Do you need health insurance to obtain your visa in Spain? Moving to Spain is a life-changing decision. However, to obtain most visas and residence permits, Spanish authorities require one non-negotiable condition: comprehensive private health insurance. without shortages and without co-payments.
Sanitas Residents is health insurance for foreigners in Spain, designed specifically for those who don't want half-measures. With access to a network of 58.000 professionals y 4.500 centers Throughout the national territory, this insurance meets all legal requirements to obtain the visa and offers the level of medical care that a person with high expectations deserves from day one.
When is it mandatory to have private health insurance in Spain?
Spanish legislation establishes the obligation to prove private medical coverage in several cases that directly affect foreigners who wish to settle legally in the country:
- Non-lucrative residence visa: It is aimed at retirees and people with assets or passive income. It is one of the most requested by citizens of the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, and other Latin American or Eastern European countries.
- Digital Nomad Visa: For remote workers who wish to reside in Spain while working for foreign companies. Requires proof of private health insurance without waiting periods.
- Initial work visa and residence permit: in cases where the worker is not registered with the Spanish Social Security from the outset.
- Family reunification: when a relative of a resident applies for their own residence permit in Spain.
- NIE renewal: when the foreigner already resides in Spain and needs to prove medical coverage to regularize or renew their status.
Insurance requirements for the visa: Full coverage in Spain, with no waiting periods or co-payments, valid for the entire duration of the visa. Sanitas Residents is certified to meet each of these criteria.
Sanitas Residents: the premium health insurance for expats who demand the best
Sanitas Residents is not a conventional health insurance plan adapted to visa bureaucracy. It's a solution designed from the ground up for people living outside their home country who need a leading healthcare system in Spain, without language barriers, unnecessary waiting times, and no surprises on the bill.
Coverage included from day one
One of the most valued advantages is the total absence of deficienciesFrom the moment you sign up for Sanitas Residents, you have full access to all benefits:
primary medicine: general medicine, pediatrics, nursing and general emergencies.
Unlimited access to all medical specialties, without the need for prior referral.
Diagnostic tests simple (ultrasounds, blood tests) and high-tech (CT scans, MRIs, PET).
complete: rehabilitation, aerosol therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy.
Hospitalization and surgical interventions 100% covered
Hospital and home emergencies 24 hours.
dental coverage with more than 40 services included.
Second international medical opinion with access to world-renowned specialists.
Emergencies abroad for stays of up to 90 days, with coverage of up to €12.000/year.
Digital doctor Available 24 hours a day and video consultations with all specialties.
International repatriation included, with transfer and companion.
My Sanitas app available in more than 10 languages, with a doctor filter by language.
Spain's most extensive medical network at your service
- 58.000 medical professionals throughout Spain.
- 4.500 healthcare centers with state-of-the-art technology.
- 5 own hospitals Sanitas plus all the nationally contracted providers.
- 16 advanced rehabilitation centers.
- 26 Milenium multi-specialty medical centers (new openings in 2026).
- More than 200 Milenium Dental centers throughout Spain (new openings in 2026).
Sanitas Residents Platinum: total coverage without limits anywhere in the world
For those seeking the highest level of medical protection, Sanitas Residents Platinum It's the benchmark plan. In addition to the already extensive coverage of the standard insurance, the Platinum version adds reimbursement of expenses and exclusive coverages that allow access to any doctor in the world, including the best international specialists.
Exclusive coverage of the Platinum plan
- Refund of 90% of medical expenses up to a maximum of €500.000 per yearwith complete freedom of choice of professional.
- €400 per year for dental treatments not included in the medical list.
- €300 per year for pharmacy prescriptions.
- 400 € for a second medical opinion at the University Clinic of Navarra.
- €100 per day for hospitalization outside the Sanitas network.
- Home services: analysis, physiotherapy and delivery of medications.
Extended protection for frequent travelers and international investors
- Coverage in United States, the world's most expensive uninsured healthcare market.
- Emergency care abroad until €30.000/year for stays of up to 90 days.
- Protection in case of the policyholder's death.
Comparison: Sanitas Residents vs Sanitas Residents Platinum
Choose the plan that best suits your situation and expectations:
| Coverage |
Residents |
Residents Platinum |
| Primary care and specialties |
✓ No restrictions |
✓ No restrictions |
| CT scans, MRIs, high technology |
✓ Included |
✓ Included |
| Hospitalization and interventions |
✓ 100% |
✓ 100% |
| Emergencies abroad |
€12.000/year · 90 days |
€30.000/year · 90 days |
| dental coverage |
+40 services |
+40 services + €400/year |
| Farmacia |
|
€300 per year |
| Reimbursement of medical expenses |
|
90% up to €500.000 |
| Second medical opinion |
international |
€400 University Clinic of Navarra |
| Domiciliary services |
|
Analytics, physio, medications |
| Coverage in the U.S. |
|
✓ Included |
| 24-hour digital doctor |
✓ Included |
✓ Included |
| International repatriation |
✓ Included |
✓ Included |
| Maximum age for hiring |
75 years in the Making |
64 years in the Making |
* Premiums may vary depending on the insured's place of residence in Spain.
Conditions of contract
- Maximum age for plan enrollment Residents75 years. No maximum age for stay.
- Maximum age for plan enrollment Residents Platinum64 years. No maximum age for stay.
- 10% discount for groups of 4 or more insured persons under the same policy.
- Premiums may vary depending on the municipality of residence of the insured in Spain.
- Valid for processing a residence visa: meets all the requirements demanded by the Spanish immigration authorities.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance for foreigners in Spain
What health insurance do I need to apply for a non-lucrative residence visa in Spain?
You need private health insurance with no waiting periods, no co-payments, and full coverage in Spain for the entire duration of your visa. Sanitas Residents meets all these requirements and is accepted by Spanish consulates. You can purchase the policy before traveling and receive the necessary documentation to attach to your application.
Does Sanitas Residents health insurance cover the digital nomad visa?
Yes. The digital nomad visa in Spain requires proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage. Sanitas Residents is specifically designed for this profile and meets all legal requirements established by current Spanish legislation.
Can I take out this insurance if I am over 60 years old?
The Sanitas Residents plan allows enrollment up to age 75 with no maximum age limit, making it an ideal option for foreign retirees wishing to live in Spain. The Platinum plan has a maximum enrollment age of 64.
Are there any shortcomings in Sanitas Residents?
No. One of the main advantages of Sanitas Residents is that it has no waiting periods of any kind. You can use all the coverage from the very day you take out the policy, without any waiting periods.
Can I see a doctor who speaks my language?
Yes. The Mi Sanitas app is available in more than 10 languages and allows you to filter doctors by the language they speak. This is especially useful for speakers of English, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, or other languages.
What is the difference between Sanitas Residents and Sanitas Residents Platinum?
The standard plan offers full access to the Sanitas medical network in Spain. The Platinum plan adds complete freedom to choose your doctor anywhere in the world, with 90% reimbursement up to €500.000 annually, coverage in the USA, home visits, and additional benefits including pharmacy, dental, and second medical opinions at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
Sanitas Residents is the only solution on the market that combines Legal validity for visa purposes, full coverage without waiting periods, and access to the most extensive private healthcare network in Spain.All in one insurance policy. No fine print. No surprises.
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