Finding Your Way Around Health Services in Nerja - Public, Private, and Personal Experiences
Living in or visiting Nerja, you’ll quickly realize that navigating healthcare here is all about knowing your options — and sometimes mixing them up. Spain’s public health system is widely respected and ranks among the best in Europe, offering quality care through local health centres and hospitals. If you're a resident and registered with the system (or have an EHIC/GHIC card if you're visiting), you’ll generally receive good treatment — though wait times can be long for non-urgent care, and English may not always be spoken.
Our go-to in Nerja has been Vitas, the main private clinic in town. Is it flawless? Not quite. But overall, it’s reliable when you need a GP or a fast referral. The local Vitas GPs in Nerja do the basics, but if you need specialized care, Vitas tends to shine when they refer you to their network in Torre del Mar or the Vitas Hospital in Málaga. The specialists there have consistently provided a higher standard of care in our experience.
Handy tips: Vitas has an app where you can easily book appointments — a real time-saver if you want to avoid queues at reception or long waits on the phone. AND if you do not feel satisfied with the first GP, get a second opinion!
That said, not all services under the Vitas name have impressed us. Vitas Dental, for example, felt rather heavy-handed. We’ve since turned to several of Nerja’s independent private dental clinics, where the treatment felt more professional and patient-friendly.
As for insurance, we’ve been using Fiatc Seguros, which we find affordable and convenient. One of the big pluses is that you don’t need to pay upfront at most clinics — just show your insurance card, and the clinic bills Fiatc directly. However, not every private practice or hospital works with every insurer, so it’s really important to check which doctors, clinics, and hospitals your insurance covers before making an appointment. For example, we were not covered by Fiat Saguaros at Velez- Malaga hospital, but had to instead go to Vitas hospital in Malaga. CHECK! This can save you a lot of surprises, especially if you need specialist care or emergency treatment.
Another time, when Vitas was closed on a Sunday, we turned to the Doctor/Läkare Medical Centre in Nerja. They don’t accept Fiatc, but for a 150-euro fee, they treated a bad nose and ear inflammation — including all necessary follow-up visits until the issue was sorted. Their service was excellent and definitely worth knowing about for weekend emergencies and they do collaborate directly with all Scandinavian and many worldwide Medical Insurances.
Another positive experience we’ve seen is how quickly local doctors help tourists needing urgent prescriptions. When some friends forgot their insulin papers while visiting, the local doctors didn’t hesitate to help — quick, professional, and understanding of the situation. Dr. Ben, for example, was fantastic for this. They even have WhatsApp, making it easy to get in touch for quick advice or last-minute appointments.
Language-wise, don’t be too worried. Most private clinics — and even some public ones — either have translators available or staff who speak at least basic English. Some doctors may say “no” at first, but often speak enough to get through a consultation. We always try to speak Spanish first, out of respect and to practice, but more often than not, the doctors switch naturally into English — especially in the private clinics and international practices used to treating expats and tourists.
In the end, getting the best healthcare in Nerja isn’t about sticking to one clinic or provider. It’s about knowing your options, having a mix of trusted contacts, and maybe using both your insurance and private pay when it makes sense. A little preparation — checking your insurance coverage, downloading the Vitas app, and keeping a few reliable contacts handy — can make all the difference when you suddenly need care.
Useful Contacts in Nerja:
Vitas Clinic Nerja
Address: Calle San Miguel, 22, Nerja
Phone: +34 952 52 57 31
App: Vitas App (available on App Store & Google Play)Doctor/Läkare Medical Centre
Address: Calle Almirante Ferrándiz, 96, Nerja
Phone: +34 951 55 25 55Dr. Ben Medical Centre
Address: Calle Antonio Millón, 3, Nerja
Phone: +34 620 30 55 53
WhatsApp: +34 620 30 55 53Centro de Salud (Public Health Centre Nerja)
Address: Avenida de Pescia, 55, Nerja
Phone: +34 951 30 84 45Centro Dental Nerja
Address: Calle Granada 52, Nerja
Phone: +34 654 65 62 16