Spanish physiotherapists move to France for better pay and healthcare access due to system differences.
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A young physiotherapist from Canary Islands works as an independent practitioner in Guadalupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean, earning significant income by visiting elderly patients at their homes. This trend reflects broader issues in Spain where physiotherapy professionals face precarious employment and long waiting times within the public healthcare system due to insufficient resources. Many Spanish physiotherapists are moving to France, attracted by better working conditions, higher reimbursement rates for treatments under the French social security system, and opportunities for international experience. The French model combines private practice with universal health coverage, leading to high demand and accessibility for physiotherapy services across France, including its overseas territories. Experts suggest that while physiotherapy is recognized in both countries, Spain needs systemic improvements—such as increased public investment and better integration into primary care—to match the clinical value of the profession against demographic challenges like an aging population.
