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Spain · visa health insurance

Health insurance for Spain’s non-lucrative visa (NLV)

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

Spain’s non-lucrative visa has the strictest published insurance rule in Europe: cover must be contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain, with no deductible, no copayment, no waiting period and no coverage limit — and travel insurance is expressly refused. Most international policies fail on the registration line alone. We arrange cover through a Spain-compliant arrangement confirmed by our underwriting partner, and a person verifies the certificate against this rule for your case before you buy.

Visa-ready plans from $721 per adult, billed annually · see your exact price by age.

The rule in writing

“Spain requires health insurance “contracted with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain” for the non-lucrative and digital-nomad visas — with no deductible, no copayment, no waiting period and no coverage limit. Most international policies fail this rule on registration grounds.”

Official source: Consulates General of Spain (Los Angeles & London) — official visa requirements — Last verified:

Why this rule fails most international policies

“Authorized to operate in Spain” is a licensing test, not a quality test. It means the insurer is registered with Spain’s insurance regulator (the DGSFP). A worldwide policy with excellent benefits still fails if the insurer is not on Spain’s register — applicants report refusals over exactly this line, and over certificates showing any copayment or excluded condition.

That is why Spain pages across the internet push Spain-domestic insurers. The rule is real, and we quote it rather than talk around it.

How our arrangement clears it

Our underwriting partner has confirmed a Spain-compliant arrangement for visa applications (confirmed July 2026). What matters for your application is the certificate: it must show cover meeting Spain’s public-system risks with no deductible, no copayment, no waiting period and no coverage limit, from an entity that satisfies the authorization line.

A person checks the certificate wording against the consular checklist for your consulate before you buy — and if your case doesn’t fit the arrangement, we say so instead of letting you find out at the appointment.

The rest of the checklist

Beyond the insurer question, the consulates ask for one year of validity covering all beneficiaries on the application, full medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses, and expressly refuse travel insurance with medical cover.

If you are comparing Mediterranean routes before committing, Portugal’s D7 and Italy’s elective residence visa publish materially lighter insurance rules — worth weighing alongside taxes and lifestyle.

Honest limits: Cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, including conditions you did not know about. We disclose this before you request a quote. Consulates keep discretion, and requirements can change. We show the published rule and its source; the final decision is the consulate’s.

Cover levels that meet the rule

Benefits shown are public. Premiums are quote-based — we never publish prices.

Standard

From $1,133/yearabout $94/mo billed annuallyChildren 0–17: flat $853/yr

Adds everyday outpatient care — GP and specialist visits, prescriptions, and tests — to hospital cover.

  • US$1,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • GP, specialist, medication & lab tests (US$750 each)
  • Outpatient surgical to US$25,000
  • Semi-private hospital room & board
  • Pre- & post-hospitalisation cover

New applicants up to age 70.

+ everything included — hover to expand

Scope: No dental or wellbeing benefits at this level.

Choose StandardSee your price by age →

Fully Comprehensive

From $1,906/yearabout $159/mo billed annuallyChildren 0–17: flat $1,439/yr

The highest level: full-cover room, uncapped surgeon fees, routine dental, and the largest limits.

  • US$2,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • Full-cover private room & board
  • Full surgeon, professional & outpatient cover
  • Routine & major dental (after 6-month wait)
  • Wellbeing check-ups & vaccinations to US$500

New applicants up to age 70.

+ everything included — hover to expand

Choose Fully ComprehensiveSee your price by age →

See your exact price by age →

Budget options — limited cover

Essential Health

From $392/yearabout $33/mo billed annually

A budget plan for accident and emergency care in state hospitals only. Not full private health cover.

  • US$100,000 maximum plan limit per year
  • Unforeseen accident & emergency care only

Scope: State hospitals only, accident/emergency only. No outpatient, dental, or wellbeing cover. Not a substitute for full private health insurance on a visa application.

Choose Essential Health →

Major Medical

From $721/yearabout $60/mo billed annually

Hospital-focused cover: inpatient treatment, surgery, and emergencies, worldwide outside the US.

  • US$1,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • Semi-private hospital room & board
  • Theatre, ICU, and emergency-room cover (full)

Scope: No outpatient, dental, or wellbeing benefits at this level.

Choose Major Medical →
  • Treatment is covered worldwide, excluding the United States.
  • Pre-existing conditions are excluded — including conditions you did not know about.
  • Evacuation & repatriation is an optional benefit that costs an additional premium.
  • Prices are Regency’s 2026 rates for the EU region: per person, per year, billed annually, starting at adult age 18 — your exact price depends on age. Children 0–17 pay a flat rate on every plan.
  • Plans run in 12-month terms and renew at the anniversary; the age limits shown apply to new applicants.

Common questions

Can I use my international health insurance for Spain’s NLV?

Usually not on its own — Spain requires the insurer to be authorized to operate in Spain, and most international policies fail that registration line. We arrange cover through a Spain-compliant arrangement confirmed by our underwriting partner, verified against the rule for your case.

Does the policy really need zero deductible AND zero copay?

Yes — the official consular wording requires no deductible, no copayment, no waiting period and no coverage limit for the non-lucrative visa. Certificates showing any of these are refused.

Is travel insurance accepted for the NLV?

No. The official checklist states that travel insurance with medical assistance coverage will not be accepted.

What if my situation doesn’t fit?

We tell you before you pay, not after. Consulates keep discretion, and Spain applies this rule strictly — a person reviews your case against the current consular checklist first.

Get a certificate that meets the published rule

Tell us your destination, visa, and who’s moving. Our team reviews it against the current requirement and calls you with a quote — no obligation.

Before you request a quote: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are not covered — including conditions you did not know about. We say this up front so a quote is worth your time.

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