(Para ver esta misma información en español / To see this same information in Spanish: pinche aquí / click here).

The Canary Islands public health service is known as the “Servicio Canario de la Salud” and is managed by the regional government.

To find the details of your closest health centre in the Canary Islands (the islands of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura), you have two ways to search online.

Option one: –

Click on the following link to search a database provided by the Canary Islands regional government.

Search database: https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/RegistroCentros/index.xhtml

1. On the link above, in the drop-down menu, in “Consulta” choose “Por tipo de centro sanitario”  (By type of centre)
2. Under Tipo de centro*  where it says “Seleccione tipo de centro” (Select the type of centre),  scroll down and choose either:
   1. 1. “Centros de Salud”; these are for the larger health centres that start with the letters CS (centro de salud).

or

Many places also have local centres in neighbourhoods or outlying villages with more limited hours and services (names start with CL: centro local or sometimes CP). To find one of these, (as there may be one closer to you than a CS), choose “Consultorios de Atención Primaria” from the “Seleccione tipo de centro” list.

There is no need to fill in the next fields (“Oferta Sanitaria” or “Estado”).

Remember, at the end of the form, under “Localización” (Location), you must also enter your island (isla), or town / village (municipio) to narrow your search. Then press the blue “Buscar” button.

A list with contact details will appear. If you click “Ubicación” next to each centre, Google Maps opens.

Option two: –

Otherwise, in the following link you can access an interactive map with all the centres marked. Search for CS for Centro de Salud (health centres) or CL for Centros Lcoales (local centres, also known as Primary Clinics -CP). You can also see hospitals (H), after-hours primary health care centres (U), and other options on the map.

Interactive map:

https://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/mapasanitario/map.html?map=327680&lat=28.23664944401447&lon=-16.083984375&zoom=7

If you are not sure if you are entitled to public healthcare or how to register, click here.

Normally, you can only first register for medical care in the Canary Islands through the largest Health Centres (CS) closest to where you live. A Centro Local (CL) (local centre) is a more localised surgery and has shorter opening times; These are for routine medical appointments for people who are already registered in the system.

A note about interpreting or translating into English during your visit: There is no automatic interpretation service available in English in the Canary Islands. Most health centres have English-speaking staff, especially in areas with more foreign residents. In areas with few foreign residents, it is advisable to make a first visit with a Spanish speaker and ask about the availability of English-speaking doctors. The staff will always do their best to help in any case. Click this link to see more information on this topic, including a link to find voluntary organisations in your area that may help you by accompanying you to a medical visit.