TEST MODE — Payments are simulated. No real money is charged.

Essential Medical Spanish Phrases for Tourists: A Pocket Guide

6 May 2026by OnCall Clinic4 min read

Don't speak Spanish? Use this pocket guide of medical phrases to communicate symptoms, ask for help at pharmacies, and speak with doctors in Spain.

Why You Need These Phrases

Most tourists in Spain can manage with English in hotels and restaurants. But when you're feeling ill and need to explain symptoms at a pharmacy or clinic, even basic Spanish makes a huge difference.

You don't need to be fluent. Just 10-15 key phrases will get you through most medical situations.

Emergency Phrases

English Spanish Pronunciation
Help! ¡Ayuda! ah-YOO-dah
Call an ambulance Llame a una ambulancia YAH-meh ah OO-nah ahm-boo-LAHN-see-ah
It's an emergency Es una emergencia es OO-nah eh-mer-HEN-see-ah
I need a doctor Necesito un médico neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh
Where is the hospital? ¿Dónde está el hospital? DOHN-deh es-TAH el os-pee-TAL
I'm allergic to... Soy alérgico/a a... soy ah-LEHR-hee-koh ah
I can't breathe No puedo respirar noh PWEH-doh res-pee-RAR

At the Pharmacy

English Spanish Pronunciation
I need something for... Necesito algo para... neh-seh-SEE-toh AL-goh PAH-rah
...headache ...dolor de cabeza doh-LOR deh kah-BEH-sah
...stomach pain ...dolor de estómago doh-LOR deh es-TOH-mah-goh
...diarrhoea ...diarrea dee-ah-REH-ah
...sunburn ...quemadura solar keh-mah-DOO-rah so-LAR
...fever ...fiebre fee-EH-breh
...cough ...tos tohs
...sore throat ...dolor de garganta doh-LOR deh gar-GAN-tah
...earache ...dolor de oído doh-LOR deh oh-EE-doh
...insect bite ...picadura de insecto pee-kah-DOO-rah deh in-SEK-toh
Do I need a prescription? ¿Necesito receta? neh-seh-SEE-toh reh-SEH-tah
Is this available without prescription? ¿Esto es sin receta? ES-toh es seen reh-SEH-tah

Describing Symptoms to a Doctor

English Spanish
It hurts here Me duele aquí (point to area)
Since yesterday Desde ayer
Since 2 days ago Desde hace dos días
I feel dizzy Me siento mareado/a
I feel nauseous Tengo náuseas
I vomited He vomitado
I have diarrhoea Tengo diarrea
I have a fever Tengo fiebre
I have a rash Tengo un sarpullido
It's getting worse Está empeorando
I'm pregnant Estoy embarazada
I take medication for... Tomo medicación para...
I'm diabetic Soy diabético/a
I have asthma Tengo asma

Allergies & Medical History

English Spanish
I'm allergic to penicillin Soy alérgico/a a la penicilina
I'm allergic to ibuprofen Soy alérgico/a al ibuprofeno
I have no allergies No tengo alergias
I take blood thinners Tomo anticoagulantes
I have high blood pressure Tengo hipertensión
My blood type is... Mi grupo sanguíneo es...

At the Hospital

English Spanish
Where is the emergency room? ¿Dónde están las urgencias?
How long is the wait? ¿Cuánto tiempo de espera?
I have European Health Insurance Tengo Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea
I have travel insurance Tengo seguro de viaje
Can I have a receipt? ¿Me puede dar un recibo?
I need the receipt for my insurance Necesito el recibo para mi seguro

Pro Tips

  1. Screenshot this page on your phone before travelling
  2. Google Translate conversation mode works well for real-time translation
  3. Spanish pharmacists are clinically trained — they can recommend products just from seeing your symptoms
  4. "Me duele aquí" + pointing solves 80% of communication problems
  5. Most home doctor services in tourist areas offer bilingual doctors who speak English and Spanish

Frequently asked questions

Do doctors in Spain speak English?
In major cities and tourist areas, many private doctors speak English. Public hospitals usually have some English-speaking staff but it's not guaranteed. In rural areas and small towns, English is less common. Having a few key medical phrases in Spanish helps enormously, especially at pharmacies and public health centres.
How do I ask for a doctor in Spanish?
Say 'Necesito un médico' (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh) — I need a doctor. For an emergency, say 'Es una emergencia' (es OO-nah eh-mer-HEN-see-ah). At a hotel reception, ask '¿Pueden llamar a un médico?' (PWEH-den yah-MAR ah oon MEH-dee-koh) — Can you call a doctor?
How do I explain symptoms at a Spanish pharmacy?
Point to the affected area and say 'Me duele aquí' (meh DWEH-leh ah-KEE) — it hurts here. For fever say 'Tengo fiebre' (TEN-goh fee-EH-breh). For stomach problems, 'Tengo dolor de estómago' (TEN-goh doh-LOR deh es-TOH-mah-goh). Spanish pharmacists are trained to recommend products, so even basic communication works well.
What's the Spanish word for pharmacy?
Farmacia (far-MAH-see-ah). Look for the green cross sign. 'Farmacia de guardia' means a pharmacy that's open outside normal hours — including nights, weekends, and holidays. Every area has at least one farmacia de guardia available 24/7.
Can I use a translation app at a Spanish hospital?
Yes, and you should. Google Translate's conversation mode works well for medical Spanish. However, for accuracy with medical terminology, it's better to have a few key phrases memorised or printed. Most smartphones can also do real-time camera translation of signs and forms.

Related articles