Health Insurance for Your Spain Visa
The Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad and Student visas all need private health insurance that meets Spanish rules. Compare what each visa requires, see what your certificate must show, and get a visa-compliant Sanitas quote.
Last reviewed 18 October 2026 by the My Spanish Visa team
What Each Visa Requires
The rules are close across the three routes. The differences are who must hold cover and how long it must run. Each consulate publishes its own checklist, and that is the one to follow.
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Digital Nomad Visa | Student Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who needs it | Every applicant, including family members | Every applicant, unless covered by Spanish social security | Every student and family member (working students registered with social security are covered) |
| Insurer | Authorised to operate in Spain | Authorised to operate in Spain | Authorised to operate in Spain |
| Cover | Comprehensive: GP, specialists, hospital, emergencies | Comprehensive across Spain | Comparable to the public health system |
| Co-payments | None | None | None |
| Waiting periods | None | None | None |
| Policy dates | From arrival, at least the first year | For the period you apply for | For your whole course and stay |
| Route guide | NLV health insurance | DNV health insurance | Student health insurance |
Travel insurance and refund-only policies are not accepted for any of these visas.
What Your Certificate Must Show
Consulates and the UGE review the insurer’s certificate, not the brochure. Before you submit, check that it states:
- The insurer is authorised to operate in Spain
- Comprehensive cover: GP, specialists, hospital and emergencies
- No co-payments (sin copagos)
- No waiting periods (sin carencias)
- Policy start and end dates that match your plans
- The name of every applicant covered
Some consulates also ask to see the year’s premium paid, or repatriation cover. We check your consulate’s list with you.
How Buying Your Policy Works
- Get a quote. Tell Spanish Health Insurance who is applying, each person’s age, which visa you need and where you will live in Spain.
- Answer the health questionnaire. The insurer decides whether to accept, exclude or price any condition — declare everything.
- Choose the dates. Normally from your planned arrival, for the period your visa route needs.
- Pay and receive the policy. Annually or in instalments; check whether your consulate wants the year paid upfront.
- Get your certificate in Spanish and submit it with your visa application. Keep the policy running without a break for every renewal.
What affects the price: mainly each applicant’s age, where in Spain you will live and your medical history. A personalised quote is the only reliable figure.
Health insurance quotes come from Spanish Health Insurance, an exclusive Sanitas insurance agent. Your health insurance is a separate contract with the insurer.
Insurance and Visa Help, Side by Side
Spanish Health Insurance arranges your Sanitas policy. My Spanish Visa prepares your visa application. Use either service on its own, or both.
Non-Lucrative Visa — €1,499 for one adult, paid in stages.
Digital Nomad Visa — €1,899 for one adult, paid in stages.
Student Visa — €799 for one adult, paid in stages.
Renewing? See residence renewals — you usually keep your existing policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Sanitas policy for my visa?
No. Any insurer authorised to operate in Spain can meet the requirement if the policy and certificate match it. Spanish Health Insurance is an exclusive Sanitas agent, so it quotes Sanitas policies only — you can compare its quote with any other authorised insurer using the table above.
Is travel insurance accepted?
No. Travel insurance and policies that only refund medical bills are not accepted for residence visas.
Can one policy cover my whole family?
Yes. A family policy can cover everyone on the application, as long as the certificate names each person.
What about pre-existing conditions?
Each applicant completes a health questionnaire. A condition may be accepted, excluded or affect the premium, and acceptance is not guaranteed — so ask early, before your appointment.
Do I need a new policy when I renew?
Usually not. Keep the policy running without a break and ask for an updated certificate. You only need a new quote if the policy no longer qualifies, ends too early or you are adding family.