Can You Get Spanish Health Insurance if You Have Arthritis?

The short answer is yes, it is often possible to obtain Spanish health insurance if you have arthritis, but the outcome depends on the type of arthritis you have, its severity, your current treatment and the underwriting guidelines of each insurance company.

Many people assume that all forms of arthritis are treated the same by insurers. In reality, there is a significant difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and this can have a major impact on whether an insurer offers cover, applies an exclusion or declines an application altogether.

If you have any form of arthritis, it’s also worth reading our guide to Spanish Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Medical Conditions, which explains how Spanish insurers assess existing medical conditions in general.

Contents

• Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Why Do Insurers Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Differently?
• Arthritis and the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
• Every Case Is Different
• Frequently Asked Questions

Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid Arthritis

The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although both cause joint pain and stiffness, they are very different medical conditions.

Feature	Osteoarthritis	Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cause	Wear and tear of cartilage	Autoimmune disease
Typical age	Usually over 50	Can develop at almost any age
Joints affected	Usually a few joints	Often several joints on both sides of the body
Progression	Gradual degeneration	Inflammatory disease with periods of flare-ups
Can affect other organs?	No	Yes
Typical underwriting outcome	Often accepted with an exclusion	More likely to be declined, although some insurers will consider well-controlled cases

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It develops as the protective cartilage within a joint gradually wears away over time. It is commonly associated with ageing, previous injuries or long-term wear and tear and most often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine. Symptoms generally develop slowly and are usually limited to the affected joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is very different. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation, swelling, pain and stiffness. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect several joints at the same time and often affects the same joints on both sides of the body. It is also considered a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other parts of the body including the eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

Why Do Insurers Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Differently?

This is one of the most common questions we receive.

Many Spanish private health insurers are willing to insure applicants with osteoarthritis because the condition is generally confined to specific joints. In many cases, the insurer may simply exclude treatment relating to the affected joint while continuing to provide cover for unrelated illnesses and medical treatment.

Rheumatoid arthritis presents a greater underwriting challenge because it is a chronic autoimmune disease that may involve multiple joints and other organs. It often requires ongoing specialist care, regular monitoring and long-term medication, including biologic treatments that can be expensive. The condition can also be unpredictable, with periods of remission followed by flare-ups.

For these reasons, some insurers may decline an application entirely rather than apply a simple exclusion.

However, there are important exceptions.

Every insurance company has its own underwriting philosophy. Some insurers are prepared to consider applicants whose rheumatoid arthritis is mild, stable, well-controlled and has not resulted in significant complications. Others may take a more cautious approach.

This is why speaking with an independent broker before submitting an application can save considerable time and disappointment.

Need Help Finding the Right Insurer?

Having arthritis does not automatically mean you will be refused Spanish health insurance.

We understand how our insurer assesses pre-existing medical conditions and can explain how arthritis may affect your application before you apply.

Request your free, no-obligation quotation today.

Arthritis and the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa

If you’re applying for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, having arthritis does not automatically prevent you from obtaining visa-compliant health insurance.

The key is finding an insurer willing to offer a policy that satisfies both the visa requirements and the insurer’s underwriting criteria.

Applying to the wrong insurer can result in unnecessary delays or declined applications, which is why obtaining advice before applying is often worthwhile.

Every Case Is Different

There is no single rule that applies to everyone with arthritis.

Arthritis is just one of many medical conditions that insurers assess individually. If you have more than one existing medical condition, our guide to Spanish Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Medical Conditions explains how underwriting works and what insurers typically consider before offering cover.

When assessing an application, insurers may consider:

• The type of arthritis.
• How long ago you were diagnosed.
• Which joints are affected.
• Whether the condition is stable.
• Any previous surgery or joint replacement.
• Current medication.
• Whether there are any complications or other autoimmune conditions.

These factors can lead to very different outcomes between insurers.

Unsure Whether You’ll Be Accepted?

We help English-speaking residents and future residents of Spain find health insurance that matches both their medical history and Spanish residency requirements.

Get your personalised quotation today.

If you have arthritis, don’t assume you’ll be unable to obtain Spanish health insurance.

Many people with osteoarthritis are accepted for cover, while applicants with rheumatoid arthritis may still be considered depending on the severity and stability of their condition. Because every insurer has different underwriting guidelines, it’s always worth obtaining advice before submitting an application.

Frequently Asked Questions