Checking a plastic surgeon in Spain
In Spain, a plastic surgeon should hold the official specialist title in Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reparadora. Here's where to check it and what to look for.
We read part of the official register directly. Last checked 18 October 2026What the titles mean in Spain
Doctors in Spain must belong to their provincial Colegio de Médicos, listed nationally by CGCOM. The specialist title in plastic surgery is awarded by the Ministry of Health; older surgeons hold it under its former name, Cirugía Plástica y Reparadora. 'Medicina estética' is not a specialty.
CGCOM's register can only be searched by hand, so we read the Ministry of Health's national register of health professionals (REPS), which records official specialist titles. It misses many surgeons who only work privately, so a missing name there is never treated as a red flag.
What we check for Spanish surgeons
Society membership is voluntary. Not being a member doesn't mean a surgeon isn't qualified.
How to check it yourself
- Search the surgeon's name on the CGCOM public register. CGCOM register of colegiados
- Check 'Cirugía Plástica, Estética y Reparadora' (or 'Cirugía Plástica y Reparadora') is listed as a specialty.
- Note whether the specialist title shows as still being processed ('en trámite').
Common questions
Is 'medicina estética' the same as plastic surgery in Spain?
No. Plastic surgery is an official medical specialty in Spain; aesthetic medicine is not. A doctor offering cosmetic surgery should hold the plastic surgery specialist title.
Source: Ministry of Health (REPS)What does 'en trámite' mean on the CGCOM register?
It flags a doctor whose specialist title is still being processed. The specialty is not yet formally awarded.
Source: CGCOMI'm considering surgery abroad. What should I check?
The same principle applies everywhere: find the official register in that country and look for specialist registration in plastic surgery. See every country we cover