Learn what’s covered by private health insurance in Spain. Explore inpatient & outpatient care, diagnostics, maternity, mental health, and common exclusions.
What Does Private Health Insurance in Spain Cover?
Inclusions, extras, and what’s not typically covered
Private health insurance in Spain is widely used by expats, visa applicants, and long-term residents — but what does it actually include?
This guide breaks down the core services covered by private health insurance in Spain, which extras are optional, and what to watch out for in the fine print. Whether you’re applying for a visa or just want faster access to care, knowing what’s included can help you make the right decision.
Standard Coverage: What’s Typically Included
Most private health insurance plans in Spain — whether basic or premium — include:
✅ Outpatient Care
- General practitioner (GP) visits
- Specialist consultations (dermatology, cardiology, etc.)
- Follow-up visits and annual check-ups
✅ Diagnostic Services
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- MRIs and CT scans
- Other imaging and lab work
✅ Hospitalisation & Inpatient Care
- Overnight hospital stays
- Surgical procedures
- Pre- and post-operative care
- Private room (in most cases)
✅ Emergency Services
- 24/7 medical helpline
- Emergency transport and hospital admission
- Immediate specialist access
✅ Prescriptions (while hospitalised)
- Medications provided during hospital stays are usually included
- Outpatient prescriptions are often paid out-of-pocket, but some premium plans offer partial reimbursement
Maternity, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health
These services are not always included in basic plans, but many insurers offer them as optional add-ons:
🍼 Maternity Care
- Prenatal visits and scans
- Labour and delivery (natural or C-section)
- Postnatal care
🕒 Often includes a waiting period (6–10 months)
🦷 Dental
- Cleanings and check-ups
- Fillings and extractions
- Orthodontics and implants (varies by plan)
👁 Vision
- Eye exams
- Prescription lenses
- Frames and contact lenses (partial reimbursement only)
🧠 Mental Health
- Therapy or psychologist visits
- Psychiatry (with or without prescription coverage)
- Often limited to a fixed number of sessions per year
Need these extras? Check out Types of Plans to compare base and premium options.
Residency-Compliant Coverage
If you’re applying for a Spanish visa or residency permit (like the non-lucrative visa or digital nomad visa), your plan must offer full coverage without co-payments.
That means:
- No limits on hospitalisation
- 100% coverage for outpatient and inpatient care
- No co-pays, deductibles, or exclusions
- Must be issued by a Spanish-authorised insurer
Travel insurance or basic plans with exclusions won’t meet immigration requirements.
Learn more in Health Insurance Requirements for Spanish Residency
Common Exclusions to Be Aware Of
Even good policies have exclusions. These usually include:
- Pre-existing conditions (sometimes covered after a waiting period)
- Elective or cosmetic surgery
- Long-term rehabilitation
- Alternative therapies (unless specified)
- Chronic illness medication (may be reimbursed with top-tier plans)
Always check the fine print and waiting periods. Some policies have up to 6–8 months waiting time for maternity, mental health, or surgery unless it’s an emergency.
What About International Coverage?
Most Spain-only policies do not cover you outside of Spain, except for short-term emergency assistance in the EU.
If you want global access, look into:
- International private health insurance plans
- Plans with EU or worldwide add-ons
- Coverage while travelling for work or holidays
See Types of Plans for international coverage options.
Final Thoughts
Private health insurance in Spain usually covers the essentials — doctor visits, diagnostics, hospital care, and emergencies. But if you need maternity, dental, vision, or mental health services, you’ll want to look closely at plan tiers and waiting periods.
If you’re applying for residency, make sure your plan meets all legal requirements: no co-pays, full coverage, and a Spanish-registered provider.
Still unsure which services you’ll need? Start with Who Needs Private Health Insurance in Spain or explore What It Costs for plan pricing examples.