What happens if you need an MRI in Spain? Is it covered under public and private health insurance, how much does it cost, and how long can waiting times be?
An MRI is called resonancia magnética in Spanish.
In English, it stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging because it uses a strong magnet and radio waves to take a clear picture of the inside of your body, including organs, ligaments and other structures.
Because it doesn’t use radiation, it is safer than getting an x-ray, particularly on certain parts of the body or if you need frequent tests or monitoring.
MRIs help detect inflammation, infections, tumours, and blood supply, and can be used when you’ve had a bad sports injury, torn a ligament, have heart or blood vessel issues, have had a stroke or a brain tumour or have nerve problems, among others.
Getting an MRI through Spain’s public health system
If you are covered under the public healthcare system in Spain, your GP will determine whether you need one or not. If you do, then this, like other diagnostic tests in the public system, will be free.
You do of course, however, pay for it through your social security contributions.
The problem is, however, you could be waiting months to get one this way, particularly when it’s not urgent.
According to the 2025 Health Barometer by the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) MRI scans had the second longest waiting list with an average of 73 days.
In some regions this wait time was a lot higher.
To speed up the time, you can choose to pay for it privately. This is something you’ll have to organise yourself, your GP won’t do it for you.
READ ALSO: How to apply for the ‘convenio especial’ to pay for public healthcare in Spain
How much do MRIs cost in Spain if I go privately?
According to the website SaludonNet.com prices start from €85 for a test on an open MRI machine, while traditional (closed) MRIs usually cost between €140 and €280 when scanning a single anatomical area.
Some places, however, can charge as much as €500 depending on the hospital you’ve selected, the part of the body you need scanning and whether you need contrast dye or not.
It’s worth shopping around as there are lots of websites you can buy one from including TuMédico, ClinicPoint and SaludonNet.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
Yes, you will most likely still need a letter from your GP or another doctor explaining why you need an MRI, most places won’t let you buy one privately just because you think you need one or want an exploratory procedure.
Once you have the results, you can take them to your GP so they can assess the next steps and book any necessary treatments or surgeries.
READ ALSO: Paying for public healthcare in Spain: the pros and cons of the ‘convenio especial’
What if I have private health insurance?
If you have private healthcare, MRIs will typically included in your policy. Getting one through the private system will be a lot quicker.
If they’re not included in your policy, you can pay for them to be done as above.
Your policy may also have a waiting period, meaning that this test might not be included within the first three to six months of contracting your insurance. It’s worth contacting your insurer to find out exactly what is and what isn’t included in your policy and if there are any waiting times.
Will I need Spanish language skills to get an MRI here?
If you’re going through the public system, it’s worth noting that you will need some language skills, even in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona. It’s rare to find a GP that will treat you in English for example. While doctors in big hospitals have more English-language skills, MRI technicians might not necessarily have them, so you’ll have to communicate at least a bit in Spanish.
This means studying up on parts of the body, instructions such as ‘turn this way’ (Gira hacia este lado), ‘lie still/don’t move’ (No te muevas), ‘hold your arm here’ (Mantén el brazo aquí). etc. You’ll also have to be able to understand questions like if you have any metal implants in your body. It could be even more tricky because you’ll be lying in the MRI tube unable to see the person instructing you.
If you’re going private, you will find many more doctors will speak English, although you may still need some basic Spanish to communicate and understand the MRI technicians like above.
READ ALSO – ‘Un gripazo’: The Spanish vocab you need for when you’re ill in Spain
What about getting an MRI in Span if you’re here as a visitor?
If you don’t have residency in Spain and you’re here on holiday or visiting family, friends etc, getting an MRI here will depend on your private travel insurance. Unless it’s an emergency, however, it likely won’t include getting one.
If you have a Global Health Card from the UK, known as a GHIC or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), then again it’s unlikely you will be able to get an MRI in Spain covered. This is because they only cover urgent care in public hospitals not, routine or private outpatient MRIs.
READ ALSO: How to get healthcare in Spain as a tourist
