Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) — formally known as the International Teleworking Visa — has made the dream of working remotely from Spain a legal reality for thousands of professionals from outside the EU. Since its launch under Spain's Startup Law (Ley de Startups), it's attracted remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and beyond.
One of the visa's key requirements is health insurance — and not just any policy will do. This guide explains what you need, why it matters, and how to get it sorted quickly.
Why Health Insurance Is Required for the DNV
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is designed for people who work remotely for companies or clients based outside Spain. Because DNV holders don't work for Spanish employers, they're not contributing to Spain's social security system (Seguridad Social) in the usual way. Without those contributions, they don't automatically have access to Spain's public health system (Sanidad).
The Spanish government requires health insurance as a condition of the visa precisely because of this — they want to be confident that visa holders can cover their own medical costs and aren't reliant on the public system they haven't contributed to.
What the DNV Health Insurance Must Include
The health insurance requirements for the DNV are closely aligned with those for the Non-Lucrative Visa. Here's what you need:
DGSFP-Registered Insurer
The insurer must be registered with Spain's insurance regulator, the DGSFP (Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones). This means international health insurance policies from UK, US, or other non-Spanish providers are generally not accepted — even if they cover Spain. You need a policy from a Spanish-market insurer on the DGSFP register.
Full Medical Cover
The policy must cover a comprehensive range of medical services: GP appointments, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests (blood tests, scans, X-rays), hospital treatment, surgery, and emergency care. Emergency-only policies or travel insurance are not sufficient.
No Repatriation Only
Some basic international policies cover repatriation to your home country as their primary benefit. This is not acceptable for the DNV. The policy must cover treatment in Spain itself.
Covers the Full Visa Period
The policy must be valid from the start of your visa period. A policy that expires in six months won't cover an initial one-year visa.
Applying from Outside Spain vs. Inside Spain
One important distinction with the DNV is that it can be applied for either at a Spanish consulate in your home country, or from within Spain itself if you're already there legally (for example, on a Schengen tourist visa).
Applying from your home country
You apply at the Spanish consulate responsible for your area. You'll need to submit your full application package — including proof of health insurance — and wait for the decision before travelling to Spain. If approved, you'll receive a national visa that allows you to enter Spain and then apply for your TIE residency card.
Applying from within Spain
If you're already in Spain on a valid entry visa (e.g., a tourist visa within the Schengen 90-day allowance), you can apply for the DNV in Spain through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas). This route typically results in a residence authorisation valid for three years rather than one year.
Health insurance is required either way, and the documentation standards are the same.
Choosing the Right Policy
Several major Spanish insurers offer DNV-compliant health insurance. The major DGSFP-registered insurers in Spain all offer DNV-compatible policies. 247 Expat Insurance can compare these options for you based on your specific situation. Each has different networks, pricing, and service standards.
For digital nomads who may be working from different cities in Spain — or who plan to travel frequently — consider:
- A policy with a wide hospital network across Spain (not just in one city)
- Good online and app-based management tools
- English-speaking customer service
- Coverage that extends to travel within the EU (useful if you take work trips)
At 247 Expat Insurance, we work with nomads and remote workers regularly and can advise on which policies best suit a flexible, mobile lifestyle.
Cost of DNV Health Insurance
Premiums for DNV-compliant health insurance vary by age, health history, and the specific policy. As a rough guide for 2025/2026:
- Under 35: approximately €55–€90/month
- 35–50: approximately €75–€130/month
- 50–60: approximately €120–€200/month
Annual policies often offer a small discount compared to monthly billing. Contact us for a personalised quote — we'll compare options from multiple insurers and recommend the best fit for your age, location, and budget.
Documentation You'll Need
For your DNV application, you'll typically need a certificate of insurance (certificado de seguro) from your insurer in Spanish, confirming:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Policy number
- Cover start and end dates
- That the policy provides comprehensive health cover (not just emergency or repatriation)
- The insurer's DGSFP registration number
This document needs to be in Spanish. We can arrange this certificate as part of our service so you have the right paperwork in the right format.
Getting Sorted Quickly
One advantage of working with 247 Expat Insurance is speed. We know which insurers can move quickly and what documentation is needed. In most cases, we can get a compliant policy in place within a few days of your enquiry — which matters if you're working to a tight application timeline.
Contact our team today and we'll walk you through the options, arrange a quote, and make sure your health insurance is sorted for your DNV application.
Need Help Choosing the Right Cover?
Our English-speaking team is available 7 days a week to help you find the right insurance for your situation in Spain.
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