The Sanitas medical questionnaire explained in full — why the health questions are asked, what they typically cover, what happens next, worked examples, and how honest answers protect your cover. We help present your information clearly. We help with the insurance only.
Overview
When you apply for Sanitas health insurance in Spain you may be asked health questions so the policy is set up fairly and accurately. They typically cover current treatment, medication, past surgery, tests and ongoing or chronic conditions. Answer honestly — it protects your cover — and remember a pre-existing condition does not automatically mean refusal.
For many people arranging private health insurance in Spain, the medical questions are the part that causes the most worry. The good news is that the Sanitas medical questionnaire is a normal, routine part of taking out private cover, and answering it honestly is simply how the insurer sets up your policy on the right terms. This guide explains in plain English why the questions exist, what they usually cover, what happens after you answer, and what each type of applicant can expect, with worked examples along the way.
Our approach throughout is reassuring but honest: we will never tell you a condition is irrelevant when it is not, and we will help you present your information accurately so there are no problems later. For the closely related documents, see the Sanitas health declaration, the broader medical declaration guide, and what happens at a medical review.
What
The medical questionnaire is the set of health questions you complete when applying for Sanitas health insurance in Spain. It covers your current and past health and lets the insurer assess your application and set the right terms. It is the practical form that your health declaration takes, and it applies to most applicants — it is not a sign that anything is wrong, simply a standard step in private cover.
Why
Private insurers assess and price cover based on health, so they ask about it when you apply. This lets them offer you fair, accurate terms, and it is standard across Spanish private health insurers, not unique to Sanitas. An accurate questionnaire also protects you: it means your policy is set up correctly and that future claims are handled smoothly, because the insurer already has the full picture of your health.
Differences
The specific set of health questions you answer when applying — the focus of this page.
The overall act of disclosing your health; the questionnaire is how you do it. See the health declaration.
A follow-up step that only happens if the insurer needs more information before deciding — not part of every application. See medical review.
Conditions
The questionnaire generally asks about current and past health in a few broad areas. You answer each based on your own situation; there is no expectation that you will have something in every category.
Medication
Mention any current medication or treatment, including for conditions that feel minor or are well controlled — for example medication for blood pressure or cholesterol. Disclosing it is important even when it does not affect daily life, because it is part of an accurate questionnaire. Well-controlled conditions are common and frequently accepted, so there is rarely a reason to hold back. See pre-existing conditions with Sanitas.
Surgery
Recent surgery, hospital stays and procedures may be relevant and should be declared, with the approximate date and 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. If anything is recent or ongoing, the insurer may ask for a little more detail.
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 handled at the medical review stage.
Chronic
Chronic or long-term conditions — such as diabetes, asthma, heart conditions or thyroid conditions — should always be declared. Outcomes vary: cover may be offered on standard terms, with a specific exclusion, or with adjusted terms, and in some cases an application is declined. The important point is that these conditions are best assessed openly, and many are routinely insured. See pre-existing conditions.
Mental health
Mental-health history is treated like any other health information: it should be declared, and it is assessed individually and sensitively. Outcomes vary by case, and disclosure remains important for an accurate policy. As with physical conditions, declaring openly is what protects your cover, and we handle these enquiries with care and discretion.
Table
| Topic | Why it may be asked | What to prepare | Always a problem? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current medication | To understand ongoing conditions | Names of medicines and the condition | No |
| Blood pressure / cholesterol | Very common, easily assessed | Whether it is controlled | Rarely |
| Recent surgery | To assess recovery and risk | Date and reason | Not usually |
| Tests / investigations | Outcome may not be known yet | Status and any results | Sometimes a review |
| Chronic conditions | Long-term management matters | Diagnosis, treatment, control | Varies; often insurable |
| Mental-health history | Assessed like other history | Current status and treatment | Varies; assessed individually |
These are general observations, not promises — every case is assessed on its own facts, and acceptance and terms depend on the insurer's rules.
Examples
Typically answers "no" across the board and is set up quickly, with cover for the Digital Nomad Visa arranged promptly.
Declares the medication; often accepted on standard or lightly adjusted terms, sometimes after a short review. See NLV cover.
A controlled condition that is commonly accepted; declared on the questionnaire for a student visa policy.
Declares the pending investigation; the insurer may request information or postpone until results are available.
Each person completes their own questionnaire, so one member's review need not hold up the rest of the family.
Worries
Declare it anyway — minor, well-controlled conditions are common and often accepted on standard terms.
Sometimes terms are adjusted, but many declarations have no effect on price. We are honest about what is realistic.
Refusal is the exception, not the rule. Most applicants are accepted, sometimes with a specific exclusion.
Say so rather than guessing or omitting it; we help you describe it accurately.
Honesty
After
For many applicants, the policy is set up straight away once the questions are answered. Where an answer needs follow-up, the insurer may request more information before deciding — the medical review stage. Either way, we keep you informed and guide the next step, and most applications proceed without difficulty.
More info
If the insurer asks for 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 a condition, current treatment, or a report you already have. Responding promptly keeps things moving, and we manage the communication in English. See the medical review guide.
Visa
If you need cover for a visa, the questionnaire matters for timing as well as terms: a complex declaration can trigger a review that adds time. Complete it early and honestly so any follow-up finishes before your appointment, and the certificate is ready. See when to buy, how long approval takes and visa-compliant cover.
Families
In a family policy each person completes their own questionnaire, so one person's history does not necessarily affect the others. This means a healthy partner or child is assessed on their own answers, and a single member's review need not delay the whole household. We coordinate the family's application together; see family health insurance.
How we help
Tell us your health background and we help you complete the questionnaire accurately, explain the likely outcomes honestly, and find the most suitable plan. We translate any requests, help you describe conditions in plain terms, and keep your application moving. Get a quote or contact an adviser.
Describe
When you declare a condition on the questionnaire, 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, simply say so. If you are unsure how to word something, tell us and we will help you describe it accurately so your answers reflect your real situation.
Forget
If you realise you have left something out, or you are unsure whether a detail is relevant, the safe approach is always to include it and ask. Declaring something you are unsure about is far better than omitting it, because a complete declaration is what keeps your policy valid. If you remember something after submitting, tell us promptly so it can be added properly — mentioning it later is much better than it surfacing at claim time. When in doubt, declare and check.
Privacy
We treat your health information with care and use it only to arrange your insurance. You do not need to share more than is asked, and at the questionnaire stage that is usually a set of answers rather than full medical records. Detailed reports are only requested if a medical review calls for them. If you are ever unsure why a piece of information is needed, ask us and we will explain before you provide anything.
Maternity
Pregnancy and maternity are common questions. An existing pregnancy at the point of application is treated as a current condition that should be declared, and maternity benefits and any waiting periods vary by plan. If maternity cover matters to you, tell us early so we can recommend a suitable 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.
By plan
The health questions are broadly similar across Sanitas plans, because they relate to you rather than to a specific product. What can differ is how a particular plan treats certain benefits, such as maternity or specific conditions, and any waiting periods. We help you choose a plan that fits both your route and your health profile, so the cover matches your needs rather than just the headline. See Sanitas Residents and Residents Platinum.
Benefits you
It is easy to see the questionnaire as something done for the insurer's benefit, but it works in your favour as well. 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. In other words, taking a few minutes to answer carefully now protects you later, when you actually need the cover to respond smoothly.
Misunderstood
They do — declare medication and monitored conditions even if they feel minor or well controlled.
Often there is no price effect; 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.
Switching
If you are moving to Sanitas from another insurer, a fresh questionnaire usually applies, and any new terms or exclusions are based on your current health rather than your old policy. This is worth understanding before you switch, because cover you had elsewhere does not automatically carry across. We help you understand how a switch may affect your terms before you make any change — see changing cover after moving.
Reassure
If there is one message to take away, it is that the questionnaire is routine and most applicants are accepted — many with no special terms at all. Even where a condition leads to a review or an exclusion, cover is frequently still available. A medical questionnaire is not a test you can fail through honesty; it is simply how a fair, valid policy is set up. Tell us your history and we will help you present it clearly and find the right plan.
Important information
Share your details and any health information and we will help you present it clearly for an accurate 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.