According to the World Health Organization, Spain has one of the best public health systems in the world. Spanish social security payments fund the system, meaning that most Spanish residents do not need private health insurance to access health services in Spain.
In the event that you are a student or young worker and you move to Spain to study or work you have to know that Spanish law requires you to have health coverage during the entire time of your stay in Spain.
In the following article we explain the two options available: public health insurance and private health insurance.
Public and Private Health Insurance in Spain
The Spanish public health system is, without a doubt, of high quality. However, many students and young international workers choose to take out private health insurance when they arrive in Spain.
On the one hand there are citizens from countries outside the European Union. They have no other option, they have to choose to take out private medical insurance that covers all the time of their stay in Spain. However, for EU citizens it is different, for them it is not necessary to take out private insurance since they have free access to public health insurance in Spain with their European Health Insurance Card. This card also works for those citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Benefits of having private insurance in Spain
When we travel outside our country for a while, aspects such as health take on a more important value in our lives. Taking out private insurance in Spain gives you access to different private hospitals that offer faster than public hospitals in the country.
In addition, some of them have specific services for international patients. This is the case of HM Hospitales, who, for example, provide patients with a personal medical translator at no additional cost.
Another benefit of having private health insurance in Spain is that it will help cover additional costs such as pharmacy prescriptions or visits to the dentist.
Health insurance for non-EU citizens
If you move to Spain for a period of more than 3 months and you are from any country outside the European Union (EU), you must take out private health insurance that covers the duration of your stay in Spain.
This is a mandatory requirement for any visa application, as proof of sufficient coverage must be submitted with the application.
In the event that you visit Spain as a tourist (visit for less than 90 days), you should also take out a private health insurance plan, however, in this case you can take out insurance called "travel insurance plan" for your holiday in Spain from your home country.
In summary, whether or not it is mandatory that you take out private health insurance for your stay in Spain, having one is a good idea. Especially for students and young international workers who move to Spain for a certain period of time.
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