Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right for every individual. In Spain, the public health insurance system, which is known as the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), provides comprehensive coverage to nearly all of its residents.
However, certain circumstances may mean that you, as an expat, are not eligible for Spain's public health insurance. If you want to move to Spain, even for a couple of months, you'll need to find an alternative - not only for your visa, but just as importantly to ensure your well-being during your stay.
Feather's Expat Health Insurance might be the perfect solution for you, if you're looking for good coverage, affordable premiums and support when you need it (in English).
Understanding Exclusions from Spain's Public Health Insurance
Before delving into alternative options, it's essential to understand the situations in which you might be excluded from Spain's public health insurance system. While the SNS generally provides coverage to all legal residents of Spain, there are exceptions. As a rule of thumb, if you are not a part of the Spanish social security system, you are excluded. As an expat moving to Spain, you may find yourself falling into this category if you are:
- A non-EU student studying in Spain
- Not working but living in Spain
- A foreign digital nomad or freelancer
- A retiree
- A job seeker
With the launch of Spain's digital nomad visa, the rise of remote working and many sun seekers wanting to escape to beautiful Spain for their studies or some retirement time-out, there are more and more foreigners finding themselves in this position.
If this sounds like you, read on!
A great alternative: Feather's Expat Health Insurance
If you're a foreigner staying in Spain - perhaps for a few months, perhaps indefinitely - then Feather's Expat Health Insurance may be a good option for your first health insurance policy.
You can sign up online (in English or Spanish) for this visa-compliant policy in just 2 minutes, and choose to pay monthly or annually, and cancel any time you like.
The policy is priced at just 45 euro for students, and from 60 euro for non-student policy holders.
What's covered?
Feather's expat health insurance is a great value for money medical insurance policy, that offers many of the perks of a full private insurance policy, but with lower premiums. This is partially due to the fact you can only stay on this policy for up to 5 years, after which you'd need to swap to a new insurance plan.
Included in your coverage are:
- Your choice of any public or private hospital or clinic
- Medical treatment, doctors visits or hospital stays if you get sick or in an emergency
- Video doctor consultations
- Dental treatment up to 1000 euro annually
- Medication prescribed to you by your doctor
- EU Wide coverage if you travel outside Spain
- Ambulance transport should you need it
- Repatriation if you need to be transported to your home country
Excluded medical expenses exclude:
- Precautionary check ups
- Treatment or medication for pre-existing conditions
Why Feather?
When you're not on public health insurance, you are responsible for paying your medical bills upfront, and then registering your claim so you are reimbursed. This means that not only is the level of coverage important, but the team behind your insurance.
As the hundreds of 4.9* ratings on Google and Trustpilot suggest, the team at Feather provide the best customer support in the industry. As an expat, dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, but Feather offers quick online sign up, contracts and free consultations in both English and Spanish. If you need to submit a claim, simply submit your receipts online and let Feather take care of the rest. As many expats prefer to stay flexible, Feather's Expat Health Insurance also allows you to sign up in 2 minutes from anywhere, to cancel anytime and to choose between monthly or annual payments.
Important to consider
When considering this plan, please bare in mind the following:
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Pre-existing conditions are excluded, but you will be covered for any medical conditions that occur while you are insured.
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The age limit to remain insured on this plan is 75 years of age.
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The maximum time to stay on this expat health insurance plan up to 5 years, after which you will need to switch to another health insurance plan.
Access to quality healthcare is a basic human right, and finding suitable health insurance solutions is essential for individuals who cannot access Spain's public health insurance.
If you wish to find an affordable and flexible private health insurance policy, then the expat health insurance policy from Feather may be a great option for you. If you're ready, sign up online and you can get your visa-compliant coverage confirmed in just 2 minutes.
If you think this might be a good option for you, but prefer to speak to a consultant first, you can also book a call with a Feather team member for a time that suits you.
