Health insurance for your NIE: the requirements and how to meet them

Why you need health insurance for your NIE

If you're a citizen of a country outside the European Union and you want to live in Spain, Spanish law requires you to hold private health insurance as one of the conditions for obtaining a Foreigner Identity Number (NIE) and residence permits.

The requirement exists to make sure foreign residents have access to healthcare during their time in Spain without placing a burden on the public health system.

Which applications require it?

Health insurance is mandatory for:

• Non-lucrative residence visa: For people who want to live in Spain without working.
• Student visa: For study, research or work placements.
• Digital nomad visa: For international remote workers.
• Golden Visa: For investors buying property or making significant investments.
• Family reunification: For relatives joining a legal resident.
• Arraigo social: For regularising your administrative situation.
• Permit renewals: The cover must remain in force for renewals.

What the policy specifically has to satisfy

Mandatory requirements

1. Full healthcare cover: Travel or emergency-only insurance isn't enough. It has to include primary care, specialists, hospital stays and surgery.

2. No copayments: Many immigration offices and consulates require the policy to have no copayments. Not all state this explicitly, but taking out a plan without them is the safer route.

3. No waiting periods: Cover must be active from the first day. Plans with waiting periods aren't accepted, because they leave the policyholder without effective cover for weeks or months.

4. Repatriation cover: The policy has to cover the cost of repatriation to your home country in the event of death.

5. Minimum term: The policy must run for at least as long as the visa or permit you're applying for (generally one year).

6. An authorised insurer: The company has to be registered and authorised to operate in Spain by the Directorate-General for Insurance and Pension Funds (DGSFP).

Recommended (not always mandatory)

• Cover across the whole country.
• 24-hour emergency assistance.
• A certificate in Spanish to present to the authorities.

The documents you'll need

To present at the consulate or the immigration office, you'll need:

• Insurance certificate: A document from the insurer confirming the policy is in force and what it covers.
• Policy terms: The detail of cover, exclusions and conditions.
• Payment receipt: Proof that the premium is up to date.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Taking out travel insurance

Travel policies don't meet the requirements. They're temporary cover designed for emergencies on short trips, not for residency.

2. Taking out a policy with waiting periods

If your policy has a 6-month waiting period for hospital care, you have no real hospital cover during that time. That can be grounds for refusal.

3. Not checking the insurer is authorised

Make sure the company is registered with the DGSFP. Some international policies aren't accepted for Spanish applications.

4. Choosing a copayment plan where none are allowed

Ask your consulate or the immigration office which type they accept before you commit.

5. Letting the policy lapse before your permit renewal

Your cover has to be in force not just when you apply, but throughout the life of the permit. If it lapses, it can affect your renewal.

What does a NIE-valid policy cost?

Prices vary with age and cover:

Situation	Guide monthly price
Student (18-25)	€35 - €50
Young adult (25-35)	€40 - €65
Adult (35-50)	€55 - €90
Over 50	€75 - €140
Family (couple + child)	€100 - €170

Prices for plans with no copayments and no waiting periods, valid for immigration applications.

How to arrange it

1. Compare options: Use our comparison tool and tell us you need cover for a residency application.
2. Check the requirements: Confirm with your consulate or the immigration office exactly what your visa type requires.
3. Buy online: You can arrange it from your home country, starting on whatever date you choose.
4. Get your documents: The certificate and policy terms to submit with your application.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take it out from my home country? Yes. Most plans allow international online purchase with a start date of your choosing.

What if my visa is refused? Check your policy's cancellation terms. Many plans let you cancel and recover the premium if the visa is refused.

Do I need to renew it every year? Yes. The cover has to stay in force throughout your time in Spain and for every renewal of your residence permit.