For the visa, your private insurance must have
- Coverage equivalent to Spain’s public system, with no gaps, no copayments (not even €1), and no waiting periods
- No caps on hospital, outpatient, or specialist care
- Come from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain (registered with the DGSFP)
- Ideally be certified in Spanish, listing all dependents by name, with a start date on or before your visa issuance
Commonly cited qualifying insurers
Adeslas (“Extranjeros” plan, from ~€49/month), Sanitas (“International Residents,” from ~€88.40/month), DKV, ASSSA, and Feather. ⚠ Mapfre didn’t turn up in this research despite being a major Spanish insurer — worth checking directly if you’re comparing options.
Switching to public healthcare
Once you’re registered with Social Security (as autónomo or employee) and empadronado, you and your dependents become eligible for Spain’s public system. Apply for your SIP card at your regional health service, which assigns you a local health center — this process is run separately by each autonomous community, so check your specific region once you’re there.