If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen moving to Spain for more than three months, you do not need a visa — but you normally need to register as a resident and obtain your EU Registration Certificate (green certificate or green NIE — officially the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea). If you are not working or self-employed in Spain, you may need to prove that you have sufficient financial resources and comprehensive public or private health insurance cover in Spain. A suitable Sanitas private health insurance policy can help support your EU residency registration and give you access to private doctors, specialists and hospitals across Spain.
Sanitas is one of Spain's major private health insurers and forms part of the Bupa group. Sanitas reported 2.9 million insured members in 2024 and has operated in Spain since 1954. For EU citizens registering as residents, Sanitas plans can provide the private healthcare cover required in many situations — though the right plan depends on your individual circumstances and your local office.
EU citizens
EU citizens have the right to live in Spain — but if you plan to stay for more than three months, you normally need to register in the Central Register of Foreigners and obtain your EU Registration Certificate.
The health insurance requirement depends on your situation. If you are employed in Spain or self-employed as an autónomo, you may have access to Spanish public healthcare through Social Security. If you are retired, studying, living from savings, or not working in Spain, you may need to prove healthcare cover separately.
Green certificate explained
The official Spanish name is Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea — the document that confirms an EU citizen is registered as a resident in Spain. It is often called:
Green certificate · Green NIE · EU Registration Certificate · Certificado de Registro · EU citizen registration certificate
It is not a visa. It is also not the same as a TIE card, which is normally used by non-EU residents.
The application is made using Form EX-18. Official police guidance lists the EX-18 form, payment of Modelo 790 Code 012, valid passport or national identity document, and proof of compliance with the residence requirements as part of the process.
Who needs it
Private health insurance is most relevant for EU citizens who are registering as residents but are not yet covered by Spanish Social Security.
You may need health insurance if you are:
You may not need private health insurance for the registration requirement if you are already employed in Spain, self-employed in Spain, or can prove public healthcare cover through an accepted route such as an S1.
Sanitas suitability
A Sanitas private health insurance policy can often be suitable where an EU citizen needs to prove private healthcare cover in Spain for residency registration.
Sanitas can be useful because it provides private healthcare cover in Spain, policy documentation and access to a broad private medical network. It can also be arranged before some applicants have their final Spanish paperwork — depending on the policy and application route.
Plan options
For EU residency registration, we recommend a no-copay Sanitas plan. No-copay cover gives clearer healthcare evidence for the appointment, predictable monthly costs and no charges at the point of use — important when the office expects comprehensive private health insurance.
There are two no-copay options to choose from depending on whether you are applying as an individual or as a family:
Best for: For EU residents who want comprehensive private healthcare with no charges at the point of use.
A no-copay plan can be a stronger option for people who want predictable healthcare costs and a more complete private healthcare experience. Especially useful for regular healthcare users or people who want clearer private health insurance evidence. (For families wanting no-copay cover, see Más Salud Familias Sin Copay.)
Best for: For couples or families who want no-copay private healthcare for multiple household members.
Designed for households. No copayments at the point of use, predictable monthly costs and paediatric access. A practical option for EU citizens registering as residents with a family.
Process
Five steps from checking your residence category to receiving your EU Registration Certificate — and where health insurance fits in the process.
Before choosing insurance, identify your situation: employed, self-employed, student, retired, economically inactive or family member. Your healthcare proof depends on this.
If you are not covered by Spanish Social Security, an S1 or another recognised public healthcare route, arrange suitable private health insurance before your appointment.
You may need your passport or national ID, completed EX-18 form, Modelo 790 Code 012 payment, proof of address or padrón where required, proof of sufficient resources and proof of healthcare cover.
Applications are usually handled by the relevant Oficina de Extranjería or National Police office. Requirements and appointment availability can vary by province.
If your documents are accepted, the certificate is often issued at the appointment. It includes your name, nationality, address, NIE number and registration date.
EHIC & S1
Private health insurance is not the only route. Depending on your situation, EHIC, GHIC or an S1 certificate may be appropriate alternatives — or you may use a combination.
EHIC can be useful for temporary stays and medically necessary public healthcare, but it is not always the best solution for long-term residence registration.
Some EU students or temporary residents may be able to use EHIC if it covers the required period and is accepted by the local office. For people moving permanently, retiring or living as economically inactive residents, private insurance or an S1 may be more appropriate.
GHIC is relevant for UK residents visiting or temporarily staying in Spain, but UK nationals are no longer EU citizens and normally use different residence routes unless covered by Withdrawal Agreement rules.
Some EU retirees and eligible residents can use an S1 certificate to access Spanish public healthcare. If you have a valid S1 and it is properly registered, you may not need private health insurance for the healthcare requirement.
Many EU retirees still choose Sanitas private health insurance for faster access to specialists, private hospitals, English-speaking support and additional flexibility — even when their S1 is in place.
If you are waiting for your S1, private insurance may help bridge the gap, depending on your appointment timing and local requirements.
After registration
Many EU citizens arrange private health insurance for their residency appointment and then continue the policy long term because it offers practical everyday benefits.
Private health insurance can help you access specialists more quickly than waiting for a non-urgent public appointment.
Sanitas gives access to private doctors, specialists, clinics and hospitals across Spain, depending on the plan selected.
English-speaking advice and digital services can make healthcare easier, especially during the first months after moving to Spain.
Some people use private insurance alongside public healthcare to choose between systems depending on the situation.
Common mistakes
The most frequent issues we see EU citizens run into — and how to avoid them.
EU citizens do not need a visa, but they may still need healthcare cover when registering as residents — especially if not working or self-employed in Spain.
Requirements depend on whether you are working, self-employed, studying, retired, economically inactive or applying with family members.
Travel insurance is designed for temporary trips, not long-term residence in Spain.
EHIC may help in some temporary situations but is not always suitable for long-term residence registration.
Retirees and some eligible residents should check whether they can use an S1 before choosing private insurance.
A low-cost plan may be attractive, but you should check whether it is suitable for your appointment and healthcare needs.
If your policy certificate is missing or unclear, your residency appointment may be delayed.
Who we help
Tell us your situation and we'll help you compare suitable Sanitas options.
We can help if you are:
Common questions about EU citizen residency registration in Spain and where health insurance fits.
EU citizens registering residency in Spain often need to prove suitable private health insurance for EU residency registration (unless covered through work, autónomo registration or an S1). Choose your region or town to see how Sanitas no-copay cover works locally, then request a quote.
We help with the health-insurance part only. Residency decisions are made by the Spanish authorities, and requirements can vary by region and office. Always confirm the full requirements with the relevant Extranjería office or a qualified immigration specialist where applicable.
Tell us your situation and we'll help you compare suitable Sanitas options for your green certificate application — including whether private insurance is actually needed, or whether EHIC / S1 might work for you.
Free, no-obligation advice — we'll explain whether private cover, EHIC or S1 is the right route for your situation.