Sore throat in Madrid: 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid.

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 Madrid

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 Universitario La Paz
District: Fuencarral-El Pardo
Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón
District: Retiro
Calle del Doctor Esquerdo, 46, 28007 Madrid
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
District: Usera
Avenida de Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid
Hospital Clínico San Carlos
District: Moncloa-Aravaca
Calle del Profesor Martín Lagos, s/n, 28040 Madrid

Pharmacies on duty in Madrid

Outside normal hours, a pharmacy on duty (farmacia de guardia) stays open in each part of the city. The Madrid College of Pharmacists lists them by district. Madrid City Council points to the same search.

Madrid College of Pharmacists (COFM): pharmacies on duty

Public healthcare in Madrid

Public healthcare in Madrid is run by SERMAS, the Madrid regional health service. Its hospitals have 24-hour emergency departments. Dr. Yelamo's practice is private and online: it is not part of SERMAS.

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.