Question
“I’m finding conflicting information on health insurance—Do we need to pay a year up front or can we go monthly? This is for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa.”
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Spain Digital Nomad Visa group members:
“First of all, if you are going to pay Social Security in Spain, then you don’t need private health insurance as a requirement in Spain. Paying a full year in advance could be a requirement of the specific company in order to issue the certificate of coverage that you need to apply for the visa (again, if required).
Also, sometimes you’ll need a Spanish IBAN to be able to pay on a monthly basis.
In short, shop around and ask possibilities.
Here’s a curated list of trusted health insurance providers specializing in visa-compliant policies for Spain.
These brokers and exclusive agents offer policies tailored to meet the requirements for Spanish visas, including the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).”
“Private health insurance is required for the visa.” -“Not for the digital nomad visa.”
“Proof of health insurance is a requirement of the digital nomad visa.” – “Not for autonomos, although it is advised experts to get private for the first year for those who have family members as their info takes more time to process.”
“Are you applying in person in Spain, or going through a consulate in the US? Either way, go to that webpage and look at the requirements for your visa type.”
“Through Consulate – Proof of public or private health insurance from an insurer recognized and authorized to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all risks normally covered for nationals and must be maintained for the entire duration of the authorization.
It must cover at least all the preventive, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation assistance activities that are carried out in health centers or socio-health centers, as well as urgent health transport.
It must be health insurance (not travel insurance). Therefore, it is not necessary to cover repatriations and/or evacuations.
The health insurance must not have a deficiency, copayment, or coverage limit, that is, it must cover 100% of the medical, hospital, and out-of-hospital expenses.”
“If you have NIE in Spain, then you can do revolving payments; if not you have to pay for full year.”
Conclusion
Spainguru community members indicate that proof of health insurance is indeed a requirement for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, whether private or public.
However, whether you must pay for a full year up front depends on the insurance provider and the applicant’s residency status in Spain.
Those without a Spanish NIE or IBAN may be required to pay the entire premium upfront to obtain the necessary visa-compliant certificate.
Once in Spain, and particularly if paying into the Spanish Social Security system, monthly payment options may become available or even replace the need for private insurance.
For those applying through a consulate, insurance must be comprehensive, with no co-payments, deficiencies, or coverage limits, and it must fully cover all medical and hospital services.
While some applicants—autonomos—are not be obligated to get private insurance immediately, it’s widely advised, particularly for those relocating with family members.
Join our community!
Make sure to join our dedicated Spain Digital Nomad Visa group here!
