India
Spain
Why patients from Spain travel abroad for treatment
Spain has a well-regarded public healthcare system, yet patients occasionally find that highly specialised procedures — complex cardiac surgery, advanced cancer care, organ transplants, rare orthopaedic interventions, and certain neurological treatments — are available only at a limited number of centres, sometimes with significant waiting periods before a consultation or procedure can be scheduled. For conditions where timing matters or where a particular technique is not routinely offered domestically, travelling abroad for treatment becomes a practical and considered choice rather than a last resort.
India has become one of the most established destinations for international patients seeking this kind of care. Its leading hospitals combine internationally trained specialists, modern infrastructure, and accreditation to global standards — at treatment costs that are, in most cases, substantially lower than those in Western Europe. English is widely spoken across medical settings, dedicated international patient departments handle coordination end to end, and the breadth of specialties available under one roof means that complex, multi-stage treatment plans can be managed without changing country or care team. For patients from Spain weighing their options, India offers a combination of clinical quality, accessibility, and value that is genuinely difficult to match.
India is increasingly being trusted for medical care
India & Spain: a friendship that extends to healthcare
India and Spain mark 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2026 — a friendship now deepening across education, travel and people-to-people ties. The Indian diaspora in Spain numbers around 75,000, concentrated in Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid and the Canary Islands. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers scholarships annually to Spanish nationals to study in India, and in July 2024 the Association of Indian Universities and the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on higher-education cooperation — cemented further by a joint conference of Indian Vice-Chancellors and 34 Spanish university rectors held in New Delhi in February 2026.
Bilateral travel has surged to record levels, with 225,000 Indian visitors arriving in Spain and more than 80,000 Spanish tourists travelling to India in the same period. This growing familiarity runs both ways: for a Spanish patient considering medical treatment in India, the country is far from unknown territory — it is a destination linked by decades of academic exchange, a substantial shared diaspora and rapidly expanding direct human contact.
Sources: India–Spain Bilateral Brief, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (17 April 2026); India–Spain Bilateral Brief, Embassy of India, Madrid (20 April 2026); India–Spain Bilateral Brief, Embassy of India, Madrid (2025).
Specialties for which patients generally travel to India
Heart treatment leads the corridor — across Cardiac Surgery, patients from Spain most often travel for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), Heart Transplant Surgery and Heart Valve Replacement Surgery.
Fertility & women's health is another major draw: Infertility & IVF, with Donor Egg IVF, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment among the most sought treatments.
Many patients also come for Cancer care — Medical Oncology — particularly Chemotherapy for Cancer and Targeted Therapy for Cancer.
Brain, spine & nerve care completes the picture across Neurosurgery, most commonly for Brain Tumor Surgery and Pituitary Tumor Surgery.
Eye, ear & dental care (Ophthalmology) is also among the care patients from Spain commonly seek in India.
Many patients also come for Bone & joint care — Orthopedics — particularly Hip Replacement and Knee Replacement Surgery.
Popular Hospitals for Spain patients in India
Accredited partner hospitals — specialties, doctors, facilities and accreditations. →
Medical visa from Spain to India
Visa requirements for Spanish travellers are set by the Government of India and change from time to time. Rather than publish a procedure that may be out of date, we point you to the official source and confirm your position with you personally.
Check the official Indian government portal: indianvisaonline.gov.in — it is the only authorised site, and no third party can issue an Indian visa on your behalf.
Tell us you are travelling from Spain and we will confirm what applies to you, what documents you need and what it costs — usually the same day you ask. Whichever route applies, we arrange the hospital invitation letter free of charge and guide you through the paperwork.
What to bring
- Medical reports & scans — all recent reports, imaging (on disc or drive), prescriptions and discharge summaries, ideally also as digital copies;
- Passport & photos — valid at least 6 months beyond arrival, plus a few passport-size photographs;
- Current medicines — in original packaging, with the prescriptions that cover them;
- A letter from your local doctor — diagnosis and treatment history, if available;
- Payment — an internationally enabled card and/or US dollars; hospitals accept both, and our team advises on the best way to pay;
- Comfortable clothing — loose, layered clothes for hospital stays and recovery;
- Travel documents & hospital papers — your passport, any visa or entry documents that apply to your nationality, and the hospital invitation letter;
- Your companion's documents — passport, photographs and their own travel documents.
Getting to India from Spain
Most patients travelling from Spain to India depart from Madrid Barajas (MAD), which offers the broadest range of connections. Travellers based in Barcelona or Valencia typically connect through Madrid or another major European hub before continuing to India. Flights generally route via hub airports in the Middle East or Europe, with Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) being the most common Indian arrival points; Chennai (MAA) is the usual gateway for patients headed to hospitals in the south. Typically 12 to 16 hours time from Madrid to major Indian gateway airports. Ginger Healthcare's international patient team coordinates airport reception, transfer to the hospital or initial accommodation, and all ground logistics from the moment of landing — so that arriving in an unfamiliar city after a long-haul flight is as straightforward as possible.
Live prices from real airline searches — compare dates, airlines and stopovers before you budget. Opens in a new tab. See routes & fares →
Planning the cost of treatment in India
Planning a medical trip to India involves more than the treatment itself. Understanding every layer of expenditure from the outset helps patients from Spain budget realistically and travel with confidence rather than uncertainty.
- Treatment cost — varies with the specific diagnosis, the treating hospital, and the experience of the surgeon or specialist involved.
- Visa fees: Whatever visa applies to your nationality carries a government fee, plus a small bank processing charge. We confirm the current route and fee with you before you apply — see the visa section below.
| Procedure | Indicative cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Brain Tumor Surgery | $4,000 - $11,000 |
| Chemotherapy for Cancer | $500 - $2,000 |
| Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) | $3,500 - $7,000 |
| Heart Valve Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $9,000 |
| Hip Replacement | $5,500 - $9,500 |
| IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Treatment | $2,500 - $4,500 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $5,000 - $14,000 |
Indicative ranges for international patients — each procedure links to its detailed page. The final estimate depends on your medical reports, the hospital and the doctor.
🧮 Medical Tourism Cost CalculatorTreatment + visa + travel fare + stay — one tentative estimate, free. Estimate now →
Frequently asked questions — Spain
Will language be a barrier during my treatment in India?
English is the standard working language across India's major hospitals, and international patient departments are accustomed to supporting overseas visitors throughout their stay. Ginger Healthcare's coordinators are also available around the clock to assist with communication, paperwork and any day-to-day queries you or your family may have.
Google Reviews
What patients say about treatment in India & experience with us
Helena Garrigos Martin “Very nice experience with Emad and Anushka , they guided me through the whole process and medical consultations! I recommend Ginger Healthcare with no doubt”
Mironela Nebel“We came from Germany for treatment at BLK-Max Hospital, and our experience has been excellent from start to finish. A special thanks to Emad Hussain for his outstanding support, coordination, and care throughout our entire journey. He was always available, professional, and made everything smooth and stress-free. We would also like to thank Anushka for her kind support and excellent assistance. We truly appreciate everything the team has done for us. We highly recommend their services to anyone planning to come to India for medical treatment. They are trustworthy, reliable, and genuinely care about their patients. Thank you so much for everything!”
Amondeep Mandiar “I can honestly say that my experience seeking treatment abroad was nothing short of exceptional, and it really highlighted just how disappointing my experience with the NHS had been in comparison. After facing long delays, lack of clear communication, and a general feeling of being overlooked in the UK system, making the decision to travel overseas for care felt like a last resort—but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled with a level of professionalism and efficiency that immediately put me at ease. The hospital itself was spotless, modern, and incredibly well-organised. There was no sense of chaos or long waiting around; every appointment, test, and consultation was arranged promptly and ran exactly on time. It felt like the entire system was built around patient care and comfort, rather than patients having to fit into an overstretched system. The medical team were outstanding. Every doctor and nurse I interacted with took the time to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and make sure I fully understood my treatment plan. I never once felt rushed or dismissed. Instead, I felt genuinely cared for and respected, which made a huge difference during what was already a stressful time. One of the standout parts of the entire experience was the support we received from Natasha, our international client coordinator. From the very beginning, she went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. She organised appointments, helped with paperwork, arranged transport, and was always available whenever we had questions or concerns. Her communication was excellent, and she made what could have been a very overwhelming experience feel simple and manageable. Natasha didn’t just do her job—she genuinely cared. She checked in on us regularly, made sure we were comfortable, and provided reassurance every step of the way. Having someone like her there made a huge difference, especially being in a foreign country where things can easily feel unfamiliar or stressful. Overall, the level of care, attention, and efficiency we experienced abroad was on a completely different level. It’s frustrating to say, but the contrast with the NHS was stark. Where we had previously faced delays and uncertainty, we instead found clarity, speed, and genuine compassion. I would highly recommend this hospital to anyone considering treatment abroad. The quality of care, combined with the incredible support from staff like Natasha, made what could have been a difficult experience into a very positive one. I’m truly grateful for the care I received and wouldn’t hesitate to make the same decision again if needed.”
Hakeem Rasully“Hi I just wanted to share my sincere appreciation for the outstanding experience I had. Everything exceeded my expectations, and I am especially grateful to Mr. Emad Hussain and Anushka . They took exceptional care of me throughout my time there, always ensuring I was comfortable and well looked after. Their support meant so much. I will absolutely recommend your services to everyone I know. Thank you once again for such a wonderful experience.”
Ana Maria Ghimbulut“Amazon experience all day at the hospital under caring fii dance and patience. Very help full and kind staff ready to help all the time.”
Maidul Islam“I extremely grateful for the Ginger Healthcare team. They helped me including airport-hotel transport, in the hospital registration, etc I want to sincerely thank you for the wonderful support throughout my medical journey in India.”