Health insurance for Spain's digital nomad visa: everything you need to know

If you're planning to move to Spain as a digital nomad, you'll already know that one of the mandatory requirements is having private health insurance. But not just any policy will do. Spanish authorities are very specific about what that insurance must include, and getting it wrong can mean your visa application is rejected — or that you have to start the process all over again.

In this guide we explain exactly what your insurance must cover, what mistakes to avoid and how to take out a policy whether you're applying from Spain or from abroad.

What is Spain's digital nomad visa?

The digital nomad visa — regulated by Law 28/2022, known as the Startups Act — allows non-EU citizens to live legally in Spain while working remotely for companies or clients based outside the country.

It's a visa designed for professionals who can work from anywhere and want to base themselves in Spain. The Costa del Sol, and Marbella in particular, is one of the most popular destinations for this type of resident: great climate, quality of life, international connections and an established expat community.

To apply for this visa from within Spain — through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) — or from a Spanish consulate in your home country, one of the mandatory documents is a private health insurance policy that meets a specific set of requirements.

What your insurance must cover for the digital nomad visa

Not just any insurance will do. These are the five requirements your policy must meet without exception:

1. No co-payments

You cannot be required to pay any additional amount each time you visit a doctor, have a diagnostic test or need a procedure. Coverage must be total. A policy with co-pays — even small ones — is sufficient grounds for the administration to reject your application.

2. No waiting periods

Coverage must be active and fully effective from the first day the policy comes into force. This includes specialists, hospitalisation and surgery. Policies with waiting periods — common in the general market — are not valid for this process.

3. Full coverage across Spain

Your insurance must guarantee access to care in every province and region of Spain, with coverage equivalent to Spain's public health system. Partial coverage or cover limited to certain cities is not sufficient.

4. Repatriation included

The policy must include repatriation coverage to your home country. This requirement is particularly relevant for the digital nomad visa and other long-stay visas.

5. Insurer authorised in Spain

The insurance must be issued by a company registered with Spain's Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones. International travel insurance policies, however comprehensive, are not valid. Neither are global expat insurance products that are not registered in Spain as an insurer.

Important: travel insurance and policies with co-pays are the most common reasons for rejection in this process. Make sure your policy meets all the requirements before submitting your application.

Can I take out the insurance without a NIE?

Yes. This is one of the most confusing points. Many standard health insurance policies in Spain require a NIE (foreigner identification number) to be taken out — which creates a circular problem: you need the insurance to apply for the visa, but to take out the insurance they ask for a NIE you don't have yet.

Health insurance products specifically designed for residency visas are taken out with a passport. No prior NIE is required. That is precisely what these products exist for.

Applying from Spain or from a consulate?

It depends on your situation. If you're already in Spain — for example, on a valid tourist visa — you can apply for the digital nomad authorisation directly from here, through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE). In that case, the insurance takes effect immediately and the certificate is issued as soon as the policy is confirmed.

If you're applying from your home country at a Spanish consulate, the process is similar but some consulates require the policy to be taken out and paid for before your appointment. In that case it's worth arranging cover well in advance.

In either case, the certificate issued by the insurer must explicitly state that the policy has no co-pays, no waiting periods, no deductibles and provides full coverage in Spain.

Payment: can I pay in instalments?

The first year of the policy must be paid annually. This is a standard requirement for visa insurance products: the administration needs to verify that you have guaranteed coverage for the entire first year.

If you have a Spanish bank account, some products allow instalment payments from the renewal year onwards. If you don't have a Spanish bank account at the time of contracting, payment can be made by bank transfer or card.

When do I receive the certificate?

Once the policy is confirmed, the certificate is issued immediately. There is no waiting time. You can submit it to the UGE or the consulate on the same day you take out the policy.

What about my family?

If you're applying for family reunification — or if several members of your family unit need the visa — each person must have their own policy. They can be added as additional insured members in the same contract, and each receives their own individual certificate.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Taking out travel insurance thinking it's equivalent. It isn't.
• Choosing a policy with co-pays, even low ones.
• Not checking that the certificate explicitly states the wording required by the administration.
• Putting another person as the policyholder to pay in instalments. This causes problems with the certificate and future policy management.
• Contracting with an insurer not registered in Spain.
• Leaving it too late if you're applying through a consulate.

How we can help at Segurmar

We are insurance brokers based in Marbella. We review your situation — visa type, where you're applying from, whether you need to cover your family — and present you with the most suitable option along with all the documentation you need.

The process is simple: tell us your situation, we send you a quote, you take out the policy with your passport and receive the certificate immediately. No waiting, no unnecessary paperwork, with advice in English or Spanish.

See health insurance for residency visas →