Health insurance for international students in Spain

Key rules

• Visa policy: A policy for your visa must come from an insurer authorised in Spain and give full cover with no copago and no waiting periods.
• Seguro escolar: The seguro escolar does not count as health insurance for your visa.
• Consulate: Ask your consulate what it accepts before you buy.

What policy you need

Buy a private policy from an insurer authorised in Spain. For a visa it must give full cover with no copago and no waiting periods. It should cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for your whole stay.

Consulates differ in what they accept, so ask yours before you pay. Send them the policy certificate and the full conditions, not just a receipt.

What it costs

A policy that meets these rules typically cost 400 to 1,000 euros a year for a young adult in 2025. Basic policies with no copago from the large Spanish insurers usually fall between 450 and 800 euros. Specialist expat or student products can cost the same or less.

Price depends on your age, your province and the insurer, and it changes each year. Get at least three quotes and check each one says "no copago" and "no waiting periods" before you compare prices.

Ask your university first

Many Spanish universities do not run their own health plan, but their international office can advise you. Some arrange group policies with an insurer for international students. These are often cheaper and already meet visa rules. Private business schools more often require you to buy an approved policy or sell you one.

Ask the international office what proof of insurance they want. The documents list below shows what you will usually need to hand over.

What the seguro escolar covers

The seguro escolar is a state insurance for students under 28 in Spanish education, from the 3rd year of ESO through bachillerato, FP and university. You pay a small yearly fee when you enrol. International students legally enrolled in Spanish centres can have it if they pay the fee.

It covers:

• accidents at school
• surgical and medical care after an accident
• some benefits for death and disability
• illness only in a few limited cases

It does not replace full health cover, and it does not satisfy the visa insurance rules. You still need the private policy.

If you are over 28 or outside these schemes

You cannot use the seguro escolar, and you may not be able to use the Spanish public health system either. Private cover is then your route. A public scheme called the Convenio Especial can be an alternative later in your stay. Ask your local health office whether you qualify.

Documents you need

• Proof of private health insurance valid in Spain, issued by an insurer authorised in Spain, covering medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the whole stay, with no copago and no waiting periods.

• Evidence of insurance valid in Spain for your university or school, if its international office asks for it.

• Proof of payment of the seguro escolar fee, if you are under 28 and enrolled in Spanish education. It does not replace the private policy for your visa.

Frequently asked questions

Does the seguro escolar count as health insurance for my student visa?

No, the seguro escolar does not satisfy the health insurance rules for a student visa. It is a small state insurance for students under 28 that mainly covers accidents at school, so you still need a separate private policy for the visa.

How much does a student-compliant private policy cost per year?

A student-compliant private policy typically costs about 400 to 1,000 euros per year for a young adult, based on 2025 prices. Basic plans with no copago from the larger insurers usually fall between 450 and 800 euros. Get several quotes, as age, province and insurer all change the price.

Will my university provide the health insurance I need?

Some universities arrange group policies with an insurer for international students, and these are often cheaper ones that meet visa rules. Many universities only give advice, and private business schools more often require or sell an approved policy. Ask the international office before you buy.