Moving to Spain as an expat? We help international residents review private health insurance options for visas, residency and long-term healthcare in Spain — whatever brings you here.
English-speaking support · No obligation
Expats moving to Spain often need to think about health insurance before they move, especially if they are applying for a visa, registering as a resident or planning long-term private healthcare. The right option depends on your nationality, age, visa route, work status, family situation and whether you can access public healthcare, S1, employer cover or private insurance. We help international residents review private health insurance options for Spain. See moving to Spain permanently.
Most expats arrive through a route: visa applicants usually need certificate-ready cover; Spanish residency evidence depends on the route; retired expats often need private cover unless S1 applies; remote workers and digital nomads need evidence by worker status; students need cover for the study period; and families need cover for each person. EU and non-EU expats follow different routes — see also private health insurance for Spain residency.
Cover can usually be arranged before you have an NIE. Existing international insurance should be checked against what a Spanish visa needs, and travel insurance is generally not suitable. Applicants over 60, 65 and 70 can usually request options subject to eligibility, with pricing rising with age; we do not work with insurers offering new policies for applicants over 75. A common mistake is assuming an existing international policy will automatically satisfy a Spanish visa.
Most expats need to show how their healthcare is covered, whether through private health insurance, public healthcare, S1 or employer cover, depending on their route and status.
Many Spanish residence visas require private health insurance unless another accepted route such as S1 or social security applies. The policy may need to be no-copay and certificate-ready.
Travel insurance is designed for temporary trips and is usually not suitable for living in Spain or for a residence visa, which normally needs ongoing healthcare cover.
International insurance may help in some cases, but it should be checked for clear Spain cover and a suitable certificate before relying on it for a visa or residency file.
Yes, private health insurance can often be arranged before you have an NIE, usually using passport details, with the NIE added later where needed.
Many retired expats need private health insurance for a residence visa unless they can use an S1 or another accepted route. The policy may need to be no-copay and certificate-ready.
Yes, each family member usually needs healthcare evidence, which may be private health insurance with a certificate for each person.
We do not currently work with insurers offering new private visa-suitable policies for applicants over 75. Over-75 applicants may need to explore public healthcare access, S1 where applicable, existing cover or specialist residency advice.
Planning a permanent move.
Read more →The non-EU umbrella page.
Read more →Residency private insurance.
Read more →Cover for retirees.
Read more →Why a Spanish policy is clearer.
Read more →Request visa-suitable cover options.
Read more →Tell us your nationality, age, planned town, route and current insurance. We'll help review private health insurance options for Spain.
Send your nationality, route and reason for moving and we'll help you review private health insurance options for Spain, with certificate-ready cover where a visa or residency file needs it. There's no obligation.