Healthcare
Dental care in Spain for expats
What the Spanish public system covers at the dentist, the expanded care for children and other groups, private clinics, dental insurance and emergencies.
Updated: October 2026
Dental care is one of the few areas where Spain’s public health system covers relatively little, so most adults pay a private dentist. This guide explains what is free, which groups now get extra public cover, how private clinics and dental insurance work, and what to do if you have toothache at the weekend.
What the public system covers
If you are registered with the public health system (see our guide to healthcare for foreign residents), your health centre can refer you to a public dentist (odontólogo). For most adults the public service is limited to:
- Examinations and advice: check-ups and oral health information.
- Acute problems: treatment of infections, pain and injuries in the mouth, including prescriptions.
- Extractions: removing teeth that cannot be saved.
Fillings, root canals, crowns, implants, orthodontics and cosmetic work are generally not covered for adults, which is why most people use private clinics.
Expanded cover for children and other groups
Since an expansion of the national dental package approved in December 2021, the regions are gradually extending free public dental care to specific groups. According to the Ministry of Health, the groups covered are:
- Children aged 0 to 14
- Pregnant women
- People with a recognised disability of 33% or more
- People diagnosed with cancer of the head and neck area
- People over 65: included for the first time in the 2025 funding round, with a smaller share of the budget
In practice, what each group receives depends on the region and how far it has rolled out the plan. Typical services for children include check-ups, sealants, fluoride and fillings in permanent teeth. Andalusia has long run its own child dental programme (PADI), under which children can be seen by a public dentist or a participating private one. Ask at your health centre what applies to your family.
Private dentists and costs
Private dental clinics are everywhere in Spain, from small family practices to large chains. On the Costa del Sol and in big cities many dentists speak English or other languages. Prices are set freely by each clinic, so they vary a lot by town, clinic and materials used. A few tips:
- Ask for a written quote (presupuesto): it should list each treatment, the materials and the total. You do not have to accept it on the spot.
- Get a second opinion for big jobs such as implants or full-mouth work.
- Be careful with financing: some clinics offer to finance treatment through a loan. Read the terms, and avoid paying the full price in advance for long treatments.
- Check credentials: dentists must be registered with the regional dental association (Colegio de Dentistas), which you can ask about.
- Keep your invoices: you will need them for insurance claims or complaints.
Dental insurance
Dental insurance in Spain usually works differently from what many expats know from home. Common types are:
- Dental plans with a price list: a low monthly fee covering basic items such as check-ups, cleaning and X-rays, with fixed discounted prices (franquicias) for other treatments at partner clinics.
- Dental cover inside a health policy: many private health insurers include a basic dental module or offer it as an add-on.
- Reimbursement policies: rarer and more expensive, they refund a percentage of what you pay any dentist.
Compare what is actually included, the network of clinics near you and any waiting periods before cover starts. Our guide to insurance in Spain explains how to compare policies.
Dental emergencies
For severe pain, swelling or an infection outside opening hours, you can go to a primary care emergency point or a hospital A&E (urgencias). They can treat pain and infection, and prescribe antibiotics, but will not do restorative work such as fillings. Many private clinics in tourist areas offer emergency appointments, sometimes at weekends. For serious facial injuries or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, call 112. See our overview of hospitals in Spain.
EU visitors can use the European Health Insurance Card for necessary care in the public system, which in dentistry usually means emergency treatment only. Travel insurance may cover emergency dental pain relief up to a limit.
Useful links
- Ministry of Health: expanded public dental care (September 2025, Spanish)
- Salud Andalucía app for health centre appointments
- European Commission: what the EHIC covers
- Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents
- Understanding insurance in Spain
FAQ: dentists in Spain
Is going to the dentist free in Spain?
For most adults only check-ups, treatment of acute problems and extractions are free in the public system. Children, pregnant women and some other groups get wider cover, depending on the region.
Are my children’s fillings covered?
Under the expanded national plan, children up to 14 are a priority group, and many regions cover fillings in permanent teeth. Ask your health centre what your region offers.
Do I need a referral for a private dentist?
No. You can book directly with any private clinic. A referral is only needed for the public dentist at your health centre.
What can I do if I am unhappy with a treatment?
First complain in writing to the clinic and ask for the official complaint form (hoja de reclamaciones). You can also contact your local consumer office or the regional dental association.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Coverage, prices and services can change and vary by region – always check with your health centre or dentist before you act.
