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Home Community answers Can autónomos with Digital Nomad Visa Spain avoid private health insurance if...

Can autónomos with Digital Nomad Visa Spain avoid private health insurance if they register for social security?

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi

Question

Did you have to get private health insurance for your Digital Nomad Visa Spain application? Our attorney is saying yes. But we intend to sign up immediately for social security as autónomo. Any advice?

Answers

These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:

”It is not necessary to have private health insurance in the case of applying as a freelancer. We have obtained favorable decisions without it. In this link you will find a checklist published on the UGE website. The last point refers to this requirement.”

”It’s not necessary to have private health insurance but advisable since it can take several months to get registered with the public health system”

”Yes. I signed up for private health insurance.”

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Related read: “Can you recommend a health insurance Spain for Digital Nomad Visa with pre-existing conditions?

Conclusion

In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, while private health insurance isn’t mandatory for freelancers in some cases, it is recommended. It ensures you have immediate coverage since registering with the public system can be delayed. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific needs and how soon you require health insurance coverage after becoming an autónomo.

📖 Related Reading: For a complete overview of tax residency, income tax brackets, Beckham Law, Modelo 720, and more, see our Taxes for Expats in Spain: The Complete Guide.

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author avatar
Bruno Bianchi CEO & Spain Immigration Expert
Bruno Bianchi is the founder and CEO of Spainguru, Spain's largest expat immigration community with 150,000+ members. Since 2014 he has helped thousands of people relocate to Spain through expert guides, webinars and vetted professional services covering visas, residency, taxes and life in Spain.