Healthcare privatization in Spain

The Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Health (FADSP) has released its 12th report regarding the increasing privatization of healthcare across Spain. The data shows that privatization is rising in most autonomous communities, with Madrid maintaining the highest degree of privatization for twelve consecutive years, followed by the Balearic Islands and Catalonia.

While some regions like Andalucía have seen a slight reduction in privatization rates due to budget changes, others such as Asturias, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha have seen rates nearly double since 2014.

Specific metrics indicate that private health insurance usage has grown by 81% since 2014, now covering 21% of the population. This trend is accompanied by a 52.8% increase in family out-of-pocket spending. FADSP secretary Sergio Fernández attributed the shift to delays within the public healthcare system, particularly concerning specialist consultations and primary care appointments. In 2025, private healthcare spending reached approximately 34 billion euros, accounting for roughly 27% of total national healthcare expenditure.