If you are applying for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa, your private health insurance needs to meet specific visa requirements. One of the most important points is that the policy should normally be no copay — known in Spanish as sin copago. This means you do not pay an extra fee each time you visit a doctor, specialist, clinic or hospital within your policy network. Choosing a cheaper copay policy can create problems, because Spanish consulates usually expect private health insurance with no copayments and no deductibles.
The short answer
For the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, your private health insurance should normally be no copay — known in Spanish as sin copago — and without deductibles. Choosing a cheaper copay policy can create problems, because Spanish consulates usually expect cover equivalent to the Spanish public healthcare system, without extra charges every time you use medical services.
At Spanish Health Insurance, we help English-speaking applicants arrange no-copay private medical insurance suitable for Spanish visa and residency applications, including the Non-Lucrative Visa. See also our guides to Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance in Spain and the Non-Lucrative Visa requirements.
Definition
No-copay health insurance means you pay your monthly or annual premium, but you do not pay an additional fee each time you use covered services within the insurer's medical network. In Spain this is called sin copago; a policy with copayments is called con copago.
With a no-copay policy, you normally do not pay an extra charge for:
Is it required?
For the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, private health insurance should normally be comprehensive and without copayments or deductibles. Consulates usually expect the policy to provide cover equivalent to the Spanish public healthcare system, and not to require the applicant to pay extra every time they use medical services.
Requirements can vary slightly between consulates, but as a general rule, NLV applicants should choose a no-copay policy to avoid unnecessary visa problems.
The risk
A copay policy may look cheaper each month, but it can cause issues with a visa application because:
For a normal resident in Spain, a copay policy can sometimes make sense. For a visa applicant, however, it is often not worth the risk.
No copay vs copay
Here is how the two compare on the points that matter most for a Non-Lucrative Visa application.
| Feature | No-Copay Policy | Copay Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish term | Sin copago | Con copago |
| Monthly premium | Usually higher | Usually lower |
| Pay per doctor visit? | No, for covered services | Yes, usually |
| Visa suitability | Usually more suitable | Often problematic |
| Best for | NLV, DNV & residency applicants | General residents wanting lower premiums |
| Risk for the NLV | Lower | Higher |
The cheapest monthly premium is not always the safest option for a visa application. For the NLV, the priority should be visa suitability, not just price.
No copay vs no deductible
No — a copay and a deductible are different. A copay is a smaller charge you pay when you use a medical service, such as a doctor visit or diagnostic test. A deductible is an amount you must pay yourself before the insurer begins covering certain costs.
For the Non-Lucrative Visa, applicants should normally avoid both — and a few other policy types too:
What to include
For the Non-Lucrative Visa, your health insurance should normally include:
Travel insurance, basic emergency policies and low-cost outpatient plans are usually not suitable for the NLV.
Sanitas no-copay
Sanitas offers no-copay health insurance options that may be suitable for Non-Lucrative Visa applicants, depending on the applicant's age, medical history, chosen plan and current underwriting rules. For NLV applicants, the most relevant no-copay Sanitas options are:
Sanitas Residents — a strong option for standard NLV applicants who need comprehensive, visa-suitable private health insurance.
Sanitas Residents Platinum — a more premium option for applicants who want a higher level of cover and additional peace of mind when living in Spain.
Cheapest?
Usually, applicants should be careful with the cheapest health insurance options. Lower-cost policies may include copayments, limited cover, outpatient-only benefits, exclusions or documentation that is not suitable for visa submission.
A cheaper policy may save money at the start, but if the consulate rejects it, you may need to replace the policy and delay your visa application.
Couples & families
If you are applying for the Non-Lucrative Visa as a couple or family, every applicant normally needs suitable no-copay health insurance — the main applicant, spouse or partner, and dependent children. Key points to get right include:
Older applicants
Older NLV applicants should arrange health insurance early, because age can affect acceptance, pricing and the policy options available. Applicants over 60, 65, 70 or 75 may need more careful guidance before choosing a policy.
Do not leave health insurance until the week before your consulate appointment. If medical questions, underwriting checks or alternative options are needed, you will want enough time to deal with them properly.
Travel insurance?
No. Travel insurance is not normally accepted for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Travel insurance is designed for temporary trips, emergencies and repatriation — the NLV requires proper private medical insurance for residence in Spain, not short-term travel cover.
Even a high-limit travel policy may still be unsuitable because it is not equivalent to Spanish healthcare cover for residents.
Documents
Applicants usually need an insurance certificate or policy document showing:
Spanish Health Insurance can help you obtain the relevant documentation — including confirmation of no copayments where included — for your application. See the NLV health insurance certificate guide.
Cost
The cost of no-copay health insurance for the Non-Lucrative Visa depends on several factors:
No-copay policies usually cost more than copay policies, but they are generally the safer option for visa applications. For an accurate quote, send us your date of birth, visa type and number of applicants.
How to choose
Choose a policy that ticks every one of these boxes:
A quick visa-suitability check:
| Question | Safe NLV Answer |
|---|---|
| Can the policy have copayments? | No — avoid copayments for NLV applications |
| Can the policy have a deductible? | No — avoid deductibles |
| Can I use travel insurance? | No — travel insurance is not suitable |
| Can I use a reimbursement-only policy? | Usually risky and not ideal |
| Should the insurer operate in Spain? | Yes |
| Should hospitalisation be included? | Yes |
| Should the policy cover each applicant? | Yes |
| Should I choose the cheapest plan? | Not if it compromises visa suitability |
The right policy is not always the cheapest one. It is the policy that protects your visa application and gives you proper healthcare once you arrive in Spain.
Get help
Spanish Health Insurance helps English-speaking applicants arrange no-copay private health insurance for the Non-Lucrative Visa and other Spanish residency applications. We can help you compare suitable options, understand what the policy includes, and obtain the documentation needed for your visa file.
Tell us about your Non-Lucrative Visa application and we'll arrange visa-suitable no-copay (sin copago) private health insurance for your situation — with documentation prepared for your visa file. Acceptance and exact terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Free, no-obligation advice from English-speaking advisers who understand NLV requirements.
FAQs
Common questions about no-copay (sin copago) health insurance for Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa.