Public Health Valencia.

VALENCIA.

Public healthcare system waiting times in Valencia.

In 2022, residents in the Valencian Community waited over three months on average for a specialist appointment, according to Regional government statistics.

Data from July 2025 indicated that nationally, the average wait to see a specialist was 140 days (about four and a half months), with wait times for specialists and surgeries reportedly increasing across Spain.

Factors affecting wait times.

Specialty: The average wait time can differ significantly depending on the medical specialty.

Nationally, wait times for plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and vascular surgery tend to be longer than for dermatology or ophthalmology.

Urgency: The reported times apply to non-emergency appointments.

Many Authorities reporting increasing delays due to a shortage of surgeons, resulting in many scheduled treatments being cancelled and then rescheduled particularly for none-life threatening treatments.

Medically urgent cases are prioritized and treated much faster.

Official vs. reported data: Official government data can sometimes be lower than what patients report.

A 2025 survey by the OCU (Organization of Consumers and Users) found the national average wait to be 140 days, a month longer than the Ministry of Health's official figures.

Changes over time: Wait times in the public system have been increasing nationally due to system pressures and backlogs.

The pandemic, in particular, caused a slowdown that led to longer waiting lists.

Private healthcare:

For those with private health insurance, wait times are significantly shorter. Services can often be accessed within days or weeks rather than months.