At Tufts in Madrid, your health and well-being are a top priority. We’re committed to helping you stay healthy, balanced, and supported throughout your time abroad. Our program emphasizes self-care as a foundation for success and offers a wide range of resources to meet your medical and mental health needs. This includes referrals to trusted English-speaking providers and a firm commitment to confidentiality in all wellness-related matters.
Please read below to learn more about the support systems available to help you thrive while in Madrid.
The Tufts in Madrid Team is here to support you—whatever you need, whenever you need it. Whether you’re looking to schedule a medical or mental health appointment, have questions about insurance coverage, or just want someone to talk to, we are always happy to help.
Our Micro-Mentoring Program ensures that all students meet regularly with staff members for personalized check-ins and ongoing support. In addition, our Student Care Coordinator is available throughout the week to provide individual guidance, and all staff hold open office hours.
Please don’t hesitate to stop by—we’re here for you.
General Health Information
Health Risks
Spain does not present any particular health risks that differ significantly from those in the U.S. However, students with environmental allergies may find symptoms exacerbated in Madrid, particularly during the spring. If you regularly take over-the-counter allergy medication, we recommend bringing a supply with you, though these medications are also widely available at Spanish pharmacies.
Safe Sex
If you plan to be sexually active while in Spain, practicing safe sex is essential to protect yourself and others. We strongly encourage students to prioritize sexual health and hygiene, and to use appropriate protection to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
Pharmacies
For minor health concerns, pharmacists in Spain are well-trained and can often recommend effective over-the-counter treatments. Most medications require a prescription from a Spanish doctor, but many common prescriptions in the U.S. can be filled here after a local consultation.
Some pharmacies, known as Farmacias de Guardia, remain open 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. You can find them online, or ask your host family or Program Staff for assistance.
Mental Health Support in Madrid
Studying abroad is often a life-changing experience—filled with learning, growth, and discovery. But even the most rewarding journeys come with challenges. It’s normal to feel disoriented, homesick, insecure, or overwhelmed at different points in your semester or year. These feelings might surface early on, midway through, or even as you prepare to return home.
If you’ve previously experienced depression or anxiety, the adjustment to life in Spain may reactivate those patterns. Even students who don’t identify with mental health struggles may find moments of discomfort or emotional fatigue.
We want to reassure you: this is not a sign that something is “wrong.” These feelings are part of the broader process of adaptation and personal development—and you’re not alone. Every student experiences this in their own way, even if it’s not always visible or openly discussed.
What matters most is how you respond. We encourage you to treat your wellbeing with care, curiosity, and compassion. Talk to someone—especially us. The Tufts in Madrid Team is here to support you through every phase of your journey. Reach out anytime. We’re always ready to listen and help.
Continuing Mental Health Support While Abroad
If you are currently seeing a mental health professional, we strongly encourage you to make a plan to continue therapy during your time in Madrid.
Many students choose to maintain regular sessions with their U.S.-based providers via Zoom or FaceTime, which is a highly recommended option. We also suggest scheduling an initial session with a local therapist once you arrive, so that you have support in place should you need it while abroad.
The Tufts in Madrid Team is here to help. We can guide you in identifying a Madrid-based provider who fits your needs. Many students choose to work with Sinews Multilingual Therapy Institute, which offers counseling in English and other languages.
To ensure continuity of care, please reach out to the Program Director and our Student Care Coordinator before departure or shortly after arriving in Madrid. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Accessing Psychiatric Medication in Madrid
If you take psychiatric medication, we recommend working with your U.S.-based provider to obtain enough medication to cover your entire time abroad. This is often the simplest option.
If that’s not possible, we can refer you to a licensed psychiatrist in Madrid who can evaluate your needs and provide a prescription—provided your medication is available in Spain (most are). Please note that prescriptions from U.S. providers cannot be filled abroad.
To ensure continuity of care, please arrange this before your arrival in Madrid. Bring a letter from your current psychiatrist outlining your diagnosis and treatment plan, and contact the Program Director or Student Care Coordinator prior to departure so we can assist you in preparing any necessary referrals.
Insurance Coverage in Madrid
All students on the program—regardless of financial means—have equal access to medical and mental health services while in Madrid.
In addition to the U.S.-based health insurance required by Tufts or your home institution, all students are covered by a comprehensive Spanish health insurance policy through ADESLAS. This coverage includes routine medical care, mental health services, emergency treatment, and hospitalization, with very few exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Tufts students, along with any external students admitted through Tufts, are also covered by On Call International, which provides supplemental international insurance. This coverage includes direct payment options for mental health services in Spain and additional support for medical emergencies abroad.
If you have any questions about your coverage or need help scheduling care, program staff are here to assist you.
