Spain Doctors’ Strike 9–12 December 2025: Information for Expats

December 2025 Doctors’ Strike: Key Facts

From 9 to 12 December 2025, doctors and other healthcare professionals across Spain are holding a coordinated four-day strike that mainly affects the public health system.

Unions representing hospital doctors, GPs and other staff have called the action over workloads, staffing levels and pay, with walkouts planned in most regions and extra pressure expected in large cities and popular coastal areas.

For expats who use Spain’s public healthcare, this means a higher risk of cancelled appointments, postponed non-urgent operations and reduced access to family doctors during these days.

When and Where the Strike Is Happening

The strike is scheduled nationwide from Monday 9 December to Thursday 12 December 2025, with each region applying its own minimum-service rules but all facing some level of disruption.

Major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Malaga, along with many tourist zones and islands, are reporting high participation among public-sector doctors.

Health authorities across Spain are warning patients about cancellations and asking people to avoid visiting public centres for non-urgent issues where possible.

What Services Are Affected

Appointments, Tests and Elective Surgery

Outpatient consultations with specialists, routine GP visits and many scheduled diagnostic tests are the services most likely to be cancelled or moved during the strike.

Non-urgent operations and procedures may be pushed back, adding further delays to waiting lists that were already under strain before the walkout.

Hospitals and health centres are contacting patients where they can, but some people may only discover that an appointment is not going ahead when they arrive at the facility.

Emergency and Critical Care

By law, emergency departments, intensive care units, oncology services and maternity wards must maintain minimum services throughout the strike, so they will remain open.

However, with staffing stretched in some areas, expats should expect longer waiting times in A&E for anything that is not clearly life-threatening.

Officials are urging people to reserve emergency care for genuine emergencies and to look for alternative options for minor or long-term problems.

Impact on Expats Using Public Healthcare

If You Use the Public System

Expats registered with their local public health centre may find that routine GP appointments and specialist consultations booked for 9–12 December are cancelled or rescheduled.

If you receive an SMS, email or phone call from your centre, follow the instructions given and keep any new appointment confirmation. If you hear nothing, it is still wise to check online or by phone before travelling.

For non-urgent issues, consider postponing visits until after the strike or using teleconsultation options if your regional health service offers them.

If You Have Private Health Insurance

Private hospitals and clinics in Spain are not part of the public strike, so they are continuing to operate as normal, although some may see higher demand from people who cannot be seen in the public system.

If you hold a private policy, check which clinics and hospitals near you are included and consider shifting appointments to private providers during the strike days where appropriate.

Keep your policy card or app handy and make sure you know the 24-hour phone number or emergency contact route provided by your insurer.

Practical Tips for the Strike Days

Before You Attend Any Appointment

Confirm your appointment using your regional health app, online portal or by calling your health centre before you set off.

If your visit is cancelled, ask how and when it will be rearranged and keep any written record, especially if it relates to ongoing treatment or diagnostic tests.

For time‑sensitive care, such as pregnancy follow-up or monitoring of chronic conditions, ask whether there is a dedicated contact point or helpline during the strike.

Managing Prescriptions and Ongoing Treatment

Renew repeat prescriptions a few days early so you are not left without medication if your GP or specialist is unavailable during the strike period.

If you are in the middle of a treatment plan, keep copies of your reports and test results handy in case you need to see a different doctor or attend a private clinic at short notice.

Pharmacies are operating normally, so expats with valid prescriptions should have no difficulty obtaining their usual medication.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you experience symptoms that could be life-threatening — such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, signs of stroke or a serious injury — you should still call 112 or go straight to the nearest emergency department.

Expect longer waits for less urgent cases. If your condition is worrying but stable, call your usual medical helpline (public or private) first to get advice on the safest way to proceed.

Carry your ID, health card and a list of your medications, and be ready to explain your medical history clearly, especially if your Spanish is limited.

After the Strike: Backlogs and Next Steps

Once the strike ends, public hospitals and health centres will need time to clear the backlog of missed appointments, tests and operations, so waiting times may stay longer than usual for some weeks.

Keep an eye on your online health portal or messages from your centre for new appointment dates, particularly if you were due to see a specialist or have diagnostic imaging during the strike.

Unions have warned that more action could follow if talks with regional health authorities do not lead to concrete improvements, so expats should stay alert to further announcements.

Stay Informed and Check Your Options

During this December 2025 strike, the most important steps for expats are to confirm appointments before travelling, renew prescriptions early, and know exactly where to go in a genuine emergency.

If you also have access to private healthcare, make sure you understand which clinics and hospitals you can use and how to reach them quickly if public services are disrupted in your area.

Need Reliable Primary Care During Disruptions?

Strikes and staff shortages in the public system make it even more important to know who your main doctor is and how to reach them quickly when you need help.

If you are insured with Sanitas or considering private cover, it is worth understanding how primary care and family doctors work within the Sanitas network, and how to choose the right general practitioner for you.

Read more about how Sanitas primary care and general practitioners work here: Sanitas Primary Care and GP Guide.