Routine child health check-ups (revisiones del niño sano) by age

Key rules

• Regional calendar: Each region sets its own visit ages, so the calendar for your region is the one that counts.
• Two professionals: A pediatric nurse and a pediatrician share the visits, and the split depends on your region and health centre.
• Arriving from abroad: Bring your child's vaccination record, because documented vaccines are accepted and a catch-up plan fills any gaps.
• Missed visits: Your child moves on to the next check-up for their age instead of repeating missed ones.

How the check-ups work

Every region runs a child health programme, called the Programa de Salud Infantil (also called the Programa del Niño Sano). It sets routine visits by age with a pediatrician and a pediatric nurse. The visits are free in public primary care. Each region sets its own calendar, so the number of visits and the exact ages differ a little from place to place.

The timeline below shows the visits in order. This page explains what the visits cover and how to get started.

Typical visits by age

Most regions have visits at roughly these ages:

• the first 7 to 10 days, at home or at the health centre
• 2 weeks to 1 month
• 2, 4 and 6 months
• 9 or 12 months
• 15 and 18 months
• 2, 3, 4 and 6 years
• 8 to 9, 10 to 12 and 14 years

Many of the early visits are also vaccination visits. Treat this list as a guide and check your region's calendar for the exact ages.

Who you will see

The work is shared. The pediatric nurse (enfermería pediátrica) usually leads the newborn visit, weight and height checks, feeding and breastfeeding advice, and vaccination visits. The pediatrician usually leads the full medical exams at about 1 month, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months, then at 2, 3 to 4 and 6 years and at key later ages. The pediatrician also deals with anything unusual. The split varies by region and health centre, so your centre will tell you who sees your child.

What each visit covers

• Growth: weight and height, plus head circumference for babies, and a physical exam.
• Development: the doctor or nurse checks milestones in movement, language and social skills.
• Newborn visits: feeding, the heel-prick test result, hip checks, and sleep and safe-sleep advice.
• Vision and hearing: eye checks start with the red reflex and eye alignment, then visual acuity at about 3 to 4 years. Hearing is screened at birth, then checked by observation and tested again if there is a concern.
• Later visits: blood pressure, spine curvature and puberty from about age 6, plus school life, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, accident prevention and screen use.
• Vaccinations: given in line with the regional calendar.

If you arrive mid-schedule

Your child does not start again from the beginning. Register your child for the tarjeta sanitaria, the health card, and the centre assigns a pediatrician. At the first visit, bring your child's vaccination record and any health papers. The nurse or pediatrician reviews them and draws up a catch-up vaccination plan to match the regional calendar. Your child then joins the next check-up for their age. Missed check-ups are not repeated.

Vaccines given abroad are accepted if they are documented. With no records, your child is treated as unvaccinated and a catch-up schedule begins. Catch-up rules vary by region.

Find your region's calendar

Your region's health department (consejería de sanidad) or health service publishes the programme and the vaccination calendar. Look on its health portal under "Salud infantil", "Programa del niño sano" or "Calendario de vacunación". Searching your region's name with "programa de salud infantil" or "calendario de vacunación" also works. The Ministry of Health site lists the common vaccination calendar and links to the regional ones. Catalonia, Madrid, Andalusia and Valencia each have their own portals. Your health centre can also give you the calendar at your first visit.

Timeline and deadlines

• Newborn visit, usually led by the nurse: In the first 7-10 days after birth

• One-year check-up: At 9 or 12 months, depending on your region

• Toddler check-ups: At 15 months, 18 months and 2 years

• Preschool check-ups, including a vision check: At 3 and 4 years

• School-age check-up: At 6 years

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find my region's child health calendar?

Your region's health department publishes its own child health programme and vaccination calendar on its health portal. Look for sections called "Salud infantil", "Programa del niño sano" or "Calendario de vacunación", or search your region's name with "programa de salud infantil".

Does my child get check-ups if we arrive in Spain mid-schedule?

Yes, your child joins the calendar at the next check-up for their age once you register for the tarjeta sanitaria (health card) and have a pediatrician assigned. At the first visit, the nurse or pediatrician reviews any vaccination record and health papers you bring. A missed check-up is not repeated.

Are vaccines given abroad accepted for my child?

Yes, vaccines given abroad are accepted if they are documented, so bring the vaccination record. Without records, your child is treated as unvaccinated and a catch-up vaccination schedule starts in line with the regional calendar.

Will my child see the nurse or the pediatrician at each visit?

Usually both, depending on the age. Nurses generally lead the newborn visit, weight and height checks, feeding advice and vaccination visits. Pediatricians generally lead the medical exams at around 1 month, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months and later key ages, and handle anything abnormal.