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    Dental insurance coverage guide for expats in Spain
    Health
    11 min readUpdated January 2026

    Dental Insurance Coverage in Spain – What's Included & Excluded

    Understanding exactly what your dental insurance covers in Spain. This guide explains included treatments, discounted services, exclusions, and coverage levels for different plan types.

    Dental Insurance Coverage in Spain – What's Included & Excluded

    Spanish dental insurance isn't like health insurance – it works on a "included + discounted" model rather than percentage reimbursement. This guide explains exactly what treatments are covered, what you'll still pay for, and how coverage levels differ between plans.

    How Dental Coverage Works in Spain

    Most Spanish dental plans divide treatments into three categories:

    Fully Included

    No extra cost – covered by your premium

    Discounted Price

    Fixed reduced rate – you pay the discounted amount

    Not Covered

    Pay full price or not available through plan

    Important: Always ask for the cuadro de servicios (treatment price list) before signing up. This shows exactly what's included and what each treatment costs.

    Treatments Typically Included (No Extra Cost)

    Preventive Care

    • Annual check-up and oral exam
    • Basic cleaning (1-2 per year)
    • Panoramic X-ray
    • Fluoride treatment (children)
    • Dental sealants (children)

    Basic Treatments

    • Emergency consultations
    • Simple extractions (some plans)
    • Basic fillings (some plans)
    • Diagnosis and treatment planning
    • Second opinions

    Treatments at Discounted Prices

    These treatments aren't free but come at significantly reduced fixed prices:

    Restorative Treatments

    Fillings (composite)

    €15-40 (vs €50-80 private)

    Root canals

    €50-150 (vs €200-400 private)

    Crowns

    €120-250 (vs €300-600 private)

    Periodontal (Gum) Treatments

    Deep cleaning (scaling)

    €30-80 (vs €100-200 private)

    Root planing

    €50-100 per quadrant

    Gum surgery

    €100-300 (vs €300-600 private)

    Major Treatments

    Dental implants

    €400-1,200 (vs €1,000-2,500 private)

    Bridges

    €200-500 (vs €500-1,200 private)

    Dentures

    €150-400 (vs €400-1,000 private)

    Orthodontic Coverage (Braces & Aligners)

    What's Typically Covered

    • • Initial orthodontic assessment: Free or €20-50
    • • Traditional metal braces: 40-60% discount
    • • Ceramic braces: 30-50% discount
    • • Retainers: Often included or heavily discounted
    • • Follow-up visits: Usually included during treatment

    What May Cost Extra

    • • Invisible aligners (Invisalign): Lower discounts (20-40%)
    • • Lingual braces: Often minimal or no discount
    • • Early/interceptive orthodontics: Varies by plan
    • • Replacement retainers: May not be covered

    Waiting period: Most plans have 6-12 month waiting periods for orthodontics. If your child needs braces soon, sign up well in advance.

    Children's Dental Coverage

    Children's dental care often has extra benefits:

    Usually Included Free

    • All check-ups and cleanings
    • Fluoride treatments
    • Dental sealants
    • X-rays as needed
    • Baby tooth extractions

    Usually Discounted

    • Fillings
    • Space maintainers
    • Orthodontics (after waiting period)
    • Emergency treatments

    What's Usually NOT Covered

    Cosmetic treatments

    Whitening, veneers for aesthetics only

    Pre-existing conditions

    Teeth already needing treatment when you join

    Experimental procedures

    New or unproven treatments

    Full-mouth rehabilitation

    Complete reconstruction cases

    Treatments outside Spain

    Except emergency care abroad

    Self-inflicted damage

    Injuries from negligence or substance abuse

    Waiting Periods by Treatment Type

    Treatment CategoryTypical Waiting Period
    Preventive (check-ups, X-rays)None
    Basic (fillings, simple extractions)0-30 days
    Moderate (root canals, crowns)30-90 days
    Major (implants, prosthetics)6-12 months
    Orthodontics6-12 months

    Frequently Asked Questions

    expatinsurances.es licensed insurance team
    DGSFP Licensed

    Expert reviewed

    Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents Maya Kallio and Marco Elsinger, who have helped over 15,000 expats in Spain since 2012.

    Maya Kallio

    Licensed Insurance Agent

    Since 2012

    Marco Elsinger

    Licensed Insurance Agent

    10+ years

    Languages: English, Finnish, Spanish, German

    Frequently asked questions

    Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.

    What treatments are typically included free with dental insurance?

    Most plans include: annual check-ups, basic cleanings (1-2/year), panoramic X-rays, emergency consultations, simple extractions, and basic fillings. Some also include fluoride treatments and sealants for children.

    What's the difference between 'included' and 'discounted' treatments?

    Included treatments have no extra cost beyond your premium. Discounted treatments have a fixed reduced price (e.g., crown at €150 instead of €400). Always check the tariff sheet before treatment.

    Does dental insurance cover orthodontics (braces)?

    Many plans offer orthodontic coverage at discounted rates (40-60% off). Some comprehensive plans include a fixed annual allowance (€500-1,500). There's usually a 6-12 month waiting period.

    Are dental implants covered by insurance in Spain?

    Most plans offer implants at discounted prices rather than full coverage. Discounts range from 30-50%. Expect waiting periods of 6-12 months for implant coverage.

    Does dental insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

    Generally no. Teeth already needing treatment when you join are excluded. Some plans may cover pre-existing conditions after 12-24 months, but this varies significantly.

    Is teeth whitening covered by dental insurance?

    Cosmetic treatments like whitening are rarely covered or only partially. You might get a discount (20-30% off) but expect to pay most of the cost yourself.

    What's covered for children's dental care?

    Children's coverage typically includes: check-ups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants, extractions, fillings, and often orthodontic assessment. Braces may require additional coverage or waiting periods.

    Can I choose any dentist with dental insurance?

    With network plans (most common), you must use approved dentists. Reimbursement plans allow any dentist but cost more and typically reimburse 70-90% of costs up to limits.

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