If you are applying for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, choosing the right health insurance policy is one of the most important parts of your application. Sanitas is one of Spain's best-known private health insurers, but not every Sanitas plan is suitable for the NLV. Some policies are excellent for general private healthcare, while others are designed for visa and residency applications. We help English-speaking applicants compare the Sanitas options — Residents and Residents Platinum — that actually make sense for NLV applicants, based on your age, health profile, family situation and budget.
Sanitas is one of Spain's best-known private health insurers and forms part of the Bupa group. It reported 2.9 million insured members in 2024, has operated in Spain since 1954, and offers foreign-resident products — Sanitas Residents and Residents Platinum — designed around visa and residency needs.
Intro
Sanitas is one of Spain's best-known private health insurance providers, but not every Sanitas plan is the right choice for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Some policies are excellent for general private healthcare, while others are designed specifically for visa and residency applications. The key point is not simply choosing the cheapest plan — the policy needs to meet Spanish visa requirements, provide comprehensive private medical cover, and be suitable for submission with your visa application.
At Spanish Health Insurance, we help English-speaking applicants compare Sanitas options for the Non-Lucrative Visa — including no-copay, visa-suitable policies for individuals, couples and families moving to Spain. You can also read our full guide to Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance in Spain and the Non-Lucrative Visa requirements.
The main options
For most Non-Lucrative Visa applicants, the two main Sanitas options to compare are Sanitas Residents and Sanitas Residents Platinum. Both are designed for foreign residents and can be issued with the no-copay, visa-suitable cover usually expected for an NLV application. Other Sanitas products may be excellent for healthcare in Spain but are not always the best choice for visa submission unless they meet the specific consulate requirements.
Best for: Standard Non-Lucrative Visa applicants who want comprehensive, visa-suitable private medical insurance.
Sanitas Residents is usually the first plan to consider for a Non-Lucrative Visa application. It is designed for foreign residents in Spain and is suitable for Spanish visa health-insurance requirements. For most applicants it offers a strong balance between cost and the comprehensive, no-copay cover usually expected for a visa file — including repatriation and Spanish documentation.
Best for: Applicants who want a higher level of cover, broader benefits or a more premium healthcare package.
Sanitas Residents Platinum is the premium option for foreign residents. Sanitas describes it as its most comprehensive foreign-resident insurance, with a no-waiting-period purchase option for visa use. It suits applicants who want more than the minimum needed for the visa — broader benefits, higher comfort and a stronger private-healthcare experience after they arrive in Spain.
Why it matters
The Non-Lucrative Visa requires private health insurance that is broadly equivalent to the Spanish public healthcare system. The policy should normally be:
This is why many NLV applicants choose a dedicated visa-suitable Sanitas policy rather than a cheaper general plan. You can read more about no-copay health insurance in Spain and why it matters for visa applications.
Sanitas Residents
Sanitas Residents is usually best suited to Non-Lucrative Visa applicants who need a comprehensive private medical insurance policy for Spanish residency or visa purposes. It is often a strong option for retirees, early retirees, financially independent applicants and families moving to Spain under the NLV route.
On a visa-suitable plan, Sanitas Residents typically provides:
The main advantage is that it is designed around the type of cover usually expected for visa and residency applications — comprehensive, no-copay private healthcare with repatriation and Spanish documentation — rather than basic outpatient healthcare or low-cost emergency-only cover.
Residents Platinum
Sanitas Residents Platinum may be better suited to applicants who want a more premium level of cover, additional benefits or a stronger healthcare package for long-term residence in Spain. It can be especially relevant for applicants who want more comfort, broader services or a higher-end private healthcare experience.
Residents Platinum offers premium-level private healthcare and a stronger overall benefit structure. It is useful for applicants who want more than the minimum visa requirement, who are relocating permanently or semi-permanently, and who want healthcare confidence and comfort after arrival.
Not every applicant needs the Platinum option. For NLV applicants, Sanitas Residents is sufficient. However, Residents Platinum can make sense if you want a more complete policy, prefer higher-level cover, or want extra peace of mind once you are living in Spain.
Side by side
How the two main NLV-suitable Sanitas plans compare on the features most relevant to a Non-Lucrative Visa application.
| Feature | Sanitas Residents | Residents Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for the NLV | Yes — as visa-suitable no-copay cover | Yes — as visa-suitable no-copay cover |
| Best for | Standard NLV applicants | Applicants wanting premium cover |
| Cover level | Comprehensive private healthcare | Enhanced / premium private healthcare |
| Copayments | No copay for visa purposes | No copay for visa purposes |
| Hospitalisation | Included | Included |
| Specialists | Included | Included |
| Diagnostics | Included | Included |
| Repatriation | Included — confirm in certificate | Included — confirm in certificate |
| Best applicant profile | Retirees, families, financially independent | Applicants wanting broader benefits & comfort |
| Price level (from) | €67.76/month | €107.23/month |
Prices are from-prices. Your exact premium depends on age, province, start date, medical history and number of applicants. Suitability depends on the policy being issued as visa-appropriate cover and on your consulate's requirements.
The best option depends on your age, application type, healthcare expectations, family situation and budget. The cheapest plan is not always the safest option for a visa application, and the most expensive plan is not always necessary.
Other plans
Sanitas offers several private health insurance products in Spain, including plans for general healthcare, families, professionals, students and residents. Some are excellent private healthcare plans, but not all are suitable for the Non-Lucrative Visa. For NLV purposes, the key issue is whether the plan meets the visa requirements: no copayments, no deductibles, comprehensive cover and suitable documentation.
| Sanitas Plan | Best For | NLV Suitable? | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitas Residents | Most NLV applicants | ✓ Yes* | Strong balance of visa suitability and comprehensive cover |
| Sanitas Residents Platinum | Applicants wanting premium cover | ✓ Yes* | Higher-level healthcare package and broader benefits |
| Sanitas Más Salud Sin Copay | General healthcare & EU residency | Not for visa routes | Excellent general / EU-residency plan, but not suitable for the NLV, DNV or student visa |
| Lower-cost Sanitas plans | Basic or outpatient needs | Usually not ideal | Lower monthly cost but may lack visa suitability |
*Suitable when issued as visa-appropriate, no-copay cover with the correct documentation. Always check the specific policy against your consulate's requirements before applying.
No. Sanitas Más Salud Sin Copay is an excellent private healthcare plan and a strong choice for general cover or EU residency, but it is not suitable for the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa or the student visa. For these visa routes Sanitas issues dedicated products: Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum for the NLV and DNV, and Sanitas International Students for the student visa. If you are applying for the NLV, choose Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum rather than a general Más Salud plan.
Lower-cost plans can be useful for general healthcare, but they may not meet the full requirements for the NLV. Many lower-priced policies are outpatient-focused, include copayments, or do not provide the level of cover expected by consulates.
Retirees
Many NLV applicants are retirees or semi-retired people moving to Spain for lifestyle, climate, family or property reasons. For retirees, the best Sanitas option usually depends on age, medical history, budget and whether the applicant wants standard visa-suitable cover or a more premium policy.
Applicants over 60, 65 or 70 should not leave insurance until the last minute. Health declarations, acceptance rules and policy options can become more important with age, so it is better to check eligibility early in the visa process.
Couples & families
For couples and families, each applicant included in the NLV application needs suitable health insurance, and the policy certificate should clearly show that every applicant is covered.
Key points for family applications include matching policy start dates for everyone, family pricing across the main applicant, spouse or partner and dependent children, complete documentation for all applicants, and avoiding any gaps in cover. For many families, Sanitas Residents is the most cost-effective visa-suitable option, while Residents Platinum may suit families who want stronger benefits.
Older applicants
Older applicants often need more careful advice because age can affect eligibility, price and medical underwriting. A policy that works well for a 35-year-old applicant may not be the best — or available — option for someone aged 68, 72 or 75.
The best Sanitas plan for older NLV applicants depends on current acceptance rules, age limits, medical history and the level of cover required. It is always better to check before starting the visa process than to discover an issue at the end.
No copay
For the Non-Lucrative Visa, the policy should normally be without copayments. This means you should not be paying a fee every time you visit a doctor, specialist or medical centre. A no-copay Sanitas policy is usually more suitable for NLV applications because it aligns better with the type of full healthcare cover expected by Spanish consulates.
Do not choose a cheaper copay policy simply because the monthly premium looks attractive — a copay policy may be unsuitable for visa purposes, and a replacement certificate later can cost you time and money.
Documents
Applicants usually need documentation confirming their health insurance cover. Depending on the policy and application, this may include:
Spanish Health Insurance can help you obtain the relevant insurance documentation — including a Spanish-language certificate where required — for your NLV application. See also the NLV health insurance certificate guide.
Cost
The cost of Sanitas health insurance for the Non-Lucrative Visa depends on several factors, including:
As a guide, Sanitas Residents starts from €67.76/month and Residents Platinum from €107.23/month — but these are from-prices, not guaranteed final premiums. A younger applicant will usually pay less than an older applicant, and a standard Residents policy will usually cost less than a Platinum-level policy. For an accurate quote, send us your date of birth, visa type and number of applicants.
How to choose
Use this simple decision guide. The right choice is not the same for everyone — the best policy is the one that meets visa requirements and fits your real healthcare needs after you move to Spain.
Get help
Choosing the right Sanitas plan for the Non-Lucrative Visa can feel confusing, especially when different policies appear similar at first glance. Spanish Health Insurance helps English-speaking applicants compare Sanitas options and arrange visa-suitable private health insurance for Spain. Whether you are applying alone, as a couple or with your family, we can help you choose the most appropriate Sanitas policy and provide the documentation needed for your visa application.
Tell us about your Non-Lucrative Visa application and we'll compare the main Sanitas visa-suitable options for your situation — with exact pricing and clear guidance on documentation. Acceptance and exact terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Free, no-obligation advice from English-speaking advisers who understand NLV requirements.
FAQs
Common questions about choosing the best Sanitas plan for your Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa application.