Spain's Healthcare Waiting Lists Surge to Nearly 5 Million Patients
Recent data from Spain's Ministry of Health reveals a significant increase in healthcare waiting lists, reaching a total of 4,925,648 patients as of late 2025. Specifically, 853,509 individuals are awaiting surgery, while 4,072,139 are waiting for specialist consultations. Since 2024, the number of patients waiting for surgical procedures has risen by nearly 7,000, with average wait times exceeding three months: 121 days for operations and 102 days for specialist visits. Plastic Surgery faces the longest delays at 269 days, followed by Neurosurgery and Angiology. Regionally, Andalusia and Catalonia bear the brunt of this crisis, accounting for 46% of all surgical waiting lists and 69% of patients waiting more than six months. In contrast, the Basque Country, Madrid, and La Rioja report the lowest numbers of long-term waits. While some specific procedures like cholecystectomy have seen reduced wait times, the overall trend indicates a chronic strain on the National Health System. The report highlights that 21.6% of patients wait over six months for care, underscoring persistent structural challenges in Spanish public healthcare despite minor improvements in certain specialized processes.
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Spain's Healthcare Waiting Lists Surge to Nearly 5 Million Patients
Recent data from Spain's Ministry of Health reveals a significant increase in healthcare waiting lists, reaching a total of 4,925,648 patients as of late 2025. Specifically, 853,509 individuals are awaiting surgery, while 4,072,139 are waiting for specialist consultations. Since 2024, the number of patients waiting for surgical procedures has risen by nearly 7,000, with average wait times exceeding three months: 121 days for operations and 102 days for specialist visits. Plastic Surgery faces the longest delays at 269 days, followed by Neurosurgery and Angiology. Regionally, Andalusia and Catalonia bear the brunt of this crisis, accounting for 46% of all surgical waiting lists and 69% of patients waiting more than six months. In contrast, the Basque Country, Madrid, and La Rioja report the lowest numbers of long-term waits. While some specific procedures like cholecystectomy have seen reduced wait times, the overall trend indicates a chronic strain on the National Health System. The report highlights that 21.6% of patients wait over six months for care, underscoring persistent structural challenges in Spanish public healthcare despite minor improvements in certain specialized processes.
elmundo