Spain Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Spain

Expats in Spain should secure an international health insurance plan so they are protected while abroad. Short-term residents and foreigners are not eligible for Spain’s public health insurance scheme, so they are recommended to provide their own policy to avoid paying medical bills out of pocket.

Are you an expat planning on moving to or visiting Spain? Would you like to learn more about your health insurance options for the trip? The insurance experts at Pacific Prime have prepared this comprehensive guide for all expats and foreigners in Spain.

We will discuss the Spanish healthcare system, list the health insurance options for expats in Spain, and more.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Spain

The Healthcare System in Spain

Spain has one of the best healthcare systems in the world and offers a universal healthcare system called the Spanish National Health System, or Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS). SNS doesn’t cover all health expenses, such as dentists, pharmacy costs, and ambulances.

Spain has a decentralized healthcare system, meaning the regional governments oversee budgeting and healthcare resource allocation. Spain is divided into 17 autonomous communities, and each community is responsible for managing the healthcare in their region.

Because of the decentralized healthcare system, healthcare facilities can differ across the 17 regions. This makes researching your chosen hospital ahead of time before you visit a smart option for expats.

The private sector in Spain offers an alternate choice for expats and locals. Private insurance options are ideal for anyone who wants to expand their coverage and can cover added expenses as well.

Expats in Spain often also choose private insurers to avoid long waiting periods for visiting public health providers.

Spain’s Public Hospitals

There are hundreds of public hospitals across Spain, with a wide variety of options available in the 17 regions of the country. Public hospitals offer high-quality and reliable medical care to locals and foreigners and are often the first choice in medical emergency scenarios.

Some of the top public hospitals in Spain are listed below:

• Hospital Universitario La Paz
  Phone Number: +34 917 27 70 00
  Address: P.º de la Castellana, 261, Fuencarral-El Pardo, 28046 Madrid, Spain
• Hospital Clínic de Barcelona
  Phone Number: +34 932 27 54 00
  Address: Carrer de Villarroel, 170, L'Eixample, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
• Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón
  Phone Number: +34 915 86 80 00
  Address: C. del Dr. Esquerdo, 46, Retiro, 28007 Madrid, Spain

Spain’s Private Hospitals

Spain also offers many private hospital options to foreigners and locals in Spain. These hospitals are known for their cutting-edge technology and multilingual providers. International patients will find themselves well cared for in most of Spain’s private hospitals.

Some of the top private hospitals for expats are listed below:

• Clínica Universidad de Navarra
  Phone Number: +34 948 25 54 00
  Address: Av. de Pío XII, 36, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
• Hospital Quirónsalud Madrid
  Phone Number: +34 914 52 19 00
  Address: C. Diego de Velázquez, 1, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
• Hospital Universitario Madrid Sanchinarro
  Phone Number: +34 919 37 00 00
  Address: C. de Oña, 10, Hortaleza, 28050 Madrid, Spain

If you’d like a more comprehensive guide of the best hospitals in Spain for expats, check out our article below:

• Hospitals in Spain – Healthcare for Expats

Health Insurance Options in Spain for Expats

Expats in Spain have the option of enrolling in public health insurance if they are eligible or purchasing their own private health insurance. They can also buy private health insurance as supplemental coverage even if they are eligible for public health insurance.

Public Health Insurance in Spain for Expats

Expats are eligible for public health insurance in Spain if they have lived in the country for over a year or if they work for a Spanish employer. To be covered by Spain’s public health insurance, expats will need to register with their local health center and obtain a health card.

This health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI)) will grant expats access to coverage for services such as primary care, hospital care, medications, and more.

Thanks to SNS, all citizens and long-term residents are insured. In fact, Spain’s constitution makes it mandatory for the state to offer medical care for both basic and preventative care.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives European travelers access to SNS healthcare in the country at a reduced cost. European travelers on a temporary stay may even get it for free sometimes. Once you’ve decided to stay in Spain for the long term, it’s best to either register for SNS coverage or secure private insurance.

Any UK or non-EU travelers (such as the US and Canada) should already have health insurance coverage before obtaining a residency visa.

Private Health Insurance in Spain for Expats

Private health insurance offers financial protection against unexpected medical events and grants expats access to top-quality private healthcare facilities in Spain. Private health insurance plans are comprehensive and offer optional benefits that may not be included in public health insurance.

Private health insurance can be purchased from local providers or international health insurance providers. A major benefit of securing a plan from an international health insurance provider is the global portability of the plans and worldwide provider network.

Best International Health Insurance Providers in Spain for Expats

The best private insurance providers for expats in Spain are offered by international health insurance providers Allianz, April International, AXA, and Cigna Global. We will share a brief overview and highlight these provider’s plans in the following sections.

If you’d like to learn even more about the top international health insurance providers in Spain, check out our article guide here!

Allianz Health Insurance in Spain

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans in Spain to fit a variety of expats’ and their family’s needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to basic policies that Allianz provides. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks that expats may face abroad.

The plans offered by Allianz include the Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro plans. While each of these plans may differ in coverage limits and benefits, they share similar benefits as listed below:

April International Health Insurance in Spain

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable comprehensive coverage to expats in Spain. They offer their health benefits to expats in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in their plans, including:

AXA Health Insurance in Spain

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Spain. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

Cigna Global Health Insurance in Spain

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Spain and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Spain’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Considerations for Picking Private Health Insurance in Spain

Expats choosing a health insurance policy for their time in Spain should consider their budget and the type of coverage they will need. Understanding these two points can help expats feel more confident in making the choice of a private health insurance plan.

• Your Budget: Consider how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums. This doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible, however. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
• Your Coverage: Take the time to consider your health and what coverage you may need for your time in Spain. Do you plan on only visiting the doctor in emergencies or when you’re sick, or do you plan on needing help managing chronic conditions? Ensure you understand your healthcare benefit needs.

Health and Safety Travel Tips for Spain

Expats can stay safe while in Spain by following our safety and travel tips below:

• Tap water in Spain is generally safe to drink, though it’s advisable to double-check with the hotel staff, host families, and neighbors to see if you can drink straight from the tap in your area.
• Tap water in Spain is generally safe to drink, though it’s advisable to double-check with the hotel staff, host families, and neighbors to see if you can drink straight from the tap in your area.
• While no vaccines are required when traveling to Spain, the Center for Disease Control recommends up-to-date immunization. It’s ideal to be covered for measles, diphtheria, mumps, tetanus, polio, and rubella when traveling to Spain.
• Keep antidiarrheal medicine on you in case you have a bad reaction to any new foods. Also, stick to cooked seafood to avoid contamination.
• Stay hydrated and stay in the shade when possible to avoid heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are foreigners eligible for public health insurance in Spain?

Foreigners may qualify for public health insurance in Spain if they work for a Spanish employer or if they have lived in the country for over a year. If they are eligible, they can register with their local health center and obtain a health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI)).

Why should expats get private health insurance for Spain?

Expats are recommended private health insurance for their time in Spain because of the comprehensive, flexible, and global coverage it offers. Local health insurance policies won’t offer the same global portability and wide provider network that international health insurance can.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Spain offers high-quality public and private healthcare to expats, though their private facilities tend to have shorter wait times and more multilingual providers. By securing an international health insurance plan before you move, you can protect yourself while abroad.

If you’re ready to buy health insurance in Spain, Pacific Prime can help you find the best plan for your needs and budget. For more information about Spain, and the locally compliant health insurance plans that we offer, or to receive a free quote, contact one of our expert advisors today.