Step · Health
Get a pediatrician (pediatra) for your child in the public health system
In the public health system a child is attended by a pediatrician at a health center. The regional health service assigns the pediatrician once the child has a health card, and families can ask to change to another one.
- Why it matters
- Families moving to Spain use the health center’s pediatric consult for checkups and illness; knowing that you ask for the pediatrician at the health center, after the child has a health card, saves time.
- When
- Your child has a health card (or you are applying for one) and needs a pediatrician, or you want to change the one assigned.
- Official page
- Libertad de elección de médico y pediatra
- Last checked
- 25 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 4 steps, what to bring (3 items), the office with addresses and hours, and 2 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
Under Royal Decree 1575/1993, children under 7 are seen by a pediatrician; from 7 to 14 the family can choose a pediatrician or a family doctor.