Health Insurance, Visas and Moving to Spain— explained in English.

In most cases, yes. If you are applying for a Spanish residency visa — such as the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), or a student visa — private health insurance is a legal requirement and must be arranged before your consulate appointment. Even if you are already resident in Spain and registered on the public health system, many expats choose private health insurance for faster access to doctors, English-speaking specialists, and nationwide hospital networks. It is one of the most important things to arrange when moving to Spain.

Your NLV health insurance must provide comprehensive cover in Spain with no co-payments (copagos) and must not have a waiting period for pre-existing conditions to be a barrier to treatment. The policy must cover the full duration of your initial visa and be valid across all of Spain. Not all health insurance policies meet these requirements — this is one of the most common reasons visa applications are rejected. We specialise in NLV-compliant health insurance and can arrange a policy that meets consulate requirements.

Not on a long-term basis. Once you become a Spanish resident, your vehicle must be registered in Spain and insured with a Spanish-based insurer. Driving on a UK or foreign policy after establishing residency in Spain is not compliant with Spanish law and could leave you uninsured in the event of a claim. Spanish car insurance works differently to UK insurance in several ways — we explain the differences clearly and help you find the right level of cover, from basic third party through to fully comprehensive.

Home insurance is not legally required in Spain for outright property owners, but it is almost always a condition of a Spanish mortgage, and many community of owners (comunidad de propietarios) arrangements require it. Even without a legal obligation, going without home insurance in Spain is a significant risk — property damage, flooding, fire, and liability claims can be extremely costly. For holiday home owners and rental properties the risks are even higher.

The cost of private health insurance in Spain varies depending on your age, the level of cover, whether you need a no-copayment policy, and the insurer. As a general guide, younger adults can often find suitable cover from around €50–€80 per month, while premiums increase with age. Policies with no copayments — which are required for most visa applications — typically cost more than standard policies. We work with leading Spanish insurers to find you the most suitable cover at a competitive price, and we are happy to provide a no-obligation quote.

Yes, in many cases. Most Spanish health insurers will cover applicants with pre-existing conditions, though some conditions may be excluded from the policy or subject to a waiting period. The key is finding an insurer and policy that is honest and transparent about what is and is not covered, so there are no surprises at the point of a claim. We have experience helping expats with a range of medical histories find appropriate health insurance in Spain and are happy to discuss your situation before you apply.

Yes — and it is important to make sure your policy specifically covers a property that is unoccupied for extended periods. Standard home insurance policies often include clauses that limit cover if a property is left empty for more than 30 or 60 days. Holiday home insurance is designed for properties that are used seasonally, occasionally let to others, or left unoccupied for months at a time. It typically includes buildings and contents cover, public liability, and in some cases loss of rental income.

Going direct to a Spanish insurer usually means dealing in Spanish, navigating a policy written in Spanish, and with no one to explain whether that policy is right for your situation. As a DGSFP-registered insurance agent, 247 Expat Insurance works with you — explaining your options in English, helping you choose the right cover, and being available to support you when you need to make a claim or renew your policy. We do not charge you extra for this — our service is built around making insurance in Spain simpler for expats and foreign residents.

Yes — we aim to respond to all quote requests promptly, and for many policies we can have cover in place the same day or within 24 hours. This is particularly important for people with upcoming visa appointments or property completions, where proof of insurance is needed quickly. To get started, use any of the quote buttons on this page or contact our team directly by phone, WhatsApp, or email. we are available Monday to Friday, 09:00–20:00 Spanish time.

Yes. The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa requires health insurance cover that meets specific criteria, similar to the NLV. The policy must provide comprehensive cover in Spain, must not have exclusions for pre-existing conditions that would leave you without access to treatment, and must be valid for the duration of the visa. We help digital nomads, remote workers, and self-employed professionals find health insurance that meets the DNV requirements and is accepted at the Spanish consulate.