Good to know · Health
Convenio especial - buying into Spain’s public health system
The convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (regulated by Real Decreto 576/2013) lets legal residents in Spain who are not otherwise entitled to public healthcare (e.g., not employed, not a pensioner, not covered by a reciprocal agreement) pay a monthly fee to access Spain’s public health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud).
- Why it matters
- Non-lucrative visa holders are initially required to have private insurance, but after establishing residency some may be able to apply for the convenio especial as an alternative or supplement; this is a commonly discussed but easily misunderstood option.
- When
- Establishing legal residency in Spain without employment-based social security coverage and wanting access to the public system instead of, or alongside, private insurance.
- How long it takes
- Not confirmed.
- Official page
- Convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria
- Last checked
- 22 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 3 steps, what to bring (4 items), the office with addresses and hours, and 3 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
You must prove at least one continuous year of effective residence in Spain immediately before applying; time living in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the UK counts.