Question
I’m at an all time low! I have a gap in my health insurance of four months (totally my own fault, before you all get to post your rude replies!) My question is, is that the end of our time in Spain? We are in year 2-3 of our Spain Non Lucrative Visa Renewal, so will we be kicked out at year 3-5 renewal and obtain residency after 5 years!?
We bought a house over here and wanted to spend our life here, but not sure that the country wants us now after this
Answers
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“We can only speculate here. This is a very important question and you need proper advice from an immigration lawyer.”
“Can’t you start it all again? Not ideal but better than nothing.”
“If you apply properly this shouldn’t be an issue. Use a professional who can help make sure you get it right.”
“Sadly, it is an issue. It’s something they insist on seeing for renewal, but as stated by others, using a lawyer or visa specialist you might be able to get around it. Otherwise, keep renewing until you have all your 5 years of coverage to obtain the 10-year visa.”
“We’ve never had them ask to see prior health coverage. I’ve heard of it happening in some rare cases. It can be avoided by showing current coverage. If you had a gap, some brokers can backdate a policy by paying for prior months. It’s pricey but effective.”
“If you demonstrate that you are covered when you apply, that is all that matters. It’s extremely rare for them to check past status midterm. If the issue is fixed, they probably won’t care.”
“They ask for your last three receipts during the second renewal. If you still have three months until renewal, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Go back and reapply for the NLV and start over.”
“This visa stuff is getting out of hand. We’ve decided to shelve our move. Health insurance was one of the main issues; it’s costly and doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.”
“You can join the Spanish healthcare system in your second year. It covers pre-existing conditions. It costs around 60€ per month under 65, and 157€ after that. With an S1 you’ll get full coverage.”
“You can’t have a gap. It breaks visa conditions. What people do is two years of private insurance, then apply for Convenio before it ends.”
“Convenio Especial is the Spanish healthcare system you can join voluntarily. It doesn’t cover prescriptions or prosthetics, but it does include pre-existing conditions.”
“You can’t get CE until one year on the padrón or with residency. Usually, it means two years of private insurance to avoid gaps.”
“CE eligibility might vary slightly depending on the region, but in general, you must register in the region you live. Emergency care is covered anywhere in Spain.”
“Try joining the Spanish healthcare and submit that with your renewal paperwork. Alternatively, see if your insurer can backdate your policy.”
“Some insurers may backdate to the start of the current month, but not beyond that.”
(Visa Expert) “I’ve seen two recent refusals over gaps of 2–3 months.”
“NLV holders don’t automatically qualify for public healthcare. You have to pay into it unless you qualify for S1 later.”
“Ask a health insurance broker if they can help cover the gap.”
“You should be able to keep renewing. The issue is at the 5-year mark, you might need to renew the visa again to maintain continuous coverage for permanent residency.”
“Contact a lawyer and don’t give up. I had a renewal rejection overturned with help.”
Conclusion
The community consensus is that a four-month gap in health insurance during the Spain Non Lucrative Visa renewal process can be problematic, but it’s not necessarily the end of your residency journey.
Some members report that current coverage at the time of application is what matters most, and immigration officials rarely ask for backdated proof. However, others caution that gaps can be grounds for refusal, especially when applying for long-term residency.
Several solutions were suggested:
- Work with an immigration lawyer to navigate renewal complexities.
- Ask your insurance provider about backdating coverage (some will allow it within the same month).
- Join Spain’s public healthcare system through the Convenio Especial after two years of residency to prevent future gaps.
- Keep renewing your visa to accumulate five continuous years of coverage needed for permanent residency.
In summary, while a lapse in health insurance is a serious concern, it may be manageable with professional guidance and corrective actions.
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