Health insurance for digital nomads in Spain

Spain, a destination for digital nomads

Spain has established itself as one of the most appealing destinations for digital nomads worldwide. The climate, quality of life, food and digital infrastructure make it an ideal base for international remote workers.

Since the Startups Law came into force in 2023, Spain has offered a specific digital nomad visa allowing you to live here and work remotely, legally. And one of the main requirements for getting it is holding private health insurance.

Insurance requirements for the digital nomad visa

For your health cover to be valid for a Spanish digital nomad visa application, it has to meet the following:

Mandatory requirements

1. Full healthcare cover: Travel insurance isn't enough. It has to cover primary care, specialists, hospital stays, surgery and A&E.
2. No copayments: Many consulates require the policy to have no copayments, though not all state it explicitly.
3. No waiting periods: Cover has to be active from day one.
4. Repatriation cover: The cost of transport to your home country in the event of serious illness or death.
5. A minimum term of one year: Or for the duration of the visa applied for.
6. A Spanish insurer: The company must be authorised to operate in Spain.

Recommended

• Cover across the whole country.
• Telemedicine included (very useful if you move around Spain).
• Multilingual support.
• The ability to manage the policy online.

What cover does a digital nomad need?

Beyond the visa's legal requirements, as a digital nomad you have specific health needs:

Essentials

• Primary care and specialists: For any routine medical issue.
• 24h A&E: Immediate care in an emergency.
• Hospital stays and surgery: Full cover if you need it.
• Diagnostic tests: Blood tests, imaging, ultrasound.
• Telemedicine: Online consultations from anywhere in Spain — perfect for a mobile lifestyle.

Strongly recommended

• Mental health: Isolation and moving country can bring stress or anxiety. Access to a psychologist matters.
• Physiotherapy: If you spend long hours at a computer, back and neck problems are common.
• Dental cover: At least basic dental for check-ups and emergencies.

Worth weighing up

• International travel assistance: If you travel outside Spain often.
• Cost reimbursement: If you want the flexibility to choose doctors outside the network.

Plans available for digital nomads

Basic nomad plan

• Full cover with no waiting periods
• Low copayments
• Valid for the visa
• From €40/month

Complete nomad plan

• No copayments, no waiting periods
• Repatriation included
• Extended telemedicine
• From €60/month

Premium nomad plan

• No copayments, with reimbursement
• Dental included
• International assistance
• From €90/month

How to arrange it

1. Compare plans: Use our comparison tool and tell us you're applying as a digital nomad.
2. Buy online: From anywhere in the world, before you travel to Spain.
3. Pick your start date: Line it up with your arrival in Spain.
4. Get your documents: The official certificate to submit at the consulate alongside the rest of your visa paperwork.
5. Manage it all from your phone: Appointments, telemedicine, authorisations — all digital, like the rest of your life.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take out cover before I have the visa? Yes, and that's the normal order. You need the insurance as part of the documentation to apply for the visa. Set the start date for when you expect to arrive in Spain.

What if my visa is refused? Many plans let you cancel the policy and recover the premium if the visa is refused. Check the terms before you commit.

Can I move around Spain without cover restrictions? Yes. Private health policies in Spain cover the whole country. That works well for nomads moving between cities.

Is it also valid for renewing the visa? Yes, as long as you keep the policy in force without interruption.

Can I add my partner or family? Yes, you can take out an individual or family plan. Each person gets their own certificate for the visa process.

Do I need cover if I'm an EU citizen? EU citizens don't need a digital nomad visa to live in Spain. That said, private cover is well worth having to avoid waiting lists and get quick access to medical care.

Why a Spanish policy makes sense for a digital nomad

• It meets the visa's legal requirements.
• A local care network: Hospitals and clinics near wherever you're living in Spain.
• Telemedicine: An appointment without leaving your coworking space.
• Language: Support in Spanish and English (and other languages depending on the plan).
• Digital management: Everything from your phone, no paperwork and no queuing.