If you are retiring to Spain from outside the EU — for example from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa — you are a third-country national, and the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the usual route. It normally requires comprehensive private medical insurance with no copayments. This guide explains which Sanitas plan suits non-EU retirees, how age and medical history are handled, how retired couples are quoted, and where to go next — with English-speaking help throughout.
Do you need it
Yes, for the usual route. Non-EU retirees who want to live in Spain without working generally apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa, which normally requires comprehensive private medical insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, with no copayments and certificate wording suitable for residence. Home-country cover such as US Medicare, a UK GHIC, Canadian provincial healthcare or Australian Medicare is not accepted in its place, and travel insurance is not residence cover.
Some retirees later access Spanish public healthcare — for example through certain agreements or, after the visa stage, other routes — but at the application stage a non-EU retiree almost always needs suitable private cover. We help you compare the right Sanitas options and request a personalised quote.
NLV route
The NLV is the classic retiree route, and the insurance side has a few things that catch people out. The policy must be comprehensive (broadly equivalent to public cover), with no copayments (no per-visit charges), no deductible, and a certificate that states the cover clearly for the consulate.
Practical points for retirees specifically: the policy start date should be planned around your application and appointment; each applicant (including a spouse or partner) usually needs their own cover and to be named; and because retirees are often over 60, age and medical history feed into acceptance and the personal terms offered — so a personalised quote matters more than an online estimate. The two plans designed for this route are Sanitas Residents and Residents Platinum. See our full NLV health insurance guide and over-60 quote.
Which plan
It depends on your route, age, health and how much cover you want. This is the quick guide — exact suitability depends on underwriting and current terms, and a personalised quote is needed for pricing:
| Retiree situation | Sanitas route to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard NLV retiree, under 75 | Sanitas Residents | Visa-focused, no-copay residence cover |
| Retiree who travels often / wants broader cover | Residents Platinum | Broader, international-style features |
| Retired couple applying together | Residents or Platinum, per person | Each applicant assessed separately |
| Over-65 applicant | Personalised quote essential | Age and health declaration matter more |
| Applicant with medication / conditions | Personalised underwriting review | Possible reports or exclusions |
| Already resident, not needing visa cover | Más Salud / Único may be considered | Depends on status and age |
| Over-75 new applicant | Sanitas Único may be worth checking | Designed for 60+, no upper contracting age |
In short: most NLV retirees compare Residents and Residents Platinum; older applicants should also ask about Sanitas Único.
Age limits
Age is one of the biggest factors for retirees, so it is worth understanding how it works. Sanitas plans can have different maximum ages for taking out a new policy, but the limit usually matters most at the application stage:
| Sanitas plan | Typical age for a NEW application | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitas Único | Designed for 60+ — no upper contracting age | Generally no health questionnaire, subject to current terms |
| Sanitas Más Salud / Más Salud Familias | Commonly up to 75 for new applicants | Health declaration applies, subject to current terms |
| Sanitas Residents | Commonly up to 75 for new applicants | For non-EU visa / residency routes, subject to current terms |
| Sanitas Residents Platinum | Maximum contracting age of 64 | Broader / international-style cover — check current terms |
Age limits matter most at the point of application. Once a Sanitas policy has been accepted, contracted and paid, many plans continue without a maximum permanence age — reaching 75, for example, does not automatically cancel a policy you already hold — provided the policy stays active and its terms are met. The figures above are a general guide only and should always be confirmed against the current Sanitas tariff and your own circumstances before buying.
Medical history
Retirees often have some medical history — and that is normal and usually manageable. Common examples that come up include blood pressure or cholesterol medication, type 2 diabetes, a heart or cardiac history, joint or back problems, a previous cancer, asthma or COPD, thyroid medication and previous surgery.
Having a condition or taking medication does not automatically mean a refusal. Each case is assessed individually through the health declaration and underwriting, and the outcome can be standard terms, an exclusion of a specific condition, a request for more information, or — in some cases — a decline. Nothing is guaranteed, so a personalised review is essential and you should never cancel existing cover until a new policy is confirmed.
Declaring your full history gives the most accurate quote and avoids problems with claims later. See our pre-existing conditions guide, health declaration guide and pre-existing conditions quote.
Couples
For a retired couple, each person is quoted and assessed separately, even on a joint policy. That means one partner may be accepted on standard terms while the other needs more review, an exclusion or a different outcome — an age gap, different medication or different histories can all affect each applicant differently. This is normal and does not prevent a combined policy; it simply means both people should disclose their own history so we can quote each accurately and put together the right combined cover for the NLV.
Residents vs Platinum
Usually suits retirees who will mainly live in Spain and need solid, visa-focused no-copay cover for the NLV. It is the standard residence plan and is commonly available up to age 75 for new applicants, subject to terms.
Suits retirees who travel more, want broader or more international-style features, or simply want a higher level of cover. Note its maximum contracting age is typically lower (64), so it should be age-checked early.
The right choice depends on how you will live in Spain, your age and your budget. Our Residents vs Residents Platinum comparison and best plan for retirees pages go into the detail, and we can quote both.
Areas
Where you settle matters, because private healthcare access varies by area. The Costa Blanca (Alicante, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa) and the Costa Cálida (Murcia, Mar Menor) are long-standing favourites with British and northern European retirees; the Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella, Estepona) has very strong private-healthcare demand and large international communities; and Mallorca, Valencia, Madrid and Barcelona suit retirees wanting city access.
Wherever you choose, check the local Sanitas hospitals, specialists and cuadro médico before deciding. Our Sanitas medical network, cuadro médico and Sanitas hospitals guides explain how.
Mistakes
Next steps
Continue with the pages most relevant to your retirement in Spain:
Important information
Tell us your age, nationality, route and any medical history, and we will compare the suitable Sanitas options (Residents, Platinum, or Único for older applicants) and request a personalised quote. Please check the actual current policy terms and your personal conditions before purchasing or using any Sanitas policy. Policies change and individual terms can vary.
We compare the suitable Sanitas options by age and health, in English, and request a personalised quote.
FAQs
Common questions from non-EU retirees arranging Sanitas health insurance for Spain. Age, health and route all affect the answer — always confirm current terms for your situation.