Senior & Retiree Insurance in Spain – 2026 Guide for Over-65s & Pensioners
Spain is one of Europe's favourite retirement destinations: good climate, healthcare and lifestyle. But for many over-65s and retirees, the big question is: 'What insurance do I actually need in Spain – and can I even get health insurance at my age?' This guide focuses specifically on seniors and retirees.
Quick Summary
Retirees in Spain need a mix of health, home, funeral, life and legal insurance depending on their situation. Health insurance over 65 is possible but has higher premiums and stricter conditions.
- Health insurance over 65 is possible but premiums are higher
- Many insurers have age limits (70-80) for new policies
- Non-EU retirees on visas need private health insurance
- Funeral insurance handles arrangements and repatriation
- Home insurance is essential, especially for part-year residents
Healthcare & Insurance for Retirees in Spain – The Basics
If you're over 65, you might fall into one of these categories:
EU/EEA/UK State Pensioner
Transferring healthcare rights via S1 form or similar agreements. May have access to Spanish public healthcare.
Non-EU Retiree on Visa
On a non-lucrative visa, old Golden Visa, or similar. Private health insurance is usually required for residency.
Mixed Situation
Some public healthcare rights plus extra private cover for faster access, specialists, or English-speaking doctors.
Key idea: Public healthcare (Seguridad Social) may cover part of your needs, depending on your status. Private health insurance is often used to meet visa/residency requirements and/or get faster access to doctors, tests and private hospitals.
Health Insurance in Spain for Over-65s
Why Seniors Often Still Choose Private Health Insurance
Even retirees who have access to public care often take private health cover because:
- Waiting times in some specialties can be long
- They want more control over doctors, language and hospitals
- They split their time between two countries and need flexibility
- They want visa-compliant cover if they're non-EU
Typical Challenges Over 65
Higher Premiums
Expect to pay significantly more than younger expats – often €150-350+/month depending on age and health.
Stricter Medical Underwriting
Health questionnaires, medical reports, and sometimes examinations may be required before acceptance.
Age Limits for New Policies
Many insurers won't accept new clients over 75-80. Some stop at 70. Don't wait too long.
Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions
Some conditions may be excluded or subject to waiting periods. Honesty is crucial – hiding conditions causes problems at claim time.
Types of Health Insurance Plans for Retirees
Full Medical Cover
- • Comprehensive: GP, specialists, tests, hospital
- • No co-payments per visit
- • Often required for visas
- • Higher premiums but predictable costs
Best for: Non-EU retirees needing visa compliance, seniors wanting no surprise bills
Full Cover + Co-Pays
- • Same network and services
- • Small fee per visit/test
- • Lower monthly premium
- • Not always visa-compliant
Best for: Retirees with residency who want private care at lower cost
High-End Reimbursement Plans
- • Go to any doctor or clinic
- • Pay, then get reimbursed (80-90%)
- • Maximum flexibility
- • Higher premiums
Best for: High-net-worth retirees who travel, want specific doctors outside networks
Other Important Insurances for Seniors & Retirees
Health insurance is only part of the picture when you're retired.
🏠 Home & Contents Insurance
Especially important if you own a home or second home in Spain, spend only part of the year here, or rent out the property.
- • Buildings insurance – structure, fire, water damage, storm
- • Contents insurance – furniture, electronics, personal belongings
- • Liability cover – damage to neighbours (water leaks etc.)
- • Landlord insurance – if renting out as holiday let
⚰️ Funeral Insurance (Seguro de Decesos)
For many families, the biggest worry is: "Who will organise and pay for the funeral – especially in another country?"
- • Organises and pays the funeral, burial/cremation
- • Deals with paperwork and local arrangements
- • Often includes repatriation to your home country
- • Prevents stressful last-minute planning for family
❤️ Life Insurance & Inheritance Planning
If you have a partner who depends on your pension/income, children or grandchildren you want to support, or a mortgage:
- • Pay off or reduce a mortgage
- • Provide a lump sum to spouse or children
- • Help with inheritance tax / estate liquidity
Note: Pure risk life insurance becomes expensive at older ages. Targeted, smaller sums may still be achievable.
⚖️ Legal Expenses Insurance
Common issues for retirees include disputes with builders, problems with neighbours or communities of owners, and rental/consumer contract questions.
- • Legal advice by phone or email
- • Cover for lawyers and court costs up to a limit
- • Often available as a module in home insurance
👤 Personal Liability
Typical claims: water leak damages neighbour's ceiling, dog causes accident, visitor injured in your home.
Often included in home/contents insurance, but retirees with significant assets may want higher liability limits.
Retiree Scenarios – What Insurance Makes Sense?
Scenario 1: EU/UK Pensioner, Full-Time in Spain
Access to public healthcare via pension transfer. Wants faster access and private hospitals.
Typical mix: Private health insurance with co-pays (top-up to public), home/contents + liability, funeral insurance, maybe small life cover or legal expenses.
Scenario 2: Non-EU Retiree on Long-Stay Visa
Must show visa-compliant health insurance. Often has higher assets, maybe multiple properties.
Typical mix: Full private health insurance (no co-pays, residency-compliant), home/second home + landlord insurance, funeral with repatriation, life and liability with higher limits, legal expenses.
Scenario 3: "Half-and-Half" Retiree (Split Between Spain & Home Country)
Spends 3–6 months per year in Spain. Keeps home base elsewhere.
Typical mix: Spanish health insurance that fits stay pattern OR home-country rights plus travel/extra cover, strong home/contents cover (property empty part of year), funeral insurance with clear repatriation rules.
How to Choose Insurance as a Senior in Spain – Practical Tips
1. Be Honest About Your Health
A realistic picture helps find an insurer who will actually pay when needed. Hiding conditions causes claim problems.
2. Decide: Price vs Peace of Mind
Over 65, you may want fewer surprises and more predictable cover, even if the premium is higher.
3. Check Age Limits
At what age does the insurer stop accepting new customers? Are renewals guaranteed, or can they cancel at a certain age?
4. Look for Senior-Friendly Networks
Clinics and hospitals near your home. Doctors who speak your language.
5. Use a Broker Experienced with Senior Expats
They know which insurers are practical for retirees and which are painful.
Final Thoughts
For over-65s and retirees, "insurance in Spain" is really about one big idea:
"Can I enjoy my retirement here without my health, my home or my family's future becoming a financial nightmare?"
With the right mix of health insurance over 65, home, funeral, legal and liability cover, and possibly some life or income protection, you can spend more time enjoying your retirement – and less time worrying about what happens if things go wrong.
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
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