Why You Should Contract Insurance Before Applying for Your Spanish Visa

...and what happens next once you're here

Before we moved to Spain, I didn’t think twice about health insurance. Back in the U.S., it was just one of those painful adult responsibilities—sometimes confusing, always expensive, and usually tied to my job. But in Spain? It’s different. It’s not just about coverage—it’s about access, autonomy, and making sure you meet the visa requirements. If you're planning to move your family here, especially on a non-lucrative or student visa, this is one detail you want to get right from the start.

The Visa-Insurance Catch

To apply for most Spanish visas, you’ll need private health insurance already in place—before you even submit your application. And not just any insurance. The policy must offer full coverage in Spain with no copays and no waiting periods. That means your standard travel insurance or an international plan with gaps won’t cut it.

This is one of those areas where it’s worth getting support—because the last thing you want is to have your visa denied over a technicality in your policy. That’s why I often recommend INOV Expat to families working through this process. They offer a dedicated health advisor who will help you choose a European or Spanish policy that actually fits your family’s lifestyle and visa type. They speak your language—literally—and they’ve helped so many of our community members navigate the maze of insurance providers, fine print, and ever-changing consulate requirements. Consider using them especially if you have pre-existing conditions or special medical needs in your family.

Private vs Public Health Care in Spain

When you first arrive in Spain on a visa, you won’t yet be eligible for public healthcare. That’s why private insurance is required up front. The good news? Spain’s private healthcare system is excellent. We’ve had same-day pediatric appointments, kind doctors who actually listen, and clean, efficient clinics—often at a fraction of what we’d pay back home.

Once you’re legally settled—meaning you’ve got your TIE (foreign residency card) and are either working, self-employed, or registered as a dependent—you may become eligible to access the public system (Seguridad Social). For some families, that shift happens within the first year; for others, especially those on non-working visas, it may make sense to stick with private coverage longer. Find out more about the specifics in our Basic Course.

There’s also a special agreement, called the Convenio Especial, a government-backed program that allows non-working residents to buy into the public health system after a certain period of legal residency. It’s affordable and offers access to the full public network—but it doesn’t kick in right away, and it’s not valid for your visa application.

What We Did (And What I’d Do Differently)

In 2009, when I intended to immigrate to Spain on a student visa, I spent hours researched the options and understanding which insurance I needed before applying for a visa. I did it right, but it was an arduous and slightly confusing process. When I sent the visa application with my insurance verification, I still had a shadow of a doubt that I had done everything correctly, until I was approved. Whew.

If I had to do it again (and now with a family in tow), I’d definitely explore my private insurance options through a company like INOV Expat, which guides you through the process. They have a real person helping you compare plans, explaining what things mean in practical terms (like whether your policy includes dental, or if it covers mental health support for teens). Then, once in Spain, they stay by your side and when the time comes to transition to the public system, they make sure you know exactly how and when to do it.

You can try it for fun, but IMO playing with online comparison tools is a waste of time if you want to get things done quickly and right; same goes with trying to decode Spanish insurance jargon on my own. I’d go straight to someone who understands both the system and what it’s like to be an expat family settling in a brand-new country.

Curious about which insurance works for your visa type?

INOV Expat’s advisors can help you find a plan that ticks all the boxes—for your consulate and your peace of mind. And they’ll be right there with you as your coverage needs evolve, from private plans to public options and everything in between.

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