When it comes to healthcare in Europe, Spain and Portugal are two popular destinations that offer excellent healthcare services to locals and expats alike. But which country has better healthcare? In this article, we will compare the healthcare systems of Spain and Portugal to help you make an informed decision.

Quality of Healthcare

The quality of healthcare in Spain is generally considered to be excellent, with a well-established public healthcare system that is ranked among the best in the world. The country has a high number of hospitals and healthcare facilities, and the healthcare professionals are highly trained and experienced. In contrast, Portugal also has a good healthcare system, but it is not as well-developed as Spain's. Healthcare in Portugal is still of a high standard, but there are fewer healthcare facilities and professionals available.

Cost of Healthcare

Healthcare in Spain is relatively affordable compared to other European countries, with the public healthcare system providing free or low-cost healthcare to residents. Expats who are residents in Spain can also access the public healthcare system, although they may need private health insurance to cover additional costs. In Portugal, healthcare is also affordable, but expats are usually required to have private health insurance to access the healthcare system. Private health insurance in Portugal is generally more expensive than in Spain.

Accessibility to Healthcare

In Spain, healthcare is easily accessible to both residents and expats, with a wide network of healthcare facilities and professionals located throughout the country. The public healthcare system in Spain is free for residents, but expats may need to pay a small fee for certain services. In Portugal, healthcare is also accessible, but there are fewer healthcare facilities available, especially in rural areas. Expats in Portugal may need to travel to larger cities to access specialized healthcare services.

Overall Healthcare System

Overall, both Spain and Portugal offer good healthcare services to residents and expats. Spain has a more developed healthcare system with a higher number of healthcare facilities and professionals, while Portugal's healthcare system is slightly less developed but still of a high standard. If you are considering moving to either country, it is important to research the healthcare system and make sure you have the necessary insurance coverage to access healthcare services.