Spanish public health lacks widespread coverage for podiatry, despite professional demands and regional variations exist.
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Public healthcare in Spain does not generally cover podiatry in primary care or the common service portfolio of the National Health System, despite repeated requests from the professional body for its inclusion. While some autonomous communities are beginning to incorporate podiatry into their local health services—such as Galicia and Extremadura—creating an uneven map of coverage, the national level remains unchanged. Podiatrists advocate for universal access, especially for vulnerable groups like diabetics, who face high risks of severe foot complications. The lack of equity is highlighted by differences in professional recognition across regions. Internationally, coverage varies; while some countries require a medical prescription for reimbursement (like France), others have different models, such as Ireland’s zone-dependent prioritization or Romania’s non-recognition of podiatry as a medical specialty.
