Thank you for being once again on our blog. Today we are going to talk about a topic that worries us all: private health insurance in Spain. It doesn't matter if we are in our country or traveling or residing more continuously in Spain, because having health insurance is going to be essential for our well-being wherever we are.
As you already know, all Spaniards have free access to public healthcare, as do many residents, however, private healthcare is also an option that is often necessary in certain situations (also among Spaniards), especially to obtain extra diagnostic tests, certain treatments or special hospitalization.
Advantages of having health insurance in Spain
1. Private care has a large and prestigious medical team to which you can decide to go when you need them, since you can choose between a wide variety of experts and a large number of private hospitals.
2. Special coverages. In addition to the main coverage - which includes primary medicine/care - you have access to more specific medical specialties that are difficult to access in the general regime. Most policies include special coverage that complements your insurance. These may include oral treatments, pharmacy coverage, podiatry, etc.
3. Reduction of waiting time. Each company has different waiting times, but the general concept is that if you need the services of a specialist, the wait is minimal. This is undoubtedly a decisive factor since, in serious cases, you can have a consultation with a specialist, with the benefits of a shorter waiting time and personalized attention.
4. Dental insurance. Many health insurance plans include dental insurance. On the other hand, some give you the opportunity to add it as an option. It is advisable to consider this type of coverage, since they can offer very important discounts on dental treatments.
5. Comfort at all times. In many cases you will be able to choose the hospital where you want to be treated, and you will be able to have access to a single room, ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.
6. With copayment. Health insurance with co-payment includes certain services that the client can access by paying a small additional amount, which will undoubtedly be compensated by the attention and speed.
Both Meridional and Coseba, our national reference brokerage, are going to offer you the private health insurance in Spain that best suits your circumstances and needs. You can learn more about Coseba and its professionalism in advising on health insurance in Spain in this article that we link to you.
Our procedure to advise you well begins by sitting with you and talking about what you need to feel completely calm about your health and then we will look for which health insurers best fit your needs. In the last phase we will look for the best quote so that you do not spend more than necessary.
How public health and private health insurance work in Spain
In this article we are also not only going to explain the different points to take into account when choosing private health insurance, but we also want you to know more in depth how healthcare works in Spain.
These are the various points that you should know so as not to get lost:
- The health system and health insurance in Spain.
- Who needs health insurance in Spain?
- Spanish public health insurance.
- How to access the public health system.
- Private insurance in Spain.
- Health insurance costs and reimbursements.
- Health insurance for unemployed or low-income workers.
The health system and health insurance in Spain.
The Spanish health system is among one of the best in the world. Payments to Social Security are what support this system, thus ensuring that the majority of inhabitants do not require private insurance to access health services.
Spain is ranked seventh on a list of a total of 89 countries in terms of general healthcare. This list was prepared by the 2019 Health Care Index, also demonstrating that Spain, within Europe, is only behind Austria and Denmark.
Although the Spanish state system is excellent, some foreigners choose to take out additional private coverage, thus reducing waiting times and facilitating consultation with an English-speaking doctor.
Who needs health insurance in Spain?
If you are living and working in Spain, you will generally pay income tax and Social Security, with that money going to provide you with state healthcare.
If you are not entitled to health insurance, you can pay for the treatment yourself or take out private insurance. In some regions, you can sign up for a government scheme called: special agreement, which provides social security coverage for a basic monthly fee.
If this is your case and you do not have access to public healthcare or you need more personalized care, private insurance is the best guarantee of obtaining it.
Spanish public health insurance.
Who does the public health system cover in Spain?
- Employees: All employed and self-employed workers in Spain must contribute to Social Security. This gives coverage to Spanish public health.
- Self-employed workers, self-employed workers and entrepreneurs: Self-employed people in Spain are responsible for paying their own social security contributions to access the Spanish public healthcare system.
- Spouses and children: The worker's spouse and children also have the right to public healthcare, as long as they reside in Spain.
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: People from countries belonging to the EU, the EEA and Switzerland who have reached retirement age in their country of origin have the right to free healthcare in Spain.
To do this, you must obtain an S1 form from your country of residence. Preparing this form before moving will help simplify the registration process. Residents of the EU, EEA and Switzerland who remain in Spain temporarily can also use their European Health Card, which gives them the right to receive medical treatment at the same cost as a Spanish citizen.
- Non-EU citizens: They may have to provide proof of private health insurance before obtaining a Spanish visa. However, some non-EU countries present an agreement with Spain. To find out this, you can consult the consulate or embassy of your home country before arriving.
- Students: EU citizens studying in Spain will be covered by their EHIC throughout their study period. However, non-EU students may need a private health insurance plan before arrival. The university where you study can provide you with more information.
None of these cases may be yours, but being covered in cases of illness or accident is possible with a very small monthly cost.
If you want to know
What does health insurance in Spain cover?
The TSI health card covers care from doctors and hospitals. It also covers home treatment, which can be very useful for elderly and disabled people.
Presenting this card means that you will not have to pay anything when you receive treatment in hospitals or from a doctor in Spain. However, the prescription fee at pharmacies must be paid by you at the time of purchase.
The ETI covers between 40 and 60% of the cost of prescription medications, depending on your income (90% is intended for pensioners). Although the rest of the expenses are borne by individuals, prescription medications in Spain are relatively cheap.
Dental work does not fall into the public healthcare system and must be paid in full by the person, unless they have private insurance.
Dentist fees are relatively cheap and the overall quality of care is high. However, private health insurance can cut costs by half, with dental insurance costing very little per month.
How to access the public health system.
If you are a resident in Spain, you have to register your address in the registry of your town hall. Once this is done, you will obtain a registration, which is necessary to apply for the health card.
You should also make sure you have your social security number, which your employer will give you. If you have not received it, you can process it at the General Treasury of Social Security.
Once you have your TSI card, you can register with a private doctor or at your local health center. You can choose between doctors and pediatricians, however, to consult other specialist doctors, you must be referred by your family doctor.
Private Health Insurance in Spain.
At certain times, it may be necessary to opt for additional health services, therefore, contracting private insurance at that time becomes a choice to take into account.
For example, for foreign people, it is very important to know if the private package they have contracted offers the same protection in Spain as in their country.
EU citizens who frequently travel outside the EU may also consider taking out private health insurance, as the EHIC card only covers travel within the EU.
Health insurance costs and reimbursements in Spain.
The Spanish health system is financed by contributions to the General Treasury of Social Security.
Anyone who works in Spain receives their social security number and must contribute monthly.
Monetary contributions to Social Security are automatically deducted from salaries. Employers also contribute a percentage of money for each worker, in turn giving employees the right to Spanish healthcare.
Your health insurance contributions in Spain are based on the minimum and maximum contribution rates set by the government each year.
The current payment rates were set in 2019, with employees in general contributing 4.7% of their salary to the social security system.
Of the income generated by an employee, the employer allocates an equivalent to 23.6% of this income, thus generating a total contribution of 28.3%.
Self-employed workers pay between 18.75% and 26.5%, depending on their income.
On the part of self-employed workers, depending on the income they generate from their activity, they will pay between 18.75% and 26.5%.
Health insurance for unemployed or low-income workers.
The Spanish authorities offer an entry regime, known as Special Agreement.
It is available to those who may have trouble accessing the system's benefits, such as people who become unemployed or on low wages.
This is especially a low-cost insurance scheme, which provides coverage in exchange for a low monthly fee. With this, you can choose between paying a minimum, average or maximum contribution base, thus offering good flexibility.
The special agreement is suspended during periods of normal employment, in which contributions are paid through salary.
We hope that all this information is useful for you and your environment.
In any case, please do not hesitate to contact us because we will be happy to assist you personally in our offices or by phone.
The entire insurance team speaks English.
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