If you live in Tenerife or are visiting and don’t speak Spanish, a medical appointment can be a stressful experience. While many doctors on the island have basic English skills, this is not always the case, especially in public health centers or local pharmacies.

To help you navigate any medical visit smoothly, we’ve put together this guide with key phrases to explain symptoms, ask for help at a pharmacy, and useful resources for emergency communication.

1. Before the Appointment: How to Book a Doctor’s Visit Without Speaking Spanish

If you need to visit a public health center, it’s best to book an appointment in advance, either online, by phone, or in person.

✅ Useful phrases to book a medical appointment:
📞 By phone or at reception:

• Hola, quiero pedir una cita con el médico. (Hello, I would like to book an appointment with the doctor.)
• No hablo español, ¿me puede ayudar? (I don’t speak Spanish, can you help me?)
• Tengo la tarjeta sanitaria. (I have my health card.)
• ¿Cuándo es la próxima cita disponible? (When is the next available appointment?)

If you need to go to emergency services, you don’t need an appointment. At the hospital or health center reception, you can say:

• Necesito ver a un médico, es una urgencia. (I need to see a doctor, it’s an emergency.)
• Tengo dolor en… (I have pain in…)
• No me siento bien. (I don’t feel well.)

🛑 Practical Tip: If you have private health insurance, most private clinics offer services in English. Some, like Hospiten or Quirónsalud, have multilingual medical staff.

2. During the Appointment: How to Describe Your Symptoms

When you see the doctor, it’s important to clearly describe your symptoms.

✅ Phrases to describe common symptoms:

• Me duele la cabeza / el estómago / la espalda. (My head/stomach/back hurts.)
• Tengo fiebre / tos / dolor de garganta. (I have a fever / cough / sore throat.)
• Estoy mareado/a. (I feel dizzy.)
• Tengo náuseas / vómitos / diarrea. (I have nausea / vomiting / diarrhea.)
• No puedo respirar bien. (I can’t breathe properly.)
• Tengo alergia a… (I am allergic to…)
• Estoy embarazada. (I am pregnant.)
• Tengo una erupción en la piel. (I have a skin rash.)
• Me ha picado un insecto / una medusa. (I was bitten by an insect / stung by a jellyfish.)

✅ Phrases to ask about treatment:

• ¿Necesito tomar algún medicamento? (Do I need to take any medication?)
• ¿Es necesario hacerme una prueba / análisis de sangre? (Do I need a test / blood test?)
• ¿Cuánto tiempo debo tomar esta medicina? (How long should I take this medicine?)
• ¿Tiene efectos secundarios? (Does it have any side effects?)

3. At the Pharmacy: How to Ask for Medication Without a Prescription

In Spain, some basic medications are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.

✅ Useful phrases for the pharmacy:

• Necesito algo para el dolor de cabeza / fiebre / alergias. (I need something for headache / fever / allergies.)
• ¿Tienen un medicamento sin receta para…? (Do you have an over-the-counter medicine for…?)
• Tengo una receta del médico. (I have a prescription from the doctor.)
• ¿Cómo debo tomar este medicamento? (How should I take this medicine?)
• ¿Cuántas veces al día? (How many times a day?)
• ¿Este medicamento tiene efectos secundarios? (Does this medicine have any side effects?)

🛑 Practical Tip: Many pharmacies in tourist areas in Tenerife have English-speaking staff. Look for signs that say “We speak English” if you need detailed explanations.

4. Apps and Tools for Medical Emergencies

If you don’t speak Spanish and need help communicating during a medical visit, these apps can be very useful:

📱 Google Translate – Use the voice function to translate full sentences in real time.

📱 MediBabble – A medical translation app with preset phrases in multiple languages to describe symptoms and receive instructions.

📱 SayHi – A voice translation app that allows you to have real-time conversations in different languages.

📱 Doctoralia – A platform to find English-speaking doctors in Tenerife and book appointments online.

5. Final Tips for Your Medical Visit in Tenerife

✔ Always carry your health card or health insurance details.
✔ If you have allergies or serious medical conditions, write them down in Spanish on a card or on your phone.
✔ If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification:

• ¿Puede repetirlo más despacio, por favor? (Can you repeat it more slowly, please?)
• ¿Me lo puede escribir? (Can you write it down for me?)
  ✔ If you take regular medication, ask the pharmacy if it is available in Spain under the same name or if there are equivalent options.

Conclusion

Going to the doctor in Tenerife without speaking Spanish might seem difficult, but with some key phrases and translation tools, communication can be much easier. Having a basic guide to symptoms and how to ask for help at a pharmacy will allow you to handle any medical visit without stress.

If you need frequent medical care, consider visiting health centers or private clinics with English-speaking staff, and always carry your health card or insurance details to avoid complications.

📌 Share this guide with other expats in Tenerife who might need help with medical visits. It’s always good to be prepared! 💙