Life Insurance for Non-Residents in Spain (2026): Can You Get Covered Without Residency or NIE?
Non-resident life insurance is nuanced: in many cases you CAN get life insurance in Spain—but approval depends on your situation, why you need the policy, and how the insurer defines eligibility. This guide is specifically for second-home owners, property buyers, and expats in transition.
Can Non-Residents Get Life Insurance in Spain?
Sometimes yes—but insurers usually want at least one of these conditions to be true:
- You have a clear connection to Spain (property purchase, mortgage, work plans, residency transition)
- You can provide stable identity documentation
- The insurer can realistically service payments (Spanish bank account preferred)
- Claims could be managed if death occurs abroad (administrative clarity)
What This Guide Answers
These are the real long-tail searches expats type into Google:
Common English Searches
- "life insurance Spain non resident"
- "can I get life insurance in Spain without residency"
- "life insurance Spain without NIE"
- "mortgage life insurance non resident Spain"
- "second home owner life insurance Spain"
More Specific Searches
- "life insurance Spain for foreigners"
- "can I get Spanish life insurance before moving"
- "can I use UK life insurance for Spanish mortgage"
- "non resident insurance approval Spain"
The biggest obstacle isn't nationality—it's administration: how payments are collected, how identity is verified, how underwriting is handled, and how claims would be managed if death occurs abroad.
Who Counts as a "Non-Resident"?
"Non-resident" can mean different scenarios—each has different insurer friction points:
Second-Home Owner
You are not tax resident in Spain and don't live there full-time. Typical scenario for holiday home owners.
Medium friction - depends on Spain connection strengthMoving to Spain Soon
NIE/residency process is ongoing but not yet complete. You're in the transition phase.
Lower friction - clear relocation intent helpsProperty Buyer with Mortgage
You're buying property and the mortgage is in motion. Often the most common reason non-residents need life insurance.
Lowest friction - mortgage creates clear Spain linkPart-Time Spain Lifestyle
You spend time in Spain but your main residency is elsewhere. Split-time between countries.
Higher friction - less clear connectionThe #1 Reason Non-Residents Look for Life Insurance: Spanish Mortgages
If you're buying property, your bank may:
- Recommend life insurance strongly
- Sometimes tie it to mortgage discounts (bonificaciones)
- Sometimes ask for mortgage-protecting structure (beneficiary or assignment)
The Key Non-Resident Question
Will the insurer issue a policy if I'm not resident yet?
Often yes—especially when there is a mortgage and Spain-based financial footprint. Related guides:
Do You Need NIE to Get Life Insurance in Spain?
Reality: Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No
Some insurers require NIE as part of identity and admin setup.
Others may accept alternatives:
- • Passport + alternative identifier
- • Proof of property purchase or mortgage paperwork
- • Local address (even if temporary)
- • Spanish bank account for direct debit
Best Strategy If You Don't Have NIE Yet
- Treat NIE as a "nice to have" but not always mandatory
- Focus on what the insurer truly needs: stable identification + payment + eligibility link to Spain
- Request quotes now—don't wait for NIE before exploring options
What Non-Residents Usually Need to Apply (2026 Checklist)
Expect to provide most of the following:
Identity & Legal Documents
- Passport (always required)
- NIE if available (sometimes required)
- Proof of address (Spain or home country)
Financial / Payment Setup
- Spanish bank account commonly preferred
- Direct debit setup for reliable payments
- Some insurers may accept EU account setups
Underwriting Basics
- Health questionnaire
- Medical reports/tests (depending on age and capital)
- Lifestyle declarations
Spain 'Connection' Proof
- Mortgage offer / loan documentation
- Property purchase contract
- Proof of relocation plans (if applicable)
The Two Best Policy Structures for Non-Residents
Non-residents tend to fall into one of two smart structures:
Mortgage-Only ProtectionSimplest
Policy amount aligned to mortgage balance with bank beneficiary or assignment if required.
Best for: Clean, simple structure that reduces underwriting friction because coverage amount is logical
Mortgage + Family Buffer
Mortgage amount protected first, remainder goes to beneficiaries for household liquidity.
Best for: Extra protection beyond mortgage, covering dependents and household stability
Assignment guide: Bank Beneficiary & Policy Assignment in Spain →
Why Non-Resident Applications Get Declined
If an insurer declines a non-resident application, it's usually due to one of these:
No Clear Connection to Spain
If you have no mortgage, no property, no relocation plan—some insurers simply don't want to issue.
Payment Uncertainty
No reliable account, frequent bank changes, or unclear payment method creates risk for insurers.
High Coverage Without Local Footprint
Requesting very high capital as a non-resident without justification triggers stricter underwriting.
Age + Underwriting Friction
Over 50 non-resident + high capital + medical history = higher probability of friction or decline.
Pre-Existing Conditions (Unstable)
Not always a decline—but can trigger exclusions, higher premiums, or more paperwork.
Related: Over 50 Guide • Pre-Existing Conditions Guide
How to Increase Approval Chances as a Non-Resident
Practical playbook for non-resident applicants:
Apply with clear purpose and realistic amount
Non-resident + huge cover = suspicion. Mortgage balance-based coverage is the cleanest.
Use stable direct debit
Set up payments from a stable account you will keep even after moving—not a temporary account.
Keep documentation tidy
Non-resident claims can be slower. Store policy details, claim checklist, keep beneficiaries updated.
If you don't have NIE yet, don't wait blindly
Request quotes and underwriting requirements now. Find out which insurers require NIE vs which don't.
If bank is pushing their policy, compare but don't rush
Bank policy can be easiest for non-residents—but not always best long-term. Switching later is possible.
Non-Resident Life Insurance vs "Using a Policy from Home Country"
Common Question: "Can I use my UK/German/Finnish life insurance for a Spanish mortgage?"
Sometimes, but banks often prefer Spanish documentation and mortgage-linked structure.
If the purpose is mortgage approval, banks want:
- Clarity and enforceability
- Payout routing that's compatible with Spanish law
- Documentation in a language they understand
Result: Non-residents often choose Spanish life insurance for the mortgage—even if they keep a home-country policy for broader family planning. The Spanish policy handles the mortgage requirement; the home-country policy provides additional coverage.
Next Step: Get Personalized Guidance
If you tell us the following, we can recommend the most realistic structure and the cleanest insurer requirements path:
- Are you buying property (yes/no)?
- Do you already have a mortgage offer?
- Your age range
- Whether you have NIE yet
- Target coverage amount (or mortgage balance)
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, Swedish
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.
Can I get life insurance in Spain without residency?
Often yes, depending on insurer rules and your connection to Spain (mortgage/property/relocation plan). Many insurers approve non-residents who have a clear Spain-based financial footprint.
Do I need NIE for life insurance?
Not always, but many insurers prefer it. Some will issue without NIE if you can provide other identification (passport) and reliable payment setup (Spanish bank account).
Can non-residents get mortgage life insurance in Spain?
Yes in many cases, especially when the application is tied to a Spanish mortgage and the insurer can set up reliable payments via Spanish bank account.
Will a non-resident claim take longer?
It can, particularly if documents are issued abroad or beneficiaries live abroad. That's why documentation planning and keeping records organized matters more for non-residents.
What's the easiest option as a non-resident?
Often the simplest path is mortgage-aligned term life with a clear bank-acceptable structure. This provides logical coverage amounts and reduces underwriting friction.
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