Getting health insurance in Spain can feel confusing at first — different plans, different visa rules, different pricing by age and province. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to get health insurance in Spain with Sanitas — part of the Bupa group — whether you're applying for an NLV, DNV, student visa, registering as an EU citizen, or simply looking for private cover for your family. Spanish Health Insurance is an English-speaking Sanitas broker helping expats compare and choose the right plan. We walk you through what's needed for your quote, which plan fits your situation, how to handle medical history, and how to set the correct start date for your visa or move.
Sanitas — part of the Bupa group — is one of Spain's largest private health insurers, with plans built around visas (NLV, DNV, student), EU residency, families, students and retirees. This page walks you through exactly how to get the right plan, how pricing works, and what to send to your insurer to get a personalised quote in English.
The Simple Version
Before we go through all 11 steps in detail, here's the whole process in plain language. If you do these eight things, you'll be on the right path.
Each of these sits behind a step further down the page. If you want the full version, keep reading — otherwise jump straight to the quote form.
Be clear about why you need cover before you start comparing plans. The right plan depends entirely on the reason.
The most common reasons expats need health insurance in Spain:
Different situations call for different policies. A visa applicant typically needs a no-copay, no-waiting-period policy. An EU resident may simply want faster access to specialists. A student needs a plan built for the student visa. Be clear on the reason before you compare plans.
Sanitas offers different plans for different ages, budgets, visa routes and cover needs. The right plan depends on your situation — there is no single best plan.
The main Sanitas plan options for expats:
From-prices are useful, but your exact price depends on age, province, plan type, medical history and number of people covered. The only way to know what you'll actually pay is to request a personalised quote.
The only way to know your exact price is to request a personalised quote. Sanitas pricing varies by age, province, plan, medical history and number of people covered. From-prices are starting points — your quote may be higher or lower.
To prepare a quote, we typically need:
Province matters because Sanitas pricing reflects local cost-of-care and the available clinic network in your area. Rates in Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia can differ from rates in Málaga, Alicante or the islands.
Age matters because premiums step up with age bands. Two adults of the same family may have noticeably different premiums depending on their ages.
Your visa situation matters because the visa route changes which features the plan needs to include — and which Sanitas plans are even valid for that route.
If you're applying for a visa or residency, don't choose only by price. Visa applications often require specific policy features — pick the wrong plan and your visa can be refused.
Visa applications may require some or all of:
Common examples:
NLV (Non-Lucrative Visa) — Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum are the standard visa-suitable options. Both meet typical NLV requirements.
DNV (Digital Nomad Visa) — depends on social security position. If you're not covered under another EU system, Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum usually apply.
Student visa — the Sanitas International Students plan is built specifically for the Spanish student visa (ages 14–35).
If you need insurance for a visa, tell us before choosing a plan — we'll make sure the plan you pick matches your specific visa route.
Sanitas plans come in copay and no-copay versions. The right choice depends on how often you'll use private healthcare and whether you need the policy for a visa.
Which to choose: if your usage will be high (regular specialist visits, chronic conditions, family with kids) or you need the policy for a visa, choose no-copay. If you're healthy and only see a doctor occasionally and don't need it for a visa, a copay plan can be significantly cheaper overall.
Answer the medical-history questions honestly. Pre-existing conditions are assessed case by case and how you declare them shapes whether the policy is valid.
Depending on your medical history, the insurer may:
Don't wait until the last minute to think about this. If you have a complex medical history, raise it early so we have time to find the right plan and structure the application correctly.
Picking the right start date matters more than people realise. It depends on why you need the cover.
Visa applications — the certificate often needs to show the date you plan to arrive in Spain, not the date you apply. Get this right before submitting your application.
Student visas — start dates usually align with the academic year. Plans like Sanitas International Students are designed around that timing.
EU residency — your start date may need to align with your Certificado de Registro application or the date you intend to register on the padrón.
General private healthcare — for non-visa cases, the start date is more flexible. Most people start cover from the first of a month for cleaner billing.
If you're not sure what start date to use, tell us your situation and we'll help you pick the right one.
A common worry is whether you need an NIE before you can start. In many cases you don't — many applicants can start the Sanitas process with passport details only. The NIE can be added once you have it.
Different Sanitas plans have different rules at the start of the application, and we'll match you to one that fits your situation — including whether you have an NIE yet.
Payment options vary by plan. Confirm what works for you before your application is submitted.
Typical payment options include:
Annual payment is often cleaner for visa files — it removes any question about whether monthly direct debits will continue, and the policy is paid in full for the duration. Many visa applicants choose annual payment for this reason.
Always confirm payment method before signing. If you don't have a Spanish account yet, tell us and we'll match you to a plan that accepts your situation.
Once your application is accepted, you'll receive your policy documents. Check them carefully — especially if the policy is for a visa or residency application.
Typical documents you'll receive:
For visa, residency or student visa applications, check the name, dates and policy details on the certificate before submitting your visa application. Small errors are easier to fix before submission than after.
Once your policy is active, you can use your Sanitas cover across Spain — and increasingly, digitally.
What you can do with your cover:
If you're new to Spain, ask us about how to use the Mi Sanitas app, find English-speaking doctors near you, book your first appointment, and make the most of your digital insurance card.
Straightforward applications are processed quickly — sometimes the same day, often within a few working days. Timing depends on a few factors.
Factors that affect how long it takes:
Don't leave the application until the last moment if the certificate is needed for a visa appointment. Leave at least 7-14 days for paperwork, the insurer's checks and the certificate to be issued in the right format.
Yes — and it's common. Most non-EU residency routes require the policy to be in place before the visa is approved.
Groups who typically arrange cover before moving:
Request a quote with the planned Spanish province and postcode where you expect to live. You don't need to be in Spain to start the process.
In many cases yes. Many applicants don't have a confirmed Spanish address when they apply — they're still searching for accommodation or waiting for their visa to be approved.
You may need to give your province and postcode based on where you plan to live, plus a planned address or temporary accommodation. The full residential address can usually be updated once you arrive and sign a rental contract or buy a property.
Provide the area where you expect to live — region or town — and we'll match you with a plan that works for that area. Address can be updated later once you have a confirmed home.
It depends on the policy. Some Sanitas plans require a Spanish or EU IBAN direct debit. Others accept card payments or bank transfer.
If you don't have a Spanish account yet, that's fine — we just need to know so we can match you to a plan that accepts your current setup. Many expats use an EU IBAN (from Wise, Revolut, or their EU home bank) initially, then switch to a Spanish account once it's open.
Tell us if you don't have a Spanish bank account yet and we'll work around it. Don't let bank-account timing delay your visa or insurance application.
Avoid These
These are the eight most common mistakes expats make when getting health insurance in Spain. Avoid them and the rest of the process is much smoother.
A €22/month plan may look tempting, but if you need a visa-suitable, no-copay or no-waiting-period policy, it may not work for your application. Match the plan to your situation, not just the price.
Travel insurance is for short trips. It is not a substitute for Spanish private health insurance, visa health insurance or residency-based healthcare cover. Most travel policies expire after a few weeks and exclude residency scenarios.
Visa appointments, consulate paperwork and policy issue all take time. If your visa appointment is in two weeks, requesting cover the day before is risky. Leave at least 7-14 days for paperwork and the insurer's checks.
Hiding pre-existing conditions can void your policy when you need it most. Insurers assess each case individually — some conditions are accepted normally, some with exclusions. Always declare honestly.
Start date matters for visas, students and EU residency. For visa applications, the certificate often needs to show the date you plan to arrive. For students, it usually aligns with the academic year.
Many Sanitas plans have small copays at the point of use (€3-€20 per visit). For visa applications and frequent users, you may need a no-copay plan — but for healthy occasional users a copay plan can be far cheaper overall.
Public healthcare access depends on your route — working, S1 form, Convenio Especial, etc. Many EU citizens and visa applicants need private cover at least initially. Don't assume you'll get public access from day one.
If you're moving with a partner or children, plan their cover at the same time. Family-wide policies (Más Salud Familias Sin Copay, Pack Familia for dental) are often the best route — and visa applications usually need each adult to have a policy.
Find Your Route
Different situations call for different starting plans. Find the route that fits closest to yours.
Strong no-copay cover with no waiting periods is required for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Sanitas Residents is the standard starting point, with Residents Platinum as the premium option.
NLV Health Insurance →The Digital Nomad Visa route depends on your social security position. If you're not covered under another EU system, Sanitas Residents or Residents Platinum typically apply.
DNV Health Insurance →Check the Sanitas International Students plan first — it's specifically built for the Spanish student visa and is usually the right balance of cover and price.
Student Visa Health Insurance →If you're working, public healthcare via Social Security usually applies. If you're non-working, retired (without S1) or studying, private health insurance is often needed for registration.
EU Residency Health Insurance →If you just want the lowest-cost private cover, Sanitas Accede is the entry point. Compare it against Sanitas Avanza and Más Salud Óptima before deciding.
Cheapest Health Insurance →Compare Sanitas Más Salud Sin Copay (individual) and Sanitas Residents — both avoid point-of-use copays and suit families or frequent users.
No-Copay Health Insurance →Family-focused plans cover everyone under one policy. Most expat families also add dental, home and pet cover at the same time.
Compare Family Plans →Get Started
Spanish Health Insurance is an English-speaking Sanitas broker that helps expats find the right plan, request the right quote and complete the application correctly the first time.
Whether you're applying for an NLV, DNV, student visa, registering as an EU citizen, or simply looking for private cover for your family, we make the process clear, fast and stress-free.
What we help with:
Request a quote and we'll come back to you in English with the right Sanitas plan for your situation — no obligation.
We'll match you to the right Sanitas plan for your visa, family, EU residency or private cover — in English, with no obligation. Acceptance and exact terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Request a Quote →Tell us about your situation and we'll come back with a personalised Sanitas quote in English — visa, family, EU residency, student or private cover. No obligation.
The 20 most common questions expats ask when applying for Sanitas health insurance — costs, visas, NIE, bank account, family, medical history and more.