Find out why you may not need private health insurance if you plan to live and work remotely from Spain. This complete guide by Visal Immigration Lawyers explains everything step by step.

As of May 20, 2025, the Spanish immigration landscape has changed significantly thanks to the reform of the Immigration Regulation. One of the most frequent questions we receive is: "Do I really need private health insurance to apply for the digital nomad visa?"

 

The short answer: not always.

If you're self-employed or if your country has a social security agreement with Spain, you may not need private insurance at all. In this guide, we explain the legal basis for this exemption, what documents you must submit, and how to structure a successful application. At the end, we answer the five most common questions about this visa and invite you to book a consultation with one of our expert immigration lawyers.

Spain has become a hotspot for remote workers and freelancers worldwide. The digital nomad visa, part of Spain's Entrepreneurial Support Law (Ley 14/2013), allows non-EU citizens to live legally in Spain while working remotely for foreign clients or employers.

For years, it was assumed that applicants had to submit a comprehensive private health insurance policy with no copays and full national coverage. This is still the case for some immigration procedures — but not for the digital nomad visa. As confirmed in writing by Spain's Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE):

"Health insurance is not required when the remote worker, once authorized, plans to register with the Spanish Social Security system."

In other words, if you’re going to affiliate with the Seguridad Social as a self-employed worker or as an employee under a recognized international agreement, you don’t need to present private health insurance.

If you’re self-employed, things are especially straightforward. When applying for the digital nomad visa, you only need to present a signed commitment to register with the Spanish Social Security (RETA) once your application is approved. At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we prepare this commitment document as part of your file.

Once you obtain your residence authorization, you’ll have 30 days to register with the Spanish tax agency and social security system. After registering, you’ll gain full access to Spain’s public healthcare — no private insurance needed.

If you’re coming as an employee of a foreign company, you can also avoid the private insurance requirement in either of these two cases:

1. There is a bilateral social security agreement between your country and Spain, and you can obtain a certificate proving you’re covered during your time in Spain.

2. Your foreign employer registers with Spanish Social Security to directly enroll you as a displaced employee.

In both cases, you’re exempt from the private insurance requirement. You’ll only need to submit the official coverage certificate from your country or proof that your company has registered with Seguridad Social in Spain.

Only if you’re employed by a company from a country with no social security agreement with Spain and your company is not registering you in Spain, will you need to present private health insurance.

So again: health insurance is not universally required. Whether you need it depends on your work structure and your country’s international agreements.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LAWYER

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we have successfully helped dozens of digital nomads from Canada, the UK, the US, Brazil, and Argentina obtain residency without submitting private health insurance. In each case, we prepared the necessary commitment letter or justified the exemption based on international social security agreements.

Applications are submitted online via Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion’s digital platform. You can apply yourself or through an authorized lawyer.

The standard documentation includes:

• Full-color scan of all passport pages

• Completed MIT application form

• Payment of government fee (Form 790, Code 038)

• Proof of at least 3 months’ existing professional relationship with foreign clients

• Proof that the foreign client or company has been operating for at least 1 year

• University degree or 3 years of verifiable professional experience

• Proof of financial means (at least 200% of Spanish minimum wage)

• Criminal record certificate for all countries of residence in the past 2 years

• Sworn statement of no criminal history in the past 5 years

Instead of health insurance, you submit:

• Commitment to register with RETA (for self-employed), or

• Certificate of social security coverage under an international agreement (for employees)

A common mistake is to assume that health insurance is always required, just as it is for other visas like the student visa or non-lucrative residence. But the digital nomad visa has its own framework, and the requirements are different.

Another frequent problem is not knowing whether your country has a bilateral agreement with Spain, or whether your foreign employer can register with Seguridad Social. At Visal Immigration, we analyze each case, verify eligibility, and prepare the supporting documents accordingly.

Applicants also often forget to apostille or legalize foreign documents. All foreign documents must be properly apostilled or legalized, depending on your country of origin. We help clients with this process as well, from Canada, the US, the UK and beyond.

If you're unsure whether your case qualifies for the health insurance exemption, we strongly recommend you schedule a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers: 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LAWYER

Can I apply without private health insurance? Yes — if you’re self-employed and commit to registering with RETA, or if you’re an employee and your country has a social security agreement with Spain.

What if my country doesn’t have an agreement? Then, if you’re an employee and can’t be registered in Spanish Social Security, you’ll need private health insurance. Self-employed applicants can still proceed without it by registering with RETA.

Can I apply from Spain on a tourist visa? Yes, you may submit the application from within Spain if you are here legally — even as a tourist or on a valid student visa.

How much income must I show? You must prove income equal to at least 200% of Spain’s minimum wage (currently €2,340/month), plus 75% for your first family member and 25% for each additional dependent.

What if I don’t have a university degree? You can substitute a degree with 3 years of documented professional experience. We help you compile reference letters, contracts, or certifications to demonstrate this.

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we specialize in Spanish immigration law and have helped digital nomads from dozens of countries relocate legally and successfully. We can assist you with every step of your application.

Need help preparing your file? Want to know if you qualify for the exemption?

Message us on WhatsApp: +34 618 702 253
Or book a consultation with one of our lawyers here: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LAWYER

We also invite you to read our other articles, such as:

• Minimum Income for Digital Nomads in Spain (2025 Guide)

• Most Common Mistakes in Digital Nomad Visa Applications

Remember: every case is unique. Just because a friend got approved doesn’t mean the same documents will work for you. Let us prepare a personalized application strategy to ensure success.

Book your consultation with one of our expert lawyers today: 

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LAWYER