What health insurance do I need for Spain's non-lucrative residence visa?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Spain's immigration regulation requires health insurance (seguro de enfermedad) for the non-lucrative permit and again at every renewal. Consular guidance adds an insurer authorised to operate in Spain and cover for all risks of Spain's public health system. Washington and Los Angeles also require one year's validity, no copayments, no coverage limits, and refuse travel insurance.

Key facts

What	The source says	Source
Is insurance required	Yes: health insurance (seguro de enfermedad) is one of the specific requirements for the initial non-lucrative permit	RD 1155/2024, art. 61.2.b
Who checks it	The consulate assesses the means and the health insurance when you apply for the visa	RD 1155/2024, art. 39.2
At renewal	You must have kept health insurance during the permit, continue to have it, and prove it for the renewal period	RD 1155/2024, art. 64.2.c and 64.3.b
Insurer	Public or private insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain	Washington guidance, point 13; Los Angeles guidance, point 8; London guidance, point 6
Level of cover	All the risks insured by Spain’s public health system	Washington, point 13; Los Angeles, point 8; London, point 6
Copayments and limits	None: no copayment or coverage limit, 100% of medical, hospital and out-of-hospital expenses; Los Angeles also says no deductible and no waiting period	Washington, point 13; Los Angeles, point 8
How long	Valid for one year; Washington adds it must be kept for the whole stay and show start and end dates	Washington, point 13; Los Angeles, point 8
Not accepted	Travel insurance; Washington also refuses an insurance card as proof	Washington, point 13; Los Angeles, point 8
S1 holders	London accepts a receipt of the S1 registration on the Social Security website	London guidance, point 6

What the law says

Spain’s immigration regulation (Real Decreto 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025) lists health insurance among the specific requirements for an initial non-lucrative residence permit (art. 61.2.b). The consulate checks this requirement together with your financial means (art. 39.2). The regulation does not describe the policy in more detail.

At renewal, the regulation asks that you have kept health insurance throughout the permit and still have it (art. 64.2.c), and that you submit documents proving the insurance for the renewal period (art. 64.3.b).

What the consulates add

The Foreign Ministry’s consular pages set the practical standard. Washington, Los Angeles and London all ask for public or private insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain that covers all the risks insured by Spain’s public health system.

Washington and Los Angeles go further: no copayment and no coverage limit, so the policy pays 100% of medical, hospital and out-of-hospital costs, and it must be valid for one year. Los Angeles also rules out deductibles and waiting periods and says the policy must cover everyone named on the visa. Washington says the policy must be in Spanish or come with a Spanish translation, must show its start and end dates, and that an insurance card is not proof. Both refuse travel insurance with medical cover.

London says a receipt for registering the S1 form on the Spanish Social Security website is also accepted as health insurance for this visa.

Washington’s page notes that its content is guidance only and that the regulations in force when you apply are what count.

How much money you need: 400% of the IPREM a month, plus 100% per dependent family member (RD 1155/2024, art. 62.1).

Sources

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2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.