Hospitals, health centres and pharmacies in Tenerife

In an emergency in Tenerife, call 112 for an ambulance. For less urgent problems, a pharmacy is the first stop, then a public health centre (centro de salud) or a private clinic. The island has major public hospitals in Santa Cruz and La Laguna, a public hospital in the south near Los Cristianos, and several private hospitals in the resorts with 24-hour emergency departments.

Which you use depends on how urgent the problem is and whether you are relying on an EHIC or GHIC or private travel insurance.

Public or private?

	Public (Servicio Canario de la Salud)	Private clinics and hospitals
Cost	Free with valid EHIC/GHIC for necessary treatment	You pay, then claim from insurance
English	Varies	Usually good in the resorts
Waiting times	Can be long for non-urgent cases	Usually shorter
Best for	Emergencies, ongoing care	Quick appointments, insured visitors

Important: some private clinics in the resorts will treat you as a private patient even if you show an EHIC or GHIC. If you want state-funded treatment, make sure you are at a public facility.

Main hospitals

Public

• Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Santa Cruz): one of the island’s two main referral hospitals.
• Hospital Universitario de Canarias (HUC) (La Laguna): the other major referral hospital.
• Hospital del Sur de Tenerife (Arona, near Los Cristianos): the main public hospital for the southern resorts.
• Hospital del Norte de Tenerife (Icod de los Vinos): serves the north-west.

Private

Long-established private hospitals in the resorts include Hospiten Sur in Playa de las Américas, Quirónsalud Costa Adeje and Hospiten Bellevue in Puerto de la Cruz. Check that your insurer is happy with your choice.

Health centres and urgent care

Every municipality has public health centres for GP-type care. Some offer out-of-hours urgent care. In the resorts, there are also many private medical centres used to treating visitors for sunburn, ear infections, stomach bugs and minor injuries.

Pharmacies (farmacias)

Pharmacies are marked with a green cross and are the quickest way to deal with minor complaints. Pharmacists in Spain are highly trained and can advise on many problems, and some medicines that need a prescription elsewhere may be available over the counter.

• Opening hours: typically weekday daytime and Saturday mornings, though some resort pharmacies open longer.
• Duty pharmacy (farmacia de guardia): at least one pharmacy in each area stays open at night, on Sundays and on holidays. The address is posted on the door of every pharmacy.
• Prescription medicines: bring enough of your regular medication, in original packaging, with a copy of your prescription or a note of the generic names.

EHIC, GHIC and travel insurance

• EU/EEA/Swiss visitors: your EHIC covers medically necessary state healthcare.
• UK visitors: a valid GHIC (or older UK EHIC that is still in date) gives the same cover.
• Everyone else: you will need private travel insurance.

Neither card covers private treatment, mountain rescue or repatriation. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical cover is essential, and you should declare any pre-existing conditions.

Common holiday health issues

• Sunburn and heatstroke: the sun is strong all year. Treat confusion, no sweating or a very high temperature as an emergency.
• Stomach bugs: usually short-lived. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use rehydration sachets. Seek help if it lasts more than a couple of days.
• Ear infections: common after lots of swimming. Pharmacies can advise.
• Altitude: headaches and breathlessness on Mount Teide are common. Descend if you feel unwell.
• Sea creatures: weever fish stings and jellyfish are occasional. Hot water helps a weever sting; seek medical help for any allergic reaction.

What to take to an appointment

• Your passport or ID card.
• Your EHIC or GHIC, or your insurance policy number and the insurer’s assistance line.
• A list of any medicines you take, with generic names.
• Your accommodation address and a phone number.

At private clinics, you will usually be asked for a credit card or deposit. Contact your insurer early for anything more than a minor consultation, as many prefer to arrange treatment directly with the hospital.

Dentists and opticians

Private dentists and opticians are easy to find in the main resorts. Expect to pay and claim on insurance if covered.

Before you travel

• Save 112 in your phone.
• Carry your EHIC or GHIC and insurance details.
• Note your hotel’s address to give to an ambulance or taxi.
• Pack a basic first-aid kit; see what to pack for Tenerife.

Accessibility

If you need mobility equipment or adapted transport, see accessible Tenerife. For a full list of emergency numbers, see Tenerife emergency numbers, and for wider safety advice, is Tenerife safe?.