One of the biggest comforts when moving or spending long periods abroad is knowing you’ll be well cared for if something happens.

In the Costa Cálida —the sunny stretch of Murcia’s coastline from Águilas to San Pedro del Pinatar— healthcare is modern, accessible, and highly rated by both locals and expats.

Here’s everything you need to know about hospitals, clinics, and how the healthcare system works if you live or stay in this region.

Public healthcare: quality, proximity, and full coverage

The Region of Murcia has a well-developed public health system with hospitals and health centres all along the coast.
If you’re a resident (Spanish or foreign with legal residency), you can access all public healthcare services free of charge using your health card.

Main public hospitals in the Costa Cálida:

• Hospital General Universitario Santa Lucía (Cartagena)
  One of the most modern hospitals in southeast Spain.
  24-hour emergency, maternity, paediatrics, and multilingual service.
  📍 C/ Mezquita, s/n, 30202 Cartagena
  📞 +34 968 128 600
• Hospital General Universitario Los Arcos del Mar Menor (San Javier)
  Main reference hospital for the Mar Menor area and the northern coast.
  Serves residents of San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcázares, and Torre Pacheco.
  📍 Ctra. San Javier–San Pedro, km 17, 30730 San Javier
  📞 +34 968 565 000
• Hospital Rafael Méndez (Lorca / Águilas)
  Ideal for those living in southern Costa Cálida, around Águilas or Mazarrón.
  Offers general care, emergencies, and outpatient consultations.
  📍 Ctra. Nacional 340, km 588, Lorca
  📞 +34 968 442 000

Primary healthcare centres:
Each town has its own local health centre for general practice, minor emergencies, and paediatrics.
Notable examples include:

• San Pedro del Pinatar Health Centre
• Los Alcázares Health Centre
• Puerto de Mazarrón Health Centre
• Águilas South & North Health Centres

Tip: If you move permanently, register in your municipality and request your “Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual” (Health Card) to access public services.

Private healthcare: fast, modern, and multilingual

In addition to public care, Costa Cálida offers excellent private hospitals and clinics — perfect for those with international insurance or who want faster appointments.

Top private facilities include:

• Quirónsalud Murcia – 24-hour emergency and full specialist coverage.
• Hospital Mesa del Castillo (Murcia) – known for personalised care and experience.
• Hospital Virgen de la Caridad (Cartagena) – very popular among expats, with English, French, and German-speaking staff.
• Policlínica del Mar (San Pedro del Pinatar) – general medicine and minor emergencies, ideal for holiday homeowners.

Tip: If you’re a foreigner or second-home owner, private health insurance guarantees fast attention and communication in your own language.

Healthcare for foreigners

Costa Cálida welcomes thousands of international visitors every year, so hospitals and clinics are well-prepared to assist non-Spanish speakers.

➡️ EU citizens: can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in public hospitals.
➡️ Non-EU citizens: should have travel or private health insurance covering emergencies.

Emergency numbers:

• General emergencies: 112
• Ambulance / urgent medical care: 061

In conclusion, Costa Cálida isn’t just about sunshine and beaches — it also offers a reliable, modern healthcare system.
With high-quality public hospitals, multilingual private clinics, and accessible services for residents and visitors alike, living here means peace of mind.

So if you’re planning to move, invest, or spend time in Murcia, you can do it confidently, knowing that quality healthcare is always close by.