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UnderwritingHealth DeclarationPlain English

Health Insurance Underwriting in Spain

Underwriting is how Sanitas assesses your application — mainly through your health declaration. It decides whether cover is offered and on what terms. This page explains the process and outcomes in plain English so there are no surprises.

What underwriting isPossible outcomesWhat affects the decisionUnderwriting & visa cover
Get a Sanitas Quote →Ask an English-Speaking Adviser
UnderwritingHow it works
Based onYour health declaration
OutcomesAccept / exclude / load / decline
Affected byAge & medical history
Key ruleAlways declare honestly
We help withPreparing your case
Get a Quote →
✓ What underwriting is
✓ Possible outcomes
✓ What affects the decision
✓ Underwriting & visa cover

What it is

What Underwriting & the Health Declaration Are

Policy terms, acceptance, waiting periods and documentation requirements can change, so always check the current Sanitas wording and your personal policy conditions (and any local requirements) before relying on cover or applying.

Underwriting is the process Sanitas uses to assess a new application — chiefly through your health declaration (the medical questions you answer when applying). Based on this, Sanitas decides whether to offer cover and on what terms. Some plans, such as Sanitas Único, typically do not require a general health questionnaire; most comprehensive plans do. See the Sanitas health declaration.

This page explains the process so you know what to expect. We help prepare and present your case; we do not make the underwriting decision and cannot guarantee any outcome.

Outcomes

Possible Underwriting Outcomes

An application can result in several outcomes:

OutcomeWhat it means
Accepted as standardCover offered on normal terms.
Accepted with an exclusionCover offered, but a specific condition or treatment is excluded.
Accepted with a loadingCover offered at an adjusted premium.
PostponedA decision is deferred, e.g. pending recovery or more information.
DeclinedCover is not offered for that plan.
These outcomes depend entirely on Sanitas’ current underwriting rules and your individual circumstances. We cannot promise acceptance or particular terms.

More on exclusions and loadings.

Waiting-period waivers are separate from underwriting. Where you have had more than 12 months of continuous insurance with a Spanish health insurer or a Bupa Group company, Sanitas may reduce or waive waiting periods. The previous policy conditions and your latest payment receipt are required, and maternity and childbirth may be exceptions. A waiting-period waiver affects only the initial waiting time — it is separate from underwriting and does not mean a pre-existing condition is automatically covered.

What affects it

What Affects the Underwriting Decision

  • Your age (older applicants are assessed more closely)
  • Pre-existing or ongoing medical conditions
  • Current treatment, medication and recent investigations
  • The plan you apply for and its rules
  • The completeness and accuracy of your declaration

Older applicants should also see over-60, over-70 and over-75 cover.

Honesty

Why You Must Declare Honestly

Answer the health questions fully and accurately. Non-disclosure — leaving out a condition — can lead to claims being refused or a policy being cancelled later, which is far worse than an exclusion or loading at the outset. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, declare it and let it be assessed. See pre-existing conditions.

Visa cover

Underwriting & Visa Cover

For NLV and DNV applicants, underwriting matters because your cover (and its certificate) must be in force and suitable for the visa. A condition may be excluded without making the policy unsuitable, but you should confirm the cover still meets the route’s requirements. Never cancel existing cover until a new policy is accepted and confirmed, so you are not left with a gap.

Prepare

How to Prepare & What We Need

  • A clear summary of any conditions, with dates and current status
  • Details of medication and dosage
  • Recent test or specialist results where relevant
  • Your age and the plan/route you are considering

With this we present your case accurately and find the most suitable option. Get a quote or send us your medical history.

Mistakes

Common Underwriting Mistakes

  • Leaving conditions off the declaration (non-disclosure)
  • Assuming a pre-existing condition is automatically covered
  • Cancelling old cover before the new policy is accepted
  • Assuming acceptance is guaranteed
  • Not asking how an exclusion affects visa suitability

Important information

Important Information

Important: Sanitas policy benefits, exclusions, waiting periods, authorisation rules, medical network access and visa suitability can change. Cover also depends on the specific policy chosen, the applicant’s personal terms and conditions, health declaration, acceptance terms and any individual exclusions applied by Sanitas. Always check the actual current Sanitas policy wording, certificate wording, general terms and personal policy conditions before relying on any cover or making a visa, medical or financial decision.

Get a Personalised Sanitas Quote

Tell us about your situation and any medical history, and we will present your case and recommend suitable cover. 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.

  • Honest assessment
  • Medical history reviewed
  • English-speaking team
  • No guaranteed-acceptance promises

Underwriting — Quote Request

Prefer to talk it through?

Speak to an English-speaking Sanitas adviser about your age, medical history and options.

📞 Request a Callback →

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Sanitas add-on.

It is how the insurer assesses your application — mainly through your health declaration — to decide whether to offer cover and on what terms.
Most comprehensive plans do; some, like Sanitas Único, typically do not require a general health questionnaire. It depends on the plan.
Accepted as standard, accepted with an exclusion, accepted with a loading (adjusted premium), postponed, or declined — depending on Sanitas’ assessment.
Yes, for a particular plan. It is not guaranteed, and an alternative plan may still be possible. We are honest about what is realistic.
Non-disclosure can lead to refused claims or a cancelled policy later. Always declare honestly — an exclusion at the outset is far better.
Not necessarily — it may be accepted with an exclusion or loading. It depends on the condition and Sanitas’ rules.
Your cover must be in force and suitable for the visa. An exclusion may be acceptable, but confirm the policy still meets the route’s requirements. Never cancel old cover until the new one is accepted.
Yes — older applicants are assessed more closely, and some plans have maximum contracting ages. See our over-60/65/70/75 pages.
Declare fully and accurately, provide clear details and dates, and choose a suitable plan. We help present your case.
No — acceptance and terms depend on Sanitas’ current underwriting rules and your circumstances.
It varies by case and plan. Straightforward declarations are quick; complex histories may take longer or need more information.
Tell us your situation and any medical history and we will present your case and recommend suitable cover.

Related Sanitas Add-ons & Guides

Medical & Acceptance

Sanitas Health DeclarationPre-Existing ConditionsExclusions ExplainedWaiting PeriodsSwitching With a ConditionOver 60s CoverOver 75s Cover

Sanitas Plans

Sanitas ResidentsResidents PlatinumSanitas ÚnicoMás Salud Sin CopagoComprehensive Cover

Get Started

Get a Sanitas QuoteSend Your Medical HistoryContact an Adviser