Health Insurance for Your Spanish Visa or Residency Application
We arrange visa-compliant private health insurance for non-lucrative visas, TIE residency cards and digital nomad visas — with your certificate ready in as little as 24 hours.
⚡ Need it urgently for a consulate appointment? Tell us — we can often arrange same-day coverage.
Why Getting This Right Matters
Spanish immigration law requires applicants for certain visas and residency permits to show proof of private health insurance. Getting this wrong — the wrong policy, the wrong format, the wrong wording on your certificate — can mean a rejected application and weeks of delay.
We specialise in arranging health insurance that meets Spanish consulate and immigration office requirements exactly. We know what each visa type requires, which insurers’ policies are accepted, and how to ensure your certificate is in the right format for your application.
Which Visa or Residency Types Require Health Insurance?
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
The most common route for British retirees and others moving to Spain without working. Health insurance is a mandatory requirement for initial applications and annual renewals. The policy must be in force for the full duration of the visa.
TIE Residency Card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
Applying for a TIE residency card as a non-EU national requires proof of health insurance. EU nationals may qualify for public health coverage via social security contributions, but non-EU nationals (including British nationals post-Brexit) must provide private health insurance evidence.
Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Teletrabajadores Internacionales)
Spain’s digital nomad visa, introduced in 2023, requires proof of private health insurance as part of the application. The requirements mirror those of the non-lucrative visa.
Student Visa & Family Reunification
Long-term student visa applications typically require health insurance for the duration of the course. Family reunification applicants may also be required to demonstrate healthcare coverage for dependants.
What Does Spanish Immigration Require from Your Health Insurance Policy?
This is where many expats come unstuck. A standard health insurance policy is not automatically compliant. Spanish immigration requires policies that:
- No co-payments (sin copago) — you must not pay any additional amount to access healthcare under the policy
- No deductibles (sin franquicia) — there must be no excess or deductible payable by you
- Full coverage in Spain — all medical contingencies must be covered, with no geographic exclusions within Spain
- Issued by a DGS-authorised insurer — the insurer must be registered with Spain’s Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones
- Valid for the duration of the visa or permit — the policy must run for at least the period of the visa application
- Certificate in the correct format — the documentation must confirm all of the above in a format that consulates and immigration offices will accept
Policies that do NOT meet these requirements: UK-based health insurance policies (Bupa UK, AXA Health UK, etc.), policies with co-payments or deductibles, international policies not issued by a DGS-registered insurer, EHIC / GHIC cards, travel insurance.
Which Insurers Offer Visa-Compliant Policies?
All the main Spanish insurers offer policies that meet residency requirements. The difference is in the detail, the price and the quality of the network. We currently recommend the following for residency applications:
| Insurer | Why We Recommend for Residency |
|---|---|
| Sanitas | Consistently accepted by consulates; clear certificate format; strong English support for expats |
| Adeslas | Spain’s largest network; competitive pricing; certificates issued quickly |
| Cigna | International brand recognition; particularly good for consulate appointments outside Spain |
| DKV | Strong in Andalucía; competitive pricing for over-50s; good certificate documentation |
| Asisa | Value pricing; widely accepted; good for straightforward single-applicant cases |
We will recommend the specific insurer and plan best suited to your age, health, location and budget.
How We Arrange Your Residency Health Insurance
Step 1 — Tell us about your application. Contact us with your visa or permit type, your nationality, age, how many people need to be covered, and your application timeline.
Step 2 — We find your compliant options. We compare visa-compliant policies from approved insurers and come back to you with a clear recommendation — usually within a few hours.
Step 3 — We arrange the policy. Once you confirm, we set up your policy. Your insurance certificate is typically issued within 24 hours of the policy being activated.
Step 4 — You receive your documentation. We ensure your certificate is in the format your consulate or immigration office requires. If they ask for anything specific, we handle it.
Step 5 — Your policy continues after your visa is approved. The same policy that got you your visa or residency card continues as your ongoing private health insurance in Spain — there’s no need to arrange a separate policy later.
Applying from Outside Spain?
If you’re applying for a Spanish visa from the UK (or another country) before moving, you still need Spanish health insurance in place at the point of your consulate appointment. We arrange policies for applicants based outside Spain — the policy starts immediately, your certificate is issued, and you present it at your consulate appointment. The policy then continues when you arrive in Spain.
Spanish consulates in the UK that require health insurance evidence: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and the consulate with jurisdiction for your area of the UK. Requirements are broadly consistent but we stay updated on any variations.
Health Insurance for Spanish Residency — FAQ
My existing health insurance has a small co-payment — can I use it for my residency application?
No. Even a small co-payment disqualifies a policy for most Spanish visa and residency applications. The requirement is explicitly for zero co-payments and zero deductibles. We can switch you to a compliant policy.
How long does it take to get a compliant health insurance certificate?
In most cases, 24–48 hours from the policy being confirmed and paid for. If you have an urgent consulate appointment, tell us — we will do everything possible to expedite.
Can I get family cover on a single policy for a residency application?
Yes. Family plans covering two adults and children are available and accepted by Spanish immigration authorities. Each person covered must be named on the certificate.
Do I need to renew my health insurance every year for residency renewal?
Yes. Most residency permits and the non-lucrative visa require health insurance to be in force continuously. When your policy renews, make sure there is no gap in coverage. We’ll remind you of your renewal date.
My consulate rejected my insurance certificate — can you help?
Yes. This is unfortunately not uncommon, particularly if the certificate wording is ambiguous. Contact us — we’ll review what happened, identify the issue, and arrange a compliant replacement policy with the correct documentation.
I have a pre-existing condition — will I still qualify for a visa-compliant policy?
In most cases, yes. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded from the policy, but the policy itself can still meet residency requirements. What matters for immigration is the structure of the policy (no copay, no deductible, full coverage) — not whether your specific condition is covered. We’ll be transparent about any exclusions.
Get Your Residency Health Insurance Certificate
Tell us your visa type, the number of people to cover and your timeline. We’ll come back to you with a compliant policy recommendation — fast.
Or WhatsApp: +34 650 160 711
Full guide to health insurance in Spain → · Expat Insurance Guide →