Searching for Salus Global Health insurance for a Non-Lucrative Visa puts you in a smaller pool than those researching the bigger national names — and that may well be the point. Salus is a less widely known insurer in the English-speaking expat market, which means relatively little independent information exists about them. This page sets out what the product covers, where it differs from better-known alternatives, and the questions you should raise before committing.
We are independent brokers with over 35 years of experience in the Spanish health insurance market. Salus is one of the providers we work with, alongside others, and we will tell you honestly whether it suits your circumstances — or whether a different insurer would be a better fit.
Is Salus Global Health accepted for the Non-Lucrative Visa?
Yes. The Salus Global Health product meets the standard requirements for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa — comprehensive private medical cover with no copayments, active from the policy start date. You can pay the first year’s premium by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card, which suits applicants who have not yet relocated to Spain.
A very small number of consulates also ask for repatriation cover. Notably, Salus Global Health builds repatriation into the policy as standard — you do not need to arrange it separately.. In our experience, neither UK nor US consulates currently require this, but it is there if your consulate does. If you are applying through a different consulate, check whether it is required and let us know when you get in touch.
For a full overview of what Spanish consulates expect from NLV health insurance, see our Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance guide.
What does the policy cover?
Salus Global Health is a comprehensive product. Cover includes general medicine, paediatrics, a full range of specialist consultations across 30 medical and surgical disciplines, diagnostic tests and imaging, 24-hour emergency care, hospitalisation, surgery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, psychology, podiatry. Obstetrics and gynaecology are included, as is a preventive medicine programme covering cardiovascular, gynaecological, urological, and colorectal cancer screening. Dental consultations and extractions and other services can be contracted via a separate policy either with Salus or an alternative provider.
The policy also includes travel assistance for trips of up to 90 days — covering emergency medical expenses abroad up to €12,000, medical transport and repatriation, and a range of practical benefits including assistance with lost luggage and emergency legal costs. This is included as standard rather than an add-on.
The policy does not cover prescription medicines purchased at the pharmacy, cosmetic treatments, refractive eye surgery, or organ transplants. As with every Spanish private health insurer, pre-existing conditions fall outside the cover — we explain this in detail below.
Waiting periods
The Salus Global Health general conditions state clearly that all benefits are available from the moment the contract comes into force, with no waiting period. Cover is active from day one.
For more background on why this matters for your visa application, see our waiting periods guide.
Pre-existing conditions — where Salus differs
Every Spanish private health insurer excludes pre-existing conditions, and Salus is no exception. When you apply, you complete a health questionnaire. The insurer will exclude from cover any condition that pre-exists the policy. The same applies to any condition that existed before your policy start date. Before Salus issues the policy, you sign an agreement acknowledging those exclusions.
Where Salus can stand apart from some of the larger, more rigidly automated insurers is in their approach to people with a more complex health history. Your treating doctor initiates the authorisation request. In larger hospitals and clinics, the medical team often contacts Salus directly. In many other cases, your doctor hands you the paperwork. You then submit it to Salus yourself. Salus confirms the treatment in writing before your appointment takes place. Salus tends to take a more considered view — their policy documentation explicitly preserves the right to accept an application with a specific exclusion attached, rather than turning it away entirely. For someone who has been refused elsewhere, or who is concerned they might be, this can make Salus worth exploring.
To be clear: a Salus policy with exclusions will not cover the excluded condition. But having a valid policy with documented exclusions is a very different situation from having no policy at all — both for your daily health needs and for your visa application.
One practical point is worth understanding about repeat prescriptions. If you take regular medication for a pre-existing condition, your policy covers a consultation. Your associated doctor can issue a repeat prescription at that appointment. However, the policy does not cover further investigation of the underlying condition. It does not cover treatment of that condition either. You pay directly for any prescription medicines at the pharmacy. All Spanish health insurers handle this the same way.
If you have any health history you are concerned about, speak to us before applying anywhere. We will give you an honest assessment of which insurers are likely to be receptive and approach the most suitable one on your behalf.
Read our full pre-existing conditions guide
The medical network
Salus Global Health Insurance currently operates through the HNA network of doctors, clinics, and hospitals across Spain. When you need care, you choose from the professionals listed in their medical directory. You book directly, and attend with your insurance card. There is nothing to pay at the point of use for covered treatments.
Network coverage varies by region and specialty, and this is something we check before recommending any product to a client. Before we suggest Salus for your situation, we will confirm that the network provides adequate access where you plan to live.
Using your policy
Once your policy is active, Salus provides access to their service via a dedicated client support line and email. Certain procedures — including hospitalisation, surgery, complex diagnostics, physiotherapy, and psychology sessions — require prior authorisation from Salus before you attend. Your treating doctor initiates the authorisation request, which in larger hospitals or clinics they might deal directly with the insurer. On many ocassions you will be given the paperwork to pass on to the insurance company. Once the treatment is confirmed in writing the appointment takes place. For genuine emergencies, you can attend an approved emergency centre immediately.
There is no smartphone app equivalent to those offered by DKV or Unión Madrileña. Salus is a more traditional service model — which suits some clients well, particularly those who prefer dealing with a real person rather than a digital interface. During office hours, we are also available to help you navigate authorisations or any situation that needs clarifying.
If ypou would like to know ore about locating a doctor in your area then we have a page with video instructions on how to find a doctor with your Salus policy.
Renewal and cancellation
Your Salus policy renews automatically each year. You will receive advance notice of your renewal premium before the renewal date. If you wish to cancel, Spanish insurance law requires written notice — including a copy of your ID — received by Salus at least one month before the policy renewal date. You can send the cancellation directly to Salus by email.
We can help you obtain the appropriate health insurance documentation at renewal for visa purposes. If your circumstances have changed and you want to explore other options, we can assess those too.
Read our renewal guide | Read our cancellation guide
Is Salus Global Health the right choice for you?
Salus tends to suit applicants who have a more complex medical history and have found other insurers unwilling to offer cover, or who want a solid, straightforward policy without the premium pricing of the larger national brands. The built-in repatriation cover and absence of waiting periods are genuine strengths for NLV applicants specifically.
It is not the right fit for everyone. Those who prefer digital tools to manage their healthcare, or who need access to a very large specialist network in a major metropolitan area, may find one of the other insurers we work with better suited to their day-to-day needs.
Whether Salus is the right answer for your situation depends on your medical history, where in Spain you plan to live, and which consulate you are applying through. We are happy to talk it through with you, without any obligation.