How do you find Private Health Care in Spain?

[CJKOBOR]

Hi, I'm Catherine and have US and Hungarian citizenship. I am planning on moving full time to Marbella Spain at the end of 2025 and need help navigating the need to obtain private healthcare. Does anyone have experience or knowledge with this issue?

[CEPEE 0]

Hi Catherine! That's very exciting. Since you are a Hungarian citizen you are eligible to access the Spanish public health insurance program. However, you would need to first obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access the benefits. There's some information here on how to apply for yoru EHIC: https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/european-health-insurance-card/how-use-card/spain-european-health-insurance-card_en

Regarding private health insurance, the most popular private health insurance providers are:

Sanitas
Adeslas
Asisa
DKV
Assa

You can often request a quote on their respective websites or speak to someone on the phone to discuss the right plan for you.

I am from the US and reside in Spaina and I have a private plan with Sanitas.

If you have any questions just let me know.

Cepee Tabibian, IL Correspondent - Spain

[CEPEE 0]

Hi Catherine! That's very exciting. Since you are a Hungarian citizen you are eligible to access the Spanish public health insurance program. However, you would need to first obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access the benefits. There's some information here on how to apply for yoru EHIC: https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/european-health-insurance-card/how-use-card/spain-european-health-insurance-card_en

Regarding private health insurance, the most popular private health insurance providers are:

Sanitas
Adeslas
Asisa
DKV
Assa

You can often request a quote on their respective websites or speak to someone on the phone to discuss the right plan for you.

I am from the US and reside in Spaina and I have a private plan with Sanitas.

If you have any questions just let me know.

Cepee Tabibian, IL Correspondent - Spain

[LAW4ECON]

Cepee, I am also thinking of moving to the Costa del Sol and have dual citizenship (US and German) but since I did not contribute to the German health plan and have no German health card I do not appear eligible for that EHIC (which is on the back of the German Health card in any case) Also I am over 75, so I do not see a plan that will insure me and meet the requirements for the Spanish visa. ASSSA is the only one that I found that insures new clients over 74 and their plan for up to 79 is the Basic Plan, which they say does not meet the visa or residencia requirements. Do you have any other information?
Ken Vogel

[CEPEE 0]

Hi Ken,

Costa del Sol is a great choice!

I'm sorry to hear you're not eligible for EHIC coverage, which means you’ll need to take out private health insurance plan. And, it’s true that many private insurers in Spain have age caps, often around 74.

That said, you should still be able to find a plan. There are brokers who specialize in finding coverage for expats in exactly your situation. I recommend checking out Gidea–Insbrok. They’re an expat insurance broker in Spain and can often help find plans even for those over 75 or with pre-existing conditions. You can get a free quote through my link: https://insbrok.com/shehitrefresh/

Also, once you’ve been living in Spain for over a year and have been registered with your local town hall (‘empadronado’), you may be eligible to apply for the public health insurance scheme called the Convenio Especial. This is a monthly paid plan through the Spanish public system that gives you access to healthcare regardless of age. Details and applications are handled by your regional health authority, so be sure to check their website.

I hope this helps!

Best,

Cepee, IL Correspondent - Spain