associated specialists.

Typical private consultation costs (without insurance):

• GP consultation: €50 – €80
• Specialist consultation: €80 – €150
• Blood tests (standard panel): €50 – €120
• MRI scan: €200 – €500
• Dental check-up and cleaning: €60 – €100

Registering at a Health Centre (Centro de Salud)

If you are entitled to public healthcare (through employment, an S1 form, or the convenio especial), you will need to register at your local health centre to receive your tarjeta sanitaria (health card) and be assigned a GP. Here is the process:

1. Register on the padrón at your local town hall (ayuntamiento). The padrón is the municipal register of residents. You need your passport, NIE, and proof of address (rental contract or property deed). This determines which health centre you are assigned to.
2. Go to your local health centre with your passport, NIE, certificado de empadronamiento (from the padrón), S1 form (if applicable), and social security number (if you are working). The administrative staff will process your registration.
3. Receive your health card (tarjeta sanitaria individual, TSI). This may be issued immediately as a temporary card, with a permanent card sent by post within 2–4 weeks.
4. Book your first appointment. You can now book GP appointments through the IB-Salut app, by phone (call 902 079 079 or 971 437 079), or in person at the health centre reception.

Language: Be prepared for the fact that administrative staff at health centres may not speak English. GP consultations in Palma and the main tourist areas often include English-speaking doctors, but this is not guaranteed. In smaller towns and rural areas, bring a Spanish-speaking friend or use a translation app. Private clinics and hospitals generally have better English-language provision.

The Convenio Especial: Buying Into the Public System

If you are a legal resident in Spain but do not qualify for public healthcare through employment, an S1, or other routes, you may be able to join the public system through the convenio especial (special agreement). This allows you to “buy in” for a monthly fee: approximately €60/month for those under 65, and approximately €157/month for those 65 and over. You must have been registered on the padrón for at least one year. Coverage is the same as standard public healthcare, though some expensive treatments are excluded during the first two years. For non-lucrative visa holders, private insurance is still required for visa renewals, even if you also hold a convenio especial.

Pharmacies in Mallorca

Spanish pharmacies (farmacias) are an excellent first point of contact for minor health issues. Pharmacists are highly trained and can dispense many medications without a prescription that would require one in the UK. Opening hours are typically Monday to Friday, 9:30–13:30 and 17:00–20:30, with a farmacia de guardia (duty pharmacy) open 24 hours on a rotating basis. If you are registered in the public system, prescription co-payments are 10–60% of the cost (with caps for pensioners), and many common medications cost €2–€10.

Emergency Services

In a medical emergency, call 112 (pan-European, multilingual operators) or 061 (Balearic medical emergency line, usually with English-speaking staff). Every public hospital has a 24-hour urgencias (A&E) department, and treatment is never refused regardless of insurance status. For non-life-threatening urgent care outside normal hours, PAC (Punto de Atención Continuada) clinics across the island offer walk-in service for fevers, sprains, and minor injuries.

Mental Health and Dental Care

Mental health services are available through both public and private systems, though public waiting times can be long (4–8 weeks). Private psychologists in Palma (many English-speaking) charge €60–€100 per session.

Dental care is largely private in Spain. Public healthcare covers only basic dental services (extractions, children’s emergency treatment). However, dental care in Mallorca is typically 30–50% cheaper than in the UK: check-ups €60–€100, fillings €50–€90, crowns €300–€600, implants €800–€1,500 (vs £2,000–£3,000 in the UK).

Healthcare and Your Property Purchase

When choosing where to buy property in Mallorca, consider proximity to healthcare facilities:

• Palma: The widest choice of both public and private hospitals and clinics. All major private hospitals are in Palma. Ideal for those who want the full range of healthcare options within easy reach.
• Calvià (south-west coast): Multiple private clinics and polyclinics. Son Espases hospital is 15–25 minutes away. An excellent location for families who want good healthcare access combined with resort living.
• North (Pollença, Alcúdia): Hospital Comarcal d’Inca is 25–35 minutes away. Private clinics in Pollença and Alcúdia cover routine needs. For specialist or complex care, you will need to travel to Palma (45–60 minutes).
• East (Manacor, Cala d’Or): Hospital de Manacor provides general services. Private options are more limited than in Palma. Specialist care often requires a trip to the capital.

For retirees and families with ongoing health needs, proximity to Palma is a significant advantage. A property that is 20 minutes from Son Espases or Clínica Rotger provides genuine peace of mind.

Summary: Your Healthcare Checklist

• Before you move: Apply for your GHIC (free, via NHS website). If you are a pensioner, apply for your S1 form. Research private health insurance options and get quotes.
• On arrival: Register on the padrón at your town hall. Register at your local centro de salud with your S1 or social security number. Take out private insurance if required for your visa or preferred for your peace of mind.
• Ongoing: Renew your GHIC before it expires. Keep your private insurance up to date. Register with a local dentist. Know the location of your nearest hospital and PAC clinic.
• In an emergency: Call 112 or 061. Go to the nearest hospital urgencias. Treatment is never refused in an emergency.