If you’re planning to start a new life in Spain with a non-lucrative visa, securing the right health insurance is a crucial step in your journey. This visa allows you to live in Spain without working. As part of the application process, you need to prove that you have sufficient financial resources and comprehensive health coverage. As you prepare for your life in Spain, here’s a guide to help you choose the right health insurance for your Spanish Non Lucrative Visa:
1. Understand the Health Insurance Requirements in Spain
- Comprehensive Coverage: The health insurance policy you choose must cover all medical expenses. This includes hospital stays, emergency care, and routine doctor visits. Unlike some countries, which often involves deductibles or co-pays, your Spanish health insurance must not have deductibles if it is to meet the criteria set out by the Spanish Government for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa. You should also make sure that your policy covers a wide range of healthcare services. Everything from emergency services to routine treatments.
- No Public Health Access: As a non-lucrative visa holder, you are not eligible for free treatment in Spain’s public healthcare system. In Spain, having private health insurance is mandatory to live here on this visa. (Unless your country has some form of reciprocal arrangement with Spain).
- Private Health Insurance: This insurance must be valid for the full duration of your visa (typically one year). As you would expect there is a wide range of different health insurance options. Be careful you pick one that will support your visa application.
2. Ensure the Insurance Meets the Spanish Government’s Standards
- Approved Providers: Not all insurance plans will work for your visa application. Even some plans from large well-known Spanish providers do not meet the criteria for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Application. The Spanish consulate or immigration office only accepts policies from approved providers. You’ll need to ensure your insurance company is recognized by the Spanish government.
- No Waiting Period: Many health plans often have waiting periods for certain services or treatments. In Spain, however, it is possible to obtain insurance with immediate coverage.
- No Deductibles: In some countries, deductibles can be a significant portion of your medical expenses. If you are applying for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa then the policy you contract must have no deductibles. This means your coverage should be more predictable, without unexpected costs for most treatments. The Spanish authorities will not accept a health insurance policy with deductibles as part of a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Application.
3. Compare Different Insurance Plans
- Price vs. Coverage: In your country, you may have experience with health insurance premiums varying widely, depending on your deductible and coverage choices. Similarly, in Spain, the cost of health insurance will vary, but the emphasis is more on comprehensive coverage rather than low-cost, high-deductible plans. Be sure to compare different options based on the level of coverage and make sure that emergency and routine care are both included in the plan.
- International Health Insurance: Some Spanish health insurers offer international plans designed for expats, which might be more expensive but could be helpful if you plan to travel frequently between Spain and your country of origin.
- Provider Networks: Your health insurance will usually limit you to specific doctors or hospitals, it’s important to review the network of doctors and hospitals available through the Spanish insurance provider. Make sure there are medical centers and clinics near your residence in Spain.
- Extending the network. It is possible, with some companies, to purchase an add-on allowing you to receive treatment outside the normal health insurance company network of doctors, clinics and hospitals and claim back most of the expenses. This add-on can even be global. However, the core product must offer cover in Spain, with no extra financial commitment for treatment other than the annual premium.
- Prescription costs: Please note that in Spain the cost of prescription medicines are not covered by the health insurance policy and are purchased by the client from the Pharmacy.
4. Additional Considerations
- Policy Duration: In Spain, your policy must cover you for the full duration of your non-lucrative visa (typically one year). Applying at the right time is important to ensure the start date ties in with the visa process. Note all health insurance policies automatically renew unless you give written instructions to cancel at least one month before the renewal date.
- Language of the Policy: Spanish policies are typically in Spanish. If needed then ensure the terms and conditions of your policy are available in English. We offer an extensive range of products with information in English.
- Cost: While it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, cost should not be the only factor in your decision. A low-cost plan may not provide the coverage you need, which could leave you with high out-of-pocket costs.
5. Application Process
- Speak with a professional independent broker: Choose a professional that has experience of health insurance for a Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa. Don’t risk the implications of buying the wrong kind of policy or the process not completing in time causing your other visa paperwork to expire.
- Use the broker’s experience: Talk to the broker about your concerns and what you are looking for from your health insurance policy. Work with them to make sure you obtain what you want or as close as is possible.
- Apply in time: Make sure you don’t leave obtaining the health insurance until the last minute. Especially if you have some pre-existing conditions that may require assessment. The visa process costs can mount up. If you leave the health insurance application until the last minute only to find you cannot get cover then you not only will you be disappointed you will have wasted a lot of money. Ask if it is possible to make a preliminary enquiry.
- Documentation: You complete an application form for the health insurer and a health declaration. You will also need to provide a copy of your passport as identification. These documents are sent to the insurers underwriting team for assessment. They may contact you or request further medical reports depending on your medical history before making a final decision.
- Certificates for the Spanish Consulate: Once the policy has been agreed the broker will provide you with instructions on how to pay the premium. To the insurance company. After paying the premium, the insurer will issue a certificate, which you will need to present with the other documentation that forms part of your Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Application.
Please contact us if you have any questions or arrange a call from us at a suitable time for you . Alternatively request a quotation for health insurance.
