Migrant Healthcare Usage Lower Than Spanish Nationals

Irregular migrants in Spain access primary healthcare 14 times less frequently than Spanish-born citizens. These individuals also consume 41 times less public funding for medications. Medical professionals from the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine expressed concerns regarding the fear of detention preventing migrants from seeking care. The regularisation of approximately 500,000 people currently in process could positively impact the healthcare system. According to physician Luis Gemeno, the average Spanish resident consumes 370 euros in public medication costs annually. While a typical Spanish citizen averages seven primary care visits per year, migrant usage rates remain much lower. This data aims to counter misinformation regarding migrant impact on the national health budget. Luis Gemeno stated that international and domestic studies confirm migrant populations use health services less than their proportional share.