Renting a cosmetic medicine practice by the hour, day or month is the cheapest way to start seeing patients without having to invest in your own centre. But the savings disappear if the premises do not have the necessary health authorisation covering your activity, if the contract does not make it clear who is responsible for what, or if you end up paying for an appointment book that you do not fill. This guide sets out what you should check before signing, how standard agreements are structured, and which rental model suits each stage of your career.
First of all: authorisation from the centre
In Spain, aesthetic medicine is practised in healthcare centres authorised by the regional health department of each autonomous community, which are registered in the regional register and have the relevant healthcare unit (U.48, Aesthetic Medicine) included in their range of services. When you rent a consultation room within a centre, you are working under the terms of that authorisation. First and foremost, ask for the centre’s registration number and check that the authorised range of services includes the activity you intend to carry out. A dental clinic or a physiotherapy centre may have its authorisation in order but may not be authorised to provide aesthetic medicine.
If the owner cannot show you the decision or the registration number, do not proceed. If you want to check what this authorisation entails, here are the Requirements for setting up a cosmetic medicine practice.
What to check in the space
- Consultation room with a washbasin, washable surfaces and documented cleaning and disinfection procedures.
- Medical waste management: contract with an authorised waste management operator and containers for sharps and bio-medical waste.
- Product storage: a fridge with a temperature log if you are going to store botulinum toxin or other medicines.
- Emergency medication that is available and accessible: adrenaline, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and hyaluronidase if you work with dermal fillers.
- Data protection: where medical records are stored, who has access to them and in what capacity.
- Receipt, booking and payment: if these are handled by the centre, how are they settled and what are the deadlines?.
The three standard types of agreement
Hourly or session-based hire
You pay a fixed price per slot. It’s the most flexible option for getting started, trying out a new area or seeing one-off patients. It usually includes use of the treatment room and little else; you provide your own products, consumables and insurance.
Rental by the day or for fixed periods
You book one day a week or a month. It’s cheaper per hour than the previous model and more predictable for your patients. It requires you to stick to your schedule: you still pay for an empty day.
Monthly rent or subletting of premises
You have continuous use of the practice, and in some cases you may be entitled to decorate it or use your own brand. The contract must specify who the healthcare provider for the centre is, how your business is advertised, and what happens if the centre loses or changes its authorisation.
What the contract should state
- Details of the centre, its health registration number and the healthcare unit you work for.
- What’s included: room, equipment, reception, cleaning, waste disposal, supplies.
- Timetable, cancellation policy and notice period for terminating the agreement.
- Civil liability: your own as a doctor and that of the centre, with copies of both insurance policies.
- Ownership and custody of medical records and the processing of patients’ personal data.
- Advertising: if you are to be featured on the centre’s website or social media, how this will be done and what the requirements are regarding healthcare advertising.
- Compatibility: whether you can see your patients at other centres, and what happens to your patients if you leave the practice.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary considerably depending on the city, the neighbourhood, the facilities, and whether the centre provides reception services and patients. As a guide, hourly hire rates in a capital city are usually in the region of a few tens of euros per hour, whilst full-day bookings or monthly agreements reduce the hourly cost in return for a commitment. Before comparing prices, work out how many patients you need per time slot to cover the rent, equipment and insurance; with that figure, you’ll know which model suits you best.
When does it make sense to set up your own practice?
When you’re consistently working two or three days a week, when the centre is holding you back (in terms of opening hours, advertising, or the types of treatments offered), or when the difference between the accumulated rent and the mortgage payments on your own premises starts to narrow. Until then, renting allows you to invest in training and patients rather than in building works.
Find enquiries that have already been verified
On Medars, members at Gold level and above have access to Spaces, a directory of other doctors’ practices that can be hired by the hour, day or month. Each practice listed includes its healthcare registration number and authorised care units, which are checked manually before publication, and can only be booked for the authorised activity. The financial arrangement is agreed directly between doctors. If you have a practice with available slots, you can also publish it.
Basic membership is free for life and is activated once your membership status has been verified – no card required; it includes a one-week Gold trial to book your first consultation. Request access.
Related guides
- How much does it cost to open an aesthetic medicine clinic?
- Requirements for setting up a cosmetic medicine practice in Spain
- Malpractice insurance for aesthetic medicine: what it should cover
- How to get started in aesthetic medicine as a doctor: a realistic roadmap
- Working as a self-employed cosmetic doctor in various clinics
Continue exploring Medars
- Training for doctors: masterclasses on botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers and facial contouring, delivered by practising doctors.
- Memberships: Basic is free forever, and Gold and Black are available if you want more access.
- The Lounge: clinical cases with colleagues, direct messages and clinic rooms to rent.
- The Shop: verified laboratories and distributors.
- Teach at Medars: publish your masterclass and keep 70% from each sale.
- Frequently asked questions: verification, access and memberships.