Why you might need private health insurance when retiring in Spain

Spain has one of the best universal public healthcare systems in the world. This is known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud - SNS. If you are wanting to know how to access the SNS please read this article. There are many ways to access it either by eligibility or by paying a premium called the Convenio Especial which gives you full access for a monthly fee without any previous medical checks. However, as good as the national health system may be in Spain, some people still may decide to contract private health insurance. This may be instead of, or alongside the public health system. Also, some foreigners may not be eligible to access the SNS in their first year of residency and will need to take out private coverage.

When will you need to take out private health insurance?

There are a number of situations when you will need to take out private medical insurance, but here are the three most common for retirees:

• When applying for a Non-Lucrative residency visa
• When applying for a Golden visa
• When you want to bring a family member with you to Spain

Advantages of private medical insurance in Spain

Private health insurance in Spain can save you time and money

Having private health insurance does have its advantages. It certainly helps in reducing how long you will have to wait for a specialist appointment or surgery. This can sometimes be a point of frustration especially if the problem is severe. Waiting times have increased over the years and if you envisage needing to see multiple specialists and potentially undergo surgical interventions, having private insurance will certainly save you a lot of aggravation. It can also help considerably in reducing the cost of dental treatment as there are private plans which include dental coverage. This coverage is extremely limited in Spain through the public health system and can become very costly.

Private health insurance in Spain can give you more privacy during recovery

Another aspect to look out for is comfort. Although Spanish public hospitals are generally very good, you will have to share a room with at least one other patient. Single rooms are few and far between in the public sector. If privacy is important to you, you may want to consider private health coverage.

Private health insurance in Spain can help with the language barrier

Nowadays there is less of a language barrier between doctors and expat patients, but the Spanish national health system does not guarantee an English-speaking service. This is certainly more the case in rural areas. If the Spanish language is a challenge for you then private health insurance may be worth considering.

Where you live may be influential in your decision to contract private health insurance in Spain

Health services are primarily managed by local councils and regional governments. So depending on where you decide to live will have an influence on the level of service you may be able to receive. Typically, more rural areas have more limited medical resources when it comes to treatments and testing. As a result, you may have to travel to the nearest city for certain tests and specialists. Having private medical insurance will give you access to a huge network of clinics and hospitals that may be more convenient for you if you need regular tests.

How much is private health insurance in Spain?

This is relative to age and your current health condition but on average insurance coverage will range between €50 and €200 per month. If you are receiving regular treatment this can of course increase. There are also plans which work as top-up plans to the SNS. These plans are more limited but can cover blood tests, dental care and other services that aren't necessarily covered by the SNS. As a result, they can be much more affordable as they do not include surgery or hospitalisation for example.

How do you find a good health insurance company?

One of the best ways to find a good company is by listening to its customers. In October 2022the Organización de Consumidores y Usuario (OCU) - the organisation established to protect consumers in Spain - carried out a survey to rank the best medical insurance companies in Spain. This ranking was determined by its customers. Factors such as coverage, quality of service and general satisfaction were taken into consideration. These were the top 10 companies:

1. ACS Asistencia Sanitaria Colegial
2. CIGNA
3. GENERALI
4. FIATC
5. AGRUPACIÓN MUTUA
6. AXA
7. SANITAS
8. ANTARES
9. CASER
10. MAPFRE

As you can see, there are many benefits to contracting private medical insurance in Spain even if you have access to the national health service. If you need more help with retiring to Spain and you are not quite sure where the best place to retire is for you, please visit our guide on the best places to retire in Spain.