Sore throat in Barcelona: when an online GP visit can help

Informational content from Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera's site. This version is not documented as medically reviewed by him.

If you are visiting or have just moved to Barcelona, it can be hard to know where to go when you feel unwell.

A sore throat can make it hard to eat, sleep or talk. It is harder when you do not know the local system. This page explains when a video visit with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera can help, when you should go in person, and where to go in Barcelona.

Book a video visit€50 · 15 min · Tue · Thu · Fri · Sat

Can an online visit help?

You can request an online consultation with an English-speaking doctor. The doctor will determine whether online treatment is suitable or whether an in-person assessment is required.

Common symptoms

Getting medical advice while travelling or living abroad can be stressful, especially when language barriers make local pharmacies and healthcare services difficult to navigate. A sore throat may cause:

Throat pain or irritation
Pain when swallowing
Red or swollen tonsils
Fever
Swollen neck glands
Hoarseness
Cough or nasal symptoms

What the doctor can do by video

During your online consultation, the doctor will assess your symptoms, duration, fever, exposure history, medical conditions, medications, and warning signs. Treatment may include:

Advice on fluids, rest, and symptom control
Appropriate pain-relief recommendations
Assessment for possible streptococcal infection
Antibiotics only when clinically justified or confirmed by appropriate testing
Referral for an in-person throat examination or testing when necessary

Antibiotics are not routinely recommended for most uncomplicated sore throats because they provide limited benefit and may cause adverse effects. Online care is not appropriate when there are signs of airway obstruction, severe dehydration, or a serious infection.

When to go in person or call 112

A video visit is for urgent, non-emergency care. If you have any of the signs below, do not wait for a video visit: go to a hospital emergency department (urgencias) or call 112.

Seek urgent medical attention if you have:

Difficulty breathing or inability to swallow saliva
Drooling, severe neck swelling, or a muffled voice
Severe one-sided throat pain or difficulty opening your mouth
Signs of dehydration
Severe weakness, confusion, or rapidly worsening symptoms
A high-risk medical condition with significant infection symptoms

In a life-threatening emergency, call 112. It is free, works from any phone in Spain, and you can ask for English.

Public hospital emergency departments in Barcelona

These public hospitals have emergency departments (urgencias). Go to the nearest one if you have warning signs. Opening and access can change, so check the hospital page if you can.

Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
District: Eixample
Carrer de Villarroel, 170, Barcelona
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
District: Horta-Guinardó
Carrer de Sant Quintí, 87, Barcelona
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron
District: Horta-Guinardó
Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 119-129, Barcelona

Pharmacies on duty in Barcelona

Outside normal hours, a pharmacy on duty (farmacia de guardia, or farmàcia de guàrdia in Catalan) stays open in each area. The Barcelona College of Pharmacists has a map tool, Farmaguia, that shows which pharmacies are open.

Barcelona College of Pharmacists (COFB): open pharmacies

Public healthcare in Barcelona

Public healthcare in Barcelona is run by CatSalut, the Catalan health service. For health advice or help finding out-of-hours care in Catalonia, 061 Salut Respon can direct you. Dr. Yelamo's practice is private and online: it is not part of CatSalut.

Price and days

Urgent Care video visit: €50 for 15 minutes, paid online when you book. No subscription. You get an itemised invoice for your insurer.
Visits run on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You get a secure video link by email and WhatsApp.
A private electronic prescription under Spanish law is issued only if clinically indicated after a video assessment. It is never guaranteed.
You must be in Spain at the start of the visit.