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Non-Lucrative Visa Insurance Spain

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Non-Lucrative Visa health insurance Spain. Generali Salud Opción Premium satisfies the consular requirement at every Spanish consulate. No co-payments, no waiting periods, full coverage for Spain. Certificate issued within 24–48 hours. Authorised Generali agents in Javea, serving NLV applicants worldwide since 2013.

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By Andrew Turner · In insurance since 2001, exclusive Generali agent since 2007 · DGS Registry C0467B54657010 · Last reviewed May 2026
Quick Answer. Non-Lucrative Visa Health Insurance
Mandatory?Yes — required by NLV consulate
Typical premium€40–€155 / month
Co-payments?None (sin copago)
InsurerDGS-registered (we use Generali)
CertificateIssued in 24–48 hrs

Spanish Insurance Law: Non-Lucrative Visa Health Insurance. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions

The legal framework, specific waiting periods, exclusions and citations every prospective policyholder should know. Sources are linked inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and Spanish regulators.

The legal requirement

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is regulated by Real Decreto 557/2011, Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000. Article 47 requires applicants to demonstrate"seguro público o privado de enfermedad concertado con una entidad aseguradora autorizada para operar en España". In plain English: a private health insurance policy from a Spanish-licensed insurer providing comprehensive cover, equal in scope to the Spanish public health system.

What"comprehensive" means in practice

Spanish consulates require the policy to: (1) be issued by a DGS-registered insurer; (2) have no co-payments (sin copago); (3) cover hospitalisation, GP, specialists, diagnostics and surgery; (4) be valid throughout Spain (not regional); (5) have no waiting periods waived for visa applicants; (6) provide a cover period of at least one year. Generali Salud Opción Premium is the standard recommendation because it meets every requirement and the consulate certificate is issued in 24–48 hours.

Financial requirement (separate from insurance)

Beyond insurance, NLV applicants must show financial means equivalent to 400% of IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples) for the main applicant, plus 100% of IPREM per dependent. The 2025 IPREM is €600/month so the threshold is approximately €2,400/month or €28,800/year for one applicant, plus €600/month per dependent. This must be demonstrated by bank statements showing 6–12 months of stable income or savings.

Renewal and the 5-year path to permanent residence

The NLV is initially valid for 1 year, then renewable for two consecutive 2-year periods. After 5 years as a continuous Spanish resident, you may apply for residencia de larga duración (long-term residence) which no longer requires private health cover (the holder accesses Spanish public health on the same basis as a Spanish citizen). Until then, the private insurance must be continuously renewed — a lapse can prejudice the next renewal.

What the consulate certificate must show

The certificate from your insurer must state explicitly: insurer name, DGS registration number, insured person's full name and passport number, policy number, period of cover, scope of cover (hospitalisation, specialists, surgery, etc.), confirmation of sin copago and no waiting periods, and a statement that the cover is equal in scope to Spanish public healthcare. Generali certificates issued through Turner Insurance meet every Spanish consulate requirement we have encountered for British, Irish and other applicants.

The"no work" rule

The NLV is"non-lucrative" — holders cannot work in Spain in any capacity, including remote work for a foreign employer (this distinction was clarified by the Tribunal Supremo in 2021). Holders may live on savings, pensions or investment income. If you intend to work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) under Ley 28/2022 is the right route — see our DNV health insurance page.

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Important update. Visa & Residency Certificates Due to a temporary administrative situation, Generali is currently not issuing residency / visa certificates for EXPAT Medcare policies (Standard, Prime or Top). For NLV, DNV, Student visa or residency renewal, the only Generali plan currently providing the certificate is Salud Opción Premium — the Spanish-language no-copayment plan. Certificates take a few days to process. Please contact our team for advice on the best plan for your situation.

Health Insurance for a Non-Lucrative Visa Spain. Complete Guide

The Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa) is the visa that allows non-EU citizens — including British nationals following Brexit — to live in Spain without working. It is the most popular route to Spanish residency for retirees, people with passive income (pensions, rental income, investments) and anyone wishing to relocate to Spain long-term without taking local employment.

One of the key requirements of the Non-Lucrative Visa application is private health insurance in Spain. The insurance must meet specific criteria set by the Spanish consulate, and the wrong policy.

Or a policy with the wrong wording on the certificate — will result in a rejected application. Turner Insurance specialises in arranging the correct Generali health insurance for Non-Lucrative Visa applicants and can provide the official certificate required by Spanish consulates, typically in a few days.

Important: The insurance certificate must explicitly confirm: no co-payments (sin copagos), full Spain-wide coverage, and must be issued by a Spanish insurer registered with the DGS (Direccion General de Seguros). All Generali policies arranged through Turner Insurance meet these requirements. Get your certificate →

Step-by-Step: Applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa

The Non-Lucrative Visa is applied for at the Spanish consulate in your home country (for UK applicants, this is the Spanish Consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh). The full process typically takes 3–6 months from the point of starting to gather documents to receiving your visa and moving to Spain.

Step 1. Arrange your health insurance (start here)

  • Contact Turner Insurance for a health insurance quote for the NLV — specify your age and the number of applicants (each person on the visa application requires their own policy)
  • Choose your Generali plan — we recommend Salud Opción Premium without co-payments as the most widely accepted plan for NLV applications worldwide
  • Complete the application and payment — we can do this entirely by phone or email, no in-person visit required
  • Receive your Generali insurance certificate in a few days — the certificate is in Spanish as required, with an English translation available on request
  • The policy start date should match your intended move date to Spain, or the date of your consulate appointment if earlier

Step 2. Gather all required documents

  • Completed NLV application form (Form EX01, available from the Spanish consulate website)
  • Valid passport — must be valid for at least one year beyond your intended stay. All adults and children on the application need their own passport
  • Criminal record certificate — issued within the past 3 months by the UK police (ACRO Criminal Records Office) and apostilled
  • Medical certificate — from your GP confirming you do not have any disease with public health implications. Must be apostilled
  • Proof of economic means — bank statements, pension letters or investment documents showing sufficient funds. Spain requires a minimum of approximately €28,000/year for the main applicant plus €7,000/year for each additional family member (updated annually — check with the consulate for current figures)
  • Generali health insurance certificate — the document Turner Insurance provides, confirming no co-payments and full Spain-wide cover
  • Passport photos — two recent passport-sized photographs
  • Consulate fee — payable at the time of appointment
  • If applicable: proof of property in Spain — either a purchase deed (escritura) or a signed rental contract for at least one year

Step 3. Book and attend your consulate appointment

  • Book your appointment at the Spanish Consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh (or your nearest Spanish consulate if you are not UK-based) via the online appointment system (cita previa)
  • Appointments can sometimes be several weeks away — book as early as possible once your documents are ready
  • Attend in person with all original documents plus one photocopy of each. Children on the application must also attend in person (with both parents if possible)
  • Pay the visa application fee at the appointment
  • Processing time after the appointment is typically 1–3 months. The consulate will contact you when the decision is made

Step 4. Collect your visa and move to Spain

  • Once approved, collect your visa in person from the consulate (or it may be posted depending on the consulate)
  • The NLV is initially issued as a D-type national visa, valid for one year. You must enter Spain within the validity period
  • Within 30 days of arriving in Spain, register at your local Ayuntamiento (town hall) for the Padron — your local census registration
  • Within 30 days of arrival, apply for your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) at your nearest National Police station (Comisaría) with an appointment (cita previa)
  • You will need: your NLV visa, passport, NIE number, proof of address (Padron), passport photos and the TIE application fee (Modelo 790 Código 012)

Step 5. Renew your residency after year one

  • After your first year in Spain, apply to renew your residency for a further 2 years at your local Comisaría or Oficina de Extranjería
  • After the 2-year renewal, you can apply for a further 2-year renewal, and after 5 continuous years of legal residency you are eligible to apply for long-term residency (residencia de larga duración)
  • You must maintain your Generali health insurance throughout — the insurance is required not just for the initial visa but for all subsequent renewals. Turner Insurance will remind you of your renewal date and ensure continuity of cover
  • After 10 years of legal residency, you may be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship

Which Generali Plan is Right for a Non-Lucrative Visa?

Recommended plans for NLV applications

  • Salud Opción Premium (most popular): No waiting periods, no co-payments, cover from day one. Provides the certificate required by Spanish consulates. Most widely accepted by consular authorities worldwide. Ideal for all ages up to 70
  • EXPAT Medcare Prime: Fully English-language documentation, app and support. No waiting periods. Suitable for NLV applications. Includes out-of-network reimbursement and optional dental. Available up to age 74
  • Salud Total: Highest level of cover — no co-payments, worldwide reimbursement option, maternity included. For applicants who want the most comprehensive cover possible alongside their NLV

NLV Insurance Requirements. Checklist

How to Get a Quote

We make getting a quote simple and fast.

  1. Call or email us — ring 966 461 625 or email info@turnerinsurance.es. Our English-speaking team is available Monday to Friday, 09:30–15:00.
  2. Tell us your situation — we will ask a few quick questions about what you need to cover, your age, location, and any existing policies you hold.
  3. We compare options — as authorised Generali agents, we present the plans that match your needs and budget. No pressure, no obligation.
  4. Your policy is set up — once you are happy, we arrange everything and send your certificate and English-language policy documents promptly.

Non-Lucrative Visa Insurance Options

🛂 Visa eligibility key NLV Non-Lucrative Visa DNV Digital Nomad Visa Residency TIE / Spanish residency renewal
Cover level What is included Best for
EXPAT Medcare Standard (NLV)
✗NLV✗Residency
 No waiting periods, no co-payments, full hospital network — NLV compliant Standard NLV applications through Spanish consulate
EXPAT Medcare Prime (NLV)
✗NLV✗Residency
 Enhanced specialist access, no waiting periods, zero co-payments Applicants wanting broader medical coverage
Salud Opción Premium
✓NLV✓Residency
 Zero co-payments, no waiting periods — listed as preferred by many consulates Applicants whose consulate requires specifically co-payment-free cover
Family plan
✓NLV✓Residency
 All the above benefits extended to a spouse and dependent children on one policy Families applying for NLV together
✓ Currently only Salud Opción Premium qualifies for residency / visa applications Salud Opción Premium meets all Spanish consulate requirements: zero co-payments (sin copagos), full territory of Spain coverage, DGS-registered Spanish insurer, annual policy term, and the official certificate accepted by Spanish consulates worldwide. The certificate is issued in a few days from policy purchase.
❌ Plans currently NOT available for Spanish visa or residency certificates Spanish consulates reject policies with co-payments, reimbursement-only structures, regional limits, or annual maximums. Plus, due to a temporary administrative situation, Generali is currently not issuing residency certificates for EXPAT Medcare policies. The following are not suitable for visa certificates right now:
  • EXPAT Medcare Standard, Prime and Top — temporarily unavailable for residency / visa certificates (administrative issue, expected to resolve)
  • Salud Opción Plus / Salud Plus con copagos. Spanish co-payment plans (cheaper, but not visa-compliant)
  • UK private health insurance (Bupa UK, Vitality, AXA UK) — wrong jurisdiction; not DGS-registered in Spain
  • EHIC / GHIC card — public emergency cover only, never sufficient for a visa
  • Travel insurance — short-term emergency cover, not full residency cover
  • "Reimbursement only" international plans — the consulate requires direct-billing in Spain

📰 Related pages

💻 Digital Nomad Visa Insurance🏥 Health Insurance Spain📞 Get a certificate

Approximate NLV Health Insurance Pricing

Non-Lucrative Visa health policies must be no-copay, full Spain cover. Premiums by age:

Most Popular
Adult under 50
from €45/mo
  • No co-payments (visa-compliant)
  • Full hospitalisation cover
  • No waiting periods
  • DGS-registered Spanish insurer
  • Consulate certificate within 24-48 hrs
Adult 50-65
from €80/mo
  • Full visa-compliant cover
  • All specialist consultations
  • Routine and emergency care
  • Family policies available
  • Annual renewal at fixed dates
Adult 65-74
from €130/mo
  • Visa-compliant cover
  • Generali EXPAT Medcare suitable
  • Higher hospital network
  • Most NLV applicants in this band
  • Convertible to public on residence

Prices shown are typical Spanish market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and your individual circumstances. Contact us for a free personalised quote. Pre-existing conditions assessed individually. Older retired couples are typical NLV applicants.

Frequently Asked Questions. Non-Lucrative Visa Health Insurance

These are the most common questions we receive.

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the standard route for retired or financially independent British, Irish and other non-EU nationals to live in Spain. The health insurance requirement is strict and consulate-specific. Here are the most common questions.

Spanish consulates require: (1) a private health insurance policy with no co-payments (sin copagos); (2) full coverage throughout Spain; (3) issued by an insurer registered with the Dirección General de Seguros (DGS); (4) a certificate in Spanish (or accompanied by a sworn translation); (5) cover for at least one full year, renewable. The certificate must explicitly state these conditions and include the DGS registration number of the insurer.
Standard turnaround for a healthy applicant is 24-48 hours from completed application. For applicants with pre-existing conditions requiring underwriting, allow 5-10 working days. We routinely issue NLV certificates same-day for emergency consulate appointments — provide your documentation early in the morning and we deliver the certificate by close of business.
Generali Salud Opción Premium (the Spanish-language version) and Generali EXPAT Medcare (the English-language equivalent) both qualify as standard. EXPAT Medcare is preferred by most British clients because all documentation, the app, and customer service are in English. Both plans have the visa-compliant terms (no copay, no waiting periods waived for visa applicants, DGS registered).
Most pre-existing conditions are accepted, sometimes with the specific condition excluded from cover, sometimes at a higher premium. Severe conditions (active cancer treatment, recent heart attack, dialysis) may result in declined applications. We work through the medical questionnaire with you to find the insurer most likely to accept your specific health history. Honest disclosure is essential — non-disclosure voids the policy at first claim.
All accompanying family members must have their own visa-compliant cover. A single 'family policy' with all members listed is acceptable to consulates, provided each life shows the required cover details. Each life appears as a separate insured on the certificate. Spouses, partners and dependent children are typically all included on the same family contract for cost efficiency.
For 2026 the financial requirement is approximately 400% of the IPREM (Spanish income index) for the main applicant, plus 100% per additional family member. Currently this works out to approximately €30,000-€32,000 per year for a single applicant, plus €7,500-€8,000 per dependant. Income can be from pension, savings, investments — but not from work in Spain. Insurance cost is on top of this.
Yes — you can switch insurers at any annual renewal, provided the new policy meets the same NLV requirements and starts the day the old one ends (no gap in cover). We handle continuity-of-cover certification when switching, so any waiting periods served on the old policy don't restart on the new one. The TIE renewal needs proof of continuous valid cover.
When you renew your residency (TIE) at year 1, year 2, then every 5 years — you need to demonstrate ongoing valid health insurance. The renewal certificate from us is the standard proof. As long as your policy has been continuously in force since the original NLV approval, the renewal is straightforward. A gap in cover can complicate renewal.
If the visa is rejected before the policy start date, full refund is normal. If rejected after the policy has started, refund is for the unused portion (typically minus 30-60 days as administrative fee). If you decide not to proceed within the 30-day cooling-off period after policy issue, full refund applies. Most rejections happen for income or paperwork reasons, not insurance reasons.
Possibly — depends on circumstances. UK state pensioners can apply for Form S1 to access the public system. EU citizens with sufficient social security contribution history can apply directly. Others may use a Convenio Especial (paid public health access, currently around €60-€157/month). Many clients keep their private policy alongside, particularly initially, for faster access to specialists.
Basic dental check-ups are typically required to be available, but full dental treatment is not specifically a consulate requirement. The standard Generali plans include basic dental (annual check-ups, cleaning) as part of the visa-compliant package. Crowns, implants, orthodontics need a dental add-on which costs €5-€15/month additional.
Routine Spanish-recommended vaccinations and travel medicine consultations are normally covered as preventive care. Yellow fever, typhoid and other travel-specific vaccinations for non-Spanish travel may not be covered. Routine flu, COVID and pneumonia vaccines for over-65s are typically included.
Standard NLV-compliant policies include maternity after a 9-10 month waiting period. For visa applicants, this waiting period is sometimes waived to make the policy fully visa-compliant from day 1 — this varies by insurer and is worth clarifying. Newborns are typically covered for the first 30 days under the mother's policy and then need to be added to the family policy.
Yes — most Generali NLV-compliant policies include 60-90 days/trip emergency cover abroad. This works in the UK as a non-EU country. Treatment is typically pay-and-claim (you pay the UK private clinic, claim back from Generali). For routine UK GP visits, the cover is more complex and usually only emergency treatment is reimbursed.
If a specific insurer declines based on medical history, we try other insurers — different companies have different underwriting appetites. Some declines are common to all insurers (active cancer, end-stage organ disease) where finding cover is genuinely impossible; in this rare case the visa application typically cannot proceed. For most other conditions we find a workable solution.
For 2026, the Non-Lucrative Visa requires proof of sufficient passive income of approximately €2,400+ per month for the main applicant, plus around €600 per additional dependent, based on the IPREM reference rate (updated annually). Income can come from pensions, savings, dividends, rental income or investments — but NOT from employment or self-employment in Spain. You must demonstrate this income via bank statements, pension letters or investment account statements. The exact figures vary slightly by consulate and are updated each year — contact us for the current confirmed requirements for your consulate.
No. Form S1 (the UK healthcare entitlement document) is NOT accepted for the Non-Lucrative Visa application. The consulate requires a private Spanish health insurance policy from a DGS-registered insurer, specifically without co-payments (sin copago) and with full territorial coverage in Spain. NHS entitlement, GHIC cards and travel insurance are all explicitly rejected. The certificate must come from a Spanish insurer and state clearly that the policy has no co-payments and covers all of Spain. Generali Salud Opción Premium meets all these requirements — we issue the compliant certificate within 24–48 hours of policy inception.
Processing times vary significantly by Spanish consulate. The UK consulates (London, Edinburgh, Manchester) typically take 3–8 weeks after submitting a complete application. Some consulates require appointments weeks in advance of submission. The NLV is initially granted for 1 year, then renewable for 2-year periods. You must be physically in Spain for at least 183 days per year to maintain tax residency and avoid complications at renewal. Our health insurance certificate is valid from the date of issue and will cover you through the entire processing period and first year of residency.
For the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Spain application, you need private health insurance that: (1) is issued by a DGS-registered Spanish insurer, (2) has no co-payments (sin copago), (3) covers the full territory of Spain, and (4) is valid for the full duration of the visa. The cost of NLV health insurance in Spain starts from €45/month for Generali Salud Opción Premium — the most popular choice for NLV applicants. We issue the required certificate within 24–48 hours and format it to meet each consulate's specific requirements.
Health insurance for the Non-Lucrative Visa Spain costs from €45/month (€540/year) for a single adult under 45 on Generali Salud Opción Premium. Older applicants pay more: approximately €65–€90/month for ages 50–60, and €90–€130/month for ages 60–65. Couples receive a small discount when both are insured on related policies. The cost is fixed for the year and does not change due to health conditions during the policy period. For NLV purposes, there is no upper age limit on Salud Opción Premium up to age 65 at entry.
Health insurance for the NLV Spain must be from a DGS-registered Spanish insurer, have no co-payments (sin copago), cover the full territory of Spain, and be valid for the entire visa period. Generali Salud Opción Premium satisfies all these requirements and is accepted at every Spanish consulate. We issue the health insurance for NLV certificate within 24–48 hours in the format each consulate requires. The cost starts from approximately €45/month for applicants under 45.
For the Non-Lucrative Visa Spain 2026, the health insurance financial requirements are: the policy must be issued by a DGS-registered Spanish insurer, must have no co-payments (sin copago), must cover the full territory of Spain, and must be valid for the duration of the visa. There is no minimum premium requirement — the consulate only checks that the policy has no co-payments and full territorial coverage. The cost of health insurance for the Non-Lucrative Visa Spain starts from approximately €45/month (€540/year) for Generali Salud Opción Premium. We issue the required certificate within 24–48 hours.
Non-Lucrative Visa Spain health insurance cost: from €45/month for a single adult under 45 on Generali Salud Opción Premium. Indicative premiums: under 45 — €45–€60/month; age 45–55 — €60–€85/month; age 55–65 — €85–€130/month. Couples receive a small discount when both are insured. The premium is fixed for the year and does not change due to health conditions. For NLV purposes, Salud Opción Premium has no age loading, no waiting periods and no co-payments — making it the most cost-effective visa-compliant option available.

More questions? Visit our complete FAQ centre with 90+ detailed guides, or contact us for free English-speaking advice.

How This Compares to the Competition

Honest comparisons help you make an informed choice. These figures are typical Spanish-market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and individual circumstances.

Generali Salud Opción Premium vs Sanitas Más Salud and Adeslas Plena

How Generali's flagship Spanish-language no-copayment plan — the standard recommendation for visa applicants — compares against Sanitas and Adeslas, the two largest Spanish health insurers.

Feature Generali Salud Opción Premium Sanitas Más Salud Adeslas Plena Extra
Visa-compliant (NLV / DNV) Yes — our standard recommendation Yes Yes
Co-payments None None None
Consulate certificate turnaround 24–48 hours 3–5 working days 5–7 working days
Network size (professionals) 51,000+ (shares Sanitas network) 44,000+ 47,000+
Hospitals in network 240+ 215+ 230+
English-speaking GP filter in app Yes — MI Generali app Limited Limited
Maximum new-applicant age 65 65 70
Maternity waiting period 8 months 10 months 10 months
Premium 35-year-old ~€48/month ~€55/month ~€50/month
Premium 65-year-old ~€135/month ~€175/month ~€155/month
Tax deduction for autónomos Yes — up to €500/insured Yes Yes

Comparisons are based on publicly available product literature and our experience placing policies across the Spanish market. Premium estimates assume a healthy applicant on the Costa Blanca with no significant claims history. Contact us for a personalised, like-for-like quote.

Sources & References

This page references the following official Spanish regulatory and legal sources. These are the authoritative bodies and laws governing insurance products in Spain:

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