Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 or 061. Operators speak Spanish and English. Tenerife has two major hospitals (north and south). Mountain rescue on Teide (3,718m) coordinated by 112 — altitude sickness is a real risk for tourists taking the cable car. Diving emergencies: hyperbaric chambers on Tenerife and Lanzarote. Ocean rescue (salvamento marítimo) at 900 202 202. La Gomera and El Hierro: basic hospitals only — helicopter transfer to Tenerife for serious cases (30-45 min).
Response time: 8-15 minutes in main towns. 15-30 minutes in rural areas. SAMU 061 operates ambulances. Helicopter (helicóptero del GES) available for inter-island transfers and mountain rescue on Teide, Roque Nublo, etc.
Cost: Public ER with EHIC: FREE. Without insurance: €100-500+ (invoiced). Private ER: €150-500. Private admission: €300-1,500/day. Inter-island air ambulance: covered by public system if medically necessary.
Healthcare System
The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro) have excellent healthcare for an island chain — driven by massive tourism and large British/German expat communities. Each major island has a public hospital. Tenerife has the most comprehensive care: Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC, La Laguna — north) and Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Santa Cruz — south). Gran Canaria: Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr Negrín and Hospital Universitario Insular. Lanzarote: Hospital General de Lanzarote Dr José Molina Orosa. Fuerteventura: Hospital General de Fuerteventura. Smaller islands (La Gomera, El Hierro) have basic hospitals — serious cases transfer to Tenerife. Private clinics in south Tenerife (Las Américas, Los Cristianos) and south Gran Canaria (Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés) cater heavily to British and German tourists.
Designed for: Spanish residents and EHIC holders. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura receive millions of tourists annually with healthcare infrastructure scaled accordingly.
GP Access & Costs
EU citizens: free at Centros de Salud with EHIC. Private tourist clinics everywhere in south Tenerife and south Gran Canaria resort areas. British-run clinics (e.g., British Medical Centre, Euro Clinic) with English-speaking staff. Hotel doctor services available. Pharmacies as first-line care.
Typical wait: Private tourist clinic: immediate to 30 min. Public Centro de Salud: same-day to 2 days. Hotel doctor: 1-4 hours.
Availability: Excellent in tourist areas (south Tenerife, south Gran Canaria, Puerto del Carmen/Lanzarote). Good in main towns. Basic on smaller islands.
GP Visit
Public (EHIC): FREE
Private GP
€50-100 GP, €80-200 specialist
ER Without Insurance
€100-500 public ER, €150-500 private
Medication
Spanish pharmacy prices — affordable. Good availability in tourist areas. Pharmacists speak English in resort zones.
Health insurance is strongly recommended
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm, 4:30-8pm. Sat mornings. Farmacia de guardia 24/7. Extended hours in tourist areas during season.
OTC: Good European range. Sunscreen widely available (buy at supermarkets for better prices). Pharmacists can advise in English in tourist areas.
Controlled substances: Standard EU regulations. Carry prescriptions.
Practical Tips
- Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC, La Laguna) — Tenerife's main hospital
- Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Santa Cruz) — second major hospital, closer to south resorts
- Private clinics in Las Américas and Los Cristianos (south Tenerife) are fastest for tourist issues
- Lanzarote: Hospital Dr José Molina Orosa in Arrecife — only hospital on island
- SPF 50+ essential even in winter — latitude of Sahara Desert means intense UV year-round
- Teide visit: don't rush to summit, drink water, descend if headache/nausea develops
- Swim only on beaches with green flag — Canarian currents are unpredictable
- Carry EHIC/GHIC for free public healthcare — but supplement with travel insurance for repatriation
Who can get care in Canary Islands?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Canary Islands treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
EU citizens: free at Centros de Salud with EHIC. Private tourist clinics everywhere in south Tenerife and south Gran Canaria resort areas. British-run clinics (e.g., British Medical Centre, Euro Clinic) with English-speaking staff. Hotel doctor services available. Pharmacies as first-line care. Typical cost: Public (EHIC): FREE. Private GP: €50-100. Hotel doctor: €80-150. Specialist: €80-200. Typical wait: Private tourist clinic: immediate to 30 min. Public Centro de Salud: same-day to 2 days. Hotel doctor: 1-4 hours.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
It depends on nationality and visa route — several routes require proof of medical cover.
Documents worth having ready
- EHIC/GHIC (EU/UK citizens)
- Passport/ID
- Travel insurance
- Prescriptions
Local contacts in Canary Islands
Emergency services
112 (European standard) / 061 (medical emergency — Canarias) / 091 (National Police) / 062 (Guardia Civil)
Call 112 or 061. Operators speak Spanish and English. Tenerife has two major hospitals (north and south). Mountain rescue on Teide (3,718m) coordinated by 112 — altitude sickness is a real risk for tourists taking the cable car. Diving emergencies: hyperbaric chambers on Tenerife and Lanzarote. Ocean rescue (salvamento marítimo) at 900 202 202. La Gomera and El Hierro: basic hospitals only — helicopter transfer to Tenerife for serious cases (30-45 min).
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 9am-1:30pm, 4:30-8pm. Sat mornings. Farmacia de guardia 24/7. Extended hours in tourist areas during season.
Good European range. Sunscreen widely available (buy at supermarkets for better prices). Pharmacists can advise in English in tourist areas.
What is the emergency number in Canary Islands?
112 (European standard) or 061 (medical emergency — Canarias) or 091 (National Police) or 062 (Guardia Civil) in Canary Islands. Call 112 or 061. Operators speak Spanish and English. Tenerife has two major hospitals (north and south). Mountain rescue on Teide (3,718m) coordinated by 112 — altitude sickness is a real risk for tourists taking the cable car. Diving emergencies: hyperbaric chambers on Tenerife and Lanzarote. Ocean rescue (salvamento marítimo) at 900 202 202. La Gomera and El Hierro: basic hospitals only — helicopter transfer to Tenerife for serious cases (30-45 min).
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Canary Islands?
Public (EHIC): FREE. Private GP: €50-100. Hotel doctor: €80-150. Specialist: €80-200. Private consultations: €50-100 GP, €80-200 specialist.
Join the waitlist to see 4 more FAQs
Sources: Servicio Canario de la Salud (SCS), Hospital Universitario de Canarias, UK FCDO Travel Advice Spain/Canary Islands, European Commission EHIC
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
Further Reading
Healthcare in United Kingdom
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in United Kingdom.
Read guideHealthcare in Ireland
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in Ireland.
Read guideHealthcare in Germany
Emergency numbers, Doctor costs and visitor access in Germany.
Read guide