Health insurance for the Spain non-lucrative visa: what the official source asks
Insurance required: Yes. Minimum cover: All risks of the Spanish public health system; 100% of costs, no co-payments, no waiting periods in year 1. Local insurer only: Yes: an insurer authorised to operate in Spain. Travel insurance accepted: Not stated for this visa (the study visa page excludes it). How long: Full cover for the first year of residence; kept for renewals (art. 64). Official pages read on 7 November 2026.
Not immigration or insurance advice. These are the words of the official pages on the date we read them. Consulates can ask for more, and each consulate decides whether your policy is acceptable: check with the consulate or visa centre where you apply before you buy.
What the official source says
certificate of public or private health insurance taken out with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain. The insurance must cover all the risks covered by the Spanish public health system.
(our translation; official text:certificado de seguro de enfermedad público o privado contratado con una entidad aseguradora autorizada a operar en España. El seguro debe cubrir todos los riesgos asegurados por el sistema público de salud en España.
)For the first year of residence you must take out medical cover that pays 100% of medical costs, with no co-payments and no waiting periods.
(our translation; official text:Se deberá contratar una cobertura médica durante el primer año de residencia que cubra el 100% de los gastos médicos, sin copagos y sin carencias.
)without needing to carry out any work or professional activity, in accordance with this chapter. b) Have health insurance.
(our translation; official text:sin necesidad de desarrollar ninguna actividad laboral o profesional, de conformidad con lo dispuesto en este capítulo. b) Contar con un seguro de enfermedad.
)Having kept health insurance during the authorisation you want to renew, and continuing to have it.
(our translation; official text:Haber mantenido durante la vigencia de la autorización que se pretende renovar y continuar con un seguro de enfermedad.
)
Sources: Consulate General of Spain in Buenos Aires, Non-lucrative residence visa (Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, read on 7 November 2026); Royal Decree 1155/2024, Regulation of the Organic Law 4/2000 on foreigners (BOE, consolidated text) (Boletín Oficial del Estado, read on 7 November 2026). Article 61 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 sets the requirement; article 64 asks you to keep the insurance to renew. We read the pages of the Spanish consulate in Buenos Aires: other Spanish consulates publish their own document lists, so check the one where you apply. Register of insurers authorised in Spain: DGSFP, insurance companies register
What the official page does not say: whether a travel insurance policy is enough. Ask the consulate or immigration office where you apply.
Income for this visa: Spain non-lucrative visa: €2,400 a month.
No insurance offer on this page: the consulate asks for a policy from an insurer authorised in Spain, and we have no partner we have checked against that rule. The official register of authorised insurers is kept by the DGSFP (register).
Other long-stay visas
| Visa | Insurance required? | Minimum cover | Local insurer only? | Travel insurance accepted? | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain non-lucrative visa Retirement / passive income | Yes | All risks of the Spanish public health system; 100% of costs, no co-payments, no waiting periods in year 1 | Yes: an insurer authorised to operate in Spain | Not stated for this visa (the study visa page excludes it) | Full cover for the first year of residence; kept for renewals (art. 64) |
| Spain digital nomad visa Digital nomad | Yes, unless you are covered by Spanish Social Security or a social security agreement | All risks of the Spanish public health system | Yes: an insurer authorised to operate in Spain | Not stated | Not stated on the page |
| Spain student visa Student | Yes | Benefits similar to the Spanish National Health System; 100% of costs, no co-payments, no waiting periods | Yes: an insurer authorised to operate in Spain | No: travel insurance and credit-card insurance are not valid | The whole planned stay |
Health insurance for every visa in one table · Schengen visa insurance: the official rule
Questions people ask
What health insurance do I need for the Spain non-lucrative visa?
Public or private health insurance from a company authorised to operate in Spain, covering all the risks covered by the Spanish public health system; for the first year it must pay 100% of medical costs with no co-payments and no waiting periods (Consulate General of Spain in Buenos Aires).
Can I use travel insurance for the Spain non-lucrative visa?
The non-lucrative visa page does not mention travel insurance: it asks for a policy from an insurer authorised in Spain with full cover and no co-payments. The same consulate's study visa page says travel insurance is not valid.