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Digital Nomad VisaAutónomoSocial Security or private cover

DNV Autónomo: Social Security or Private Insurance?

As a self-employed Digital Nomad Visa holder, your healthcare can come through the Spanish Social Security (RETA) route or through private insurance. Which applies depends on timing and your circumstances. We'll help you compare and arrange the right Sanitas cover where private insurance is needed.

Get a Personalised Quote →Speak to an Adviser
At a glanceDNV
Registered with RETAPublic healthcare route
Not yet registeredPrivate cover where needed
Where private is neededResidents Visado
Alongside publicPrivate healthcare in parallel
English-speaking help✓ Us, start to finish
Get a Personalised Quote →
✓ Exclusive Sanitas Agent
✓ Sanitas International Experts
✓ Residents & Platinum Visado
✓ Certificate handled in English
✓ Agreed policy start date

The short answer

Two Routes, Depending on Your Situation

The appropriate route depends on your RETA registration, current healthcare entitlement and application stage. Some autónomos are covered through Spanish Social Security once they register (RETA); others use qualifying private insurance. Which applies depends on your stage and circumstances — and where private cover is the right route, we arrange the appropriate Sanitas Visado policy.

Compare the routes

Social Security (RETA) vs Private Insurance

Spanish Social Security (RETA)

When it applies
Once you register as an autónomo and pay into the Spanish system.
Your healthcare
Spanish public healthcare. Private healthcare can be used alongside it for speed, choice and English-speaking support.

Private Sanitas Visado cover

When it applies
Where the Social Security route isn't in place, or private cover is the route for your situation.
Your healthcare
Comprehensive private healthcare with Sanitas — no copayments, no waiting periods.

Sanitas Visado cover

When Private Insurance Is Needed — Sanitas Visado Cover

Where a private policy is the route for your DNV, two Sanitas policies are designed for it, and both give you comprehensive private healthcare in Spain from the day your cover starts.

Residents Visado

Sanitas Residents Visado

Comprehensive private healthcare across the Sanitas network in Spain: private hospitals, specialists, diagnostic tests and treatment, with no copayments and no waiting periods, and our English-speaking team available to help you arrange and use the cover.

Sanitas Residents Visado →
Residents Platinum Visado

Sanitas Residents Platinum Visado

The same core private healthcare in Spain, plus worldwide reimbursement, USA Cover and higher emergency cover abroad. A strong fit if you'll spend time outside Spain or want cover in the United States.

Residents Platinum Visado →
Get a Personalised Quote →Compare Residents & Platinum

Why us

Why Arrange It Through Us?

  • English-speaking personal help from an Exclusive Sanitas Insurance Agent and recognised Sanitas International Experts.
  • The right Sanitas version for your situation — we match the policy to your route and circumstances.
  • An agreed start date suited to your application timetable, including a future date ahead of your move.
  • Application handled in English, with the individual insurance certificate provided in English for the application.
  • Help choosing between Residents Visado and Platinum Visado, based on where you'll live and travel.
  • Support after your policy begins, so you know how to use your cover from day one.

Get Your Personalised Sanitas Quote

Tell us your situation and we'll help you compare the routes and arrange the right Sanitas Visado cover where private insurance is needed.

  • Help identifying the right DNV route
  • Social Security vs private — compared for you
  • Sanitas Residents Visado & Residents Platinum Visado
  • Comprehensive private healthcare in Spain
  • An agreed start date for your timetable
  • English-speaking help from start to finish

Request a Personalised Quote

Applicant 1 (You)

Not Sure Which Route Applies to You?

Tell us your situation and our English-speaking advisers will help you find the right Sanitas cover.

Speak to an Adviser →

FAQs

Social Security vs Private Insurance FAQs

Common questions for self-employed Digital Nomad Visa applicants.

It depends on timing and your circumstances. Neither is the automatic default: some autónomos are covered through Spanish Social Security once registered, while others use qualifying private insurance. Where private cover is the right route, we arrange the appropriate Sanitas Visado policy.
Once you're registered and paying Social Security, Spanish public healthcare may cover your core needs. Many people keep private healthcare alongside public healthcare for faster access, wider choice and English-speaking support.
Where private insurance is the route for your situation, we arrange qualifying Sanitas Visado cover. Which route applies depends on your circumstances and stage.
Sanitas Residents Visado and Residents Platinum Visado provide comprehensive private healthcare in Spain with no copayments and no waiting periods.
Residents Visado covers you comprehensively in Spain; Residents Platinum Visado adds worldwide reimbursement, USA Cover and higher emergency cover abroad. We'll advise based on your plans, or you can compare them side by side.

Related Guides & Next Steps

Digital Nomad Visa

DNV family cover (self-employed)After DNV approvalSelf-employed DNV health insuranceDNV cover before RETA registrationBest Sanitas plan for autónomosDNV health insuranceDNV requirementsEmployee vs self-employed

Sanitas Visado cover

Sanitas Residents VisadoResidents Platinum VisadoResidents vs Residents Platinum

Get started

Get a personalised quoteAutónomo health insuranceSpeak to an adviser