Figuring out health insurance and finding the right policy can be a confusing process. In this
article we will provide you with a clear overview of the health insurance options and clarify the
actual requirements for the digital nomad visa.
DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY?
Answer: Depends.
If you are self-employed or a contractor, you will be required to enroll in the social security
system once you arrive in Spain and your visa is approved. Doing so will grant you access to
public healthcare. So, technically, you do not need to purchase health insurance to meet the
visa requirements.
However, we highly recommend you do purchase healthcare for the first year.
In Spain, things tend to move slowly. In practice, to register in social security and then apply
and receive your healthcare card can take months. Remember that you can only enroll in social
security after your visa is approved. If you apply for your visa in Spain, it could take up to 3
months to get the visa approval. To register in social security and then get your healthcare
card can take anywhere from 2-5 months, and possibly more if there are delays, which are common.
In this scenario, you could be in Spain without any health insurance coverage for ~ 8 months. Any
health issues you faced during that time would have to be paid out of pocket. Moreover,
navigating the Spanish healthcare system without insurance is often difficult and confusing.
Because of that, we recommend you get health insurance for the first year. In comparison to the
U.S., health insurance in Spain is very reasonably priced.
IMPORTANT! Even though health insurance isn't technically required for
the Digital Nomad Visa, we strongly recommend getting coverage for your first year in
Spain to avoid potential gaps in healthcare access.
→ Is issued by a company authorized to operate in Spain
The insurance provider must be licensed to operate within Spain's regulatory framework.
→ Provides coverage throughout Spain for at least one year
The policy must offer comprehensive coverage across the entire country for a minimum of 12
months.
→ Matches Spain's public system
This means no deductibles and no co-payments - the policy should provide the same level of
coverage as Spain's public healthcare system.
You should always tell the health insurance broker/provider that you are applying for a digital nomad
visa and will need coverage that satisfies this visa. They will know exactly what you are talking
about.
Getting private Spanish health insurance is not hard. You have two main options.
→ Option A: Health Insurance Broker
Go through a health insurance broker. The benefit of brokers is they can scan the whole market
and are not tied to a single insurer. The prices they offer are generally the same (or sometimes
even cheaper) than Option B.
Some health insurance brokers:
→ Option B: Health Insurance Provider (Company)
Go directly to a health insurance provider. If you don't speak Spanish, this route may be a
little more tricky.
Some health insurance providers:
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about getting private health insurance in
Spain. You can also check out our healthcare FAQ page
here.