Can you open a clinic in your chosen premises in Spain?

Premises with a separate entrance and a recent renovation do not, by themselves, confirm that you can open a clinic. Before buying or leasing, check whether the activity is permitted and whether the property suits your chosen healthcare services. Completed finishes may need changing if the layout was designed without considering how the clinic will operate.

Assess the property before signing or ordering equipment. If you have already leased it, start with the documents and a technical inspection to establish what needs resolving before further expenditure.

What should I decide before looking for clinic premises?

Define the services and equipment. A consultation room, dental practice and centre with treatment rooms need different solutions.

Before choosing the property, establish:

• which professionals will work there and how many rooms they need;
• which procedures and equipment are planned;
• whether instrument processing and material storage areas are needed;
• how patient reception and waiting will work.

Assessing premises for an undefined «medical use» is insufficient. Requirements must be assessed for the specific range of services.

What permissions are needed besides renovation documents?

For a healthcare centre, establish the municipal procedure for work and business activity, alongside the applicable healthcare authorisation procedure. These cannot be combined into a single premises check.

In Spain, the autonomous community’s health authorities grant operating authorisation before healthcare activity begins. It applies to the specific centre and the healthcare services it provides.

Do not treat permission to renovate as permission to see patients. Establish the authorisation sequence before work starts.

How many consultation rooms can fit in this space?

The answer comes from a layout designed for the selected services. Alongside consultation rooms, space is needed for waiting, circulation and toilets. Depending on the activity, material storage and processing areas must also be considered.

The layout should consider patient and staff movement, privacy during consultations and cleaning. Dividing the entire floor area into as many rooms as possible and checking the requirements afterwards risks having to renovate again.

Can the existing building services be used?

Check this against equipment loads and installation conditions. Sockets, water and air conditioning do not confirm that the premises are ready.

The designer needs to assess electrical capacity, ventilation, water supply and drainage. The entrance, accessibility and escape routes also need checking.

If X-ray or other specialised equipment is planned, establish its installation and authorisation requirements before buying it. They may affect room selection and the scope of work.

Can I open a new clinic where another one used to operate?

The previous activity is a useful starting point, but does not replace an assessment. Request the existing authorisations and plans, then compare them with the premises’ condition and your project.

Changes to ownership, the centre’s structure or its range of healthcare services may require separate authorisation. Do not assume that the previous operator’s documents automatically suit the new business.

What else should I check for a clinic in Valencia?

Address municipal matters and the Generalitat Valenciana healthcare procedure separately. Conditions in the city of Valencia cannot automatically be applied to other municipalities in the region.

In the Valencian Community, new healthcare centres involving new construction or substantial structural or installation changes require an autorización sanitaria de instalación. This does not, by itself, permit the centre to operate: an autorización de funcionamiento is needed for healthcare activity.

The healthcare documentation includes a description of services, equipment and staff information, plans and evidence that the premises are suitable. Check the required set for the specific project before renovation.

What if I have already leased the premises or started renovating?

Compare the contract, authorisation documents and actual layout. Then establish what prevents opening: whether the activity is permitted, healthcare authorisation or technical conditions.

Before ordering the remaining equipment, assess the changes needed. Clarify the contract terms with a specialist lawyer and adaptation possibilities with the designer. Further finishing work alone does not resolve which services are authorised.

How can NEXEVO assess premises for a clinic?

NEXEVO can assess the property’s documentary and technical condition and coordinate the relevant specialists. The assessment helps establish whether the premises suit your chosen format and what work to allow for before the transaction or renovation.

If the property has already been selected, an assessment helps identify constraints and the sequence of next steps. Opening feasibility depends on the particular project and the assessment results.

Planning to open a clinic in Spain? Contact NEXEVO for a premises assessment before leasing, buying equipment or starting work.

Frequently asked questions