Moving to Spain and need private health insurance for your visa or residency? While Spain has excellent public healthcare, many expats opt for private coverage for faster access to specialists and broader services, not to mention many visas and residence permits require private health insurance to apply—and keep—your residence permit. However, securing the right policy and conditions can be tricky—here’s what you need to know.
Policy Requirements for Visa and Residency Procedures
The requirements for health insurance coverage for visa procedures are generalized by a statement in Spanish Immigration Law stating that the health insurance policy must have the same conditions are the public healthcare system. As a result, when reviewing private policies to make sure that requirements are met, we always review 6 specific points that must be stated on the certificate required for immigration procedures:
- The provider must be authorized to operate in Spain – Taking the word of your current provider is not enough: the Spanish Ministry of Economy has a list where authorized providers are specified. While some are located abroad and the list is slowly expanding, the vast majority are Spanish insurance companies.
- The policy must have no co-payments or deductibles. If the company you are working with or your broker tries to sell you one with co-pays, find another. Co-payments will only be acceptable if you are getting the policy as supplemental insurance and not tied to your residence permit.
- Coverage must include general medicine, hospitalization, and specialists.
- No waiting periods. Some are unavoidable, like some diagnostic tests or coverage during pregnancy, but the policy should be operable as soon as you set foot in Spain.
- Valid for the duration you will be in Spain or clearly specify that the policy will be renewed automatically.
- Every family member must have a private policy if required for your visa.
Wondering about dental or vision? Dental coverage is not a requirement for visa procedures (it is not covered by the public system either!), so you do not need to get it. In fact, dental procedures are comparatively cheaper than in the United States and many locals directly pay for their procedures out-of-pocket. Some clinics do not accept insurance at all.
Vision (glasses, contacts, etc.) procedures are directly handled by an optician, while other interventions will generally be handled by the private insurance.
Valid Insurance Providers
Spain has reputable insurers that have policies and conditions required for visa processing. Here is a table detailing the top providers we come across:
Private Health Insurance in Spain (Including Dental & Barcelona Hospitals)
| Provider | Approx. Monthly Cost (€) for one healthy adult | English-Speaking Doctors Available | Dental Coverage | Preferred Hospitals in Barcelona | Pros | Cons |
| Sanitas | €70 – €120 | ✅ Yes (in major cities) | ✅ Basic cleaning, X-rays, emergencies (+€15-30/mo for full dental) | – Hospital Sanitas CIMA – CreuBlanca (Sanitas) – Centro Médico Teknon | – Fast specialist access – Excellent app & digital services | – Some delays in test approvals – Premium dental requires extra cost |
| Adeslas | €60 – €110 | ✅ Yes (select doctors) | ✅ Basic dental (cleanings, fillings) included in some plans | – Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona – Centro Médico Delfos – Clínica Corachán | – Largest network in Spain – Competitive pricing | – Bureaucratic test approvals – Mixed English support |
| AXA | €80 – €130 | ✅ Yes (in major cities) | ✅ Optional full dental (+€20-40/mo) | – Hospital General de Catalunya – Clínica Planas – Hospital Quirónsalud Dexeus | – Fast claims processing | – Higher premiums for full coverage |
| Allianz | €70 – €120 | ✅ Yes (in major cities) | ✅ Mid-tier dental (cleanings, fillings, 50% off major work) | – Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona – Clínica Diagonal | – Good dental add-ons – Reliable insurer | – Limited English-speaking dentists |
| Aegon | €55 – €100 | ❌ Limited | ❌ Only emergencies for basic plan (add-ons available) | – Hospital de Barcelona – Clínica Sagrada Familia | – Cheapest basic plan | – Few English-speaking doctors – Weak dental coverage |
| DKV | €65 – €115 | ✅ Yes (in major cities) | ✅ Comprehensive dental (up to 80% coverage for major work) | – Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor – Clínica Dental DKB (Barcelona) | – Best dental coverage – Great for chronic conditions | – Some claim denials reported |
Top Recommendations for Barcelona Expats and their families
- Best Overall (Quality + English Support): DKV or Adeslas (best hospitals, good dental options).
- Best Budget with Dental: Adeslas (large network, basic dental included with plus to expand options possible).
- Best Dental Coverage: DKV (80% coverage on major procedures).
- Avoid if English is Essential: Aegon (limited English-speaking doctors).
Insurance Providers & Challenges for Expats
Spain has reputable insurers, but expats often face hurdles:
- Strict underwriting – Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or require lengthy paperwork.
- Language barriers – Policies are often in Spanish, and customer service may not be English-friendly.
- Visa requirements – Non-lucrative visas, golden visas, and student visas demand private health insurance with full-coverage and with no copays or deductibles, but insurers don’t always clarify this upfront.
- Policy lapses – Some insurers won’t remind you if your payment fails, risking visa compliance. If you lose coverage at any point, even for a month, you risk losing your residency and will need to start over.
Why Work with an Expat-Savvy Broker?
A good broker can:
✔ Explain visa-specific requirements for private health insurance policies (e.g., non-lucrative visas need uninterrupted coverage).
✔ Compare policies to ensure no hidden exclusions or copays that could invalidate your visa.
✔ Handle language issues and negotiate with insurers for better terms. This is especially important when considering retirees…coverage over 65 is difficult and over 80/85 is close to impossible, but a broker can work with you to find the best solution.
✔ Warn you about pitfalls—like auto-renewal or lapses in coverage.
🚩 Red Flag: If your broker (or insurer) doesn’t emphasize keeping continuous coverage (no gaps!) and best practices to avoid it, look elsewhere. A lapse could jeopardize residency renewals. Likewise if they try to push a co-payment plan…which can actually be very pricy.
Need a broker? Fill out the form and I will provide you with a personalized private insurance policy quote, to resolve your questions, and identify the best provider for you and your family!
Key Tips for Expats
- Check visa requirements first. You would not be the first client to come my way with a private health insurance policy that does not meet the requirements.
- Avoid travel insurance masquerading as health insurance – It won’t qualify for immigration permits.
- Ask about pre-existing conditions – Some insurers impose waiting periods.
- Set payment reminders – Don’t rely on the insurer to alert you before a missed payment…and end up with a month of missed coverage.
Need help? I recommend brokers who specialize in expat cases—they’ll ensure your policy meets legal and practical needs without taking advantage of you and your family.
Have questions? Drop them below! 👇
