Requirement Overview
To qualify for Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) under the Startup Law (Ley 28/2022), applicants must prove they have compliant healthcare coverage during their stay. As a freelancer (autónomo), you must ensure your coverage meets the specific standards of the Spanish immigration authorities.
Why it is Needed
This requirement ensures that foreign residents do not become a financial burden on the Spanish public health system. Under the framework of Ley 28/2022, having health insurance is a mandatory eligibility criterion for non-EU remote workers and freelancers.
Required Evidence and Documents
For freelancers, there are two primary pathways to satisfy this requirement:
- Private Health Insurance: You must provide a certificate from a private insurance company authorized to operate in Spain. The policy must provide full coverage equivalent to the National Health System (no copayments, no waiting periods, and no coverage limits).
- Social Security Registration: According to the Seguridad Social guidelines, freelancers must register with the RETA (Regimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos). Once registered and paying monthly contributions, you are entitled to public healthcare. However, for the initial visa application, a private policy is often required until the registration process in Spain is finalized.
Formalities: Apostille and Translation
- Insurance Policy: If the policy is issued by a Spanish company, no translation or apostille is needed.
- Foreign Documents: If providing proof of coverage from a foreign entity (rarely accepted unless a specific bilateral agreement exists), the document must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado). Generally, apostilles are not required for insurance certificates but are mandatory for other DNV documents like criminal records.
Common Pitfalls
- Copayments: Policies with "copagos" (small fees per visit) are typically rejected.
- Travel Insurance: Standard travel insurance or "basic" international plans are insufficient; the policy must specifically state it provides full coverage in Spain.
- Timing: Freelancers must register with the Social Security within 60 days of starting activity, but failing to maintain private coverage before this registration is complete can lead to application delays.