Health Insurance Requirements
for Spain Student Visa
Six specific requirements — every one must be met. No co-payments, €30,000 minimum, full Spain coverage, valid for the full course. Here is exactly what consulates check.
Exact Health Insurance Requirements for Spain Student Visa
Spanish consulates check your health insurance policy document carefully at your appointment. Every one of these conditions must be met — a policy that fails any single criterion will be rejected, and your visa application will not proceed.
Private Health Insurance (Not Travel, Not State)
The policy must be private health insurance — not travel insurance, not the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC), not the British NHS, not any state-funded health system. It must be a genuine private health insurance contract issued by an insurer with a registered presence in Spain.
No Co-Payments (Copagos)
The policy must have absolutely no co-payments on any consultation, treatment, prescription, or procedure. Any policy that requires you to pay even €1 per GP visit is not acceptable. Check the policy schedule carefully — co-payment clauses are sometimes buried in the fine print.
No Deductibles (Franquicias)
The policy must have no deductibles — no minimum amount you must pay before the insurance covers claims. A policy with a €500 annual deductible, for example, does not meet the requirement even if all other conditions are satisfied.
Minimum €30,000 Medical Coverage Per Year
The policy's annual medical cover limit must be at least €30,000. Most student-specific Spanish health insurance policies offer unlimited coverage or €300,000+ limits — verify the stated limit in the policy schedule.
Coverage Across All of Spain
The policy must cover you across the whole of Spain — not just the region or city where you are studying. You may need medical care in another city while travelling in Spain, and the policy must cover that.
Valid for the Full Duration of Your Course
The policy's end date must equal or exceed your course end date (or the end date of the visa period you are applying for). A policy that expires 3 months before your course ends does not meet the requirement — the consulate checks the policy dates explicitly.
What to Submit as Proof of Health Insurance
You must bring the right documents to your consulate appointment as proof of health insurance. A verbal assurance or a payment receipt is not sufficient.
Documents to Bring to Your Appointment
- Full policy document (póliza) or certificate of insurance — not just a quote
- Policy schedule showing coverage limits, exclusions, and policy end date
- Clear statement that there are no co-payments and no deductibles
- The insurer's name and registration details — confirming they are registered in Spain
- Original (or certified copy) — printed, not just on a phone screen
Common Documentation Mistakes
- Submitting a quote or proposal rather than the issued policy
- Submitting a travel insurance policy by mistake
- Policy document in English without a Spanish version or summary
- Policy showing a future start date (must be active at time of appointment or starting before travel)
- Missing the policy schedule page that shows coverage limits