Health insurance in Spain

Your assigned health centre (referred to in Spanish as the “centro de salud”) depends on the neighbourhood where you live. You must register by giving them your social security number and address. If you don’t have the card, you may request one upon registration (it may take up to one year to receive it). The community health centre will assign a doctor to you. This doctor will be your GP (in Spanish, it’s referred to as the “medico de cabecera”).

You must always first see this doctor and, if necessary, this doctor will refer you to a specialist. If you are not happy with your doctor, you may ask your health centre to assign you a different doctor. In order to see your doctor, you either go to the health centre or call for an appointment. The telephone number is indicated on your health card. If you are ill and cannot work yet your GP cannot see you for several hours/days, you must go to the on-call doctor at the same health centre (this is considered an emergency).

You must first go to the reception desk and they will give you a paper to see the doctor. You must first see your GP to get an appointment with a specialist. You explain your symptoms to your GP who will make the appointment directly for you. You will receive a paper with the appointment details and specialist’s name. Do not lose this document; you will be asked for it when you see the specialist.

Spain is 18th in Europe for the quality of its public health system, behind Croatia, Estonia and even Macedonia. We’ve all heard of waiting lists. The only way to avoid them and queuing at the hospital or the GP is to have a private insurance policy. Private health insurance in Spain offers you the freedom to choose doctors and hospitals, quick treatments and direct access to specialists. Moreover, private health insurance gives you the right to additional services not covered by the Spanish National Health System such as check-ups, acupuncture, dental care, podology, etc.

It may seem easier to take out an insurance policy in UK before departure with a company that offers guarantees which are valid in any country you travel to. However, in practice, it’s a costly solution with poor reimbursement conditions. If the price is an important element when deciding whether or not to take out a certain car or home insurance policy in Spain, it’s best to think about the cover and speed of reimbursement when it comes to private health insurance. Beyond the traditional covers (hospitalisation, care in the event of illness or an accident), you should verify whether the policy actually corresponds to your needs: if you travel often, is the cover valid abroad? Do you wish to continue seeing your specialist in UK? Do you often go to the doctor or only sometimes? Depending on this information, there are many types of insurance policies possible with worldwide cover, free choice of doctors, a co-payment system, etc. It all depends on your needs. Don’t think twice about asking us for the best solution. You will receive a health card as soon as you purchase an insurance policy.

The policies signed in the country of residence usually include cover abroad for maximum periods of 90 days. This guarantee is for emergencies only.

A health card allows you to benefit from a private room if you need to be hospitalised, repatriation services and travel assistance for any incidents that may occur while on holiday. You will be able to receive treatment at hospitals and by doctors approved by the chosen insurance company. Your insurance company will pay for your expenses. All you need to do is show your health card to receive a free consultation.

Yes. Private health insurance is mandatory for certain Spanish residence permits if you are not (yet) covered by the Spanish Social Security system. It is required for the non-lucrative visa, the student visa, and for EU citizens applying for residency without professional activity. The policy must be issued by an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, include no copayments, and cover hospital care, specialist consultations and routine medical care. In some cases, you may also be required to take out a policy with no waiting periods. It is requested when you submit your application at the Immigration Office (Extranjería). The empadronamiento (local registration) is a separate administrative step and does not replace health cover.

For a non-lucrative visa in Spain, the policy must be comprehensive and broadly equivalent to the Spanish public healthcare system. It must be issued by an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, include no copayments, and cover hospital care, specialist consultations and routine medical care. In some cases, you may also be required to take out a policy with no waiting periods. Not all health insurance plans are therefore accepted for this type of administrative application.

Health insurance with a copayment requires the insured person to pay a small fee for each medical consultation or treatment, which generally reduces the monthly premium. A policy without copayments has a higher monthly premium, but the services included in the network are covered without additional fees each time you use them. The best option depends mainly on your budget and how often you expect to use healthcare services.

Private health insurance in Spain allows you to access a network of private doctors and hospitals without going through the public healthcare system. You pay a monthly premium and can consult a specialist directly without a referral. Two main types of plans exist: network-based plans (no upfront payment when using providers in the network) and reimbursement plans (you pay the costs upfront and are reimbursed afterward). Unlike systems in some other countries, private insurance in Spain is not a complementary policy but rather a parallel system to Spanish Social Security.

Spanish Social Security is a public healthcare system accessible through employment, social contributions, or the S1 form for European retirees. Patients are assigned to a public health center and must first consult a general practitioner before seeing a specialist. Private health insurance operates independently: you can freely choose specialists, benefit from shorter waiting times, and enjoy private hospital rooms. Both systems are separate but can be used simultaneously depending on your situation.

The cost of health insurance in Spain mainly depends on age, city of residence, and the level of coverage chosen. On average, an adult under 40 pays between €35 and €70 per month. Prices gradually increase after the age of 50 and may exceed €100 per month. Plans with copayments generally reduce the monthly premium but include a small fee for each consultation. Families often benefit from discounts when multiple members are insured under the same policy.

There is no single best health insurance plan suitable for all expatriates in Spain. Most insurers offer various plans depending on age, location, budget, desired coverage level, and administrative requirements related to visas or residency permits. The best insurance policy is therefore the one that best matches your personal situation and relocation plans.

A retired expat living in Spain may be eligible for the Spanish public healthcare system through the S1 form (for EU/UK citizens), depending on their situation. However, many retirees also choose to take out private health insurance to gain faster access to specialists, private clinics, and better comfort during hospitalization. The choice mainly depends on your eligibility for the public system, your age, and the level of service you are looking for.

In many cases, health insurance in Spain can be arranged quickly. The main factor is the result of the medical questionnaire, which must be reviewed by the insurance company. Even if the policy becomes effective rapidly, some guarantees may still be subject to waiting periods defined in the general terms and conditions.

Waiting periods correspond to the time you must wait before certain costly medical treatments are covered. In general, hospitalization and certain medical examinations have waiting periods of three to six months. Maternity coverage usually requires eight to ten months of being covered. However, life-threatening emergencies are always covered from the first day the policy becomes effective. If you were previously insured, it may be possible to remove some or all waiting periods by providing a valid certificate of prior insurance.

The “cuadro médico” is the official list of doctors, specialists, clinics, and hospitals that are part of your insurance network. With a network-based policy, you must consult healthcare professionals listed in this directory for your treatments to be covered. Insurers provide an online directory that allows you to search by specialty, location, or spoken language. Major insurance companies offer networks covering the entire Spanish territory.

Yes, it is possible to change health insurance in Spain as long as you respect the notice periods defined by law and by your contract. In most cases, you must inform your current insurer at least one month before the renewal date. Before switching insurers, it is advisable to verify waiting periods, potential exclusions, and continuity of coverage.