What Health Insurance Did Expats Choose When First Moving to Spain?

When relocating to Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), one of the key legal requirements is obtaining valid private health insurance. It must offer full coverage without co-payments, and be valid from the moment you enter the country. But with so many insurers available in Spain, how do newcomers choose the right provider?

To help answer this question, a Spainguru-administered Facebook poll asked members of the Spanish NLV (Non-lucrative Visa) group on July 16, 2025:

“What health insurance did you go with when you first moved to Spain?”

The poll gathered 88 votes and provides a valuable snapshot of popular choices among actual NLV applicants. Here’s what we learned.

Adeslas: The Most Popular Choice for Health Insurance

Topping the poll with 23% of the vote, Adeslas emerged as the most commonly chosen provider among respondents. This aligns with Adeslas’ strong reputation in the expat community for offering immigration-compliant policies tailored to NLV applicants.

Adeslas policies typically include:

• No co-payments (sin copago)
• Emergency and hospital coverage
• Nationwide network of clinics and hospitals
• English-speaking agents through select brokers

What often makes Adeslas appealing is the relatively straightforward application process, quick issuance of certificates, and their experience in dealing with visa-related documentation.

Many brokers also recommend Adeslas due to its competitive pricing combined with the reliability of coverage that meets the exact requirements of Spanish immigration authorities.

Sanitas: A Strong Runner-Up in the Health Insurance Market

Sanitas, with 21% of votes, closely follows Adeslas in popularity. Sanitas is one of Spain’s best-known health insurance providers, particularly among foreigners, and is often favored by those looking for a well-known brand with a wide service network.

Key advantages of Sanitas include:

• Policies specifically crafted for expats
• Customer service in English and other languages
• Digital-first approach with telemedicine services
• Easy access to private hospitals and clinics

Sanitas is also known for working closely with Spanish immigration lawyers and brokers to ensure their policies are 100% compliant with visa rules. Many brokers and agencies list Sanitas alongside Adeslas as a top choice, depending on the applicant’s age, location, and preferences.

DKV: Competitive Health Insurance for Younger Applicants

With 14% of the vote, DKV has positioned itself as another major player in the health insurance market for newcomers to Spain. While not as universally recognized as Adeslas or Sanitas among English-speaking expats, DKV offers comprehensive private health insurance that is fully compliant with non-lucrative visa requirements.

Some strengths of DKV include:

• Extensive medical network in Spain
• Flexible pricing options based on age and coverage
• Fast customer support response times
• Strong reputation for transparency and simplicity

DKV may be especially attractive to younger individuals or couples who want lower monthly premiums while still meeting all visa and residency standards.

ASSSA: Gaining Popularity Among Retirees and Older Applicants

ASSSA captured 13% of the vote. While not as large as some of its competitors, ASSSA has carved out a niche among older applicants, including retirees who may be seeking more personalized service and guaranteed renewals.

ASSSA is unique in the following ways:

• Lifetime renewals (no policy cancellation due to age or illness)
• No waiting periods on most services
• Multilingual customer support
• Plans tailored for senior applicants

For individuals over 65 who may face challenges with other insurers due to age restrictions or pre-existing conditions, ASSSA is often a reliable choice. Their more traditional customer approach also appeals to expats seeking direct, long-term relationships with insurers.

Salus and Asisa: Affordable Alternatives with Regional Presence

Both Salus and Asisa received 5% of the votes each, tying for the fifth most chosen health insurance providers.

Salus is more regionally focused and may not have the same national presence as Adeslas or Sanitas, but is still used by expats in specific provinces. Asisa, on the other hand, is a larger provider known for offering competitive rates and having its own network of hospitals and clinics.

Expats who selected Salus or Asisa likely did so based on:

• Broker recommendations
• Local pricing advantages
• Immediate policy issuance
• Language support in specific areas

While slightly less mainstream, both companies are still well within the acceptable range for visa compliance, making them viable options depending on location and availability.

Other Health Insurance Providers: Niche Choices

The remaining 24% of respondents selected a variety of other providers that did not reach the 5% threshold individually. These included:

• Caser
• Axa
• Mapfre
• Feather
• Occident
• Other private health insurance
• S1 Form holders (although not technically private insurance, a few respondents selected this as their coverage path)

These options may cater to specific needs or circumstances, such as international portability, digital-first interfaces, or unique pricing models.

Meanwhile, Uk retirees selecting the S1 Form qualify and are not required to purchase private health insurance.

What This Poll Tells Us About Health Insurance for the NLV

This Spainguru poll offers valuable insights into how expats navigate one of the most critical parts of the non-lucrative visa process: choosing health insurance.

Here are some conclusions based on the results:

• A clear preference for well-known brands: The majority (Adeslas, Sanitas, DKV) opted for large providers with strong reputations, likely due to confidence in compliance and support.
• No one-size-fits-all approach: While Adeslas leads, the spread across providers indicates diverse needs and comfort levels. Age, health, language, and broker availability all influence the final decision.
• Growing awareness of alternative providers: Companies like ASSSA show that newcomers are increasingly open to alternatives if they provide clarity, language support, or niche advantages.
• Importance of broker support: Many decisions likely stem from guidance offered by immigration lawyers or specialized brokers, who understand which insurers issue visa-compliant certificates quickly and reliably.

Choosing the Right Health Insurance for Spain: Tips for NLV Applicants

Based on this data and our professional experience in Spanish immigration law, here are some final tips for selecting your health insurance policy:

1. Confirm Visa Compliance: Ensure the policy has no co-payments (sin copago), is fully comprehensive, and covers the full length of your initial residency.
2. Choose a Trusted Broker: Work with a broker who regularly helps with Spanish visa applications. They can guide you toward insurers who are accepted by specific consulates.
3. Ask for English Documentation: Most insurers can provide certificates and contracts in English or bilingual format, which can be essential for your application.
4. Consider Renewability and Age Factors: If you’re over 60, look into providers like ASSSA that guarantee lifelong coverage.
5. Compare Before You Commit: While Adeslas and Sanitas are popular for good reason, comparing quotes and terms from multiple insurers can help you find the best fit for your specific circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Health insurance is not just a requirement for moving to Spain—it’s a crucial component of your long-term wellbeing and residency security. Whether you choose Adeslas, Sanitas, DKV, ASSSA, or one of the smaller providers, make sure your policy is tailored for visa approval and supports your lifestyle in Spain.

As this Spainguru poll shows, the expat community has a range of trusted options to choose from, each with its strengths depending on individual needs.

Here is the direct link to Spainguru’s Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Facebook group Poll.