Best Digital Nomad Health Insurance for Spain (2025 Guide) - Genki vs SafetyWing Review

Travel insurance or digital nomad health insurance for Spain are important for anyone staying in the country for work or long-term travel. Spain has become a major hub for remote workers, with cities like Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and the Canary Islands offering strong infrastructure and an easy lifestyle. In Spain, medical costs can vary and private hospitals may ask for upfront payment, so many nomads choose international health insurance to help manage medical costs during their stay.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional insurance advice. Always review the full policy wording and confirm current visa requirements with the Spanish consulate if you plan to apply for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.

Do digital nomads need health insurance in Spain?

Many digital nomads choose to have health insurance while staying in Spain because medical care in private hospitals can require upfront payment, and costs for emergency treatment, diagnostics, or specialist visits can vary across regions. Here are some practical points travellers consider:

• Upfront payment in private clinics: Visitors can be asked to pay before treatment, especially in private facilities.
• Public system limitations: EU citizens may use EHIC/GHIC for basic public care, while non-EU visitors generally cannot. Waiting times can be long, and English-speaking staff may be limited.
• Activity-related risks: Popular activities such as surfing, motorbiking, or skiing involve potential injuries that may require medical attention.
• Regional differences: Large cities often have international clinics, whereas smaller towns or islands may have fewer English-language services, making clear documentation and support from an insurer helpful for navigating care.

💡 In general, many remote workers choose international health insurance during medium- or long-term stays in Spain to help prepare for potential medical costs during their stay.

What’s the difference between travel insurance and digital nomad insurance in Spain?

Travellers often compare travel insurance with digital nomad insurance when planning a medium- or long-term stay in Spain. The two types of coverage are structured differently and are intended for different kinds of trips. Here’s how they typically differ:

Length of stay

• Travel insurance is generally designed for short trips and often has fixed trip durations.
• Digital nomad insurance is usually created for longer or flexible stays and can often be continued month by month.

Visa documentation

• Travel insurance may not always provide the type of certificate some Spanish consulates request for the Digital Nomad Visa.
• Digital nomad insurance often includes documentation for long-term stays, although acceptance always depends on the specific consulate.

Buying from abroad

• Many travel insurance policies need to be purchased before departing the home country.
• Some digital nomad insurance options allow starting or extending coverage while already in Spain.

Purpose of travel

• Travel insurance is generally structured for tourism or short visits.
• Digital nomad insurance is typically designed for people working remotely while abroad.

Healthcare coverage

• Travel insurance often focuses on emergency medical situations.
• Digital nomad insurance may include both emergency and routine medical care such as doctor visits, diagnostics, and prescribed medication, depending on the policy.

Activities in Spain

• Travel insurance may exclude certain activities popular among visitors, such as surfing, skiing, or hiking, unless an extra add-on is purchased.
• Some digital nomad insurance products include a wider range of recreational activities, depending on the policy wording.

💡 For a full breakdown of how these two types of coverage compare, see our detailed guide on travel vs digital nomad insurance.

Genki Traveler for digital nomads in Spain?

Genki Traveler is an international travel health insurance designed for long-term travellers and can be used during stays in Spain. It focuses on medical treatment abroad and includes outpatient care, inpatient care, diagnostics, and emergency support.

Key features of Genki Traveler

• Medical coverage up to €1,000,000 per insurance year
• €50 deductible per insurance case
• Outpatient visits, hospitalization, prescribed diagnostic exams (CT, MRI, X-ray, ECG/EKG, PET)
• Prescribed medication, medical materials and devices (bandages, casts, crutches, rental walkers/wheelchairs)
• Emergency dental treatment after an accident (up to €1,000 per case)
• Physiotherapy (up to 6 sessions per case) and telemedicine consultations
• Coverage for many common sports such as climbing, cycling, diving, hiking, skiing, surfing, and more (conditions apply to specific high-risk activities)
• Ambulance transport by road, air, water, or rail, plus 24/7 emergency assistance and medically necessary repatriation
• Home-country coverage: emergency treatment for up to 6 weeks per stay
• USA/Canada coverage: 7 days of emergency treatment per stay included; optional full-coverage upgrade available

Exclusions of Genki Traveler (high-level)

Pre-existing conditions, preventive care, maternity, most mental health treatment, alternative care, and certain high-risk activities such as BASE jumping, bull riding, train surfing, and wingsuit flying.

Genki Traveler Overall

➡️ Genki Traveler includes a wide range of medical benefits intended for treatment abroad, including time in Spain, with a focus on medically necessary treatment and emergency support.

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SafetyWing Essential for digital nomads in Spain

SafetyWing Essential is an international travel medical insurance plan that can be used during stays in Spain. It combines medical treatment coverage with several travel-related benefits.

Key features of SafetyWing Essential

• Medical coverage up to US $250,000 per policy period
• No deductible outside the U.S.
• Covers medically necessary inpatient and outpatient care, surgeries, medications, diagnostics (X-ray, MRI, CT, blood work)
• Emergency dental (up to US $1,000) and physiotherapy/chiropractic (up to 3 visits per injury/illness without referral; more with referral)
• Injuries from leisure sports covered up to US $250,000; motor-vehicle accidents covered when licensed and wearing safety equipment
• Travel protection: lost checked luggage (up to US $3,000), trip interruption (US $5,000), travel delay benefits, and death arrangements
• Home-country visit coverage: up to 30 days every 90 days (15 days for U.S. residents) after holding 90 days of active insurance
• No U.S. coverage unless the U.S. add-on is purchased; optional add-ons include adventure sports and electronics theft

Exclusions of SafetyWing Essential (high-level)

Pre-existing conditions (except emergency stabilization), preventive exams, pregnancy (except complications), congenital conditions, cancer treatment, mental health disorders, substance-related injuries, vision correction, organ transplants, investigational treatment, services not performed by a licensed physician, and anything occurring in the U.S. without the U.S. add-on.

SafetyWing Overall

➡️ SafetyWing Essential combines medical and travel-related benefits that can be used for international traveling, including spending time in Spain, with coverage structured around medically necessary treatment and standard travel protections.

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What are the health insurance requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?

Insurance requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa can differ between consulates, but many request broad medical and hospital coverage that is valid for the full visa duration and has no deductible or cost limits. Some consulates also require documentation from a recognized insurer rather than standard short-term travel insurance. For procedural details, see our Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa.

Travellers applying for the Digital Nomad Visa often review more comprehensive international plans for long-term stays, such as Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, and then confirm the specific acceptance criteria directly with their consular office, as requirements vary by location

What should digital nomads know about health insurance in Spain?

Spain public vs. private healthcare

Spain’s public healthcare system (SNS) is well regarded, but waiting times can be long and access rules differ depending on nationality and residency status. Many visitors use private clinics for faster appointments, English-speaking staff, and more flexible scheduling.

Upfront payments in private hospitals

Private hospitals in Spain commonly request payment before treatment. Some international insurers arrange direct billing for certain types of care, while others use reimbursement systems. Travellers often confirm these processes in advance to understand how payments will work during their stay.

Regional health care differences in Spain

Major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia usually have international clinics with multilingual staff. In smaller towns or on the islands, English-speaking services may be more limited, so carrying clear medical documents and support contact details is helpful.

Activities and lifestyle risks

Many popular activities in Spain, such as surfing, skiing, cycling, or motorbiking, carry some risk of injury. Coverage for sports can vary between insurance policies, so travellers often review activity-related terms in their plan if they expect to participate in them.

Documentation and paperwork

Spanish administrative offices often request printed documents. Keeping both digital and paper copies of your insurance certificate, ID, and policy details can make interactions with clinics or authorities smoother.

Medications and prescriptions

Some medications that are available over the counter in other countries require a prescription in Spain. Digital nomads typically check that their insurance covers doctor visits and prescribed medication if needed during their stay.

Summary: What’s the best health insurance for digital nomads in Spain?

Nomads often compare different types of international health insurance when planning a stay in Spain. The points below outline commonly reviewed features.

For digital nomads visiting Spain

• Genki Traveler
  • International travel health insurance with medical coverage up to €1,000,000/year, a €50 deductible per case, outpatient and inpatient treatment, diagnostics, medication, sports coverage, and emergency support
• SafetyWing Essential
  • Travel medical insurance with coverage up to US $250,000, no deductible outside the U.S., medical treatment, diagnostics, prescription drugs, and additional travel-related benefits such as lost luggage and trip interruption

‍For visa applicants:

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa often requires insurance valid for the full visa duration, with broad medical and hospital coverage and no deductible, though requirements vary by consulate. Some applicants review more comprehensive international plans, like Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, and then confirm the specific acceptance criteria directly with the relevant consular office.