Health insurance for foreign residents in Spain: covered from day one

Why you need health insurance as a foreign national in Spain

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 a condition for obtaining visas and residence permits. But even where it isn't a legal requirement, having health cover guarantees you immediate access to quality medical care without the waits of the public system.

The legal requirements this cover meets

For visas and residence permits

Health insurance for foreign nationals meets the requirements set out in Spanish regulations for:

• Short-stay visa (type C): Stays of up to 90 days.
• 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: The investor visa.
• Residence and work permit: For people coming to work in Spain.
• Family reunification: For relatives of legal residents.
• Arraigo social: For regularising your situation in Spain.

What the policy has to satisfy

• Full healthcare cover (not just emergencies).
• No copayments or limitations that the authorities could reject.
• No waiting periods.
• Repatriation cover.
• A minimum term of one year, or the duration of the visa.
• An insurer authorised to operate in Spain.

What do plans for foreign residents include?

Core medical cover

• Primary care: GP appointments.
• Specialists: Access to every medical speciality.
• Diagnostic tests: Blood tests, imaging, ultrasound and advanced scans.
• Hospital stays: Admission to private hospitals.
• Surgery: Procedures covered.
• 24h A&E: Immediate emergency care.

Cover specific to foreign residents

• No waiting periods: Every benefit is active from the first day the policy is in force. This is essential for meeting the legal requirements.
• Repatriation cover: Transport back to your home country in the event of death or serious illness.
• Multilingual support: Assistance in several languages to make communication easier.
• Certificate for your application: Official documentation that meets the requirements of the immigration office and consulates.
• Telemedicine: Online consultations, particularly useful during your first months in Spain.

Plans by situation

For students

Affordable plans covering the academic year. They include full medical care and meet student visa requirements.

For digital nomads

Plans that meet the specific requirements of the digital nomad visa, with full cover and travel assistance.

For non-lucrative residents

Broad cover with no copayments, valid for the annual renewal of a non-lucrative residence permit.

For foreign families

Family plans covering every member of the household, with individual documentation for each residency application.

How it works

1. Ask for your comparison: Use our comparison tool, telling us your nationality, age, the type of visa or permit you need, when you need the cover to start and the province where you'll be living.
2. Get valid options: We'll only show you plans that meet the legal requirements for your specific application.
3. Take it out online: You can arrange everything remotely, even before you arrive in Spain.
4. Receive your certificate: You'll get the documentation you need to present at the consulate or the immigration office.

Guide prices for foreign residents

Situation	Guide monthly price
Student (18-30)	€35 - €55
Digital nomad (25-40)	€45 - €75
Non-lucrative resident (40-60)	€60 - €120
Family (2 adults + 1 child)	€100 - €180

Guide prices. They vary with age, cover and insurer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take out the policy from my home country? Yes. Most plans for foreign nationals can be arranged online from anywhere in the world, starting on whatever date you choose.

Is the policy valid for renewing my residence permit? Yes, as long as you keep it in force without interruption. Our plans meet the immigration office's requirements for renewals.

What if I have a pre-existing condition? Plans with no waiting period cover medical care from day one, but some pre-existing conditions may carry exclusions or limitations. It's important to declare them on the health questionnaire.

Do I need this cover if I'm an EU citizen? EU citizens are entitled to the European Health Insurance Card, but that only covers emergencies and temporary care. If you're going to live in Spain, complementary private cover gives you fast access to specialists and tests without waiting lists.

Can I use the public health system as well? Private cover is separate from the public system. Depending on your employment and administrative situation, you may have access to both.

What happens if I need repatriation? In the event of serious illness or death, repatriation cover pays the costs of transport back to your home country.

Languages we work in

Our advisers can help you in:

• Spanish
• English
• Other languages on request