Learn how to get the right student health insurance in Spain for your visa application.
Choosing the right health insurance is more than just a safety measure; it’s a critical requirement for your Spanish student visa. Without the correct student health insurance in Spain, your student visa application will be denied. With the right information, it’s an easy problem to avoid.
This guide will explain the exact requirements your insurance policy must meet to be approved by the Spanish consulate. We will walk you through what to look for, answer key questions about cost, and help you choose a policy with confidence.
Securing the right coverage is a vital part of your preparation; see how this fits into your overall timeline in our practical guide to planning your Spanish language studies.
(Last Updated: February 2026)
Key Takeaways
- All non-EU international students applying for a Spanish student visa must have a comprehensive private health insurance policy from a company authorized to operate in Spain.
- The most important requirement is that your policy must have zero co-payments (sin copagos). A policy with co-payments will be rejected by the consulate.
- Your insurance must offer full coverage for all medical risks, similar to Spain’s public health system, and be valid for the entire duration of your stay.
- A compliant student health insurance in Spain policy is very affordable, typically costing between €30 and €60 per month.
- Standard travel insurance from your home country is not sufficient for a student visa application.
Why Do You Need a Specific Type of Private Health Insurance?
Table: Compliant Student Insurance vs. Standard Travel Insurance
| Compliant Student Policy (Recommended) | Standard Travel Insurance (Avoid) | |
| Authorized Provider | Yes (Spanish Entity) | Often No (International) |
| Co-payments | None (Sin Copagos) | Often has deductibles/fees |
| Coverage Limits | Unlimited (Full Coverage) | Usually Capped (e.g., €50k) |
| Repatriation | Explicitly Included | Sometimes Excluded |
| Visa Result | APPROVED | LIKELY REJECTED |
The Spanish government requires non-EU students to have comprehensive private coverage to ensure they do not become a financial responsibility of the state’s public health system.
While public healthcare in Spain is excellent, it is funded by social security contributions. As an international student, you are required to have a private insurance policy to ensure you are fully covered for any medical needs during your stay.
The good news is that these policies are generally very affordable. For those curious, is healthcare expensive in Spain? For residents who contribute, it is not, but for students, a private policy is the required and cost-effective route.
Because your insurance certificate is a mandatory document for your application, be sure to cross-reference this with our step-by-step guide to applying for a Spanish student visa to ensure your entire folder is ready for the consulate.
For general information about how the system works, you can read our separate guide about healthcare in Spain.
What Student Health Insurance in Spain Do I Need? The 5 Golden Rules
To be accepted for your health insurance for a Spanish student visa, your policy must meet five non-negotiable requirements.
These rules come directly from Spanish consulates and immigration authorities, and failing to meet even one of them is a common reason visa applications get delayed or rejected.
This is the most important section of the guide. When you purchase a policy, you must confirm with the provider that it meets these five conditions.
- Full Medical Coverage in Spain: Your health insurance must come from a provider authorized to operate in Spain, ensuring full access to hospitals, clinics, specialists, and emergency care. It also must offer coverage equivalent to Spain’s public healthcare system, with no limits on services or cost ceilings.
- No Co-payments (sin copagos): This is one of the most important requirements. A co-payment is a fee you pay each time you receive medical care. For visa purposes, your insurance must be 100 percent free of co-pays for all medical expenses and hospitalization. Consulates will reject policies that charge even a small fee.
- No Deductibles or Waiting Periods (sin carencias): Your coverage must begin the moment you arrive in Spain. This means no deductibles, no waiting periods for any type of care, and no delayed activation.
- Coverage for Your Entire Stay: Make sure your insurance matches the length of your studies. Student-focused plans usually request your acceptance letter to align start and end dates.
Since May 20, 2025, some consulates also require coverage one month before your program begins and 15 days after it ends. If this period exceeds 180 days, your insurance will automatically cover a full year. Consulates with this requirement include Boston and Washington D.C.
- Repatriation Coverage: Your policy must include repatriation to your home country in case of serious illness, severe accident, or death. Many general health policies leave this out, and consulates consistently reject them. Make sure repatriación or “repatriation coverage” is clearly stated in the policy.
To review, Spanish consulates usually reject:
- Travel insurance policies, as these are temporary and provide limited coverage
- Health insurance plans with deductibles, co-payments (sin copagos), or coverage limits (e.g., €100,000 cap)
- Policies that do not explicitly include repatriation (repatriación)
Pro Tips: To avoid visa delays, Go! Go! España recommends choosing a Spanish insurance provider, as their policies are designed to meet visa requirements without complications.
A comprehensive registry of insurance companies authorized to operate in Spain can be found here.
Additionally, always check the Consulate’s health insurance requirements before purchasing any insurance, as some Consulates may have slightly different criteria.
How Much Does Student Health Insurance in Spain Cost?
The cost of health insurance for international students in Spain can vary, but you can expect to pay between €30 and €60 per month for a comprehensive, visa-compliant policy.
The final price depends on your age, chosen provider, and sometimes the city where you will study. However, the market for international student insurance in Spain is competitive, making coverage generally affordable.
What is the cheapest insurance for international students in Spain?
While it’s tempting to look for the absolute cheapest option, the most important factor is making sure the policy meets all the strict visa requirements.
A cheap policy that gets your visa rejected will end up being much more expensive in the long run. The best approach is to find a provider that offers a good balance of affordability and guaranteed visa compliance.
How Can You Find a Compliant Insurance Provider?
You can find compliant providers by searching online for specific keywords or by working with a trusted partner.
The best way to find a provider is to search online using the specific Spanish terms, such as “seguro de salud para estudiantes extranjeros sin copagos.” You should look at major Spanish providers that are known for offering plans specifically designed for international students.
Commonly accepted providers for Spanish student visas include:
- Asisa
- Adeslas
- Sanitas
- Mapfre
- DKV
- AXA
Pro tip: For peace of mind and a policy designed specifically for international students in Spain that meets all Spanish authorities’ requirements, Go! Go! España recommends purchasing through Universitas Mundi. This is the policy our team recommends to students, as it fully complies with all Spanish student visa requirements.
What Questions Should You Ask Before You Buy a Policy?
Before you purchase an insurance policy, it is essential to ask the provider a few direct questions to confirm that it is fully compliant with all student visa requirements.
To ensure you have complete peace of mind, here is a simple checklist of questions to ask any insurance company before you buy their policy. You should receive a clear “yes” to all of them.
- “Is this policy fully compliant with all requirements for a Spanish student visa?”
- “Can you confirm that this policy has absolutely no co-payments (sin copagos)?”
- “Does this policy have no deductibles or waiting periods (sin carencias)?”
- “Will the coverage be valid for the entire duration of my stay in Spain?”
- “Can you provide me with the policy certificate and all related documents in Spanish to submit with my visa application?”
- “Does this policy include repatriation (repatriación) in case of serious illness or death?”
FAQ About International Student Health Insurance in Spain
1. Can I use my travel insurance from my home country?
No. Standard travel insurance is not accepted for a student visa application. You must purchase a specific private health insurance policy from a provider authorized to operate in Spain.
2. What does “no co-payments” mean?
“No co-payments” (sin copagos) means that you will not have to pay any extra fee when you visit a doctor or receive a medical service. Your insurance premium covers 100% of the cost.
3. Do I need to have insurance before I apply for my visa?
Yes. You must purchase your policy and have the official certificate of coverage to submit along with your other documents as part of your visa application.
4. Does my insurance need to be translated into Spanish?
It is always best to have the policy documents and the certificate of coverage in Spanish to present to the consulate. Reputable providers who specialize in student insurance will provide this for you automatically.
This is another reason our team recommends purchasing a policy from a Spanish insurance provider, as you can be confident that both your policy and all necessary documents for your visa application will be in Spanish
5. What happens if my visa is rejected? Can I get a refund on my insurance?
Many insurance companies that work with international students offer a refund on your premium if you can provide official proof that your visa application was denied. Be sure to ask about the refund policy before you purchase.
Conclusion: Ready to Secure Your Visa?
Choosing the right health insurance is one of the most important steps in your visa application process. By ensuring your policy meets the five golden rules, you can feel confident that you have a compliant plan that will protect your health and help you get your visa approved.
Finding the right insurance can be confusing. Go! Go! España partners with trusted providers who offer visa-compliant plans specifically designed for international students.
