How to Choose an Online GP in Spain: 9 Things to Check
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
A neutral checklist for comparing online medical services in Spain: the four types of service, nine things to check, red flags and which option suits which situation.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 20-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
If you search for online medical care in Spain you will find very different services that look similar at first sight. This guide explains the four main types, gives you nine things to check before you book, and says plainly which type suits which situation, including when an independent GP is not the best choice.
Quick Answer
Check three things first: that the doctor is named and has a Spanish licence number you can verify, that the full price and the length of the appointment are stated before you pay, and that the service is clear about what it cannot do online. Then choose the type of service that matches your situation.
The four types of online medical service in Spain
| Type | How it works | Usually best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurer apps | Video doctor included in a Spanish private health insurance policy. | People who already hold that policy. | You need the policy; the doctor you speak to varies. |
| 24/7 on-demand platforms | You pay per call and are connected to whichever doctor is on shift. | Night-time or immediate access for a simple problem. | Calls are often short and you rarely see the same doctor twice. |
| Directories and marketplaces | You choose from many doctors' profiles and book one. | Finding a particular specialist. | Price, language level and approach vary from profile to profile. |
| Independent named GP | You book one specific doctor who runs the practice. | Continuity, detailed explanation and careful documentation. | Set appointment days rather than 24/7 cover. |
Nine things to check before you book
- The doctor's licence. Every doctor practising in Spain must be registered with a provincial medical college and has a registration number (número de colegiado). A trustworthy service names the doctor and shows the number, which you can check in the public register of Spain's medical colleges.
- Who you will actually see. One named doctor, or whoever is on shift? This matters if you may need follow-up.
- Language. "English-speaking" covers a wide range. Look for a stated level, or reviews that mention how well the doctor explained things.
- Length of the appointment. Is it stated in minutes? A five-minute call and a twenty-minute consultation are different products.
- The full price before you pay. Check what is included (prescription, report, invoice) and whether there is a subscription.
- Prescriptions. A doctor licensed in Spain can issue a private electronic prescription that Spanish pharmacies dispense, when it is clinically indicated. See how EU e-prescriptions work.
- Documents. Ask which certificates the service can issue and which it cannot. No private online doctor can issue a baja médica or a driving-licence medical.
- Hours and limits. Is it 24/7 or on set days? Does it say clearly that emergencies go to 112?
- Privacy. Who holds your records, and is anything shared with an insurer or employer without your consent?
Red flags
- A prescription or antibiotic promised before any assessment.
- No named doctor and no licence number.
- The price appears only after you sign up.
- Claims to handle emergencies online.
Which type suits which situation?
- It is 2 a.m. and you feel unwell: a 24/7 platform, or urgencias. In an emergency, call 112.
- You have Spanish private health insurance: check your insurer's app first, as video consultations may already be included.
- You need a specific specialist: a directory, or a referral from a GP.
- You want one doctor who explains things in your language, documents them properly and is there next time: an independent named GP.
Where Dr. Pedro Yelamo's practice fits
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera runs an independent named-GP practice, the fourth type above. He is a physician licensed in Spain (Nº Colegiado 484814280) who consults by video in English and Spanish. An Urgent Care consultation lasts 20 minutes and costs €50, with no subscription, and appointments are on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is not a 24/7 service and it is not part of an insurer's network: you receive an itemised invoice to claim back if your policy allows it. The full standards are in the care charter, and the limits of online care are in what an online GP can and cannot treat.
If that is the kind of care you are looking for, book a video consultation with an online doctor in Spain. It is for urgent, non-emergency care; in an emergency, call 112.
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
