Expat Insurance Desk · Updated September 2026

Private Medical & Health Insurance Spain for Expats

Get personalised Quotes for the Best Private Health Insurance in Spain

100% Free Service

No broker fees, ever

Independent Comparison

We are not tied to one insurer

English-Speaking

Advice in your language

Spain has an excellent public health system — but as an expat, your access to it depends entirely on your residency and employment status. Many expats find themselves ineligible for the Spanish public system, at least initially, leaving private health insurance not just a comfort but a necessity. Insurance Spain has helped thousands of expats across Spain find the right private health policy at the right price.

Do Expats Need Private Health Insurance in Spain?

It depends on your situation. EU nationals who are working and contributing to social security in Spain are entitled to public healthcare. However, in the following situations you will almost certainly need private cover:

You are applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa — private health insurance is a legal requirement for the application. See our Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance guide for full details.
You have recently arrived in Spain and have not yet completed 3 months of social security contributions
You are self-employed (autónomo) and want faster, more flexible access to specialists
You are retired and want access to English-speaking doctors and shorter waiting times

Public vs Private Healthcare in Spain

Spain's public health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) is free at the point of use for those entitled to it — but it comes with long waiting times for specialist appointments, especially in popular expat areas where demand is high. Private health insurance gives you:

Same-day or next-day GP appointments
Direct access to specialists without a GP referral
English-speaking doctors in major expat areas
Private hospitals with shorter waiting times for surgery
Dental and optical add-ons (depending on policy)

How Much Does Private Health Insurance Cost in Spain?

Costs vary significantly based on age, health history, and the level of cover. As a rough guide:

Under 40, good health: €40–€80/month
40–55: €70–€130/month
55–65: €110–€200/month
65+: €180–€350+/month

Policies with co-payments (copagos) — where you pay a small fee per GP visit or specialist appointment — are cheaper than zero co-payment policies. We help you decide which structure makes more financial sense for your usage patterns.

Top Health Insurers in Spain for Expats

Insurance Spain compares policies from all major Spanish health insurers:

Sanitas — one of Spain's largest, excellent hospital network, English-speaking services
Adeslas — widest network of doctors and hospitals in Spain, strong in smaller towns
Asisa — competitive pricing, good for families
DKV — popular with expats, strong digital tools, good English-language support
Mapfre Salud — good value for younger, healthy applicants
AXA Salud — strong international cover, good for those who travel frequently

Pre-Existing Conditions

Most Spanish health insurers exclude pre-existing conditions for the first 6–12 months of a policy. Some conditions may be permanently excluded. However, certain insurers are more lenient than others, and the terms vary considerably. Our agents will match you to the insurer most likely to cover your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on health insurance

Yes, for both. A policy from an insurer authorised in Spain is a mandatory requirement, and it must give full cover in Spain with no copayments and no waiting periods — a travel policy or a UK international plan will not be accepted. Repatriation cover is not required but is commonly included. Consulates check the wording, so the policy has to be written for visa purposes rather than adapted from an ordinary plan.

It depends on the insurer, the condition and your age. A declared pre-existing condition is usually either excluded, accepted with a loading, or accepted after a waiting period — typically 6 to 12 months. Never leave a condition off the declaration: an undeclared condition gives the insurer grounds to refuse the claim you most need, and the saving is never worth it.

Premiums are driven mainly by age. As a guide: under 40 in good health, roughly €40–€80 per month; 40–55, €70–€130; 55–65, €110–€200; and above 65, €180–€350 or more. Adding dental or removing copayments increases the premium. These are indicative bands rather than quotes — your own price depends on the insurer, the level of cover and where you live.

Yes — the main private groups (Quirónsalud, HM, Vithas and others) have English-speaking staff, especially in expat areas like the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and the islands, and most insurers offer English-language helplines and apps.

Carencias are waits of typically 6–12 months before certain treatments (surgery, hospitalisation, maternity) are covered. Many insurers waive them if you switch from another private insurer without a gap — another reason not to cancel your old policy before the new one starts.

For short visits, your UK international health policy may provide cover. But for residents, most UK policies are not valid for long-term use in Spain and are not accepted for visa applications. You need a Spanish-issued policy from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain.

Basic dental care (check-ups, extractions) is included in some policies. More comprehensive dental cover including fillings, orthodontics, and implants is usually an optional add-on at extra cost. We can include dental cover in your quote if required.

Related Topics Coverage Health Insurance Dental Insurance

No obligation