Do digital nomads need health insurance in Spain?
Spain offers an incredible lifestyle for remote workers, but even in a country with a strong healthcare system, private coverage is essential for digital nomads. Here’s why:
- Upfront payment in private hospitals: Foreigners are often asked to pay before treatment. Without insurance, even a short hospital visit can run into the thousands.
- Public healthcare limitations: EU citizens can use their EHIC/GHIC for basic care, but waits are long and English is limited. Non-EU citizens don’t have this option.
- Everyday risks: From surfing in San Sebastián to riding scooters in Barcelona or skiing in the Sierra Nevada, accidents are common and rarely cheap.
- Regional differences: Big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia have international hospitals with English-speaking staff. In smaller towns or the islands, language barriers can make insurance support even more important.
💡 In short: For a few months or a full year in Spain, health insurance gives you fast access to private hospitals and protects you from unexpected costs.
What’s the difference between travel insurance and digital nomad insurance in Spain?
Many nomads arrive with standard travel insurance for Spain, only to find it doesn’t work for long stays or the Digital Nomad Visa. Digital nomad health insurance is designed for remote workers in Spain, covering hospital visits, outpatient care, and everyday risks.
Here’s how they differ in practice:
Length of stay
Travel insurance usually stops after a few weeks and requires a return ticket. Nomad insurance can continue month by month or cover you for a full year.
Visa documentation
Travel insurance rarely provides the official certificates Spanish authorities ask for. Nomad insurance can issue paperwork that many consulates request, although acceptance depends on the office.
Buying from abroad
Most travel insurance has to be purchased before leaving home. Nomad insurance can be started or extended while you’re already in Spain.
Work and lifestyle fit
Travel insurance is made for tourists. Nomad insurance is built for freelancers, employees, and entrepreneurs working abroad.
Healthcare coverage
Travel insurance usually only covers big emergencies. Nomad insurance includes hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions.
Activities
Many Spanish adventures, such as surfing, skiing, or hiking, are excluded from travel insurance. Nomad insurance often includes these by default, or with add-ons.
💡 If you’re coming to Spain for a holiday trip, travel insurance can be fine. Once you plan to stay longer or work remotely, digital nomad insurance is the safer and more flexible option. For a full breakdown of how travel insurance and nomad insurance differ, check out our detailed guide on travel vs digital nomad insurance.
Is Genki Traveler good insurance for digital nomads in Spain?
Genki Traveler is a strong choice if you’re spending several months in Spain and want reliable health-first coverage. With a high annual cap, a low deductible, and direct billing at many private hospitals, it’s designed for nomads who prefer comprehensive medical protection over travel extras.
Key features of Genki in Spain
- Monthly price: From €52.50 (~$58/month).
- Coverage limit: Up to €1,000,000 annually (~$1.1M).
- Deductible: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays).
- Waiting period: 14 days for non-emergencies (waived for emergencies or if you had prior coverage).
- Sports & activities: Many common activities included, such as surfing and skiing. Higher-risk or professional sports are excluded.
- Dental: Accident-related dental treatment covered up to €1,000 per case.
- Home-country coverage: Up to 6 weeks if you’ve been abroad for at least 4 weeks.
- Support services: 24/7 assistance and direct billing for inpatient stays at select private hospitals.
Unique benefits for Spain
- Works with major private hospital networks like Quirónsalud, Sanitas, and HM Hospitales.
- Direct billing can save you from paying large sums upfront during inpatient treatment.
- Predictable monthly costs make it a stable option for long stays under Spain’s digital nomad lifestyle.
Limitations to be aware of
- Excludes pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- No coverage for preventive care, maternity, or most mental health treatment.
- Alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, chiropractic) is not covered.
✅ Best for: Digital nomads staying more than a few months in Spain who want strong health coverage, straightforward claims, and the security of direct hospital billing.
SafetyWing Essential is a good fit if you’re testing life in Spain or traveling around Europe on a budget. It combines core medical coverage with travel extras like lost luggage and trip interruption, making it ideal for shorter stays or nomads who don’t need the higher medical limits of a pure health plan.
Key features of SafetyWing in Spain
- Monthly price: From $56 per 4 weeks (~$60/month) for ages 18–39.
- Coverage limit: Up to $250,000 per policy period.
- Deductible: None outside the U.S. (small copays apply only for U.S. urgent care and ER visits).
- Policy length: Flexible 5–364 day terms, auto-extended in 28-day blocks.
- Home-country coverage: Up to 30 days every 90 days (15 days for U.S. citizens).
- Travel extras included: Lost luggage (up to $3,000 per policy), trip interruption, personal liability, and evacuation in case of unrest.
- Sports & activities: Many common activities included; higher-risk sports require the Adventure Sports add-on.
Unique benefits for Spain
- No deductible outside the U.S. helps keep out-of-pocket costs low.
- Travel extras like baggage and trip interruption are useful if you’re moving around while exploring neighboring countries.
- Automatic renewals make it easy to stay covered without having to reapply each month.
Limitations to be aware of
- Lower medical cap ($250,000 per policy period compared to Genki’s €1M).
- No coverage for preventive care, cancer treatment, or most chronic conditions.
- Direct billing is rare; expect to pay upfront and file claims.
✅ Best for: Digital nomads in Spain who want affordable coverage, short-term flexibility, and extras like luggage and travel protection, but don’t need the higher limits of a health-focused plan.
Genki Traveler vs SafetyWing Essential: Which is better for digital nomads in Spain?
Which has higher medical coverage?
- Genki Traveler: Up to €1,000,000 per year.
- SafetyWing Essential: Up to $250,000 per policy period.
Which plan has a deductible?
- Genki Traveler: €50 per claim (waived for inpatient stays).
- SafetyWing Essential: No deductible outside the U.S.
Which plan includes travel extras?
- Genki Traveler: Health-only, no extras.
- SafetyWing Essential: Includes lost luggage, trip interruption, liability, and evacuation.
Which activities are covered?
- Genki Traveler: Covers many activities (surfing, skiing, trekking up to 4,000m, recreational diving). Excludes extreme/professional sports.
- SafetyWing Essential: Covers many common activities. Higher-risk sports (paragliding, motorbiking, advanced diving, mountaineering) require the Adventure Sports add-on.
Which plan is easier for hospital payments?
- Genki Traveler: Offers direct billing at many Spanish private hospitals.
- SafetyWing Essential: Usually pay upfront, then claim reimbursement.
Which plan should digital nomads in Spain choose?
- Pick Genki Traveler if you’re staying several months and want stronger health coverage with fewer upfront costs for inpatient treatment.
- Pick SafetyWing Essential if you’re on a budget, want no deductible, and value extras like travel protection.
What are the health insurance requirements for Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa?
What does Spain require for the Digital Nomad Visa?
As of September 2025, most Spanish consulates require health insurance that:
- Is valid in Spain for the full visa duration.
- Covers all medical, hospital, and outpatient expenses.
- Has no deductible, no copayments, and no coverage limits.
- Is issued by a recognized health insurer (travel insurance is not accepted).
Because of these strict rules, many applicants use local Spanish insurers.
Can Genki Native work for the visa?
- Genki Native Premium offers an option with €0 deductible.
- Coverage in Europe has no overall annual limit, which aligns with the “no limit” requirement.
- It includes broad inpatient and outpatient benefits.
- Genki can issue insurance certificates that some consulates request.
- Careful: Genki states they cannot guarantee acceptance for visa purposes, so it depends on the individual consulate.
Can SafetyWing Complete work for the visa?
- SafetyWing Complete covers inpatient and outpatient care at 100% with no deductible for most regions.
- It includes higher-end benefits such as cancer treatment, mental health, and rehabilitation.
- Documentation can be issued for visa applications.
- Attention: Some benefits still have sub-limits (e.g., certain conditions capped at $25,000 or $100,000). If in doubt, double-check with your consulate.
Bottom line for visa applicants
Advanced international plans like Genki Native (€0 deductible) or SafetyWing Complete may fit Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa requirements on paper, but acceptance varies by consulate. Always double-check the latest requirements and submit policy documents directly to your consulate before applying.
What should digital nomads know about health insurance in Spain?
- Public vs. private healthcare: Spain has one of the best public systems in Europe (SNS), but waits can be long. Non-EU nomads cannot rely on it, and even EU citizens with EHIC/GHIC often prefer private clinics for faster service. Insurance gives you direct access to private hospitals like Quirónsalud, Sanitas, and HM Hospitales.
- Upfront payments: Many private hospitals in Spain expect you to pay first unless your insurer arranges direct billing. Genki often supports direct settlement for inpatient stays, while SafetyWing usually works on a reimbursement basis.
- Regional differences: Care in Madrid and Barcelona is international-friendly, with English-speaking doctors more common. In smaller cities or the Canary/Balearic Islands, Spanish is essential. Having 24/7 English support from your insurer is a big help.
- Activities and lifestyle risks: Surfing in San Sebastián, skiing in Sierra Nevada, or motorbiking in Mallorca all carry risks. Genki covers most recreational sports by default, while SafetyWing may require an Adventure Sports add-on for higher-risk activities.
- Documentation culture: Spanish bureaucracy loves paperwork. Keep both paper and digital copies of your insurance, and consider getting key documents translated into Spanish.
- Medications & prescriptions: Many drugs that are over-the-counter elsewhere need a prescription in Spain. Make sure your policy covers both doctor visits and prescribed medication.
What’s the best health insurance for digital nomads in Spain?
Choosing health insurance for Spain depends on how long you’re staying and whether you’re applying for the Digital Nomad Visa.
For most digital nomads visiting Spain:
- Genki Traveler is the stronger choice if you’re staying several months and want robust health coverage with direct billing at many private hospitals.
- SafetyWing Essential is best if you’re on a tighter budget, want no deductible, and value extras like lost luggage and trip interruption while traveling around Europe.
For visa applicants:
- Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa requires stricter insurance (no deductible, no copays, no coverage limits). In this case, you’ll want to look at premium plans like Genki Native (€0 deductible) or SafetyWing Complete, which are more likely to meet the consulate’s standards. Always confirm acceptance with your local Spanish consulate before purchasing.
Alongside your insurance, don’t forget to set up a reliable mobile connection. Check our guide to the best eSIM's for Spain for affordable data while you travel.
