If you’ve just moved to Spain and are looking into health insurance, you might come across an interesting concept called ‘carencia.’ Literally translating to ‘lack’ or ‘deficiency,’ it’s what we commonly refer to as a waiting period. It’s not like you can buy a policy and use it for everything the very next day, as one might assume. Many services, especially major diagnostics and surgeries, require a waiting period before they are covered. This is quite different from how it works in many other countries, which can be confusing for newcomers. I’ve gathered some information from the main insurance providers for us to look at and discuss.
This waiting period is primarily to prevent people from signing up with a pre-existing condition only to immediately undergo a major surgery, which would be unfair to the insurance company and other policyholders. Therefore, almost all insurance companies have these periods. For basic services like seeing a family doctor (GP) or a standard specialist consultation, there’s usually no waiting period—you can use them right away. However, it’s a different story for more complex procedures.
Comparison of Waiting Periods for Major Health Insurance Companies
I’ve looked at several major companies like Adeslas, Sanitas, Asisa, and DKV, and found that their waiting periods are largely similar, but there are differences in the details. For expats like us, understanding these is crucial to avoid discovering a service isn’t covered when you urgently need it.
Below is a simple table summarizing the waiting periods for common tests and services. Please note that the exact times depend on your specific policy, so this is just for reference:
| Service | Adeslas | Sanitas | Asisa | DKV |
|---|
| High-tech diagnostics | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
| Complex outpatient treatments | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months | 3 months |
| Hospitalization and surgery | 8-10 months | 8-10 months | 8-10 months | 8-10 months |
| Maternity-related services | 8-10 months | 8 months | 8-10 months | 8-10 months |
| Psychotherapy | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months | 6 months |
Special Cases
It’s worth noting that these waiting periods aren’t absolute. For example, in the case of a serious accident requiring emergency hospitalization and surgery, the waiting period typically doesn’t apply, and coverage is immediate. Additionally, if you are transferring seamlessly from another insurance provider, and the services offered by the new policy are similar to your old one, you can sometimes have the waiting period waived. This often applies to established Spanish medical companies and requires you to provide proof of your previous coverage, a common practice among [Spanish medical companies]. It’s worth asking the sales representative about this when switching policies, as it can save you a lot of hassle. As you settle into Spain, you will also deal with other administrative topics like [naming a Spanish company].
Planning ahead is crucial
! If you’re planning a pregnancy or anticipate needing certain medical tests, it’s best to get your insurance well in advance—maybe six months to a year. Don’t wait until you actually need it, as you’ll just be left in a bind. Does anyone have anything to add? Or have you had any bad experiences with waiting periods? Feel free to share in the comments below!
