Switching and cancelling a policy

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. Whatever you change, notice rules and waiting periods can catch you out. A careless switch can leave you uncovered or restart waiting periods you have already served. The pages here show you how to avoid that.

Start with "How to switch health insurers without losing cover". It sets out the safe order for changing insurer, and most of the other pages build on it.

Then pick the page that fits your situation:

• Cancelling a policy: "Cancelling a health policy: notice, renewal and refunds".
• Getting public healthcare access: "Cancelling private cover once you get public access".
• Moving off a visa policy: "Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one".
• Moving within Spain: "Does your network follow you if you move within Spain?".
• Leaving Spain: "What to do with your policy when you leave Spain".
• Wondering why changing is hard: "Why your first Spanish insurer is hard to leave".

Key rules

• Notice to cancel: To stop an annual health policy from renewing, give written notice at least one month before the renewal date, in a way that proves it arrived.
• Cooling-off period: A policy bought online or by phone can be withdrawn within 14 days, and you pay only for the cover you actually had.
• Insurer notice: An insurer that does not want to renew must give you at least two months' written notice before the policy expires, and the same two months applies to premium changes.
• New waiting periods: A new policy with a different insurer is a new contract, so waiting periods normally start again unless the new insurer agrees in writing to recognise your earlier cover.
• No gap in cover: If your residence permit depends on private cover, start the new policy on or before the day the old one ends.
• Order: Cancel the old policy only after the new one is active.

Switching and cancelling a policy: the whole process, step by step

• Read your policy conditions and decide whether to switch, cancel or leave (start with Why your first Spanish insurer is hard to leave): Several months before your renewal date

• Get quotes and ask the new insurer in writing whether it will recognise your earlier cover; answer its health questionnaire fully and truthfully (How to switch health insurers without losing cover): Before you cancel anything. An inaccurate answer lets the insurer cancel the contract within one month of finding out, or refuse a claim and keep the premiums if it was serious or deliberate

• Watch for the insurer's renewal letter. If it changes the premium, it must tell you: At least two months before renewal. If you reject the increase, you can cancel with one month's notice before renewal

• Send written notice to stop renewal, in a way that proves it arrived (Cancelling a health policy: notice, renewal and refunds): At least one month before the renewal date

• Start the new policy before the old one ends. If your residence permit depends on private cover, start it on or before the day the old one ends (Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one): A few days to one month of overlap, at most one extra month's premium

• If you bought the new policy online or by phone and change your mind, withdraw: Within 14 days, paying only for the cover you had

• If you gain public healthcare, ask your insurer in writing to end the policy early, otherwise wait for renewal (Cancelling private cover once you get public access): Once your entitlement is confirmed; without the insurer's agreement, give one month's notice before renewal.

• If you move province, ask the insurer about early cancellation or check your network (Does your network follow you if you move within Spain?): Before you move; otherwise give one month's notice before renewal

• If you leave Spain, request cancellation with proof of leaving, and stop the bank direct debit only after written confirmation (What to do with your policy when you leave Spain): At least one month before renewal; mid-term only if the insurer agrees

• If the insurer refuses a valid cancellation or switch, complain to its customer service, then to the insurance supervisor (DGSFP): The insurer has two months to answer; go to the supervisor if it rejects the complaint or does not answer in that time

Documents you may need

The home and the lease

• Your policy contract — Does your network follow you if you move within Spain?

Other documents

• Your policy conditions
• The renewal letter from your insurer — Why your first Spanish insurer is hard to leave, Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one
• Your written cancellation notice — Cancelling a health policy: notice, renewal and refunds, What to do with your policy when you leave Spain
• Written non-renewal notice to the old insurer — How to switch health insurers without losing cover
• A copy of the health questionnaire you answered when you took out the policy — Why your first Spanish insurer is hard to leave
• Written cancellation notice sent by a means that proves it arrived — Cancelling private cover once you get public access
• Current certificate or policy document from your insurer — Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one
• Proof that premiums are paid for the period — Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one
• Your previous insurer's certificate of cover showing the dates you were covered — Moving from a visa-compliant policy to an ordinary one

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Switching and cancelling a policy: questions that cross several articles

Will I have to serve waiting periods again if I switch insurers?

Yes, a new policy with a different insurer normally restarts waiting periods unless the new insurer agrees in writing to recognise your earlier cover. Emergencies and accidents usually have no waiting period, and company group policies often have none. Read How to switch health insurers without losing cover before you cancel.

What happens to a condition I was treated for under my old policy?

The new insurer treats it as a pre-existing condition and may exclude it, add a surcharge, delay cover or refuse you. Serious chronic conditions are most often excluded; minor resolved ones are often accepted. Read How to switch health insurers without losing cover and Why your first Spanish insurer is hard to leave.

Can I cancel my policy in the middle of the year?

Usually no, because you have no general right to cancel mid-term, so the standard exit is written notice before renewal. Exceptions include a 14-day withdrawal for distance sales and early cancellation if your insurer agrees. See Cancelling a health policy: notice, renewal and refunds and Cancelling private cover once you get public access.

Will I get unused premium back if my policy ends early?

Generally no, because a voluntary mid-term cancellation or non-payment brings no refund beyond what your contract provides. A refund is due if the insured risk disappears, mainly on the holder's death, or if you withdraw within 14 days of a distance sale.