Paid public cover (convenio especial)

It is written for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain, including early retirees and residents who are not working. After reading, you will know whether you can buy in, what it costs, and how to apply and keep your cover.

Start with "No automatic public route? Paying into Spanish healthcare (convenio especial)". It explains what the agreement is and whether you meet the conditions.

Two other pages help once you know the basics:

• "Two different things called convenio especial: which one do you need?" separates this health agreement from the social security contributions agreement that shares its name.
• "Convenio especial or another way to cover a gap in your healthcare?" compares the agreement with waiting for another route or short-term private cover.

When you are ready to act, "Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost" covers the application and payment. "Missed payments, ending or changing your convenio especial" covers what happens if you stop paying or want to cancel.

Key rules

• Monthly fee: The monthly fee is 60 euros if you are under 65 and 157 euros if you are 65 or over, the same in every region.
• Residence needed: You need at least one year (365 days) of registered residence in Spain immediately before you apply.
• Missed payments: The agreement ends if you miss fees for three consecutive months, or for five non-consecutive months.
• Own agreement: Each person signs their own agreement and pays their own fee; a spouse or children do not join yours automatically.
• No other cover: If you have any other public healthcare right, including EU cover or a mutuality, you cannot sign.
• Fee by age: Pay 60 euros a month if you are under 65 and 157 euros if you are 65 or over, in any region.

Paid public cover (convenio especial): the whole process, step by step

• Check you have no other right to public healthcare and understand what the agreement is: before you start

• Build up your registered residence: you need at least one year (365 days) of registered residence in Spain immediately before you apply

• Decide whether the convenio is the right route compared with other options, and check private insurance exclusions if you are weighing that instead: before you apply

• Complete the application and set up the monthly payment: once you meet the residence condition

• Wait for the office to resolve your application: the office has a legal period of a few months, and the real time varies by province; the agreement takes effect from the application date or from when the office grants it, with the first payment due from the following month

• Keep paying every month: monthly, with no renewal needed: the agreement has no fixed end date and stays in force while you meet the conditions and pay

• If you stop paying or want to cancel, read the guide on ending or changing the agreement: if you miss fees for three consecutive months, or for five non-consecutive months, the agreement ends

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Residence — Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost, No automatic public route? Paying into Spanish healthcare (convenio especial)
• Empadronamiento certificate — No automatic public route? Paying into Spanish healthcare (convenio especial)
• Your passport or NIE — No automatic public route? Paying into Spanish healthcare (convenio especial)

Other documents

• The INSS application form for the convenio especial de asistencia sanitaria — Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost
• A signed declaration that you have no right to healthcare by any other route — Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost
• Your Social Security number — Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost

Paid public cover (convenio especial): questions that cross several articles

Can I sign the convenio especial if I already have private health insurance?

Yes, private insurance does not by itself block the convenio, because it is not a public entitlement. If your visa required private insurance, the convenio may not replace it for your permit renewals, so ask the immigration office (Extranjería) first. Read "Convenio especial or another way to cover a gap in your healthcare?" to compare options.

Which other types of public cover stop me from signing the convenio especial?

You cannot sign if you already have a right to public healthcare, for example through Social Security, an S1 form, cover from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, or the civil-service mutualities (MUFACE, ISFAS, MUGEJU). People who qualify for universal healthcare, for example because of low income, also use that route instead. Start with "No automatic public route?

What proof of legal residence do I need to sign the convenio especial?

You need a valid residence permit or EU registration certificate, plus registration in the municipal register, and the proofs must show at least one year of residence. Accepted documents include the empadronamiento certificate, the TIE (foreigner identity card), the EU registration certificate and a passport or NIE, though offices vary. See "No automatic public route?

Does the convenio especial need renewing, and what could end it?

No, the convenio has no fixed end date and needs no renewal while you meet the conditions and pay. It ends if you miss fees for three consecutive months, or for five non-consecutive months. Read "Missed payments, ending or changing your convenio especial" for what to do next.

Will my spouse and children be covered when I sign the convenio especial?

No, each person signs their own agreement and pays their own fee, so a spouse or children do not join yours automatically. Each family member must meet the conditions separately. Read "Applying for the paid agreement (convenio especial) and its monthly cost" for how to apply.