Health Insurance for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa
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.
WHAT KIND OF POLICY MEETS THE DNV STANDARD?
Spanish government will only accept a private health-insurance plan that:
→ 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.
HOW TO BUY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
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:
FINAL THOUGHTS
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.