Student Health Insurance in Spain (2026): The Visa Rule and Real Prices
Jules
Editor
Updated: October 2026 | Found helpful by 4 others
A Spanish student visa needs health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, with benefits like the public basic basket, for the whole stay (RD 1155/2024 art. 35.i). The only student tariff an insurer publishes itself is Sanitas Estudiantes (Europa) at EUR 50.90 a month (Europe cover; EUR 81.90 worldwide), on Sanitas's April 2026 tariff. Cheaper student prices exist only as comparison-site quotes. EU students on Erasmus use their European Health Insurance Card instead, as of October 2026.
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What Does the Student Visa Require?
| Topic | Rule | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa | Health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to the SNS cartera comun basica, valid for the whole planned stay. | Real Decreto 1155/2024, art. 35.i |
What Does a Student Policy Cost?
Sanitas Estudiantes (Europa): EUR 50.90 a month, Europe cover (EUR 81.90 worldwide), profile: Students, tariff band ages 10-35 (Sanitas tariff, April 2026). That is EUR 610.80 for a 12-month stay.
According to the research, almost all student visa products exclude childbirth; it found only MediFIATC Estudiantes and Clinicum Global Plus including it among 10 products compared. Check the exclusions if this matters to you.
Which Student Products Are Built for Visas?
- ASISA Health Students: Designed for the student visa, with an instant Spanish certificate; the research reports a full refund if the visa is denied before the policy starts.
- Sanitas International Students: Marketed for student visas.
- MAPFRE International Students: No health questionnaire; the research reports MAPFRE keeps 10% if the visa is denied.
- Swisscare Spain: Issued by a DGSFP-registered insurer; the research reports a full refund on visa denial.
Prices for these are not published by the insurers. Buy a policy with a refund clause if the visa is denied, and do not let it start before your consular appointment.
Which Policy Fits Your Situation?
| # | Situation | Best answer | Runner-up | Why | Ruled out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A-1 | Non-EU master's student, 24, Madrid, needs a consular certificate this week for under EUR 40 a month | No verified answerNo insurer publishes a visa-suitable student tariff under EUR 40 a month. Verified fallback: Sanitas Estudiantes, EUR 50.90 a month | MAPFRE International Students (price not published) | Cheaper student prices exist only as comparison-site quotes | Travel insurance (not accepted) |
| 4A-2 | Student, 33, with a managed pre-existing condition, worried about a health questionnaire | MAPFRE International Students (no health questionnaire; price not published) | Swisscare (price not published) | Decided on underwriting, not price | ASISA and Sanitas student products (underwriting possible) |
| 4A-11 | Erasmus student, 21, EU citizen, staying 5 months | European Health Insurance Card (TSE) and nothing else | Sanitas International Students | EU students need no visa insurance; the TSE covers medically necessary care | Any paid visa policy (unnecessary) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest health insurance accepted for a Spanish student visa?
No insurer publishes a visa-suitable student tariff under EUR 40 a month. The one insurer-published student price is Sanitas Estudiantes at EUR 50.90 a month (October 2026); lower prices appear only on comparison sites.
Do EU students need health insurance for Spain?
EU students on a short stay such as Erasmus do not need visa insurance: the European Health Insurance Card covers medically necessary care.
What if my student visa is refused after I buy the policy?
It depends on the product. The research reports that ASISA Health Students and Swisscare refund in full if the visa is denied before the policy starts, while MAPFRE keeps 10%. Check the clause before you pay.
Sources
- BOE: Real Decreto 1155/2024 (Reglamento de Extranjeria), arts. 35.i, 61.2.b, 64 (accessed 2026-10-25)
- Sanitas: Tarifas Sanitas Abril 2026 (official tariff PDF) (accessed 2026-10-25)
Change log
Updated
- Published: student health insurance in Spain, the art. 35 rule and the EUR 50.90 Sanitas student tariff
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