What health insurance do I need for the Spain digital nomad visa?

Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, full coverage in Spain and, at many consulates, no copays and no waiting periods.

Does travel insurance count?

Generally no. Travel insurance covers emergencies, not the full coverage the visa requires.

Do my spouse and kids need insurance too?

Yes. Each family member included in the application needs coverage meeting the same standard.

Can I use a US international health plan?

Only if the insurer is authorised to operate in Spain and the policy meets your consulate's conditions. Most applicants use a Spanish insurer to avoid doubts.

Does the Spain digital nomad visa require health insurance with no copays?

Updated 2026-11-12 · Documents guide · Not legal advice

Yes, in practice: you need public or private health insurance from an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, covering you fully in Spain for the whole stay, and many Spanish consulates state it must have no copayments and no waiting periods. Wording varies by consulate, so check your consulate's checklist before you buy.

What a visa-compliant policy usually looks like
Feature	Usually required?	Notes
Insurer authorised to operate in Spain	Yes	Stated by the UGE and consulates
Full coverage equivalent to the Spanish public system	Yes	Hospital, specialists, primary care
No copayments (sin copagos)	Many consulates	Policies with per-visit copays are a common problem
No waiting periods (sin carencias)	Many consulates	Cover must start from day one
Covers the whole permit period	Yes	Annual policy, often paid in full
Covers each family member	Yes	Separate policy or family policy
Travel insurance	Usually not accepted	Travel policies cover emergencies only

Why copays matter

Several Spanish consulates ask for insurance "without copayments" (sin copagos) and "without waiting periods" (sin carencias). A cheaper policy with a copay per visit may be fine for living in Spain but get flagged for the visa. If you apply through the UGE from inside Spain, check the UGE wording too.

What to ask the insurer for

A certificate in Spanish stating the policy has full coverage in Spain, no copayments and no waiting periods.
The policy start and end dates, and the names of every insured person.
Proof the premium is paid for the period the consulate asks for.

Public cover through social security

If you register in the Spanish social security system (for example as self-employed), you may be covered by the public system. Whether that satisfies the requirement at application time depends on your route; check with the UGE or your consulate.

Quick answers

What health insurance do I need for the Spain digital nomad visa?: Public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, full coverage in Spain and, at many consulates, no copays and no waiting periods.
Does travel insurance count?: Generally no. Travel insurance covers emergencies, not the full coverage the visa requires.
Do my spouse and kids need insurance too?: Yes. Each family member included in the application needs coverage meeting the same standard.
Can I use a US international health plan?: Only if the insurer is authorised to operate in Spain and the policy meets your consulate's conditions. Most applicants use a Spanish insurer to avoid doubts.

What to do next

Check whether your current plan would pass, along with the rest of your file.

Run the free eligibility check

Sources

Checked: 2026-11-12. Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.