Living or spending time in the South Costa Blanca is an incredible experience — sun, sea, great food, and an easygoing lifestyle. But what really gives peace of mind to anyone moving here or staying for long periods is knowing that the healthcare system works well and is easily accessible.

Whether you’re a resident or just here to enjoy the Mediterranean climate for a few months, here’s everything you need to know about hospitals, clinics, and medical centres in this part of Spain.

Public healthcare: modern, complete, and accessible

The Valencian Community has one of the most advanced public healthcare systems in Spain.
In the South Costa Blanca area — from Torrevieja to Pilar de la Horadada, including Orihuela Costa and Elche — you’ll find public hospitals and health centres with modern equipment and multilingual staff, something that international residents truly appreciate.

Main public hospitals in the area:

Torrevieja University Hospital
One of the most important medical centres in the south of Alicante province.
It has a 24-hour emergency service, maternity and paediatrics departments, specialists, and multilingual assistance for foreign residents.
📍 CV-95 Road, s/n, 03186 Torrevieja
📞 +34 965 695 500

Elche University General Hospital
Ideal for those living around Orihuela or further inland.
It offers all medical specialties and has an excellent reputation in general care and surgery.
📍 Carrer Almazara 11, Elche
📞 +34 966 616 900

Vega Baja Hospital (Orihuela)
Located in San Bartolomé, this hospital serves many towns in the Vega Baja area.
It’s well known for its emergency services, trauma care, and general medicine.

Local health centres and primary care

Each town has its own Health Centre (Centro de Salud), where you can book appointments with your GP, nurse, paediatrician, and manage prescriptions.

Some of the most notable ones include:

• Pilar de la Horadada Health Centre – modern, with services for international residents.
• Cabo Roig – Orihuela Costa Health Centre – popular among foreigners and visitors.
• Torrevieja Health Centres I & II – both offer full general care services.

Practical tip: If you’re planning to live here permanently, register on the local census (empadronamiento) and apply for your Individual Health Card (TSI). With it, you’ll have free access to the public healthcare system.

Private healthcare: fast and multilingual

The South Costa Blanca also has a strong network of private hospitals and clinics, with staff who speak English, French, German, Dutch, or Swedish.
It’s ideal for anyone who prefers faster appointments or specific services.

Some well-known private centres:

• HCB Benidorm Hospital (part of HCB Hospitales, with clinics across the province)
• IMED Torrevieja – new private hospital offering services in English.
• Quirón Salud Torrevieja – 24-hour emergency care, lab tests, and specialists.
• Ribera Hospital del Vinalopó (Elche) – combines public and private care with advanced technology.

Tip: If you’re a foreigner or own a second home here, it might be worth getting private health insurance. Prices are usually affordable and cover emergencies, consultations, tests, and hospital stays — without long waiting times.

Healthcare for foreigners and visitors

The South Costa Blanca is home to many international residents — British, Belgian, Dutch, Nordic, and others — so most medical centres have multilingual staff and services adapted to foreign patients.

If you’re from another EU country, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at public healthcare facilities.
If you’re from outside Europe, it’s recommended to have travel or private health insurance to cover any medical needs.

Emergency numbers

• General emergency number: 112 (valid throughout the EU)
• Ambulance / urgent medical help: 061

Living in the South Costa Blanca isn’t just about enjoying the sun and beaches — it’s also about having the peace of mind that comes with a reliable, modern, and multilingual healthcare network.
From public hospitals to private clinics, here your health and wellbeing are in good hands.

So, whether you’re planning to move, invest, or just spend the winter here, you can relax knowing that top-quality medical care is always close by.