A complete, practical guide to the medical declaration for Spanish private health insurance — what it is, how it differs from a questionnaire and an exam, what counts as pre-existing, and the realistic outcomes after disclosure. We help with the insurance only.
Overview
A medical declaration is where you tell the insurer about your health when you apply for private health insurance in Spain. It is standard, helps set fair terms, and is usually a set of questions rather than a physical exam. A pre-existing condition is assessed rather than automatically declined, and honest disclosure protects your cover.
If you are arranging private health insurance in Spain as an expat, you will almost always complete a medical declaration, and it is the part of the process people worry about most. This buyer guide removes the mystery: it explains what a declaration actually is, how it differs from a questionnaire and a medical exam, what counts as a pre-existing condition, and the realistic outcomes after you disclose. Our approach is practical and honest rather than alarming — most declarations are routine, and disclosing openly is what protects your cover.
The same principles apply across Spanish private health insurers, so this guide is useful whether you are looking at Sanitas or comparing options. For the Sanitas-specific versions, see the Sanitas health declaration and the medical questionnaire. If you have a specific condition, see pre-existing conditions health insurance Spain.
What
A medical declaration is the set of health questions you answer when applying for private cover, covering your current and past health. It lets the insurer assess your application and set the right terms, and it forms the formal record of what you have told the insurer about your health. It is a normal, routine part of taking out private health insurance and applies to most applicants.
Differences
The overall act of disclosing your health information when you apply.
The specific set of health questions you answer — the practical form the declaration usually takes; see the Sanitas medical questionnaire.
A physical examination — which most routine applications do not require. The insurer may occasionally request additional information or a report about a specific condition (a medical review), but that is not the same as a routine medical exam.
Why
Private insurers price and accept cover based on risk, so they ask about your health when you apply. This is normal, standard across the market, and applies to most applicants. The declaration helps ensure your policy is set up correctly and that future claims are handled smoothly — an accurate declaration protects you as much as the insurer.
Pre-existing
Generally, a pre-existing condition is any condition you already have or have had, or are receiving treatment or medication for, before the policy starts. Common examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart conditions, asthma, thyroid conditions, joint or back problems, mental-health conditions, or anything currently under investigation. The key point is that pre-existing does not mean uninsurable — it means the condition is assessed. See pre-existing conditions and the pre-existing FAQ.
Medication
Declare any current medication and any condition you are being monitored for, even if it feels minor or is well controlled — for example medication for blood pressure or cholesterol, or regular check-ups for a stable condition. These are common, frequently accepted, and should always be included so your declaration is accurate.
Surgery
Recent surgery and hospital stays are relevant and should be declared, including the approximate date and the reason. A fully resolved past operation is often viewed differently from recent or ongoing treatment, but both should be disclosed so the insurer can assess them properly.
Tests
Tests, scans and investigations — particularly any that are in progress or where you are awaiting results — should be declared. Where an investigation is active and the outcome is not yet known, the insurer may ask for more information or, occasionally, postpone a decision until results are available. This is normal and is covered at the medical review stage.
Stable vs active
There is an important difference between a stable, well-controlled condition and an active condition or investigation where the outcome is uncertain. Stable conditions are frequently accepted on standard terms or with a specific exclusion; active investigations are more likely to lead to a request for information or a postponement. Both must be declared — the difference is simply in how they tend to be assessed.
Outcomes-table
| Outcome | What it means | Is it always a problem? | What the applicant should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard acceptance | Cover offered on normal terms | No | Proceed as normal |
| Acceptance with an exclusion | A specific condition is excluded | Not necessarily | Check the exclusion; the rest is covered |
| Adjusted terms | Cover offered with modified terms | Not necessarily | Review the terms with us |
| Request for more information | A medical review is needed | No | Provide what is requested promptly |
| Postponement | Decision delayed pending results | Not always | Wait for results, then reapply or continue |
| Decline | Cover not offered on this basis | Sometimes | Discuss alternatives with us |
Outcomes vary by case and insurer, and acceptance and terms always depend on the insurer's rules.
Exclusions
More info
If the insurer needs more detail, your application goes to a medical review. This is a normal underwriting step, not a refusal — you may be asked for a short summary of the condition, current treatment, or a report you already have. Responding promptly keeps things moving. See the medical review guide.
Visa
If you need cover for a visa, the timing of your declaration matters, because a complex declaration can trigger a review that adds time. Disclose early so any follow-up completes before your appointment, and you avoid the risk of the certificate not being ready. See when to buy, visa-compliant cover and how long approval takes.
Groups
Older applicants are more likely to have something to declare, and acceptance and terms can depend on age and health — we are realistic about what is achievable and find the most suitable option; see over-60 cover and retiree cover. In a family policy each person completes their own declaration, so one member's history does not necessarily affect the others; see family health insurance.
Honesty
Always disclose fully and accurately. Non-disclosure — even accidental — can affect a future claim or the validity of the policy, which is the opposite of what you want. Declaring openly is precisely what protects your cover, and if you are unsure how to describe something, it is always better to declare it and ask than to leave it out.
How we help
Tell us your health background and we help you complete the declaration accurately, explain the likely outcomes honestly, and find the most suitable plan. Get a quote or read about the medical review process.
Conditions
It helps to know that many common conditions are routinely insured, often on standard terms or with a specific exclusion. The notes below are general observations, not promises — every case is assessed on its own facts, and acceptance and terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Very common and well understood; well-controlled cases are frequently accepted on standard or lightly adjusted terms.
Assessed on type and control; cover is often possible, sometimes with specific terms.
Mild, controlled cases are commonly accepted; severe or recently hospitalised cases may need a review.
Stable, treated thyroid conditions are frequently accepted.
Often assessed for whether they are ongoing; a specific exclusion is sometimes applied.
Assessed individually and sensitively; outcomes vary, and disclosure remains important.
Whatever your history, declaring it openly is what protects your cover — see pre-existing conditions and the pre-existing FAQ.
Price
Many declarations have no effect on price at all. Where a condition does affect the policy, the insurer may apply adjusted terms or a specific exclusion rather than a higher price, and in some cases there is no change. We are honest about what is realistic for your situation, and we will explain any terms clearly before you commit so there are no surprises. Pricing is always from a starting point and subject to age, plan, province, family members, the declaration and current Sanitas terms — see Sanitas pricing.
Switching
If you are moving from another insurer, a fresh declaration usually applies, and any new exclusions or terms are based on your current health. This is one reason continuity matters and why it is worth reviewing carefully before switching — see changing cover after moving to Spain. We help you understand how a switch may affect your terms before you make any change.
Describe
When you declare a condition, a clear, factual description helps the insurer assess it quickly and fairly. Useful details include what the condition is, when it was diagnosed, whether it is current or resolved, any medication or treatment, and the date of any surgery or test. You do not need medical jargon — plain, honest description is best, and if you are awaiting results, say so. If you are unsure how to word something, tell us and we will help you describe it accurately so the declaration reflects your situation properly.
Maternity
Pregnancy and maternity are common questions. Maternity benefits and any waiting periods vary by plan, and an existing pregnancy at the point of application is treated as a current condition that should be declared. If maternity cover is important to you, tell us early so we can recommend a plan and explain any waiting periods clearly. As always, acceptance and terms depend on the insurer's rules, and we are honest about what is realistic.
Claim time
The real value of an accurate declaration shows up later, at claim time. A policy set up on a complete, honest declaration is far less likely to run into questions when you make a claim, because the insurer already has the full picture. An incomplete or inaccurate declaration, by contrast, can lead to a claim being questioned or the policy's validity being affected. Declaring openly at the start is the simplest way to protect yourself for the future.
Reassurance
It is worth ending on the most important point: most applicants are accepted, and many declarations have no effect on the policy at all. A medical declaration is a routine part of taking out private cover, not a hurdle designed to catch you out. Even where a condition needs a review or an exclusion, cover is frequently still available. The worst outcome is rarely the likely one — and disclosing openly gives you the best chance of a smooth, valid policy.
Misunderstood
They do — declare medication and monitored conditions even if they feel minor or well controlled.
Often there is no price effect at all; sometimes terms or a specific exclusion apply instead.
Past conditions can still be relevant; declare them and let the insurer assess.
Disclose at application — mentioning something afterwards does not undo a non-disclosure.
Clearing up these points up front avoids problems later and helps your declaration be accurate from the start.
Present
Part of our role is making sure your information reaches the insurer clearly and accurately. We help you describe conditions in plain, factual terms, ensure nothing relevant is left out, and pass on any reports the insurer requests at the medical review stage. A well-presented application is assessed more smoothly than a vague one, and we manage the communication in English so you are not navigating it alone. This does not change the insurer's decision-making, but it does mean your case is put forward as clearly as possible.
Final word
If there is one message to take from this guide, it is that openness works in your favour. A complete, honest medical declaration is what gives you a valid policy you can rely on at claim time, and it is what allows us and the insurer to find the most suitable cover for your situation. Trying to minimise or omit a condition does the opposite — it puts the policy at risk precisely when you would need it most.
It is also worth keeping outcomes in perspective. The overwhelming majority of applicants are accepted, many with no special terms at all, and even where a condition leads to an exclusion or a review, cover is frequently still available. A medical declaration is a routine step, not a test you can fail through honesty. Tell us your history and we will help you present it clearly and find the right plan — get a quote or contact us.
Important information
Share your details and we will help you complete the medical declaration accurately for the right quote. We help with the health-insurance part of your application. Acceptance and exact policy terms depend on the insurer’s rules; visa decisions rest with the Spanish authorities.
English-speaking Sanitas specialists can help with the health-insurance part of your visa or residency application.
FAQs
Common questions about this Spanish visa route and the health-insurance requirement. Always confirm current rules with the official authorities or a qualified immigration specialist.