Spain’s public health system depends on the generosity of its population to maintain a stable blood supply—an effort that requires over 6,000 daily donations for surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatments, and chronic disease management. Despite a generally self-sufficient system, recent data suggests that donor numbers remain below optimal levels, and immigrant and expatriate residents are significantly underrepresented among those who donate.
According to data from the Ministry of Health and the Spanish Red Cross, only around 4% of the national population donates blood regularly. Among immigrants, that number is far lower. A study published in 2010 showed that donation rates among immigrants stood at just 14 donations per 1,000 residents, compared with more than 35 per 1,000 in the general population. Though efforts to increase inclusivity have since been made, the disparity remains a challenge.
“Immigrants and foreign residents are an essential part of Spanish society,” says Dr. Elena Navarro, haematologist at a Madrid public hospital. “There’s no medical or legal barrier stopping them from donating blood. But outreach must go further to ensure that all communities feel informed and encouraged to take part.”
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Who Can Donate Blood in Spain
Blood donation in Spain is a voluntary, anonymous, and unpaid process open to the general public, including foreign residents, provided they meet the following criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 65 years
- Weigh more than 50 kilograms
- Be in good general health
- Present valid identification (passport, TIE, NIE, DNI, or EU identity card)
Donors should eat a light meal and stay well-hydrated beforehand. Men can donate up to four times per year, and women up to three times, with a minimum interval of two months between donations.
Who Cannot Donate (or Must Wait)
Temporary or permanent exclusion may apply in certain circumstances, including:
- Recent tattoos or piercings (must wait four months)
- Recent surgery or dental treatment
- Travel to malaria-endemic areas
- Use of specific medications or presence of certain infections or diseases such as STDs or Hepatitis C
Additionally, individuals who lived in the UK for more than one year between 1980 and 1996 are permanently excluded due to a historic risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD).
Where to Donate
Blood donations can be made at:
- Regional blood transfusion centres
- Public hospitals
- Spanish Red Cross (Cruz Roja Española) facilities
- Mobile donation units, which frequently visit town squares, universities, shopping areas, and workplaces
Most autonomous communities also provide dedicated websites and mobile applications to help locate the nearest donation centre and schedule appointments.
Why Immigrant Participation Matters
Spain’s foreign-born population now exceeds 7 million, accounting for more than 15% of the national total. This represents a vital but largely untapped resource for blood donation. Experts suggest that lack of information, linguistic barriers, and uncertainty about eligibility may discourage participation.
“Blood donation campaigns have often focused on the native population,” says Dr. Navarro. “But we now need targeted outreach that makes it clear: everyone living in Spain—regardless of nationality—can donate, and their contribution is equally valued.”
The Spanish Red Cross has acknowledged the importance of multilingual campaigns and culturally sensitive messaging in encouraging broader participation.
Seasonal Declines and Long-Term Needs
While Spain currently meets its national demand for blood products, supplies are vulnerable to seasonal declines—especially during summer months and public holidays, when donor turnout drops significantly. This makes sustained participation across all communities essential.
Blood can only be stored for a limited time (e.g., red cells for 42 days, platelets for 5), meaning regular donations are necessary to maintain supply.
In less than 30 minutes, one donation can save up to three lives. For immigrants and expatriates residing in Spain, donating blood is a legal, medically safe, and socially valuable contribution to the broader community.
Spain’s healthcare system depends on solidarity—and that means including everyone.