Understand the Spanish health insurance words you'll see in policy documents, certificates, medical directories and visa applications — all explained in plain English for NLV, DNV, student visa and expat private healthcare.
Understanding health insurance in Spain can be confusing, especially when policy documents, certificates, medical directories and Spanish visa requirements use unfamiliar Spanish terms. This glossary explains the most common Spanish health insurance terms in English, including words used in private medical insurance, Sanitas policies, Spanish visa applications, public healthcare, medical appointments and policy documents. It is designed for expats, international residents, students, retirees, remote workers and anyone applying for a Spanish visa such as the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa or student visa. Some of the most important terms to understand are sin copago which means no copayment, sin carencias which means no waiting periods, cuadro médico which means the insurer's medical directory, and certificado de seguro médico which means health insurance certificate. These terms are especially important when choosing private health insurance for a Spanish visa.
Seguro médico is the general Spanish term for health insurance. In Spain, this can refer to private medical insurance used to access private doctors, specialists, hospitals and diagnostic tests. For expats, seguro médico is especially important if you are applying for a visa or residence permit and do not yet have access to Spanish public healthcare. For visa applications, the policy usually needs to be comprehensive and suitable for long-term residence, not a basic travel insurance policy.
Seguro de salud is another common Spanish term for health insurance. It is often used by insurers, comparison websites and brokers to describe private healthcare policies. In practical terms, seguro médico and seguro de salud are often used in a similar way. Both can refer to private health insurance policies from companies such as Sanitas, Adeslas, ASISA, DKV, MAPFRE or AXA.
Seguro médico privado means private medical insurance. This gives access to private healthcare in Spain, usually through a network of doctors, specialists, clinics and hospitals. Private health insurance is commonly used by expats who want faster access to healthcare, English-speaking support, private hospitals or a policy suitable for Spanish visa applications. Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa and student visa applicants often need private insurance if they cannot prove public healthcare entitlement.
Seguro privado simply means private insurance. In a healthcare context, it usually means private health insurance rather than public healthcare through the Spanish National Health System. When Spanish visa documents refer to private health insurance, they are normally referring to a proper medical policy from an authorised insurer, not travel insurance.
Asistencia sanitaria refers to healthcare services, medical treatment or medical assistance. It can be used in both public and private healthcare contexts. For example, asistencia sanitaria pública refers to public healthcare, while asistencia sanitaria privada refers to private healthcare.
Asistencia médica means medical assistance. In insurance documents, this can refer to medical consultations, treatment, emergency care, hospital care or other healthcare services included under a policy. The exact meaning depends on the policy wording, so it is always worth checking which services are included.
Cobertura médica means medical cover. This describes what the health insurance policy covers, such as doctors, specialists, tests, hospitalisation, surgery, emergency care or digital consultations. For Spanish visa applications, cobertura médica should usually be comprehensive, valid in Spain and suitable for residence purposes.
Cobertura completa means full or comprehensive cover. In private health insurance, this usually means the policy includes a broad range of medical services rather than only emergency care. For Spanish visa applications, comprehensive cover is important because basic travel insurance or limited emergency insurance is usually not enough.
Cobertura nacional means cover across Spain. This is useful if you live in one province but may need treatment in another area. A national medical network is important for expats because many people move between regions, spend time in different parts of Spain, or want the flexibility to access healthcare outside their immediate town.
Cobertura internacional means cover outside Spain. This can be emergency cover abroad, travel-related medical support, reimbursement cover or wider international healthcare access, depending on the policy. Not every Spanish private health insurance policy includes strong international cover. Expats who travel frequently should check this carefully.
Póliza means insurance policy. It is the contract between the insurer and the policyholder, setting out what is covered, what is excluded, the premium, renewal terms and other conditions. For visa applications, the póliza may be requested alongside the certificate if the consulate wants to check the detailed policy wording.
Número de póliza is the unique policy number assigned to your insurance contract. It normally appears on your policy documents, certificate, renewal documents and sometimes your insurance card. If you need to contact the insurer, request authorisation or send documents for a visa, the policy number is often required.
Contrato de seguro is the formal insurance contract. It includes the legal relationship between the insurer, policyholder and insured person. This is broader than a simple certificate. The contract usually includes the general conditions and individual policy details.
Condiciones generales are the general terms and conditions of the insurance policy. They explain the standard cover, exclusions, procedures, rights and obligations. For expats, these documents can be difficult because they are often long and written in legal Spanish. However, they are important because they explain the real policy rules beyond the marketing summary.
Condiciones particulares are the specific policy details that apply to you. They usually include your name, policy number, start date, premium, insured persons, chosen plan and any special terms. For visa applications, these details must match your certificate and personal documents.
Condiciones especiales are special terms that may modify or add to the general conditions. They can include special exclusions, underwriting decisions, additional benefits or product-specific rules. If you have a pre-existing condition, the insurer may include special conditions affecting what is covered.
Certificado de seguro is the insurance certificate. It summarises key policy information and is often used as proof of cover. For Spanish visa applications, this is one of the most important documents. It should normally show the insured person, insurer, policy dates and relevant cover details.
Certificado de seguro médico means health insurance certificate. For visa applicants, this document proves that you have private medical insurance suitable for your application. For NLV, DNV and student visa applications, the certificate may need to confirm full cover, no copayments, no waiting periods and repatriation, depending on the route.
Recibo means receipt. In insurance, this often refers to the payment receipt for your premium. Some consulates or immigration offices may ask for proof that the policy is active and paid, so the receipt can be useful alongside the certificate.
Prima is the amount you pay for your insurance. It can be monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual, depending on the insurer and policy. Health insurance premiums in Spain usually depend on age, postcode, policy type, medical history and whether the plan has copayments or no copayments.
Cuota means a fee, instalment or regular payment. In health insurance, it can refer to the monthly amount paid for the policy. You may see cuota mensual for monthly fee and cuota anual for annual fee.
Pago mensual means monthly payment. Some health insurance policies allow monthly payment, but visa applicants should check whether their consulate expects annual proof of cover. A monthly payment plan may still be valid, but the certificate must show the policy is suitable for the required period.
Pago anual means annual payment. Some visa applicants prefer annual payment because it can make the application file look cleaner and show that cover is secured for the full visa period. Sanitas' Residents page references an annual payment discount in the quote journey, so annual payment can also be commercially relevant.
Fecha de efecto is the date the insurance policy starts. This is very important for visa applicants because the policy must normally be active from the required date. If you are applying for a visa before moving to Spain, you may need a future start month aligned with your intended arrival or visa period.
Fecha de vencimiento is the expiry date or renewal date of the policy. Spanish insurance policies often renew automatically unless cancelled correctly before the renewal deadline. Visa and residency applicants should avoid gaps in cover, especially when renewing a residence permit.
Renovación means renewal. In private health insurance, this usually refers to the annual renewal of the policy. It can also refer to visa or residency renewal. Expats renewing an NLV, DNV or student residence authorisation may need updated proof of health insurance.
Baja means cancellation, termination or deregistration. In insurance, darse de baja means to cancel your policy. Be careful with cancellation deadlines in Spain. Many policies require notice before the renewal date.
Alta means registration or activation. In insurance, darse de alta means to sign up or activate the policy. In healthcare, alta médica can also mean medical discharge after treatment, so context matters.
Tomador del seguro is the person who takes out and pays for the insurance policy. This may be the same person as the insured person, but not always. For example, a parent may be the policyholder for a student's health insurance.
Asegurado is the person covered by the insurance policy. In a family policy, there may be several asegurados. For visa applications, every applicant should be clearly listed as insured.
Beneficiario means beneficiary. In health insurance, this can sometimes refer to a person entitled to benefit from the policy. It is more common in life insurance, but you may still see it in wider insurance documents.
Entidad aseguradora is the insurer providing the policy. For Spanish visa purposes, it is usually safer to use an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Sanitas is one of Spain's well-known private health insurance providers and has products specifically aimed at foreign residents and visa applicants.
Copago means copayment. This is a small amount paid by the insured person when using certain medical services, such as a doctor's appointment, specialist visit or test. Policies with copayments often have lower monthly premiums, but they can be risky for visa applications. Sanitas explains co-payment as a small amount paid by the customer when using certain services, allowing a lower premium.
Sin copago means no copayment. This means you do not pay an extra charge each time you use covered medical services. For Spanish visa applications, sin copago is one of the most important terms. NLV, DNV and student visa applicants are usually advised to choose no-copay cover because it better supports the requirement for comprehensive health insurance.
Con copago means with copayment. These policies usually have lower monthly premiums but charge small fees when you use medical services. They can be suitable for people who already live in Spain and do not need visa-compliant insurance, but they may not be ideal for visa applications.
Carencia means waiting period. This is a delay after the policy starts before certain services become available. Common waiting periods may apply to planned surgery, hospital admissions, advanced diagnostic tests, maternity care, psychology or certain treatments. For visa applications, waiting periods can create problems because the applicant may need cover that is active from the policy start date.
Sin carencias means no waiting periods. This means the policy gives access to covered services from the start date, subject to policy terms. This is a major SEO and visa term. Sanitas Residents is presented as having an option with no waiting periods so the insurance can be used from day one, and Sanitas also states the policy can be valid for visa processing.
Con carencias means the policy includes waiting periods. This may reduce the cost or risk for the insurer but can make the policy less suitable for visa applications. Before buying health insurance for a Spanish visa, always check whether any waiting periods apply.
Franquicia means excess or deductible. It is an amount the insured person must pay before the insurer covers the rest. This is more common in some types of international insurance or reimbursement policies. For Spanish visa health insurance, policies with deductibles should be checked carefully.
Reembolso means reimbursement. This type of cover allows you to use certain doctors or medical providers outside the insurer's normal network and claim back part of the cost. Reimbursement policies can offer more flexibility, but you usually pay first and claim later. Premium policies may include reimbursement benefits.
Límite de cobertura is the maximum amount the insurer will pay for a particular benefit or service. For visa applications, low medical limits can be a problem because the insurance needs to look comprehensive.
Capital asegurado refers to the maximum insured amount for a particular benefit. It is often used in insurance documents to describe financial limits. In health insurance, you may see this for travel assistance, repatriation or reimbursement benefits.
Tarifa refers to the pricing structure used by the insurer. Health insurance tariffs often vary by age, province, cover level and policy type. If you are comparing policies, check whether the tariff is for copay or no-copay cover.
Descuento means discount. Insurers may offer discounts for annual payment, family policies or promotional periods. For SEO and compliance content, be careful with discounts. The most important point for visa applicants is not the discount but whether the policy is accepted and properly documented.
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Request your Sanitas quote →Cuadro médico is one of the most important Spanish health insurance terms. It means the insurer's directory of approved doctors, clinics, specialists and hospitals. If your policy uses a cuadro médico, you normally choose doctors and hospitals from that network. Before buying a policy, expats should check whether their preferred hospitals, clinics or English-speaking doctors are included.
Red médica means medical network. It is similar to cuadro médico and refers to the doctors, clinics and hospitals available under the policy. A strong red médica is important if you live in an expat area such as Alicante, Murcia, Málaga, Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol.
Centro médico means medical centre or clinic. Private health insurance policies usually give access to approved private medical centres in the insurer's network. Some centres offer multiple services, including GPs, specialists, tests and minor procedures.
Clínica means clinic. In Spain, this can refer to a private medical centre, specialist clinic or dental clinic. Not every clinic is included in every insurance network, so check the cuadro médico before booking.
Hospital privado means private hospital. Private health insurance is used to access private hospitals for consultations, tests, surgery and hospitalisation. Expats often choose private insurance because private hospitals can provide faster appointments and more flexibility than public healthcare.
Hospital público means public hospital. These hospitals are part of Spain's public healthcare system, the Sistema Nacional de Salud. Private health insurance does not automatically give access to public hospitals unless there is an emergency or specific arrangement. Public healthcare access depends on entitlement through Social Security, S1, Convenio Especial or other routes.
Médico de cabecera means GP or family doctor. In the Spanish public system, this is usually your assigned doctor at your local health centre. In private health insurance, you may choose a GP from the insurer's medical network.
Médico general means general doctor or GP. This is often the first doctor you see for general health concerns. Private policies usually include GP access within the network.
Especialista means specialist doctor. Examples include cardiologists, dermatologists, gynaecologists, neurologists, traumatologists and ophthalmologists. One advantage of private health insurance in Spain is that you may be able to access specialists more quickly than through the public system.
Cita médica means medical appointment. You may book appointments through the insurer's app, by phone, online, or directly with the medical centre. Sanitas promotes digital services such as the Mi Sanitas app and language filtering for doctors on its Residents page.
Consulta médica means medical consultation. This can be a GP appointment, specialist appointment, online consultation or in-person visit. If your policy has copayments, a consulta médica may trigger a small copayment charge.
Segunda opinión médica means second medical opinion. Some private health policies include access to another medical opinion for serious diagnoses or complex treatment decisions. This can be valuable for expats who want confidence before major treatment.
Urgencias means emergency care. Private health insurance policies usually include emergency medical care, but the process depends on the insurer and provider network. Urgencias can also refer to the emergency department of a hospital or clinic.
Asistencia urgente means urgent medical assistance. It is used for situations that need prompt attention but may not always be life-threatening. Check whether urgent care must be accessed through specific centres or emergency telephone numbers.
Hospitalización means being admitted to hospital. This is a key benefit in comprehensive health insurance. For Spanish visa applications, hospitalisation should normally be included. Policies that exclude or delay hospitalisation may be unsuitable.
Ingreso hospitalario means hospital admission. This can be planned or emergency-based. If a policy has waiting periods, planned hospital admissions may sometimes be delayed. This is why visa applicants should check for sin carencias.
Cirugía means surgery. Private health insurance may cover surgery if medically necessary and included under the policy terms. Planned surgery is one of the services that can sometimes be affected by waiting periods.
Intervención quirúrgica means surgical procedure. It is a formal way of saying surgery or operation. Policy documents may use this term when explaining waiting periods, authorisation requirements or exclusions.
Pruebas diagnósticas means diagnostic tests. These can include blood tests, X-rays, scans, ultrasounds, ECGs and other investigations. Some diagnostic tests may need authorisation from the insurer before they are carried out.
Pruebas de alta tecnología refers to advanced tests such as MRI, CT scans, PET scans or complex diagnostics. These tests may require authorisation and can sometimes be subject to waiting periods depending on the policy.
Resonancia magnética means MRI scan. It is an advanced diagnostic test used to examine soft tissue, joints, organs, brain, spine and other areas. Private insurance can help access MRI scans faster, but authorisation may be required.
TAC means CT scan. It is used for detailed imaging of the body. In insurance documents, TAC may appear under diagnostic imaging or high-tech diagnostic tests.
Radiografía means X-ray. It is one of the most common diagnostic tests and is usually included in private medical insurance when medically needed.
Ecografía means ultrasound scan. It is commonly used for abdominal, pregnancy, gynaecological, urinary, soft tissue and other checks. Coverage depends on the policy and medical indication.
Analítica usually refers to blood tests or lab analysis. Doctors may request una analítica to check general health, cholesterol, glucose, liver function, infection markers or other values.
Tratamiento means treatment. This can refer to medication, therapy, surgery, rehabilitation or any medical action recommended by a doctor. Insurance documents may explain which treatments are included, excluded or require authorisation.
Rehabilitación means rehabilitation, often physiotherapy or recovery treatment after injury, surgery or illness. Private health insurance may cover rehabilitation when prescribed, but session limits and authorisation rules can apply.
Fisioterapia means physiotherapy. It may be covered when medically prescribed and provided through the insurer's network. Some policies limit the number of sessions or require prior authorisation.
Psicología means psychology. Some private health policies include psychology sessions, but cover may be limited or subject to waiting periods. Mental health cover varies significantly between insurers and plans.
Psiquiatría means psychiatry. This is medical mental health care provided by a doctor specialising in psychiatric conditions. Policies may cover psychiatry differently from psychology, so check the terms carefully.
Maternidad means maternity cover. It can include pregnancy monitoring, childbirth and related medical care. Maternity is often subject to waiting periods, so anyone planning pregnancy should check this before buying insurance.
Parto means childbirth. In health insurance, childbirth cover may be subject to specific waiting periods or conditions. Visa applicants should not assume childbirth is immediately covered unless this is confirmed.
Prótesis means prosthesis or implant. It can include medical devices used during surgery or treatment. Policy documents often explain whether prostheses are included, excluded or limited.
Exclusiones are things the insurance policy does not cover. These can include pre-existing conditions, certain treatments, cosmetic surgery, some dental work, experimental treatments or services outside the network. Expats should always check exclusions before using a policy for a visa.
Preexistencia means pre-existing condition. This is a medical condition, symptom, illness, injury or diagnosis that existed before the policy started. Pre-existing conditions are one of the biggest underwriting issues in Spanish private health insurance. They may be accepted, excluded, reviewed or lead to refusal.
Enfermedad preexistente means pre-existing illness. Examples can include heart disease, diabetes, cancer history, chronic respiratory conditions, autoimmune disease or other long-term diagnoses. Always answer medical questions honestly if the insurer asks about previous illness.
Declaración de salud is the health declaration completed when applying for insurance. It asks about medical history, previous treatment, surgery, medication and current symptoms. Providing inaccurate answers can cause claim refusals or cancellation later.
Cuestionario de salud means health questionnaire. It is similar to declaración de salud. The insurer uses this information to decide whether to accept the applicant, apply exclusions, request more documents or decline cover.
Enfermedad crónica means chronic illness. This is a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, arthritis or autoimmune disease. Chronic conditions may affect underwriting and must usually be declared when requested.
Patología means medical condition or disease. Spanish doctors and insurers often use this word in formal documents. For example, patología cardíaca means heart condition.
Antecedentes médicos means medical history. This includes past illnesses, surgeries, treatments, admissions, diagnoses and relevant family history. Insurers may review antecedentes médicos before approving private health insurance.
Exclusión médica means a medical exclusion added to the policy. This means a specific condition or treatment will not be covered. For visa applicants, significant exclusions should be reviewed carefully because they may affect whether the cover is considered comprehensive.
Rechazo means refusal or rejection. In insurance, this may refer to an application being declined or a claim being refused. If you have complex medical history, apply early so there is time to find another solution if one insurer refuses cover.
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Request your Sanitas quote →Autorización means authorisation. Some medical services require approval from the insurer before they are performed. This is common for advanced diagnostic tests, surgery, hospital admissions and certain treatments.
Autorización médica means medical approval from the insurer. Without authorisation, the insurer may not cover the service. Always check whether authorisation is needed before booking expensive tests or procedures.
Solicitud de autorización is the request sent to the insurer asking them to approve a medical service. The doctor or clinic may help submit it, but the patient should make sure it is approved before treatment.
Reclamación can mean an insurance claim or a complaint, depending on context. In reimbursement policies, it may refer to claiming money back. In customer service, it may mean making a formal complaint.
Reclamación de gastos means expense claim. This is used when you pay medical costs yourself and ask the insurer to reimburse part or all of the amount. This is common in reimbursement policies.
Factura means invoice. If you claim reimbursement, the insurer will usually ask for an official invoice from the doctor, clinic or hospital. A simple receipt may not be enough.
Justificante de pago means proof of payment. This may be needed for reimbursement claims or visa evidence. It can include a bank receipt, card payment confirmation or official insurance receipt.
Reembolso de gastos médicos means claiming back medical expenses from the insurer. This usually applies when the policy includes reimbursement cover or when the insurer authorises out-of-network treatment.
Servicio concertado means a healthcare provider that has an agreement with the insurer. If you use servicios concertados, the insurer may pay the provider directly rather than reimbursing you later.
Servicio no concertado means a provider outside the insurer's agreed network. Treatment outside the network may not be covered unless your policy includes reimbursement or special authorisation.
Visado means visa. For non-EU citizens, Spanish visas often require proof of healthcare cover. Health insurance is especially important for the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa and student visa.
Residencia refers to legal residence in Spain. Health insurance may be required when applying for or renewing certain residence authorisations. Do not confuse residencia with being tax resident or simply owning a property in Spain.
Visado de residencia means residence visa. This allows a person to live in Spain for longer than a short tourist stay. Private health insurance is often required for residence visas where the applicant is not covered by public healthcare.
Visado no lucrativo is the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa. It is for non-EU citizens who want to live in Spain without working in Spain. Applicants normally need private health insurance with full cover, no copayments and no waiting periods.
Visado para nómadas digitales is Spain's Digital Nomad Visa. It is for eligible remote workers, freelancers and professionals who work mainly for companies or clients outside Spain. Healthcare proof may be private insurance, Spanish Social Security or a recognised foreign social security arrangement, depending on the application route.
Visado de estudiante means student visa. International students usually need health insurance covering their stay in Spain. Sanitas International Students is positioned as meeting student visa requirements, including comprehensive cover, no copays, no waiting periods and repatriation coverage.
Certificado para visado means certificate for a visa. In health insurance, this usually means the document proving that the policy is suitable for the visa application. For Spanish visa SEO, this is a key term because many applicants search for insurance with a visa-ready certificate.
Repatriación means repatriation. In health insurance, this usually refers to returning the insured person to their country of origin in serious medical or death-related circumstances. Sanitas Residents highlights repatriation as part of its foreign resident cover, including international transfer to the country of origin and assistance for a companion.
Certificado de cobertura means certificate of cover. This can refer to proof of insurance or proof of social security cover, depending on context. For Digital Nomad Visa applicants, this term can also appear when discussing foreign social security certificates.
Certificado de empadronamiento proves you are registered at your local town hall address in Spain. It is not a health insurance document, but it can be relevant when registering for public healthcare or proving residence.
NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero. It is the identification number used by foreigners in Spain. You may need an NIE for many administrative processes, but some people arrange private health insurance before receiving one.
TIE stands for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero. It is the physical residence card issued to many non-EU residents in Spain. Health insurance can be relevant when applying for or renewing the residence authorisation linked to the TIE.
Sistema Nacional de Salud, often shortened to SNS, is Spain's public healthcare system. Access to the SNS depends on your entitlement, such as employment, autónomo registration, pensioner S1 rights, Convenio Especial or other recognised routes.
Sanidad pública means public healthcare. It refers to healthcare provided through the Spanish public system. Not every expat automatically has access to public healthcare when they arrive in Spain, which is why private insurance is often needed.
Sanidad privada means private healthcare. It refers to medical services provided outside the public healthcare system, usually paid for privately or through insurance. Private healthcare is popular among expats because it can provide faster appointments and wider choice.
Seguridad Social is Spain's Social Security system. Workers and self-employed people usually contribute to it, and those contributions can provide access to public healthcare. Digital Nomad Visa applicants often need to understand whether they are covered through Spanish Social Security, foreign social security or private insurance.
INSS stands for Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social. It is the Spanish National Social Security Institute. It handles social security rights, healthcare entitlement certificates and some processes linked to public healthcare access.
Tarjeta sanitaria means health card. This usually refers to the public healthcare card issued by the regional health service when you are entitled to public healthcare. It is different from a private insurance card. Sanitas and other insurers may issue their own cards or digital cards.
Tarjeta sanitaria individual is the individual public healthcare card issued by regional health authorities. Madrid's public information notes that subscribing to the Convenio Especial does not itself involve issuing the individual health card, although an identification code is assigned for healthcare management.
Centro de salud is a local public health centre. This is where people with public healthcare access usually see their assigned GP or nurse. Private insurance users normally access private clinics and doctors through the insurer's network instead.
SIP is commonly used in the Valencian Community for the public health identification system/card. Expats living in Alicante, Valencia or Castellón may hear people refer to the SIP card when discussing public healthcare.
Convenio Especial is a paid public healthcare access scheme. The Spanish Ministry of Health describes it as a special agreement that allows affiliation to the Spanish National Health System and is aimed at economically inactive foreigners who need health insurance to reside in Spain. It is not usually available immediately to new arrivals because eligibility conditions can apply, and it is managed at regional level.
The S1 is a healthcare entitlement certificate used by some pensioners and other eligible people to access public healthcare in Spain. UK pensioners receiving a UK State Pension may be eligible for an S1, but this depends on individual circumstances and must be registered correctly.
EHIC stands for European Health Insurance Card. It gives access to medically necessary public healthcare during temporary stays in EU countries. It is not the same as full private health insurance and is not usually enough for long-term residence visas.
GHIC is the UK Global Health Insurance Card. It replaced the EHIC for many UK residents. Like the EHIC, it is mainly for temporary stays and emergency or necessary healthcare, not full residence-based private medical cover.
Médico asignado means assigned doctor. In the public system, you are usually assigned a GP based on your registered address. In private healthcare, you normally choose from the insurer's medical network.
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Request your Sanitas quote →Sanitas is one of Spain's major private health insurance providers and is part of Bupa. It offers private medical insurance, dental services, digital healthcare and policies for foreign residents. For Spanish-HealthInsurance.com, Sanitas is the core brand focus.
Sanitas Residents is a private health insurance policy designed for foreign residents in Spain. Sanitas presents it as valid for visa processing, with an option for no waiting periods, repatriation and English app support. It is highly relevant for NLV, DNV and expat health insurance searches.
Sanitas Residents Platinum is a more premium health insurance option for foreign residents. Sanitas describes it as its most comprehensive and premium insurance for foreigners. It can be relevant for expats who want stronger cover, international flexibility or premium healthcare support.
Sanitas Más Salud is one of Sanitas' private health insurance products. Depending on the version, it may have different copayment, waiting-period and coverage conditions. For visa applicants, always check whether the exact version is suitable before using it for an application.
Sanitas Mundi is associated with international-style cover. It may be relevant for expats who need healthcare protection beyond Spain. International benefits should always be checked carefully against the policy wording.
Sanitas International Students is a student-focused health insurance policy. Sanitas-related product information states that the policy meets student visa requirements, including comprehensive healthcare insurance, no copays, no waiting periods and repatriation coverage. This is an important term for student visa SEO.
Blua is Sanitas' digital healthcare service, offering features such as online consultations and digital medical support. Digital healthcare is useful for expats who want fast access to doctors without always attending a clinic in person.
Mi Sanitas is the Sanitas app and customer portal. It can be used for managing appointments, accessing digital services and handling policy-related tasks. Sanitas highlights the Mi Sanitas app in English and doctor language filtering on its Residents page.
Dental Milenium is Sanitas' dental service/network. Depending on the policy, it may include free dental services, discounted treatments or additional dental benefits. Dental cover is not always the same as full medical cover, so check the plan details.
Seguro dental means dental insurance. It may be included with a health policy or sold separately. Dental insurance often works differently from medical insurance and may include discounts rather than full cover for all treatments.
Cobertura dental means dental cover. It can include check-ups, cleaning, fillings, extractions, implants or orthodontics depending on the policy. Not every health insurance plan includes strong dental cover.
Oftalmología means ophthalmology, the medical specialty dealing with eyes and eye health. Private health insurance may cover ophthalmologist consultations, but glasses and contact lenses may not be fully included.
Óptica refers to optician services, glasses and lenses. It is different from ophthalmology. Some policies may include discounts or limited optical benefits, but this is not always part of core health insurance.
Gafas means glasses. Health insurance may cover eye consultations but not necessarily the cost of glasses. Always check whether optical products are included.
Lentes de contacto means contact lenses. These are usually treated as optical products rather than core medical treatment. Cover varies by policy.
Cardiología is the medical specialty for the heart and cardiovascular system. Expats with heart history should check underwriting carefully before applying for private health insurance.
Dermatología is the specialty for skin, hair and nails. Private insurance can often help access dermatologists faster than public waiting lists.
Ginecología is women's reproductive healthcare. Policies may include consultations, tests and screening, but maternity-related cover can have special conditions.
Traumatología in Spain usually refers to orthopaedics and musculoskeletal injuries, such as bones, joints, ligaments and sports injuries. It is one of the most commonly used private healthcare specialties.
Neurología deals with the brain, nerves and nervous system. Specialist consultations and diagnostic tests may require authorisation.
Neumología is the specialty for lungs and respiratory conditions. This can be relevant for asthma, COPD, bronchitis complications, sleep apnoea or other respiratory issues.
Digestivo or aparato digestivo refers to digestive system medicine. This includes stomach, bowel, liver and digestive problems.
Urología deals with urinary tract and male reproductive system conditions. It is a common specialty in private healthcare networks.
Endocrinología deals with hormones, thyroid conditions, diabetes and metabolic disorders. Applicants with diabetes or thyroid history should declare conditions if asked by the insurer.
Otorrinolaringología is usually shortened to ORL in Spain. It covers ear, nose and throat conditions. This is useful for hearing, sinus, throat and balance-related issues.
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Request your Sanitas quote →Farmacia means pharmacy. In Spain, pharmacies are widely available and provide prescription and non-prescription medicines. Private health insurance may cover consultations but not always outpatient prescription medication.
Receta means prescription. A doctor issues a receta when medication is needed. There are public prescriptions and private prescriptions, and the cost can differ depending on your healthcare route.
Medicamento means medicine or medication. Some medicines require a prescription, while others can be bought directly from a pharmacy. Private insurance does not always pay for outpatient medication.
Copago farmacéutico means the contribution paid towards prescription medication in the public healthcare system. This is different from private insurance copayments for doctor visits.
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Request your Sanitas quote →If you want the wider picture rather than a single definition, our complete guide to Spanish health insurance explains how the public and private systems fit together, chapter by chapter.