I’ve finally just about finished preparing all the documents for my parents’ family reunion application. It’s been a process with quite a few hurdles, especially when it came to health insurance—what a headache! I’ve seen many people on the forums asking about this, so I decided to write a post to share the experiences from my research and consultations. I hope this helps those in need.
Key Requirement: Meeting Immigration Office Standards
First things first, it’s crucial to understand that buying insurance for your parents’ family reunion isn’t just for peace of mind; it’s to meet the strict requirements of the immigration office. Simply put, the policy must be a private health insurance plan with “no co-payments, no waiting periods, and full coverage.” These three points are non-negotiable.
- No Co-payments (Sin Copagos): This means that for appointments, tests, hospital stays, etc., you don’t have to pay anything extra beyond the monthly premium. This is vital for parents who have just arrived in Spain and may need frequent medical care.
- No Waiting Periods (Sin Carencias): This means that as soon as the insurance contract is active, all medical services are immediately available. There are no restrictions where you have to wait several months to use a specific service. This is mandatory when submitting your application, and the insurance company must provide a specific certificate to prove it.
- Full Coverage (Cobertura Completa): The plan must include everything: primary care, specialists, emergencies, hospitalization, surgery, etc. It should be comparable to the services provided by the Spanish public healthcare system, similar to what you get when obtaining a health card for parents.
Comparison of Major Insurance Companies
I focused on a few major companies: Adeslas, Sanitas, Asisa, and DKV. While smaller companies might be a bit cheaper, I was worried about their limited network of clinics and the risk that the immigration office might not accept them, so I didn’t take the chance. These major providers all have specific insurance products designed for foreigners applying for residency. You just need to tell them it’s for reagrupación familiar para ascendientes (family reunion for ascendants), and they’ll know exactly what you need.
| Insurance Company | Product Features | Estimated Monthly Fee |
|---|
| Adeslas | Large network, one of the biggest local insurance companies | Around 130-160 Euros |
| Sanitas | Good service, has English-speaking customer support, slightly higher price | Around 140-180 Euros |
| Asisa | Good value for money, also a well-established company | Around 120-150 Euros |
| DKV | German-based, has a great reputation, especially for reimbursements and claims | Around 130-170 Euros |
Note: The prices above are just an approximate range. The actual premium will vary based on your parents’ age and health condition. The older they are, the more expensive it will be—that’s a given.
Pitfalls to Avoid and Personal Recommendations
Finally, let me share a few hard-won lessons. First, do not try to save money by buying travel insurance or a so-called “residency insurance”; you must purchase a proper private health insurance plan. Second, before signing the contract, make sure the insurance agent or company provides you with a detailed policy document and a certificate in Spanish stating that the plan has “no waiting periods and no co-payments” (sin carencias y sin copagos). You’ll need this certificate for your application. Third, it’s best to find a reliable insurance agent. They can help you compare plans from different companies and sometimes even get you a better price than the official website. I went through an agent, and it saved me a lot of trouble.
Buying insurance for parents is definitely a significant expense, but it’s a necessary cost to ensure they can come over smoothly and have medical coverage here. This is not the place to cut corners. I hope everyone succeeds in reuniting with their families! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to reply.
