How to buy a private health policy step by step

Terms used

• NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners, used for paperwork such as contracts and taxes.
• IBAN — The IBAN is your international bank account number, which the insurer uses to collect premiums by direct debit.
• TIE — The TIE is the residence card issued to foreigners who live in Spain.
• Cuestionario de salud — The cuestionario de salud is the health questionnaire the insurer gives you before issuing an individual policy.
• Carencias — Carencias are waiting periods during which some services, such as childbirth or surgery, are not yet covered.

Key rules

• Withdrawal: If you buy online or by phone, you can usually withdraw without giving a reason within 14 days.
• Health questionnaire: Answer every question truthfully, because false or missing answers can cost you your cover.
• NIE and bank account: You often do not need a NIE or Spanish bank account, but each insurer sets its own rules, so ask before you apply.
• Waiting periods: Cover can start at once while some services stay excluded for months, so read the waiting periods before you sign.
• Visa policies: A policy for a visa application must have no co-payments and no waiting period.

The short version

You buy in this order: choose cover, get quotes, apply and answer the health questionnaire, wait for the insurer's decision, read the conditions, sign, pay, then receive your card. Most of it happens online and can take a few days. The timeline below shows the stages.

1. Choose the type of cover and get quotes

Decide first what you want: with or without co-payments, a provider network or reimbursement, hospital-only or full cover. Then ask several insurers, brokers or comparison sites for quotes. Compare like with like, so the same cover type each time.

If you need the policy for a visa (non-lucrative residence or student), it must meet consular requirements: no co-payments and no waiting period. Say so when you ask for quotes.

2. Check what ID and bank account the insurer needs

Ask this before you apply. Rules differ by insurer.

• NIE: Many large Spanish insurers want a NIE or a passport. Many accept a passport from a newcomer and let the NIE follow. Policies for visa applications are commonly accepted with only a passport, since you have no NIE yet. International insurers do not need a NIE.
• Spanish bank account: Direct debit from a Spanish IBAN is the usual route. Some insurers and brokers accept a debit from another euro-area account, or a card, especially for the first payment. International insurers accept credit cards and foreign accounts.

So you can often buy without a NIE or a Spanish account, but confirm with the insurer first. The documents list below shows what to have ready.

3. Apply and answer the health questionnaire

You give your personal details and the insurer gives you a questionnaire, the cuestionario de salud. It asks about medical history, current conditions, treatments, medication, surgeries, hospital stays, height and weight, and sometimes smoking, alcohol and risky activities.

Answer truthfully and completely. If you give inaccurate answers, the insurer can cancel the contract. If you then claim, it can refuse or reduce the payment. In cases of serious fault, it can keep the premiums and refuse all cover. Insurers often check your claims history. If the insurer did not ask about something, you are not at fault for leaving it out. Group policies often have no questionnaire.

The insurer may then ask for medical reports or a medical review. It will accept you, accept you with exclusions or a surcharge, or decline.

4. Read the conditions, then sign

Before you sign, read the pre-contract information, the general and particular conditions, and the waiting periods. Waiting periods (carencias) mean some services, such as childbirth, surgery or hospitalisation, are not covered for several months. If you have a certificate from a previous insurer, ask whether it lets you skip them.

Signing is usually electronic. You also give your bank details here.

5. Pay the first premium

Insurers mostly collect by direct debit. Monthly is the most common frequency, and quarterly, half-yearly and annual are also offered. Annual payment can carry a small discount, and split payments can carry a modest surcharge. If you stop paying, cover can be suspended after notice.

6. Cover starts and your card arrives

Cover starts on the date in the policy. That is often the day after acceptance and payment, or a date you choose. Ask for that date in writing.

The digital card and app access often arrive within 24 to 72 hours. The physical card comes by post, usually in 1 to 3 weeks. Once you are in the app, register and choose a primary doctor.

7. Changing your mind

If you buy online or by phone, you can usually withdraw without giving a reason within 14 days. The period runs from signing, or from receiving the policy terms if that is later. Tell the insurer in writing through its own channel before the period ends. The insurer may keep a proportional amount for cover already provided. The pre-contract information states your exact period and procedure.

Timeline and deadlines

• Choose the type of cover and get quotes from insurers, brokers or comparison sites: before you start the application

• Complete the application and the health questionnaire; the insurer may ask for medical reports: once you have chosen a quote

• Read the pre-contract information, conditions and waiting periods, then sign and give your bank details: after the insurer accepts you

• Pay the first premium: when you sign

• Physical card arrives by post: in about 1 to 3 weeks

• Withdraw from the contract without giving a reason if you bought online or by phone: within 14 days

Documents you need

• Valid ID: your DNI if you are Spanish, your NIE or residence card (TIE) if you are a foreign resident, or your passport if you are a non-resident or new arrival.

• Your date of birth, address in Spain, phone number and email. Some insurers ask for proof of address, such as a padrón certificate (town hall residence registration) or a utility bill.

• Your bank details (IBAN) for the premiums.

• The signed health questionnaire, which the insurer gives you during the application.

• IDs for any dependants, plus proof of the relationship, such as a family book or a birth certificate for children.

• A certificate from your previous insurer, if you want to waive waiting periods, and medical reports if you have a pre-existing condition.

• For a visa application (non-lucrative residence or student), the policy must meet consular requirements: no co-payments and no waiting period.

Checklist

• Ask the insurer whether it accepts your passport or needs a NIE, and whether it needs a Spanish bank account.

• Have your ID, address, phone, email and IBAN ready for the application.

• Answer every question on the health questionnaire truthfully, including pre-existing conditions.

• Sign, usually electronically, and pay the first premium.

• Ask for the cover start date and the withdrawal period in writing.

What to watch out for

• Inaccurate health answers can cost you your cover: If you give wrong or incomplete answers, the insurer can cancel the contract within one month of finding out. If you claim before then, it can refuse or reduce the payment. If it was deliberate or seriously careless, it can keep the premiums and refuse all cover. Declare every condition, treatment and surgery you know about. If the insurer did not ask about something, you are not liable for leaving it out.

• Insurers check your claims history: Insurers often look at your claims history and refuse claims for pre-existing conditions you did not declare. Declare pre-existing conditions even if they seem minor, and keep your medical reports to hand.

• Missing the withdrawal window: If you bought online or by phone, you can usually withdraw without giving a reason within 14 days, but only if you tell the insurer in writing before the period ends. Contracts under one month are excluded. Use the insurer's own channel to send your notice in writing, and keep proof that you sent it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay for a health policy without a Spanish bank account?

Yes, some insurers accept a card or a euro-area bank account for the first payment, but most Spanish insurers want a Spanish IBAN for monthly direct debit. International insurers accept credit cards and foreign accounts. Ask before you apply.

Can I buy a policy if I do not have a NIE yet?

Yes, many insurers accept a passport from newcomers and let you add the NIE later, and policies for visa applications are commonly accepted with only a passport. International insurers do not need a NIE at all. Confirm with the insurer before applying.

How long does the physical card take to arrive?

A physical card usually arrives by post in about 1 to 3 weeks. A digital card and app access often arrive within 24 to 72 hours. If you bought from abroad, post can take longer, but a digital certificate is often available straight away.

How often can I pay my health insurance premium?

Most insurers offer monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual payment, and monthly is the most common. Annual payment sometimes brings a small discount, while split payments can carry a modest surcharge. Late payment can lead to your cover being suspended after notice.