My name is Olena Trubchaninova, and I am a private health insurance expert in Spain. In my daily practice, I very often hear the same phrases: "It's too expensive, let's find something cheaper" "I only need the cheapest policy for a visa" "I don't really care about coverage, I just don't want to pay much" Choosing health insurance based only on price is almost always a losing strategy. Even if you have never lived in Spain and know nothing about how the healthcare system works, it's still worth asking yourself a simple question: why do two seemingly similar health insurance policies cost very different amounts — and how will that affect you in the future? Below are the most common mistakes I see when people choose a policy, and the main red flags you should be aware of.
The Reality Check: Insurance is a business of risk management. If a premium is significantly lower than the market average, the insurer is likely cutting costs elsewhere—usually in coverage, flexibility, or service quality.
1. The price is well below the market average
Let's imagine the following situation: the average price of a full private health insurance policy in Spain is around €80 per month, but one company offers a "similar" policy for €50. The first question you should ask yourself is: what's the difference, and why is it so cheap? One of my clients switched to another insurer simply because the price was lower — she was tired of "paying too much." Three months later, she contacted me again asking to restore her previous policy. Why? When she booked a routine annual gynecological check-up, the clinic asked her to provide an authorization — a document confirming that the insurance company agrees to cover the consultation (similar to a Guarantee of Payment). Even with the most basic policies at DKV, insured clients can see specialists and undergo basic diagnostics without prior approval. These kinds of limitations: slow down access to healthcare, create unnecessary bureaucracy, are especially inconvenient for foreigners who don't speak Spanish well. As a result, you either wait — or pay out of pocket.
2. "I rarely get sick, so a basic policy is enough"
This is one of the most common misconceptions. People often assess their health based on how many colds they had last year, forgetting that there are unpredictable risks that have nothing to do with lifestyle or past medical history. A real example from my practice: one of my clients was taking her child to school — a routine task she had done hundreds of times. She stepped the wrong way, tore the ligaments in her knee, and needed surgery. Never underestimate health risks just because you've been healthy so far. Unexpected situations happen — and that's when you truly discover what your insurance actually covers.
3. "I have public healthcare, so I don't need private insurance"
This is one of my favorite arguments — honestly. Spanish public healthcare is often described in extremes. Personally, I see it as a lottery: either you get lucky with timing, specialists, and referrals — or you wait months or even years for diagnostics or surgery. Very often, people come to me after: relying solely on public healthcare, or choosing a minimal private policy. They then ask me to arrange insurance that will cover surgery and rehabilitation, because they've already been waiting six months in the public system. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. Private insurance should be arranged when you are healthy, not when treatment is already needed.
4. Families with children choosing policies with co-payments
Another common mistake is the illusion of saving money by choosing co-payment policies for families with children. According to my statistics, families with at least one young child usually end up paying more in co-payments over the year than the cost difference of a policy without them. Why? in Spain, children often attend school and kindergarten with mild symptoms, viruses circulate constantly, doctor visits become frequent and unpredictable. Each visit means an extra payment. What seemed "cheap" on paper becomes expensive in reality.
5. "I'll get the cheapest policy for the visa and figure it out later"
I fully understand that relocating to Spain and applying for residence permits is expensive. However, many people forget that after moving: your diet changes, the climate and air are different, stress levels increase. After relocation, the body often needs attention: blood tests, vitamin levels, allergy tests, dermatology check-ups, and more. Your insurance should work from day one, not exist only as a formality "for the visa."
Why some policies are much cheaper than the market average
In most cases, the reasons are: large discounts for the first year and a significant price increase at renewal, limited coverage for treatments and diagnostics, more exclusions and waiting periods (carencias). One of the most reliable ways to compare policies is to read the general conditions (condiciones generales) and review them with an experienced insurance agent. What to do next If you are: choosing health insurance in Spain, unsure whether a cheaper option is really worth it, or already have a policy and don't know if it truly fits your needs. Fill in the request form below this article. I will calculate suitable options for you and personally advise which policy makes the most sense for your situation — without overpaying or unpleasant surprises. Good health insurance is not an expense. It's peace of mind, access to care, and confidence in your life in Spain.
