Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Is Bank Health Insurance Enough for the NLV?
Health Insurance question: I am currently in Spain going back to the US to apply for the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa. Is the insurance offered by BBVA or Santander banks okay for the NLV? I want to get something that’s monthly just in case I don’t get the visa!
Community Answers: Bank vs Private Health Insurance for NLV
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Is it possible to include coverage in the US and through travel to Spain as well to avoid loss of coverage during that initial period?” – “All of the Spanish insurance companies have some US coverage… Typically €15,000 max.”
“You’ll need to pay for a year and have no copays.”
“We are aware of those requirements for the NLV. My concern was coverage till in country and covered by that policy.”
“Here is how I did it. I requested the policy end of January, my appointment was end of February. I made the effective date April 1st. I received the decision a few days ago. I don’t have to pay till the first day of April. So if I was denied, I could potentially cancel the payment.”
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Explore Cities →“I had to pay for a full year and had to show that to the NYC consulate during the appointment.”
“Sanitas allowed us to sign up, apply for the visa and get approved. After our approval, we asked them to delay the start date. They changed it for us and it started 3 months after our original date we gave the consulate.”
“They will charge you much more than going directly to an insurance company. They are just banks. They are a third party and will make a nice profit. Save money and go right to the source.”
“ASSSA and their policies meet the requirements for NLV applications.”
“I used Sanitas for my health insurance, no problems.”
“Sanitas are excellent. Part of BUPA.”
“You have to show you paid for the whole year.”
“You have to pay the whole year in full, no monthly payments for the NLV. Try Adeslas, they have an insurance just as required by Spanish law.”
“I used Adeslas insurance and got my certificate in one day: You can cancel it in case you don’t get your visa. Good luck.”
“The consulate usually expects you to pay for the year, but many insurance companies will refund you if you don’t get the visa.”
“I used DKV. You have to pay the full year no matter what and get the policy made for expats. You can choose any day 3 months into the future and you get a refund if you don’t get the visa. They offer good service and support. They did not send me the policy description at first and I requested it and got it all sorted two days later.”
“You need to get a certificate for the year, and it needs to be in place before you apply. We were told to start it on the date of your consulate application.”
“Need to be an annual policy paid upfront prior to your appointment.”
“You need to pay a full year for the application. I got mine with Asisa and I could’ve gotten a refund had I been declined.”
“Unfortunately you will have to pay the full year or quarterly, now, if your Visa is not approved then you can work with them to cancel it.”
Planning your move to Spain? Check out our complete Moving to Spain guide, learn about the Non-Lucrative Visa, explore the cost of living in Spain, and discover your Digital Nomad Visa options.
Conclusion: NLV Health Insurance Requirements
According to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, using insurance from banks like BBVA or Santander may not be the most cost-effective choice for the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa (NLV) application.
Many recommend going directly to insurance companies such as Sanitas, Adeslas, or ASSSA to save money and meet visa requirements.
Key points include needing to pay for a full year upfront, no monthly payments allowed, and the possibility of refunds if the visa is denied. Additional considerations include coverage for pre-existing conditions and ensuring the policy meets consulate expectations.
If you want to read more about the Health requirements for the Spanish Non Lucrative visa, make sure to read this article: The Non Lucrative Spain Visa Health Insurance Requirements
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