Your health on the Camino

Updated May 2026

When people prepare for the Camino de Santiago, they usually focus on routes, accommodation or what to pack. But there’s another important topic that deserves attention: your health during the Camino.

Hopefully, all you’ll need is the occasional plaster/band-aid or painkiller. But blisters, stomach problems, allergies or even accidents can happen. Knowing where to go, what to carry and a few useful Spanish phrases can make a stressful situation much easier to handle.

Do you need vaccines for the Camino de Santiago?

One question that appears regularly in Camino forums is whether you need vacunas (vaccinations) to enter Spain.

The answer is simple: No.

You do not need any special vaccines to enter Spain or any other European country for the Camino de Santiago.

For official travel information about Spain, you can check the tourism website of Spain

 

Health Insurance for the Camino

Another common question is whether you need health insurance.

The answer: it’s highly recommended, especially if you travel from outside the EU.

 

EU Pilgrims: Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea

If you are an EU citizen, don’t forget your Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (European Health Insurance Card).

This card allows you to access public healthcare during a temporary stay in Spain under the same conditions as local residents.

You can find information about applying for the card on the official European Commission website.

Non-EU Pilgrims: Travel Insurance

If you are coming from outside the EU, getting insurance is highly recommended.

And even if you are from the EU, remember that the European Health Insurance Card is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover the same things.

The Camino is generally very safe, but accidents and illnesses can still happen. It’s always better to be prepared.

If you’re not convinced, read Nidarosa’s story.

In case of emergency

The number to contact emergency services in Spain and the rest of Europe is 112.

• It’s a free number.
• Operators speak English.
• You can call for medical emergencies, accidents or other urgent situations.

Make sure you know this number or keep it handy at all times. It would be a good idea to store it in your phone.

If you cannot get yourself to a hospital, or witness someone having an accident or medical emergency, call 112 and explain the situation. They can send an ambulance or other emergency services if needed.

 

Where to go if you need medical help

Farmacias & parafarmacias

For minor issues, your first stop will probably be a farmacia (pharmacy). Pharmacists can help with many of the most common problems. And if they can’t, they’ll refer you to someone who can.

At times when shops are usually closed, such as late evenings and Sundays, there is always a farmacia de guardia (pharmacy on-call) open 24/7. All pharmacies have to display a list of the farmacias de guardia in the area.

You don’t have to wait till Monday to get what you need.

 

Parafarmacias are similar to farmacias, but they don’t sell medicines, not even the over-the-counter stuff, like paracetamol/acetaminophen. You won’t find those in supermarkets either.

 

Centro de salud and urgencias

If you need medical attention while in Spain during the day, you can go to the local centro de salud.

If it’s closed you can go to urgencias (A&E or ER, depending where you are from) to be seen by a doctor.

If you can’t get yourself to either, call 112 for assistance. Don’t worry if your Spanish is limited. As I mentioned, they have English-speaking operators to help you. They will assess the situation and dispatch an ambulance or any other emergency services they deem necessary.

 

Your Camino first-aid kit

When packing your mochila, leave a little space for a small first-aid kit.

But remember one important Camino rule:

No “just in case” stuff.

You can buy what you need in Spain, so your first-aid kit can stay light and practical.

Ampollas (blisters) are the most common problem that pilgrims face. We should do whatever we can to prevent them, but sometimes they are inevitable.

• If that happens, you might need some tiritas (plasters/band-aids).
• You might also want to carry crema solar (sun protection cream).

• Ibuprofeno is a Camino favourite is everyone’s first-aid kit. It works as an anti-inflammatory if you have any swelling, and as pain relief, too. And you can get it in different formats (gel, tablets and even powder to mix with water). As with any other drug, just make sure you check what the right dose is as well as the possible side effects and contraindications.

 

 

Today’s Spanish vocabulary for the Camino

 

¡Buen Camino!