Everything people ask before taking out DKV: plans, prices, waiting periods, residence permit
DKV is a German insurance group that has operated in Spain for more than 25 years and serves over 2 million clients. I am Olesia Brych, an official DKV agent, and on this page I have gathered everything people usually ask before taking out a policy: which plans exist, how much they cost, what they do and do not cover, how long you wait for surgery, which policy to choose for a residence permit and whether repatriation is included. No advertising, just numbers.
In short: which DKV insurance to choose
DKV Integral
the choice of 8 out of 10 of my clients. Full coverage in the DKV network, available with or without co-payments. Suitable for residence permits.
DKV Visado
created for residence permits and visas: no co-payments, no waiting periods (except childbirth), with repatriation and a certificate for Extranjería. Up to age 75.
DKV Selección
no age restrictions, fixed price by age group. The only option for people 75+. Suitable for residence permits.
DKV Mundisalud (Reimbursement)
freedom of choice: any doctor or clinic in Spain and the world, insurance reimburses 80–90% of costs.
If you're not sure, email me the birth dates of everyone you need to insure and the city. I'll calculate the options for free and explain the difference.
DKV plan comparison
| DKV Integral | DKV Visado | DKV Selección | DKV Mundisalud | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price with co-payments (copago) | from €17/month | — | from €39/month | from €61/month |
| Price without co-payments | from €45/month (adult), from €30/month (child) | from €37/month (base €57, promotion up to 35%) | €39/month | on request (quote) |
| Where to get treatment | DKV network: 51,000+ doctors, 1,000+ centers | DKV network + reimbursement outside the network | Own DKV-UMLF network | Any doctor and clinic in Spain and abroad |
| Copago (co-payment per visit) | Choice: with or without co-payments | None | Choice: with or without co-payments | Optional |
| Waiting periods | 6–12 months for surgeries, MRI/CT, hospitalization, childbirth | None (childbirth only: 8 months) | Yes | Yes |
| Age restrictions | Yes | Up to 75 years old | No, they are issued even at 75+ | Yes |
| Suitable for residence permit / visa | Yes (no copay option) | Yes - created for this, with a certificate | Yes (no copay option) | Yes |
| Dentistry | 50+ free treatments | 50+ free treatments | Basic coverage | Included |
| Emergency assistance abroad and repatriation | Up to 180 days, limit €30,000 | Up to 180 days, limit €30,000, repatriation | Included | Up to 180 days, limit €20,000; treatment abroad — 90% reimbursement |
| Best for | For families, working people, and everyone who wants the «golden mean» | For those who apply for a residence permit or visa | For older people, those who have been rejected by other companies | For those who already have «their» doctor or travel frequently |
Prices «from» - official DKV rates with a promotional discount of up to 35% in the first year; the final amount depends on age, province and the option with or without co-payments. For a residence permit the option without co-payments is required, paid for the full year upfront with a card from any country.
DKV prices without co-payments, by age (2026)
These are the policies required for a residence permit and are most often chosen by families with children. DKV Visado - from €37/month for any age up to 75 years; Mundisalud with reimbursement - by individual calculation, from €61/month:
| Age | DKV Integral (no co-payments) | DKV Selección |
|---|---|---|
| 0–17 | from 30 €/month | €39/month |
| 18–35 | from 45 €/month | €39/month |
| 36–45 | from 65 €/month | €39/month |
| 46–55 | from 76 €/month | 68 €/month |
| 56–65 | from 94 €/month | 68 €/month |
| 66–99 | — | 135 €/month |
Discounts that accumulate
- Promotion 2026: up to 35% in the first year, then 28%, 21%, 14% and 7% - the discount is valid for 5 years.
- For payment method: 2.8% quarterly, 4.6% semi-annually, 7% annually.
- By the number of insured: 10 % for three people and 15 % for four or more (DKV Integral); with Mundisalud, 7 % for four and 12 % for five or more.
Types of DKV policies - in detail
What is carencia and how long to wait?
Periodo de carencia (waiting period) — this is the time after signing the policy, when some complex services are not yet available. Consultations, tests, simple examinations, dentistry and emergency care work from the first day. You have to wait for MRI/CT, scheduled surgeries, hospitalization and childbirth. Below are the terms for DKV Integral under the current conditions:
| Service | Available |
|---|---|
| Therapist, pediatrician, specialists, tests, X-rays, ultrasound, dentistry, physiotherapy | From day one |
| Emergency care, surgeries and hospitalization due to life-threatening conditions or accidents | From day one — no waiting period applies |
| MRI, CT and other high-tech diagnostics; minor outpatient surgeries; psychotherapy; podiatric surgery | After 6 months |
| Elective surgeries, hospitalization, surgical prostheses | After 8 months |
| Childbirth, cesarean section | After 8 months |
| Transplantation, HIV treatment | After 12 months |
Two important exceptions. DKV Visado for a residence permit comes with no waiting periods: everything except childbirth is available from day one. And if you switch to DKV from another private insurer with no gap between policies, your time insured carries over and waiting periods are waived, except for childbirth.
What is copago and is it worth it?
Copago is a small fixed co-payment for each doctor's visit or examination, on average €2–3. In return, the monthly contribution is lower.
- Take with copago, if you are healthy, young, and go to the doctor once or twice a year for preventive care.
- Take without copay, If you have small children, frequent visits to specialists, or need a policy for a residence permit, Extranjería only accepts the sin copago option.
What does DKV insurance cover?
Using the example of DKV Integral, the most popular plan:
- Therapist, pediatrician, nursing care, 24-hour emergency care.
- All narrow specialists: cardiologist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, traumatologist, gynecologist, oncologist and others.
- Diagnostics: ultrasound, MRI, CT, radiation therapy, lithotripsy.
- Hospitalization without a limit on days (psychiatry - up to 60 days per year) and surgery.
- Pregnancy and childbirth management, including 3D/4D ultrasound and non-invasive prenatal screening as indicated.
- Dentistry: over 50 free procedures, the rest at special prices.
- Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, podiatry without limiting sessions according to medical indications.
- Psychotherapy: 20 sessions per year, up to 40 for insured persons under 24 years of age, for eating disorders, bullying and cyberbullying, stress at work, and domestic violence.
- Speech therapist: up to 20 sessions per year based on medical diagnosis.
- Emergency assistance abroad: trips up to 180 days, limit €30,000.
- Compensation of €80/day from the third day (up to €2,400 per year) if the hospitalization was not paid for by DKV.
- Second medical opinion, 24/7 doctor's line, psychological support line.
- Access to a network of 7 of the top 10 hospitals in Spain: Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Quirón, HM, Vithas, Ruber.
What no private insurance in Spain covers
- Chronic diseases and illnesses that existed before the start of the policy (they must be honestly indicated in the questionnaire).
- Aesthetic medicine.
- Optics (glasses, lenses) - in most plans, but DKV customers have a 20% + 5% discount in partner stores.
- Speech therapist «to improve speech» without a diagnosis. Through Club Salud y Bienestar from DKV, 10 sessions cost from €179 instead of €250–400.
This is a market standard and not a DKV feature. Read more: not covered by private health insurance.
DKV insurance for residence permit, student visa and Digital Nomad
For a residence permit, the policy must meet five requirements: full coverage (consultations, examinations, surgeries, hospitalization), year-round validity, no co-payments (sin copago), EU-registered company, coverage throughout Spain including the islands. Consulates often add a sixth requirement: repatriation.
DKV Visado — a policy created for residence permits
DKV has released a separate product for these requirements - DKV Visado. How it differs from the usual Integral without co-payments:
- No waiting periods: surgeries, hospitalization, MRI are available from day one (the only exception is childbirth, 8 months). At Integral, there is a 6–8 month wait for this.
- Repatriation included: medical transportation to hospital or home and repatriation of the body to the place of burial in Spain in the event of death, plus emergency assistance abroad up to €30,000 for trips up to 180 days. This is stated in the certificate and is what consulates most often ask about.
- Certificate for Extranjería in Spanish is issued together with the policy.
- Price: from €37/month with a promotion (basic €57), payment immediately for a year with a card from any country - no Spanish account required.
- Age: up to age 75 when the policy is taken out.
Extranjería also accepts Integral and Selección without co-payments. But if you need the policy specifically for your documents and want to use it right away, Visado is usually more convenient. If you already have residency and need a policy for everyday life, we look at Integral - it often works out better value.
| Type of residence permit / visa | Do I need insurance? |
|---|---|
| Residence permit without the right to work (no lucrativa) | Necessarily |
| Digital nomad visa | Necessarily |
| Student visa type D | Necessarily |
| Family reunion | A must for family members |
| Residence permit for work (cuenta ajena) | Usually not, if you pay into social security. |
| Temporary protection for Ukrainians | Not required for documents, but gives access to private doctors without queues |
A travel policy or insurance from your home country is not suitable for a residence permit. Along with the policy, I send a certificate for immigration authorities. More details: insurance for residence permit in 2026.
How to take out DKV insurance in 1 day
- Write to me in WhatsApp or Telegram: dates of birth of everyone we insure and the city in Spain.
- Get a quote for 2–3 plans — free of charge and without obligation.
- Send data: international passport, NIE or TIE; address in Spain, Spanish phone number, email, profession; health data (height, weight, vision, chronic diseases); account in a Spanish bank or any SEPA bank. Revolut or Wise are also possible. With a Ukrainian card - only for a year at once.
- Sign online. The application itself takes 15–30 minutes; without chronic conditions the policy is approved automatically. Activation within 24–48 hours. I send you the policy, the DKV card and, if needed, the certificate for Extranjería.
Switching to DKV from another insurer without losing your time insured
If you already have private health insurance but are not happy with the company, switching to DKV does not reset your time insured: all waiting periods are waived except the 8 months for childbirth. There is one condition: there must not be a single day of gap between the old and the new policy.
- Look at the contract for the end date of the insurance year: for many companies it is January 1, for others it is the anniversary of signing.
- Notify the old company of the termination 1–2 months before this date in writing.
- Take out DKV so that the new policy starts the day after the old one ends. List your previous policy in the application form. I will help you work out the dates.
More details: how to switch to DKV from another company.
Why through me and not directly with DKV?
The price is the same: the agent does not add anything to the insurer's rate. The difference is what happens after signing. I explain the conditions in your language before you sign. I help you book a doctor's appointment when the app doesn't work, sort out a bill, get a certificate for Extranjería or the tax office. I remind you about renewals and discounts. Over 300 clients have already taken out insurance with me, and most stay for a second or third year.
Frequently asked questions about DKV insurance
How much does DKV insurance cost in Spain?
DKV Integral with co-payment (copago): from €17/month; without co-payment (the option for a residence permit): from €45/month per adult and from €30/month per child. DKV Selección: €39/month up to age 45. DKV Mundisalud with reimbursement: from €61/month. The price depends on age, province and whether you choose co-payment or not. Discounts for annual payment (7 %) and for the number of people insured (up to 15 %) add up.
What is the difference between DKV Integral and DKV Selección?
Integral is full coverage with a wider range of services and dentistry, but with age restrictions upon enrollment. Selección has more basic coverage, but fixed prices by age group and no age restrictions: it is also issued to people 75+, whom other companies refuse.
What is DKV Mundisalud and reimbursement?
This is a reimbursement plan: you go to any doctor or clinic, even outside the DKV network and abroad, you pay yourself, and the insurance company reimburses 80–90% depending on the Complet, Classic or Élite option (annual limits from €62,000 to €310,000). It also reimburses 50% of the cost of medicines up to €100 per year and vaccines up to €150.
Will the DKV policy be accepted in Extranjería?
Yes. The simplest is DKV Visado, designed for these requirements. Integral or Selección in the sin copago version with full coverage will also work. DKV is registered in Spain and the EU, covers the entire country, the policy is valid for a year and is automatically renewed. I send a separate certificate for submitting documents.
How long is the waiting period at DKV?
In DKV Integral: 6 months for MRI/CT, minor outpatient surgeries and psychotherapy; 8 months for elective surgeries, hospitalization, prostheses and childbirth; 12 months for transplantation. Consultations, tests, X-rays, ultrasound and dentistry are available immediately, with emergency care there is no waiting period. DKV Visado for a residence permit is issued without waiting periods (except for childbirth), and when transferring from another insurance without a break, waiting periods are canceled, except for childbirth.
What is DKV Visado and how is it different from Integral?
DKV Visado is a policy specifically for residence permit and visa applications: no co-payments, no waiting periods (except childbirth), with repatriation and an official certificate for Extranjería, up to age 75, from €37/month with a promotion. Integral is a policy for living in Spain with more options (with or without co-payments) and 6–8 month waiting periods for complex services. For documents, choose Visado; for everyday use, compare both.
Is repatriation included in DKV insurance?
Yes. DKV Visado and Integral offer travel assistance: medical transportation to the nearest hospital or home, repatriation of the body to the burial place in Spain in the event of death, calling a relative in the event of hospitalization for more than 5 days, emergency medical assistance abroad up to €30,000 for trips up to 180 days. Repatriation is indicated as a separate item in the certificate for Extranjería.
Does DKV have insurance without a waiting period?
Yes: DKV Visado for residence permits and visas has no waiting period (except for childbirth). For other plans, the waiting period is waived if you switch from another private insurance company without a gap between policies.
What is a DKV card and when does it arrive?
Tarjeta DKV is your insurance card with the policy number; it is shown at the clinic. The digital card appears in the DKV Salud app immediately after the policy is activated, the plastic card is sent by mail. The app also allows you to make doctor appointments and receive online consultations.
Can I insure only a child?
Yes, you can take out a separate policy for a child from birth at DKV. DKV Integral for children 0–17 costs from €30/month, and for families with children I recommend the option without copay: a pediatrician is often needed.
Does DKV cover pregnancy and childbirth?
Yes, DKV Integral covers pregnancy management, 3D/4D ultrasound, prenatal screening according to indications, and childbirth. There is an 8-month waiting period for childbirth, so the policy should be taken out before pregnancy.
How do I contact DKV if I don't speak Spanish?
DKV has a 24-hour doctor's line and an English helpline. Or it's easier to write to me: I solve such issues with customers every day - from making an appointment with a doctor to complaining about a bill. Useful numbers are collected on the page DKV contacts.
Can I take out DKV insurance while outside Spain?
Yes, everything is done remotely: WhatsApp or Telegram, email, online signature. The policy starts operating from the selected activation date.
Get a DKV insurance quote
Fill out the form and I will calculate the cost for your family and send you options within one business day. It's free and without obligation.
Thank you! Your request has been received.
Olesia will prepare the quote and send it shortly — usually within one working day.