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The Spanish healthcare group Ribera has completed the takeover of the private HCB Group. This affects the hospitals in Dénia and Benidorm, as well as medical centres in Calp, Moraira and Albir. Care for patients is set to continue as normal during the phased integration.
The takeover has been completed: the HCB Group has been part of the Spanish healthcare company Ribera since 6 October 2026. The national competition authority, the CNMC, had previously approved the transaction on 21 September, subject to certain conditions.
This marks a significant change in private healthcare provision on the Costa Blanca. HCB has been operating in the region for around 40 years and runs facilities that are used in particular by international residents.
The acquired group comprises two hospitals, three medical centres and two diagnostic imaging facilities:
In total, more than 650 employees are moving to the Ribera group.
Ribera has announced a phased integration. According to the company, continuity of medical care is to be ensured throughout the process.
The takeover announcement did not mention any specific changes to appointment arrangements, existing insurance policies, treating doctors or billing procedures.
However, this does not mean that all processes will remain unchanged indefinitely. It is not yet known in detail what organisational changes the integration will entail.
Patients who are currently undergoing treatment or who have already booked appointments should continue to contact their respective HCB centre directly if they have any questions.
Particularly in the case of private health insurance, it is advisable to check, before starting a new course of treatment, whether the desired service and the treating doctor are still covered under your policy.
On 21 September 2026, the Spanish competition authority, the Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC), approved the acquisition at the first stage of the review process, subject to commitments.
The approval was therefore not granted unconditionally. The specific competition conditions must be distinguished from the announced operational integration measures.
Ribera describes the transaction as his largest investment to date in the private healthcare sector.
With this acquisition, Ribera is expanding its existing supply network.
Among other things, the group operates the publicly funded Hospital Universitario del Vinalopó in Elche, medical facilities in Ciudad Quesada and other healthcare centres in the Valencian Community.
In particular, the addition of HCB means a stronger presence in the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa.
For patients on the Costa Blanca, the key issue is how this will be integrated into their day-to-day lives. Details regarding possible changes to insurance claims, digital patient portals or organisational responsibilities have not yet been provided.
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