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Nerja

Healthcare in Nerja

Health centres, hospitals, pharmacies and how to register for public healthcare

Photo by Mariano Baraldi on Unsplash

In short

Register on the padrón at Nerja town hall, then apply for your tarjeta sanitaria at Centro de Salud Nerja. For GP and nurse care, use the Centro de Salud; for A&E, drive to Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía in Vélez-Málaga (~25 km). Private clinics like Nerja Medical Center and Clinica Sta. Cecilia offer English-speaking care, with GP visits typically €40-80. For emergencies, call 112.

Quick facts

  • The nearest public hospital is Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía in Vélez-Málaga, roughly 25 km away.
  • The local public health centre is Centro de Salud Nerja.
  • The health card is the tarjeta sanitaria, and the padrón comes first.
  • Urgent care is at the Centro de Salud, and 112 is the emergency number.
  • Private options include Clinica Sta. Cecilia and Nerja Medical Center.

If you are moving to Nerja, healthcare is a practical question with a clear answer: the town has a solid public health centre, but no hospital. For A&E and most specialist care, you will drive to Vélez-Málaga or Málaga city. Here is how the system works locally, from registration to the private clinics on your doorstep.

Public Healthcare and Who Qualifies

Nerja's public healthcare is provided by the Servicio Andaluz de Salud (SAS), the regional health service. You qualify if you are a resident and contribute to Spanish social security, are a pensioner with an S1 form, or hold a valid GHIC/EHIC as a visitor. Non-EU residents without social security typically need private insurance or a convenio especial.

The key first step is registering on the padrón (municipal census) at Nerja town hall. This is the foundation for accessing public services, including healthcare.

Registering: Padrón to Health Card

The process is straightforward but requires a few steps:

  1. Get your padrón certificate from the Nerja town hall.
  2. Obtain your NIE and Social Security number.
  3. Take these documents to your assigned Centro de Salud to apply for your tarjeta sanitaria (health card).
  4. You will be assigned a GP (médico de cabecera).

Once registered, you can book appointments by phone or via the ClicSalud+ app. The health card is your key to accessing public services.

Your Local Health Centre

Centro de Salud Nerja is at C/ Antonio Ferrandis Chanquete, s/n. It is run by SAS and offers GP appointments, nursing, vaccinations and basic urgent care. Spanish is the main language, but some doctors speak English on request; a 24-hour telephone translation service is available if needed.

A new health centre was scheduled for completion in April 2026, replacing the existing facility. Check with SAS for the current status and opening hours.

Hospitals

There is no hospital in Nerja. The nearest is Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía in Vélez-Málaga, about 25 km away (roughly 30 minutes by car). It is a public hospital with an A&E department.

For complex or specialist care, you will be referred to Málaga's major hospitals, such as Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Victoria or Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, about 55 km away.

Emergencies, Urgent Care and Pharmacies

For any emergency, call 112. For urgent but non-life-threatening issues, your first point of contact is the Centro de Salud. For out-of-hours care, you may need to travel to Vélez-Málaga.

Nerja has several pharmacies in the town centre. Check the rota (farmacia de guardia) displayed on pharmacy doors for weekend and night opening.

Private Healthcare and Insurance

Nerja has two well-established private clinics. Clinica Sta. Cecilia, open since 2008, is a licensed Centro Periférico de Especialidades offering same-day care, diagnostics and a range of specialists. Nerja Medical Center is at Calle San Miguel 14, opposite the Mercadona, open Monday to Friday 09:00–17:00, and can be reached on +34 622 094 554.

Private GP visits typically cost between €40 and €80. For visitors, a GHIC or EHIC covers necessary public treatment; for residents without public cover, private insurance is essential.

Costa Bridge View

Nerja suits people who value a strong local GP service and are prepared to drive for hospital care. The 25 km trip to Vélez-Málaga is manageable for planned appointments, but for frequent specialist visits or chronic conditions, Málaga city is a long way. Private clinics fill the gap for English-speaking care and quick diagnostics, but they come at a cost. If you need regular hospital treatment, consider whether Nerja's location works for you.

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