Insurance for residence permits in Spain: everything you need to know in 2026
If you are making residence permit (residence permit / TIE) in Spain — you can’t do without medical insurance. This is a mandatory requirement of immigration authorities. But what kind of insurance to choose in order not to get a refusal — let’s figure it out in detail. A small clarification for Ukrainians with “Temporary Protection”: insurance is not mandatory.
Я Olesya Brych, official agent DKV in Spain. I help Ukrainians and foreigners apply for insurance quickly, without unnecessary questions and with a 100% guarantee of receiving documents.
What are the insurance requirements for a residence permit in 2026?
A residence permit policy must meet the following criteria:
| Requirement | What does this mean |
|---|---|
| Full coverage | Insurance covers: consultations, simple and complex examinations, surgeries and hospitalizations ✅ |
| No time limit | Insurance must be valid all year round without interruption — DKV ✅ |
| No co-payment | No extra charges ✅ |
| Company in the EU register | DKV is registered in Spain and the EU ✅ |
| Coverage throughout Spain | Yes, all of Spain, including the islands ✅ |
⚠️ A regular travel policy or insurance from your home country is NOT suitable for a residence permit. You need Spanish health insurance from a company registered in the EU.
What types of residence permits require insurance?
| Type of residence permit / visa | Do I need insurance? |
|---|---|
| Residence permit without the right to work (no lucrativa) | ✅ Required |
| Digital Nomad Visa | ✅ Required |
| Student visa type D | ✅ Required |
| Family reunion | ✅ A must for family members |
| Residence permit for work (cuenta ajena) | ⚠️ Usually not needed if you pay into social security |
How much does insurance cost for a residence permit in 2026?
The price depends on your age and places accommodation in Spain. DKV indicative prices:
| Age | DKV Integral | DKV Mundisalud | DKV Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–17 years old | from €30/month | from €70/month | €39/month |
| 18–35 years old | from €45/month | from €95/month | €39/month |
| 36–45 years old | from €65/month | from €110/month | €39/month |
| 46–55 years old | from €76/month | from €135/month | €68/month |
| 56–65 years old | from €94/month | from €170/month | €68/month |
| 66-99 years old | €135/month |
Payment for insurance for a residence permit must be made immediately for the year, and it can be paid with any card, from any country.
Why DKV is the best choice for a residence permit
- Accepted by all consulates and foreign embassies - no questions asked
- Over 51,000 doctors and clinics throughout Spain
- DKV Salud app — doctor's appointments and online consultations
- Fast processing — the policy is ready in 24–48 hours
- Assistance in Ukrainian through our agent
- When switching from another insurance company, the carencia is often canceled.
How to apply for insurance for a residence permit: step-by-step instructions
- Step 1: Write to me on WhatsApp or Telegram - indicate the dates of birth of everyone you need to insure and their place of residence in Spain.
- Step 2: I calculate the cost and send options - free of charge and without obligation
- Step 3: You choose a plan and if you want to apply, provide all the necessary data and a passport for registration.
- Step 4: After that, I apply for a policy, send all the data to the insurance company and wait for a response from them. After the insurance company confirms the policy, it needs to be signed and paid for, everything happens completely online.
After that, I send you your policy and a special certificate for immigration authorities, consulate, etc.
💬 Write to me on WhatsApp or Telegram, or leave a request on the website and I will contact you.
Frequently asked questions about insurance for residence permits
❓ Will they accept a DKV policy when applying for a residence permit?
→ Yes. DKV fully complies with all the requirements of Spanish immigration law. The policy is accepted at all consulates and foreign authorities.
❓ Is insurance required for children when applying for a residence permit?
→ Yes, if a child is included in the application for a residence permit, he or she also needs insurance.
❓ Is it possible to take out insurance while outside Spain?
→ Yes, everything is done remotely - via WhatsApp/Telegram and email. The policy is valid from the date of activation.
❓ What happens if the insurance expires during the validity of the residence permit?
→ All medical policies, like other types of insurance in Spain, have automatic renewal, meaning your policy will automatically be extended for another year.
❓ Is there insurance without a waiting period (sin carencia)?
→ Yes. Insurance for residence permits - no waiting periods.
Other insurances (not for residence permits) come with waiting periods. Waiting periods of 6-12 months for complex examinations, operations and hospitalizations, but if you have insurance with another insurance company and want to switch to DKV, then DKV cancels all waiting periods for such customers (except for childbirth, for childbirth there is an 8-month waiting period).
❓ How much does insurance cost for the whole family?
→ Yes, of course. Family policies are much more profitable to take out, as they have additional discounts for the number of people in the policy. You can get additional 15% discounts if there are 4 or more people in the insurance.