Dialysis in Costa del Sol, Spain

The Costa del Sol is one of Europe's most-visited stretches of coastline, which means it is well set up to welcome travellers who need regular dialysis. Whether you are basing yourself in Málaga, Marbella, Fuengirola, Torremolinos or Benalmádena, centres along the coast have experience handling visiting patients. Life on the coast (the warmth, the sea, the food) does not stop because you have a treatment schedule to keep.

Reni is a free, independent directory. We list the dialysis centres we can find on the Costa del Sol (across operators) and pass your inquiry to a centre only when you choose to send it. We are not a booking platform and we never charge you a fee.

Getting your sessions sorted comes down to five steps:

1. Find a centre. Málaga, Marbella, Fuengirola and other coastal towns all have centres in our directory below, so pick the one closest to where you're staying.
2. Send your inquiry. Include your current dialysis schedule, prescription details and travel dates. We forward your message to the centre only with your consent.
3. Confirm dates, times and what to bring. The centre replies with available slots. Get your sessions confirmed in writing before you do anything else.
4. Gather your paperwork. Ask your nephrologist or dialysis nurse for everything the centre needs. Leave time; home units can be busy.
5. Travel. With your slots confirmed and your documents in order, you can enjoy the coast with your schedule sorted.

Spain runs a high-standard mix of public and private dialysis units. Most visitors on holiday arrange their sessions with a private or visitor-friendly unit; the public system (Servicio Andaluz de Salud) primarily serves residents and emergencies.

• Málaga: the regional capital, with the main concentration of centres and the closest to the airport.
• Marbella: further west, convenient for the Golden Mile and Puerto Banús area.
• Fuengirola: between Málaga and Marbella, with good rail links along the coast.
• Torremolinos and Benalmádena: also covered, close to Málaga.

A standard routine is usually three sessions a week of around four hours each, but your schedule is between you and the centre. We don't give medical advice; our job is to help you find the centre and make contact.

Centres typically ask visiting patients for the same core set of documents. Gathering these before you leave is one of the most important things you can do:

• A recent letter or summary from your home unit, including your dialysis prescription and current schedule.
• Recent blood test results: ask your unit what counts as recent enough for a visiting centre.
• Virology and serology results (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV), routinely required.
• A full list of your medications, including doses and timing.
• Your passport, plus EHIC or GHIC if you have one and it's valid.

Requirements vary by centre, so confirm the exact list when you make contact.

Málaga Airport (AGP) is one of Spain's busiest international airports, with direct flights year-round from the UK, Germany and across northern Europe.

• Distance: just 8 km southwest of central Málaga, with taxis, airport buses and car hire on site.
• Road network: the AP-7 motorway runs the full length of the coast, linking every town from Málaga to Estepona.
• Worth asking: when you contact a centre, ask how other visiting patients usually get there and whether there is parking.

The Costa del Sol sees its biggest influx of visitors between June and September, and dialysis capacity is finite. Semana Santa (Easter week) also brings a sharp surge.

The golden rule: get your sessions confirmed in writing before you book flights or accommodation. Changing flights is expensive and stressful; confirming dialysis first keeps you in control.

The coast's mild winters make it a genuinely year-round destination, and outside the summer peak there is generally more room. Still, it is always better to arrange before you arrive rather than on the day.

Availability, what to bring, languages spoken and any costs can all change, and they differ from centre to centre. Always confirm the details directly with the centre before you book flights or treatment. We list centres and check their contact details, but we are not affiliated with them and cannot confirm availability on their behalf.