Choosing good private health insurance in Spain for Visa and Residence
When moving to a new country, having high-quality health insurance that safeguards your health is essential.
If you’re applying for a Visa or Residence permit in Spain, you may be required to have private medical insurance, without copayments.
But how do you choose the right one? We’re here to guide you through the essential details.
This article was created in collaboration with ASSSA Insurance.
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE IN SPAIN
Private health insurance in spain
Private healthcare in Spain runs alongside the public system, with some hospitals offering both private (privado) and public healthcare services (asistencia sanitaria pública). Private health insurance is a very popular option for many people, especially expats.
The perks of private healthcare
The perks of private healthcare are:
- you will receive shorter waiting times for appointments and treatments
- you can book appointments at a time most convenient for you
- you will be able to choose which clinic, doctor or specialist you visit
- you can receive personal and professional attention in your language
- you can get preventive medicine with extensive annual check-ups and second medical opinions
- you can get personalised help from the insurance company if you have any doubts.
The cost of private health insurance in Spain
The cost of private health insurance in Spain varies depending on the company, the type of modality or the plan you choose. For that reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the different options offered by the insurance company.
Things to take into consideration
Choose wisely
Choose an insurance company with a friendly, professional approach vs. the cost
People value personal, direct attention over automated systems, especially when dealing with something as vital as health. Friendly service and empathy are qualities we all appreciate, so it’s essential to choose a company with sensitive, well-trained staff. Ideally, each policyholder should have a dedicated contact person from the start, allowing them to speak with someone familiar whenever needed. Trained staff should also provide transparent assistance with administrative processes and answer any questions, both when setting up the policy and throughout its term.
When selecting private health insurance, it’s important to consider the quality of coverage and benefits rather than simply choosing the lowest price. Focusing solely on cost can lead to unexpected expenses during emergencies if the coverage falls short. By carefully evaluating each plan, you can ensure you have the right protection for your healthcare needs.
Speedy procedures for Visa and Residence permit purposes
Choose an insurer that makes procedures easier
Speed is of the essence when obtaining your Visa and Residence permits in Spain. Having an insurer that makes the arrangements in a simple way and issues insurance policies in the shortest possible time is key.
Multilingual attention
Choose a company you can talk to without language barriers
It is essential to choose a health insurance company that has multilingual professional staff, so any queries you may have can be clarified.
It is also important that medical directories have international clinics or centres that offer either customer attention in other languages or a translation service. This will ensure you can talk to them about any ailment, diagnosis or treatment in your own language.
Copayments
Choose medical insurance without copayments
Copayments are the amount that the insured must pay when using certain services included in the policy, so their use can generate a significant increase in the cost of insurance.
If you are applying for a Visa or Residence permit in Spain and you need private medical insurance, one of the requirements is to have a policy without copayments.
Plus, one of the benefits of having health insurance without copayments is that you only pay the premium, with no additional payments needed.
No premium increase with age
Choose a health insurance company that maintains the price in the contracted age bracket
As you get older and move from one age bracket to another, some companies increase the premium and so the price rises as the years go by. You should be considering the option of choosing a private health insurance company that doesn’t increase the premium with age, as the long-term amount will be cheaper.
Lifetime coverage
Choose a company that will never cancel your insurance
When choosing health insurance, it’s crucial to know if the provider can cancel your policy, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar country. A company that offers lifetime coverage ensures you won’t lose your health insurance as you age or develop health conditions, sparing you the challenge of finding new coverage later on.
Free choice of doctor
Review your policy to see if you have the freedom to choose your own doctor; this will depend on both your health insurer and the specific terms of your plan.
About ASSSA Health Insurance
ASSSA Insurance is a national company with more than 80 years of experience and is highly specialised in dealing with international citizens. The company’s health insurance policies comply with the requirements for obtaining the Visa and Residence in Spain. It also immediately issues the policies and provides the certificate required for presenting your documentation, making it easier for you to enter Spanish territory.
ASSSA Insurance guarantees peace of mind for its policyholders by offering medical, surgical and hospital cover and by having multilingual professionals across its branch offices ready to answer your questions and inform you about the contractual conditions with complete transparency.
In addition, the company offers many more benefits: an extensive list of medical directory with prestigious doctors and international clinics equipped with the latest technology, access to services without waiting lists and an extensive network of offices.
ASSSA prioritises your health and offers personalised medical insurance options in Spain, tailored to your needs with flexible start dates. This makes the Visa or Residence application process faster and ensures a comfortable and worry-free stay in Barcelona.
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