Barcelona

Spain / Catalonia / Barcelona

OVERVIEW

As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a vibrant city with many health care options. Contraception is legal and widely available, though a prescription is technically required. Emergency contraception, or the morning after pill, is available without a prescription and there are no age restrictions. You can find ellaOne in Spain, which is the longest lasting EC on the market. There are many clinics that offer accessible and potentially free STD/STI tests, and there are no known restrictions attached to HIV status. It is unclear if PrEP or PEP is widely available. Since 2010, abortion has been fully legal, with no restrictions or third party approval, in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, after the first trimester, abortion is only legal under specific circumstances.

In Spain, you can high-quality health care in both the public and private spheres. Private hospitals are more efficient (i.e. shorter queue) and they typically provide options regarding treatment and physicians. Yet public hospitals are generally good, as well, and provide adequate services for a number of treatments. In many cases, private hospitals even refer patients to public hospitals that may have better equipment or facilities. If you live in Barcelona, and if you are uninsured, you may want to consider purchasing an insurance plan. Check out our "Additional Resources" section for some insurance plans.

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

Contraception is legal and widely available in Spain. If you would like to buy condoms, they can be found at most supermarkets and pharmacies, and there are even condom-dispensing machines in Spanish cities. However, if you would like hormonal birth control, a prescription is required. You will need to visit a doctor who will conduct a basic assessment and then issue the birth control prescription. Note that, while you legally need a prescription for birth control pills, it appears that some pharmacies may sell them over-the-counter without a prescription. Spanish pharmacies also tend to be rather liberal in dispensing hormonal birth control if you they know you have any prescription, past or present (including a foreign one), if you have a strong rapport with the pharmacist or if you bring an empty box of the birth control that you are seeking out.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• For a comprehensive list of contraceptive options in Spain, click here.
• If you want birth control pills ("píndoles anticonceptives” in Catalan) in Spain, you will need a prescription. Once you have a prescription, you can find many brands, and there are about 30 birth control brands registered in Spain, including combined pills, progestin-only pills and combined pills. Some of the brands you can expect to see are Cerazette, Cilest, Diane, Dianette, Diane 35, Gracial, Gynovin, Harmonet, Meliane, Melodene 15, Microdiol, Microgynon, Minesse, Minulet, Nordette, Yasmin and Yaz. For a full list, click here.
• You should also be able to find contraceptive rings (like Nuvaring) at pharmacies.
• If you want the contraceptive shot/injection, this is how you say it in Catalan: "anticonceptiu injectable”
• If you want the contraceptive implant ("implant anticonceptiu” in Catalan), you can find Implanon and Jadelle in Spain.
• If you want an IUD ("DIU” in Catalan), you can find Mirena (and probably other IUD and IUS options) in Spain.

As for pharmacies, you'll be able to find them on almost every corner in Barcelona. But one recommendation for foreigners is Farmacia Central, as they speak English, French, German and Arabic. Address: C/Via Laietana, 40 - 08003 Barcelona - Spain - Tel. +34 932 68 45 54 - barcelonapharmacy@gmail.com.

Costs

For a month's supply of birth control pills, you can expect to pay 2.5-5 euro for a box.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

The morning after pill ("píndora del día després" in Catalan) is available without a prescription. There are no age restrictions. However, if you want to take ellaOne (see details below), you have needed a prescription, though it appears that ellaOne is now available in the EU without a prescription. According to one study, about 50% of women in Barcelona who purchase EC at pharmacies are between the ages of 15-20.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

For dedicated anti-progestin, you can take ellaOne (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex), but you may need a prescription. If you would like more information ellaOne, here's the website for Spain. For all other morning after pills, you don't need a prescription. If you are looking for dedicated, progestin-only EC, you can take NorLevo 1.5mg or Postinor 1500 (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex). There's also Postinor (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). If you cannot access dedicated EC, you can use some hormonal birth control pills as EC. To do this, you can use Neogynona or Ovoplex (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 2 more pills 12 hours later). There's also Microgynon, Ovoplex 3 and Ovoplex 30/50 (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later).

Here's a list of 24-hour pharmacies in Barcelona:

• Farmacia Bonanova: Plaza Bonanova, 6, 08022 Barcelona, Tel: 934-178-032
• Farmacia Torres: Calle Aribau, 62, 08011 Barcelona, Tel: 934-539-220
• Farmacia Cervera: Muntaner, 254 (Between Travessera and Diagonal), 08021 Barcelona, Tel: 932-000-996
• Castell's: In front of Gaudi’s la Pedrera/Casa Milà. Also open on Sundays.

Here's a list of English-speaking pharmacies that are open on Sundays:

• Coliseum: May be open on Sunday, but we can't confirm. Close to Plaça Catalonia. Open 9 am-10 pm
• Castell's: Open 24 hours. In front of Gaudi’s la Pedrera/Casa Milà.
• Internacional: One block from Casa Batlló. Open 8:30 am-9:30 pm.
• Mario Cerra: Around the corner from the Picasso Museum. Open 09AM to 1:30PM and 4:30PM to 8PM.
• Nadal: Located at the top of La Rambla. Opens everyday from 9AM to 10PM.

Costs

LNG: € 19, as of 2013; UPA: € 32, as of 2013. You can supposedly get EC pills for free at some ER and health centers.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

To say STD in Spanish, say "Enfermedades de transmisión sexual."

Testing Facilities

• Better2Know Barcelona: "Better2Know are specialists in Sexual Health testing. Our medical experts have designed our test panels, so that you can be sure that we have the right screen for you. Our Full Screen includes: HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma. All of our testing is confidential, you do not have to give us your real name. You will get your results quickly. We will help you with treatment and onward referral if you test positive."
  • L'EIXAMPLE: Tel: 800 810 063
  • LES CORTS DE SARRIA: Tel: 800 810 063
  • BONANOVA: Tel: 800 810 063
  • CALLE DE LONDRES: Tel: 800 810 063
  • BUIGAS: Tel: 800 810 063
  • PROVENÇA: Tel: 800 810 063
• Openhouse: "a private sexual health clinic which specialises in STI screening tests with the overwhelming majority of results in 20 minute." Screens for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis (a, b and c), herpes, and risks in oral, anal or vaginal intercourse. Address: Carrer Sicília 253, 1st floor, door 3, Subway Station: L5 Sagrada Família. Phone: 934 58 77 00.
• Unidad de Medicina Tropical y Salud Internacional Drassanes, Address: Avinguda Drassanes, 17-21, 08001 Barcelona, Spain.c Tel: 93 441 46 12/ Phone number +34 933 270 550. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-13:30 and 15:00-19:30. Emergencies: Mon-Fri 8:00-11:00. Reviews vary from "Be prepared to wait a long time in the most awkward waiting room ever" to "I was expecting to see crowds of people, awkward waiting room [full] of people, long registration and endless waiting... the reality was much better! Once you get in, you need to go to the 4th floor. Nice lady at the reception didn't speak any English, so I had to really stretch my Spanish. After very fast registration I was diverted to a small and fun meeting room with Keith Haring posters on the walls. But most shocking was the fact that apart from me there were...only 2 more guys! I was called in in the next 5 minutes. Nurse didn't speak any English, so she called up the doctor who kindly agreed to attend to me herself. After an examination I was offered a urine test and a blood test. I went outside for a coffee, prepared my sample and brought it back. In less than 10 minutes I was called back in to talk about [rapid] urine test results! Doctor explained the results, gave me the medicine and booked another appointment. Nice lady at the reception printed out an appointment confirmation and off I went at 10:15. That's 2 hours and 15 minutes of calm, politeness and professionalism. And most importantly - all free!"
• Anti-AIDS Clinic: Address: C/De la Lluna 11. tel: +34 93 3170505. More details here.

Support

Regarding HIV treatment, check out this link for hospitals that specialize in HIV treatment in Barcelona. According to HIVTravel: "Treatment is provided exclusively through the pharmaceutical services in hospitals. Care is provided by large hospitals through the specific service called "Unidad de enfermedades infecciosas" (infectious diseases unit); in smaller hospitals by the internal medicine service. Access to Spanish healthcare system is universal and free of charge for all citizens. Foreigners are also entitled to healthcare under the same conditions as any other citizen. All residents must be registered in the City council (municipality) irrespective of their migratory status in the country. This is a quick and easy process which can be done at no cost."

Regarding hepatitis treatment, Spain has one of the highest rates of hepatitis treatment in the world.

• Grupo de Trabajo Sobre Tratamientos del VIH: "Offers HIV treatment advice and online documents in Spanish, English, French, Russian, Arabic and Urdu in Barcelona. Website in Spanish and Catalan."
• UNAPRO (Unión para la ayuda y protección de los afectados por el SIDA): "Offers legal assistance, an HIV/AIDS information hotline, support groups, home and hospital accompaniment, social work, psychological care, temporary emergency housing, technical training for volunteers, education and prevention, a library of newspapers, books and movies, massages, food distribution and medicine for HIV-positive people in Santa Cruz de Tenerife."
• VIH y SIDA: "Online information on HIV/AIDS: the viruses, detection, help for HIV-positive people, prevention, statistics, HIV-positive people's rights, clinical demonstrations and treatment."

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• If you have a yeast infection ("infección por levaduras" in Spanish), you can ask the pharmacist for Fluconazole, which is antifungal medication. They'll be able to give you Fluconazole or something similar.
• If you have a urinary tract infection ("infecciones de las vías urinarias" in Spanish), you can contact a doctor/pharmacist to find out next steps.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You'll be able to find pads and tampons (with or without applicator) in supermarkets. As for menstrual cups, there is one registered seller of DivaCup in Spain: Crianza Natural S.L., Tel:, +34936452369, Contact: Rosa Sorribas, info@crianzanatural.com). You can purchase LadyCup through LadyTeen or Copas Menstruales. It's unclear if there are any registered MoonCup sellers. You can find, also, other brands of menstrual cups at pharmacies.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

Abortion is legal in Spain during the first trimester (14 weeks) of pregnancy, according to Organic Law (2010). However, once the woman reaches the second trimester, it is only available under certain scenarios, which are: to save the life of the woman, to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, risk of fetal impairment. After 22 weeks of pregnancy, abortion is only allowed in cases of "serious risks to life or health of the mother or fetus." From the twenty-third week of pregnancy, a legal abortion may only be performed if the "fetal anomalies incompatible with life are detected" or "an extremely serious and incurable disease is detected within the fetus at the time of diagnosis and is confirmed by a clinical committee."

From 1800-1985, abortion was practically illegal in Spain. Beginning in 1983 and continuing into 1985, Spain began introducing laws that liberalized abortion restrictions. Under these new laws, women could receive abortions under special circumstances, including endangerment to life of woman, endangerment to the fetus, or cases of rape or incest. It also specified the criteria under which abortion clinics must operate, including number of staff and the creation of a commission that oversaw all clinics. In 1986, it was ruled that all voluntary abortions must be reported to the national health authorities by the Ministry of Health of each Autonomous Community, which was done after receiving proper paperwork from relevant physicians. Furthermore, all hospitals and clinics that performed abortions, as stipulated in 1986, must keep confidential records of these abortions, including forms authorizing the woman's consent.

In 1991, the Spanish Supreme Court first sanctioned abortion on social grounds after throwing out a case against a married couple who had sought out and received an abortion. However, at that time, the court's decision did not change the laws. Here's an article about abortion in Barcelona in the early 2000s, before additional restrictions were lifted.

In 2010, the Organic Law 2/2010 was passed in Spain. This law aligned Spain with the sexual and reproductive rights established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Under these changes, a woman is free to receive abortion during her first 14 weeks of pregnancy, and no third party involvement is required. After the first trimester, she may receive an abortion under special circumstances (see first paragraph of this section for details). In 2013, Spanish lawmakers challenged abortion law when the cabinet approved a draft law that prohibited abortion, except in cases of rape. This was struck down in September 2014 due to lack of government consensus.

Today, both medical and surgical abortion are available in Spain. However, statistics point to surgical abortion being much more popular with only 4% of induced abortions being done medically (i.e. with pills or medications).

What to Get & Where to Get It

Clinics in Barcelona

• Centro Casanovas: Carrer Calabria 79, 08015 Barcelona, Tel.: 93 426 97 34, cli.casanova@gmail.com
• Agrupación Tutor Medica: Clínica D´Ara, Carrer Berguedà, 17-19, 08029 Barcelona, Tel.: 93 419 26 26, info@tutormedica.com
• Clínica E.M.E.C.E: Carrer Anglí, 39 Bis., 08017 Barcelona, 93 203 30 38, 93 205 27 72
• Instituto Ginetec: Carrer Espronceda 346, 08027 Barcelona, 93 349 38 38, 93 408 38 63
• Centre Mèdic Les Corts: Carrer Nicaragua 128-130 baixos, 08029 Barcelona, 93 430 87 08, 93 430 27 01
• Clínica Ginecológica Sants: Carrer Roger 23, baixos, 08028 Barcelona, 93 339 01 36, 93 490 84 71
• Clínica Dalmases: Carrer Dalmases 34, 08017 Barcelona, 93 417 09 52, 93 212 80 38

General Spanish Resources

• Asociacion de clinicas acreditadas para la interrupcion del embarazo
• Aborto.com
• ClinicasAbortos.com: lists all abortion clinics in Spain

List of Additional Resources

Insurance Agencies

• Spanish Health Coverage: Information on Spanish health insurance that is particularly useful to foreigners and students
• Barcelona Health Insurance Information
• Health Care Information for Expats in Spain
• Allianz Spain: "Allianz Seguros offers a wide range of financial and insurance products throughout its agent/broker network. Allianz Seguros is also present in the direct channel through its subsidiary Fenix Directo (specializing in direct insurance)." Address: Paseo de la Castellana 95, Planta 14, Edificio Torre Europa, 28046 Madrid, Spain, Tel: +34.91.4177767, Fax +34.91.4177999.

Women's Organizations

• Barcelona Women's Network: " a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political social and charitable organization offering support and friendship to both local and international women residing in the greater Barcelona area."
• Barcelona Feminist Workshops: "A twice-monthly meeting group dedicated to exploring and discussing feminist perspectives on gender, work, education, sexuality, consumerism, globalization, masculinities, violence against women, race, ecology and so much more!"