When you move to Tenerife, one of the first questions is how healthcare works here and where to go if something hurts. Here’s how private healthcare works for an expat.
How to see a doctor
With a private policy the process is simple:
- choose a clinic or doctor from the network your policy gives access to;
- book (by phone, app or website);
- attend your appointment — without the long queues typical of the public system.
You can usually see a primary-care doctor or specialist within a few days.
Language of the appointment
Tenerife has plenty of English-speaking doctors, and in areas popular with expats you’ll also find other languages. This removes newcomers’ biggest worry: you can get treated without speaking Spanish.
Private or public
- Public — free for residents who pay social contributions, but waits for specialists can run into weeks or months.
- Private — a paid policy, but fast access to specialists, diagnostics and often a more convenient service.
Many people combine both: the public system as a base, private cover for speed.
What a private policy covers
Typically: a primary-care doctor and dozens of specialties, 24/7 emergencies, tests and diagnostics, hospitalisation, basic dental. The exact set depends on the policy you choose.
If you’re applying for residency, a private policy with no co-payments also satisfies the consulate requirement — two in one.
Want a policy with a convenient clinic in your part of Tenerife? Ask in the chat — we’ll help and calculate the cost for free.