Health Insurance for Students in Spain

How much does student health insurance cost in Spain?

Visa-compliant student health insurance in Spain starts at around €41–€55 per month in 2026. Sanitas International Students is published from €41.45/month, Adeslas Welcome from €660 per year (about €55/month, paid once). ASISA and DKV give prices through an online quote that depends on age and length of stay. The public Convenio Especial costs €60/month for under-65s, but you can only join after one year of residence in Spain.

Compare all options with our Insurance Finder quiz to see which plan matches your visa type, budget and city.

Is health insurance mandatory for international students in Spain?

Yes — non-EU students staying more than 90 days must show health insurance for the study visa. The official requirement is a policy from an insurer authorised in Spain with benefits comparable to the Spanish public health system, valid for the whole stay. Consulates add that it must have no co-payments or deductibles and no waiting periods; New York and Chicago ask for at least €30,000 of cover, Los Angeles also for medical evacuation and repatriation.

• Non-EU students: Private health insurance from a DGSFP-registered insurer. An EHIC is not an option.
• EU/EEA students staying more than 3 months: You need sickness insurance to register; an EHIC valid for the whole stay is accepted.
• Exchange students (Erasmus+): The EHIC covers necessary care in the public system.
• Short stays (up to 90 days): No study visa. If you need a Schengen visa, travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover is required.
• Working students: A job registered with the Seguridad Social gives you public health cover. Since 20 May 2025, higher-education students may work up to 30 hours per week.

Public vs private insurance in Spain: which should students choose?

For most international students, private insurance is the only realistic choice for the first year: the consulate requires it for the visa, and the public Convenio Especial is only open after one year of residence. After that, long-term students can check whether their region accepts them for the Convenio Especial at €60/month.

Rule of thumb: start with a visa-compliant private policy. If you stay longer than a year, ask your regional health service whether you qualify for the Convenio Especial before you cancel the private policy — you still need valid insurance for every extension.

What is covered by Spain’s public system for students?

The Spanish National Health System (SNS — Sistema Nacional de Salud) is run by the regional health services. Students who are covered — through a job, the Convenio Especial or an EHIC — have access to:

• Primary care (centro de salud): General practitioners, nurses, basic tests — free
• Specialist care: Cardiology, dermatology, gynaecology etc. — free with a GP referral
• Hospital treatment: Emergencies, planned surgery, maternity — free
• Prescriptions: You pay a share of the price that depends on your income; Convenio Especial members pay 100% of outpatient prescriptions
• Mental health: Covered, but waiting times can be long
• Not covered: Routine adult dental care, cosmetic surgery, private rooms, glasses and contact lenses for adults

Maternity care, including delivery, is covered by the public system.

How do EU students from abroad use EHIC in Spain?

EU/EEA students bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and use it for medically necessary care in the public system, on the same terms as people insured in Spain. You show the EHIC at a public health centre or hospital.

EHIC limitations:

• Only covers public healthcare. Private clinics require out-of-pocket payment.
• Doesn’t cover planned treatment (e.g. if you come to Spain specifically for surgery).
• No repatriation coverage.
• For the EU registration certificate it must be valid for your whole stay.

When to add private coverage:

• If your EHIC expires before your stay ends.
• If you want faster specialist access through a private network.
• If you want repatriation cover.

Related reading: Understanding EHIC as an international student.

How do non-EU students get health insurance in Spain?

Non-EU students must buy private Spanish health insurance before applying for the student visa. Most visa policies can be bought online.

Documents required:

1. Valid passport
2. University admission letter
3. Home address (your Spanish address can be added after arrival)
4. Payment method (credit card or SEPA)

Step-by-step:

1. Compare insurers: Use our compare page to shortlist visa-compliant plans.
2. Choose a no-co-payment plan: Consulates reject policies with co-payments or waiting periods. Look for policies sold for the study visa or residence permit.
3. Request the visa certificate: After paying, download the insurance certificate for the consulate (certificado de seguro), in Spanish or English.
4. Submit with visa application: Hand it in with your admission letter, proof of funds and criminal record certificate.
5. Keep it active: Cover must run for the whole stay; you need proof of insurance again for every extension.

Which insurance do you need? Overview by student type

The insurance rule depends on your nationality and the length of your stay, not on the university — it is the same at public and private universities.

Private universities may set extra rules for their own students — check your admission documents.

Cost of living for students in Spain (2026)

Spain is one of the more affordable Western European study destinations. Universities and transport operators publish these figures:

Spain’s student visa requires proof of €600 per month (100% of the IPREM, €7,200 for 12 months) in 2026. Consulates accept, for example, bank statements, scholarship letters or a sponsor’s letter.

Visa requirements for non-EU students

To study in Spain for more than 90 days you need a study visa (visado de estudios). Consulates list these documents:

• Passport (several consulates, e.g. New York, require at least one year of validity)
• Admission letter and proof that enrolment fees are paid or exempt
• Health insurance certificate (DGSFP-authorised insurer, no co-payments or waiting periods, whole stay)
• Proof of funds: 100% of the IPREM per month — €600/month in 2026
• Criminal record certificate for stays over 180 days, from every country you lived in during the last 5 years (apostilled + translated into Spanish)
• Medical certificate stating that you have no disease with serious public-health implications
• Proof of residence in the consulate’s district
• Visa fee: paid in local currency and set per consulate — e.g. US$94 for most nationalities and US$160 for US citizens at the Miami consulate

Timeline:

• 6 to 2 months before the start: Submit your visa application
• Within 1 month of submission: Legal decision period
• Up to 1 month before the programme: Visa validity can start
• On arrival: Enrol at the university, register in the padrón
• Within 1 month of entry: Apply for the TIE (stays over 6 months)

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

1. Buying a travel insurance instead of visa-compliant health insurance. Many travel policies have deductibles, cover limits or waiting periods and are rejected. Buy a policy sold for the study visa or residence permit, with no co-payments and no waiting periods.

2. Missing the one-month TIE deadline. If your stay is longer than 6 months, you must apply for the TIE within one month of entry. Appointments (cita previa) can be scarce in big cities — look for one as soon as you arrive.

3. Forgetting empadronamiento. Register at your town hall (padrón) early. Offices often ask for the certificate, and one year of registered residence is the basis for the Convenio Especial.

4. Letting insurance lapse. You need proof of insurance for every extension of your study stay. Keep insurance active until you leave Spain, and buy a new policy before a non-renewable one ends.

5. Choosing the cheapest plan without checking the network. A low premium is worth little if there are few doctors near you. Check the insurer’s directory (cuadro médico) for your postcode before buying.

Sources

• Spanish Ministry of Health: Convenio Especial (€60/€157 per month, requirements) (opens in a new tab)
• Spanish Consulate General in New York: student visa requirements (opens in a new tab)
• Spanish Ministry of Inclusion: study stay authorisation, TIE and extension (opens in a new tab)
• Spanish government: EU citizens’ registration and EHIC for students (opens in a new tab)
• Policía Nacional: immigration fees (TIE) (opens in a new tab)
• Sanitas International Students (price and cover) (opens in a new tab)
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid: cost of living (opens in a new tab)
• Royal Decree 1155/2024 (Immigration Regulation), in force since 20 May 2025 (opens in a new tab)

Next steps: Use our Insurance Finder quiz to find the right plan for your visa, or browse all Spain-eligible plans. Planning your finances too? Check our cost-of-living comparison for European student destinations. If you’re considering Germany instead, see our Germany student guide or read the GKV vs private insurance comparison.