I’ve finally gotten most of the application materials ready for my parents to come to Spain. The most stressful part of the process was buying health insurance for them. There’s a lot of information online, but it’s a bit scattered. I’ve researched several insurance companies and consulted with friends who have gone through this before. Now that I’ve figured things out, I’m sharing my experience here to help others in the same situation and hopefully save you some trouble.
Why Do You Need a Special Insurance for Family Visits?
First, let’s be clear: having a valid health insurance policy is a mandatory requirement for applying for a family visit visa to Spain. The embassy requires the insurance to cover the entire Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, and it must include costs for medical repatriation and repatriation of remains. Most importantly, the policy must have “no deductible” (zero excess). Standard travel insurance policies sometimes don’t fully meet these requirements or have limited coverage, so the safest option is to choose a plan designed for foreigners or non-residents from a local Spanish insurance company.
Comparison of Major Insurance Companies
I primarily compared the three major insurance companies in Spain: Adeslas, Sanitas, and Asisa. They all offer insurance products specifically designed for foreigners applying for residency or visas. These products are typically “sin copago y sin carencias,” which means they have no co-payments (deductibles) and no waiting periods. This makes them effective immediately upon purchase and ideal for parents on a short-term visit. Here is a simple comparison table I’ve put together for your reference:
| Insurance Company | Product Features | Estimated Monthly Fee | Purchase Channels |
|---|
| Adeslas | Extensive coverage, large network of partner hospitals | 50-70 EUR/person | Website, agents, banks |
| Sanitas | Good service reviews, English customer support | 60-80 EUR/person | Website, phone, agents |
| Asisa | Relatively competitive pricing | 45-65 EUR/person | Website, partner institutions |
Note: The prices above are just a general range. The final premium will vary based on your parents’ actual age; the older they are, the higher the premium. It’s a good idea to contact several agents, as they can sometimes offer better prices than the official websites.
I ultimately chose Adeslas, mainly because there’s a partner clinic near my home, making doctor visits convenient. The purchase process was also very simple. I contacted an agent and provided my parents’ passport information and their expected arrival date. This insurance is for the visa application, a separate process from actually getting a health card for parents once they are in Spain. After payment, I received the digital insurance certificate and policy the same day, which were perfectly fine to submit with the visa application materials. I hope my parents’ visa gets approved smoothly and they can join me soon! I also wish everyone else going through this process the best of luck! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment and discuss below.
