A practical 2026 guide explaining what health insurance you need for a Spanish student visa, typical price ranges, what "visa-approved" really means, and how to avoid the most common problems at consulates.
Key Points for 2026
Student health insurance in Spain typically costs from around €32–€60 per month for younger students, and more for older students or long programs
Most consulates do not accept travel insurance for student visas
Policies must clearly state they are valid throughout Spain and cover primary care, specialists and hospitalisation
Many consulates ask for a Spanish-language certificate from the insurer
A licensed broker such as ExpatInsurances.es can arrange visa-compliant student health insurance and the official certificate needed for your visa file
Since 2012, ExpatInsurances.es has helped thousands of students, Erasmus participants and international families arrange student health insurance in Spain.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance for a Spanish Student Visa in 2026?
In most cases, yes.
If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen applying for:
- A student visa for a language school, university degree, master's or exchange program in Spain, or
- A long-term stay for studies (over 90 days)
…the Spanish consulate will require proof that you are fully covered for healthcare in Spain for the whole period of your stay.
What Consulates Require
A private medical insurance policy that:
Important Warning
Even if your school, university or agent says something like "health insurance included", it's important to check: Is it really visa-compliant? Is it from a Spanish or EU-authorised insurer? Is there a clear Spanish certificate that consulates accept?
If there's any doubt, it's safer to use a policy designed specifically for student visas.
EU Students and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, you may have a:
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or
- Your own national health coverage
For short stays and Erasmus-style exchanges, some universities and consulates accept EHIC. However, even EU students often prefer private insurance because it offers:
Faster Access
To specialists and diagnostic tests
Private Facilities
Access to private hospitals and clinics
Language Support
Help in English and additional languages
Note: This guide focuses on non-EU students who must show private health insurance for their visa, but EU students can also use these policies if they want private cover.
What Must Student Health Insurance in Spain Include?
To avoid problems with the student visa in 2026, your health insurance should:
Many consulates explicitly mention:
- "No copay"
- "Equivalent to the Spanish public system"
- "Full medical cover including hospitalisation"
A visa-focused broker will make sure your policy and certificate use the correct wording.
How Much Does Student Health Insurance Cost in Spain in 2026?
Prices are usually lower for students than for other visa types because most student visa applicants are younger.
Typical Monthly Premiums for Student Health Insurance (No Copay – 2026)
These are typical market ranges for student visa-compliant policies. Actual prices depend on insurer and individual profile.
| Age Range | Typical Price 2026* | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16–25 | €32 – €55 / month | Most language & university students |
| 26–30 | €38 – €60 / month | Master's, PhD, older language students |
| 31–39 | €45 – €75 / month | Less common but still possible |
| 40+ | From around €60+ / month | Case-by-case; some insurers may request more info |
* These are typical market ranges for student visa-compliant, no copay policies. Actual prices depend on insurer and individual profile.
If you don't need visa compliance (for example, you're already resident and just studying additionally), you might consider copay policies – but for visa applications, no copay is usually the safer choice.
Student Health Insurance vs Travel Insurance
Very Common Mistake
A very common mistake is trying to use travel insurance for a student visa.
Travel Insurance Is For:
✗ Short trips (holidays, short business trips)
✗ Emergency treatment only
✗ Limited coverage for ongoing illnesses or long-term residency
Travel insurance often has:
- Time limits (30–90 days)
- Many exclusions
- No guarantee of equivalence to Spanish public healthcare
Student Visa Requires:
✓ Full health insurance like a resident would have
✓ Not limited to emergencies only
✓ Clear proof of long-term coverage and hospitalisation
That's why a real Spanish health policy is the standard solution for student visas.
What About Copays? Why Most Students Should Avoid Them for the Visa
Spanish private health insurance comes in two basic forms:
No Copay (sin copago)
With Copay (con copago)
Even if some consulates don't explicitly ban copay policies, using a no copay plan reduces the chance of:
- Extra questions
- Requests for additional documents
- Rejection on the basis of "insufficient coverage"
For that reason, most students getting their first Spanish visa are better with no copay.
How Long Should Student Health Insurance Last?
Your policy should:
Cover you for the full official length of your studies
Or at least for the first academic year if your program is longer
Many consulates prefer to see 12 months of coverage on the first application. After that, during renewals inside Spain, you can adjust or change plans with guidance from a broker.
If your course is shorter than 12 months (for example 6–9 months), your broker can:
- Match the policy duration to your course dates, if the insurer allows
- Still ensure the certificate clearly shows cover for the entire stay
Student Health Insurance for Language Schools vs Universities
The visa rules are similar whether you're studying:
Language Schools
Spanish at a language school
Universities
A degree at a public or private university
Postgraduate
A master's, MBA or PhD program
Important differences:
- Some universities offer their own group insurance, but it may or may not be visa-compliant
- Language schools rarely include full health insurance – they usually just provide enrollment documents
In all cases, your consulate wants to see:
- Clear proof of comprehensive medical coverage in Spain
- Documents that match your name, passport and dates correctly
If you're not sure whether your school's insurance is enough, a broker can check or offer a separate, compliant policy.
Student Health Insurance for Families (Spouse & Children)
If you bring:
• A spouse or partner
• Children as dependants
…they will usually also need health insurance for their visas.
Family Policy Benefits
In this case, it's often easiest to:
Family policies can sometimes be more cost-effective than several single policies. They can also simplify renewals and address changes later.
Common Mistakes that Delay or Risk Visa Approval
Submitting travel insurance instead of proper student health insurance
Travel insurance is typically not accepted for student visa applications
Using a policy that isn't authorised in Spain or has unclear status
Policy must be from an insurer authorized to operate in Spain
Buying a copay policy when the consulate prefers or demands no copay
No copay policies significantly reduce the risk of visa rejection
Choosing a plan that does not clearly include hospitalisation
Hospitalisation coverage must be explicitly stated in the policy
Getting a cheap, basic plan with unclear wording about coverage levels
Policy must clearly demonstrate equivalence to Spanish public system
Forgetting to request the official Spanish-language certificate needed for the visa
Many consulates require a Spanish certificate with specific wording
Policy dates that don't match the study duration or visa period
Coverage dates must align with your study program dates
Working with an experienced expat-focused broker dramatically reduces these issues.
How ExpatInsurances.es Helps Students Getting Visas for Spain
As a DGSFP-licensed insurance broker focused on expats, we:
Understand student visa requirements for Spanish consulates around the world
Work with insurers experienced in issuing student visa-compliant policies
Provide Spanish-language certificates with the wording consulates typically expect
Our Process – Step by Step
Short Student Assessment
You tell us: Your age, country of citizenship, type of studies (language school, university, master's, etc.), planned city or region in Spain, and course start and end dates.
We Filter Visa-Compliant Student Plans
We only show you options that are no copay, full coverage, include hospitalisation, and from insurers recognised in Spain.
We then compare: Price, hospital networks (public, private, mixed), and extra features (apps, English support, telemedicine, etc.).
You Choose the Policy
We help you pick the plan that fits your budget, visa timing, and any personal preferences (certain clinics or doctors, language, etc.).
We Arrange the Policy & Visa Certificate
Once you confirm, we finalise your policy setup, the insurer issues your contract, and we prepare a Spanish certificate that clearly states:
- • No copay
- • Full medical coverage
- • Hospitalisation included
- • Valid across Spain
- • Valid from [start date] to [end date]
This is what you attach to your student visa application.
Support After You Arrive
After you reach Spain, we help you with: Using your insurer's app and hospital locator, questions about how to book appointments, and renewals or changes if your course is extended.
Need Student Health Insurance for a Spanish Visa?
If you're planning to study in Spain in 2026 and want student visa-approved health insurance without stress, our licensed team can:
ExpatInsurances.es – helping international students and families secure visa-compliant health insurance in Spain since 2012.
