Spain Visa Health Insurance – Complete FAQ

Private health insurance for expats is short-term incoming private insurance designed for temporary use as a bridging insurance until you can get onto a more comprehensive plan (public or full private insurance). It covers accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses but does NOT cover pre-existing conditions or routine check-ups. Feather offers Short-term plans (starting at €72/month, up to 5 years) and Long-term plans (indefinite coverage).

Expat Health: Basic coverage for new conditions only, limited duration (5 years), suitable for first-time visas (§193 VVG), no salary minimum, no health screening, fixed price based on age, EU & Schengen travel cover + 6 weeks home, can switch to public insurance, up to 75 years old. Full Private Health: Comprehensive long-term coverage, unlimited duration, suitable for all visas (§257 par. 2a SGB V), €30000+ salary minimum typically required, medical screening needed, individualized pricing, customizable worldwide coverage, possible switch before age 55, no age limit.

Private health insurance for expats includes additional health-related benefits like dental care, physical therapy, cancer screenings, and fitness app budgets. Travel health insurance typically offers more basic health coverage but may include optional add-ons like trip cancellation and luggage insurance depending on the plan.

Covered: General out-patient & in-patient treatments (up to €1.5M limit), medications and surgical dressings, dental pain relief (up to €1000), preventative checkups (up to €200), dental cleanings (up to €100), psychiatric care, travel & repatriation, maternity care, physical therapy, telehealth consultations (up to 2), preventative care (€300 for cancer screenings & skin checkup). NOT Covered: Pre-existing conditions, routine checkups (unless specified), elective/cosmetic treatments, STD preventative care, learning difficulties, ADHD, speech therapy, dietician, occupational therapy, contraception, eating disorder treatment, self-harm related treatment, gender reassignment, extreme sports injuries. 2026 Update: €30 outpatient excess removed; waiting period for routine screening reduced to 6 months.

You're eligible if: you're new to Germany, you don't yet qualify for public or full private health insurance, you're planning to stay in Germany for limited time (up to 5 years for short-term plan), and you meet your visa requirements.

Yes, freelancers and self-employed individuals can apply for expat health insurance if they meet the general eligibility requirements for expat health insurance.

Several groups are NOT eligible: Persons employed by German company earning >€556/month, individuals living in Germany >5 years, persons aged 75+ years, applicants for secondary visas or visa renewals, people with pre-existing conditions with treatment costs >€416.66/month, individuals requiring permanent or high care levels, and professional athletes.

Private health insurance for expats Newcomer plans provide coverage for up to 5 years from arrival. After 5 years, residents must switch to full public or private German health insurance. Those ineligible for public/private can enroll in Extended plans for longer-term coverage.

A minimum coverage amount of €30000 is guaranteed. If you qualify for full public or private health insurance, Feather recommends signing up for one of those options instead.

Payment Methods: Credit card, Debit card, IBAN, or PayPal. Billing: First month is prorated based on your start date (charged at sign-up), then billed on the 1st of every month. You may change payment method anytime in your Feather account.

Yes, you can change your payment method at any time in your Feather account.

Accepted methods: Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, and IBAN (any IBAN including UK, Switzerland, etc. as long as SEPA payments are supported). All payments processed in euros (EUR).

Yes, the initial payment is processed immediately at checkout. This secures and confirms your policy, triggers document creation and verification, and ensures your coverage starts as scheduled. You'll receive a digital invoice via email and in your account.

Your checkout payment covers the partial month from your selected start date through the end of that month. Example: If policy starts May 10th, checkout covers May 10-31. Your first full month (June) charges on June 1st automatically.

After initial checkout charge, you're charged on the 1st of each month via automated subscription. This covers that entire month's insurance coverage (prepaid billing). You may view/download invoices in your account.

You'll receive an email notification and a billing error appears in your account. You may update your payment method or retry payment by: checking card details (expiration, CVV), ensuring sufficient funds, confirming international payments enabled with your bank, or trying an alternative payment method. Retry directly in account under Billing section.

Yes, expat health policies are flexible and can be canceled on a monthly basis anytime through your account. You'll receive confirmation in account and by email.

Log in to account → Go to 'My Account' → Click 'Policies' under Your Coverage → Select policy to cancel → Click 'Cancel this policy' and choose reason → Click 'Confirm' to complete cancellation.

You should cancel before the end of the month to avoid being billed the following month.

Yes, if you cancel before your policy's effective start date, you'll receive a 100% refund. No coverage will have started, so no costs will be incurred.

If eligible for a refund, it takes 3-7 business days to appear depending on your bank. You'll receive a confirmation email when the refund is initiated.

Expat insurance offers a 14-day withdrawal period: If canceled and policy started within 14 days = full refund (as long as no claims made). If canceled after 14+ days = no refund, but policy ends after current paid month. Cancel before 1st of next month to avoid future charges.

Do I need a healthcare card? No, a healthcare card is not provided; you're a private patient and pay upfront. What can I claim for? Accidents, emergencies, new illnesses. Does NOT cover pre-existing conditions, routine checkups, or preventative care. Deductible? Yes, €25 copay per medical event (not per appointment).

Outpatient: Invoices with diagnosis and cost breakdown of services. Medication: Prescription + pharmacy receipt. Referrals: Not required for specialists, but required for physical therapy aids. Hospital visits: Final invoice after visit (not pre-payments). NOT accepted: Invoices without diagnostic info/cost breakdown, pre-payments (Vorauszahlung), payment reminders, payment receipts alone, invoices from non-medical practitioners.

Click on your expat health insurance policy → Click 'make a claim' → Fill out form with total amount, IBAN, and all relevant documents → Submit.

You may be asked for further documentation if initial documents were insufficient. Go back to that claim in your Feather account, attach the additional requested documents, and claim moves forward.

Most claims take 2 weeks if all documents submitted and no further info needed, but can take up to 4 weeks. You'll receive notification of outcome via email once processed. For longer processing times, contact support.

If claim is processed and reimbursement determined, Feather sends reimbursement directly to the IBAN provided when you made the claim.

Submit final invoices and any transport receipts through the claims submission system in your expat health insurance account. Upload the complete final invoice and any supporting documents for claim approval.

After obtaining necessary documents/information, upload them to your expat health claim through your Feather account. Once submitted, the updated claim is reviewed and processed; you'll receive updates via email. Additional info may be requested to review/process claims.

Public: Mandatory for some groups, covers broad medical services, premiums income-dependent (~15.5% gross salary), premium increases historically ~3.4%/year. Private: Optional for higher earners, customizable coverage, fixed premiums based on age/health at sign-up, premium increases historically ~2.8%/year, often better dental & vision coverage.

The minimum income threshold for private health insurance is generally around €30000 gross annually. However, exact requirements vary by insurance company and can be higher depending on age and occupation.

Yes, you can apply even while pregnant, but pre-existing conditions (including pregnancy) may lead to coverage restrictions or surcharges. Private health insurance doesn't offer family plans; each family member needs separate premium. Review maternity coverage details before application.

This depends on your specific policy terms. Contact Feather to discuss options for pausing coverage.

Your coverage may be affected if you leave Germany. Contact Feather for specific guidance on your situation and options for maintaining coverage abroad or canceling your policy.

If receiving unemployment benefits, you may be automatically included by statutory health insurance. To remain privately insured, you may need to apply for exemption from compulsory insurance. If under 55, you can potentially keep private insurance with proper exemption. If over 55, you'll generally remain privately insured. Situation varies - contact Feather for specific guidance.

If income threshold increases and your income falls below it, contact Feather to understand your options as this may affect your eligibility for continuing private insurance.

For standard/premium long-term plans (2-year contract): Can cancel after initial 2 years by giving 3-month notice before insurance year end (e.g., if started 01.09.2021, earliest end is 31.08.2023; cancel by 31.05.2023). After first 2 years = yearly rolling contract. For short-term plans (monthly rolling): Notify by 15th of month for 15-day minimum notice; cancellation effective end of month. For sick pay/travel add-on (1-year contract): Cancel after 1 year with 3-month notice.

You may cancel extraordinarily if: (1) Subjected to compulsory public health insurance (send proof), (2) Monthly premium increased (cancel within 2 months for retrospective termination; send proof of follow-up insurance), (3) Contract expiring (need proof of follow-up private insurance). Feather customers can cancel through account without writing letters. Continue account access after cancellation for invoices/documents.

You may set up direct debit during application or anytime in your Feather account. If behind on payments, you'll need to clear the balance. Specific payment terms depend on your policy details.

Basic Plan (€10.90+/month): Dental cleaning up to €150/year, root canals, composite fillings, periodontal disease treatments, mouthguards. Advanced Plan: Unlimited dental cleaning from start, all Basic coverage plus teeth whitening (bleaching) up to €200 every 2 years, more extensive tooth replacement coverage, cosmetic procedures.

Teeth whitening (bleaching) is included ONLY by Advanced dental plan, limited to €200 every 2 years.

Yes, treatments for periodontitis are included by both Basic and Advanced dental insurance plans.

Coverage for tooth straightening (orthodontic treatment) depends on your specific policy. Check coverage details or contact Feather to confirm if included.

Yes, there are waiting periods for dental insurance. Specific waiting period details vary by policy - contact Feather for details about your coverage.

The definition of missing teeth is important because it affects coverage for tooth replacement procedures. Teeth that were already missing before insurance start date are typically not included.

Your dental insurance premium changes as you grow older. Specific details vary by policy - contact Feather for information on how your age affects your premiums.

You may add family members to your supplemental dental insurance policy. Specific process details should be obtained from Feather.

planned, or recommended dental treatment?,"Ongoing, planned, and recommended treatments have specific definitions in policy terms. Contact Feather for detailed explanation of how these terms apply to your coverage."

Yes, submitting dental claims may affect when you can cancel the policy. Check your policy terms or contact Feather for specific details.

You may upgrade or downgrade your dental policy. Contact Feather to discuss options and process for changing your coverage level.

Check coverage details in your policy or contact Feather to confirm whether your specific treatment is included.

Coverage for tooth replacement procedures varies by plan (Basic vs. Advanced). Advanced plan provides more extensive coverage. Check your specific policy for details.

Coverage for veneers depends on your specific policy. Check coverage details or contact Feather to confirm.

Coverage for tooth straightening depends on specific policy. Contact Feather to confirm if this is included in your plan.

Submit dental insurance claims through your Feather account or contact Feather for specific submission procedures.

Reasons for partial reimbursement may include coverage limits, deductibles, severity factors, or policy exclusions. Contact Feather with your claim details for explanation.

The severity factor (Steigerungsfaktor) on dental bills relates to how dental treatments are billed. Contact Feather for detailed explanation of how this factor affects your coverage and reimbursement.

Payment methods for dental treatments may be required for proper documentation/claims processing. Contact Feather for explanation of their payment requirements.

Itemized invoices/cost plans provide detailed breakdown of dental treatments and costs. These are needed for proper claims processing and to ensure coverage compliance.

Specific changes to dental filling coverage in 2026 - check Feather FAQ for updated details on front tooth filling coverage.

To apply for Feather life insurance, you must: Be between 18 and 55 years old, Be employed or self-employed, Reside in one of: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, or Liechtenstein. Application is fully digital with no medical examination required.

The application process is fully digital and does not require a medical examination. Eligible applicants can get coverage within minutes through an online application.

Key advantages include: Customizable coverage amounts based on your needs, straightforward pricing, fast digital sign-up process, coverage available for various life situations.

The optimal coverage amount depends on your individual circumstances, life stage, and financial goals. Feather recommends discussing your situation with advisors to determine right coverage.

Specific coverage outside Germany depends on your policy terms. Contact Feather for details on geographic coverage.

Most people can apply for life insurance in Germany, but specific eligibility requirements may apply. Contact Feather for details about your particular situation.

Medical check-up requirements depend on various factors including your age and coverage amount requested. Feather can advise on your specific situation during application.

Term life insurance is beneficial for various life situations. Feather recommends assessing your specific circumstances, dependents, and financial obligations to determine if it's right for you.

Feather's insurance policies are backed by insurance providers. If Feather ceased operations, your insurance coverage would be maintained by the underlying insurance provider. This is an important consumer protection.

Whether life insurance is worth it depends on your individual circumstances, dependents, financial obligations, and income replacement needs. Feather recommends assessing your specific situation.

Cost of life insurance depends on factors: age, health status, coverage amount, and term length. Feather offers competitive pricing and can provide quotes based on specific needs.

The optimal coverage term depends on your individual circumstances, life stage, and financial goals. Feather recommends discussing your situation with advisors.

You may contact Feather through your account to initiate cancellation. Specific cancellation procedures and notice periods depend on your policy terms.

Your life insurance policy becomes active according to your selected start date. Details should be specified in your policy documents.

Life insurance policies typically pay out in the event of the insured person's death. Specific conditions and timing depend on your individual policy terms.

Yes, you may be able to adjust your coverage. Contact Feather to discuss options for modifying your existing policy.

Cross insurance is a type of coverage arrangement. Contact Feather for detailed explanation of how cross insurance works and whether it applies to your policy.

Coverage is available for pets from 8 weeks to 6 years old at sign-up, with lifetime continuation once insured.

Pre-existing conditions cannot be insured. These typically include: Diabetes, Hip/elbow dysplasia, Most allergies (except food allergies which are included), Growing tumors/malformations, Other chronic or congenital issues.

Surgery Plan (€14-€35/month): Basic coverage for surgeries and related treatments including diagnostics, medication, post-operative care, physiotherapy, and hospital stays after surgery. Plus Plan (€50-€91/month): More comprehensive coverage including consultations, preventive care, medication, dental treatments BUT capped at €800 yearly reimbursement.

Yes, surgeries are included in Plus plan, though they are unlimited under Surgery plan. Plus plan offers broader coverage but with annual reimbursement cap of €800.

Waiting periods: Standard waiting periods apply. Annual reimbursement cap: €800 per year. Coverage: Extended to include consultations, preventive care, medication, and dental treatments.

Pet health insurance covers surgical operations and related treatments. Specific coverage details depend on your plan (Surgery vs. Plus). Check policy for details.

Preventive treatments typically include routine checkups, vaccinations, and wellness visits. Specific included preventive treatments depend on your plan. Contact Feather for details.

An accident is defined as unexpected, sudden event causing injury. Specific definition and coverage details depend on your policy terms.

Pet health insurance has waiting periods before coverage begins. Specific waiting period lengths vary by coverage type - contact Feather for details.

but they get diagnosed with an illness during the waiting period?,"Illnesses diagnosed during waiting period are typically included as new conditions once waiting period expires. Specific terms vary - contact Feather for details."

Pet health insurance premiums may increase based on various factors. Contact Feather for information on how your premiums are calculated and why they may increase.

Submit pet health insurance claims through your Feather account or contact Feather for specific claim submission procedures.

Pet health insurance can be canceled according to policy terms. Contact Feather for specific cancellation procedures and notice requirements.

The Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) sets standard fees for veterinary services in Germany. Pet health insurance reimbursements are based on these standard fees.

Yes, you can choose your own veterinarian with Feather's pet health insurance.

Yes, worldwide coverage is included for up to 12 months - useful for expats who travel or relocate.

When sick/accident on trip: Use European health insurance card for European countries (public hospitals/doctors without upfront payment). Outside Europe: pay upfront and retain documentation. If costs too high or hospitalization needed, call +49 40 5555-7877. Submit claim: Via Feather account during/after trip. Click travel insurance → 'Make a claim' → Complete questionnaire → Upload documents. Required documents: Proof of departure/return, event description, personal details, invoices/receipts/diagnoses/prescriptions (medical costs), documentation explaining cancellation cause (cancellation), incident report from airline/hotel/police (luggage). Document requirements: Well readable, preferably English, display your name and doctor/hospital name. Processing: 4-6 weeks after receipt; you'll be contacted if questions arise.

Feather's annual travel insurance provides: Coverage for unlimited trips up to 56 days each, worldwide medical expense coverage, available in two plans: Basic Plan (medical coverage only), Premium Plan (trip cancellation & partial cancellation + lost/damaged luggage), no deductible (0 deductible), starting from €25/year. NOT Covered: Illnesses known prior to trip start, dental treatments (implants, orthodontics, cleaning, crowns, inlays, splints, functional treatments), vaccinations/preventative blood tests, treatments if travel warning issued by German government before departure.

Depreciation affects reimbursement amounts for damaged/lost items. Insurance calculates reimbursement based on current item value considering age and use rather than replacement cost. Contact Feather for explanation of how depreciation applies to your specific claim.

Legal insurance helps you with legal disputes and provides access to legal advice and representation. It covers costs associated with legal proceedings in various situations.

Feather offers Basic and Advanced legal plans with different coverage levels. Specific differences vary - contact Feather for detailed comparison.

This explains key roles and terminology to help understand legal insurance policy terms and how Feather assists. Contact Feather for detailed explanation of policy terms.

Legal insurance has waiting periods before certain claims can be made. Specific waiting period details vary by coverage type - contact Feather for information.

Yes, you can downgrade your legal insurance policy. Contact Feather to discuss options for changing your coverage level.

Pre-existing/ongoing issues have specific definitions in legal insurance policies. Contact Feather for detailed explanation.

Legal insurance policies have specific cancellation procedures and notice requirements. Contact Feather for details on canceling your policy.

Legal insurance costs vary based on plan level (Basic vs. Advanced). Contact Feather for current pricing information.

Legal insurance policies include deductibles. Specific amounts depend on your policy level - contact Feather for details.

Legal insurance and membership in tenant associations serve different purposes and may be complementary. Feather can help you understand which option is best for your situation.

To claim for household contents insurance: Document the incident, gather evidence/photos, submit claim through your Feather account with all relevant documentation, include receipts/invoices for damaged items.

Your insured sum is the maximum amount Feather will reimburse for your household contents. Ensure your insured sum adequately covers your possessions' value. Contact Feather if you need to adjust.

Specific persons included by household contents insurance depend on your policy terms. Typically includes you and household members living at the insured address. Contact Feather for details.

Most bikes and e-bikes of any age from any retailer are eligible: ✅ Carbon-framed bikes, ✅ Vintage bikes, ✅ E-bikes (not exceeding specifications), ❌ Self-built/significantly modified bikes, ❌ Dirt/race bikes used for competition, ❌ Commercial bikes.

Yes, you can insure second-hand bikes, but you'll need to provide documentation to verify the bike's provenance and value.

A bike frame number is a unique identification number for your bike used for insurance purposes. You need to provide this number to Feather as part of coverage documentation.

You may include additional parts and accessories (like locks and attachments) as part of your bike insurance coverage. Feather can provide guidance on adding these items during sign-up or by updating existing coverage.

No. Every e-scooter driving faster than 6 km/h needs its own insurance. Personal liability insurance covers accidental damages from regular pedal bikes but does NOT cover e-scooters. E-scooters require separate insurance.

Personal liability insurance covers day-to-day life and generally doesn't cover work/business pursuits. However, it CAN cover part-time freelance activities IF: (1) You earned ≤€15000 gross last tax year from activity, (2) You won't earn >€15000 this year, (3) You don't have employees, (4) For fitness lessons (yoga/pilates): Only home work included (gym requires commercial liability). Covered activities: Alteration tailoring, embroidery, call center advertising, data/text entry, tutoring, painting, handicrafts, fitness lessons, flea markets, photography, hairdressing, tours, cosmetics/candles/jewelry sales, etc. If full-time freelancer doing unlisted activities = need professional liability insurance (berufshaftpflichtversicherung).

Personal liability insurance (privathaftpflichtversicherung) covers day-to-day life (rented apartments, skateboarding, etc.) but does NOT cover incidents while driving. Car liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is mandatory and specifically protects you as a driver. When renting a car, companies offer basic liability insurance; check what additional packages they offer for adequate coverage.

Reimbursements are calculated based on: (1) Coverage limits in your policy, (2) Age, use, and life span of damaged item at time of damage (per §249 Civil Code - standard practice for property damages). Product lifespan calculation: Manufacturer-provided estimated lifespan or industry standards used. For items like furniture/carpets: Use common usage guidelines, maintenance records, expert assessments. Example: If you spill red wine on friend's carpet needing replacement, insurance won't pay full replacement cost of new carpet. They reimburse based on carpet's current value considering years of use and reasonable life-span. Recommendation: Don't pay anyone before claim is assessed to avoid being left out of pocket.

Reimbursements calculated based on: (1) Coverage limits in policy, (2) Item's age/use/lifespan at time of damage. Standard practice is to reimburse based on current value considering depreciation.

For items like appliances/electronics: Use manufacturer-provided estimated lifespan or industry standards. For items like furniture/carpets: Rely on common usage guidelines, maintenance records, or expert assessments to determine reasonable lifespan and calculate fair reimbursement.

Feather pension insurance has 2 fees: (1) Monthly fee: €1.50 (deducted each month from pension balance), (2) Yearly fee: 0.72% of your pension balance.

To fulfill 5-year requirements for permanent residency, you must pay at least €105/month into Basis pension for 60 months. There are two available options for achieving permanent residency through pension contributions - contact Feather for details on which suits your situation.

The maximum amount to put into a basis pension as high-earning employee is €10714/year or €893/month. This represents the tax-efficient maximum for employees.

Specific questions about disability insurance should be directed to Feather for detailed information on coverage and terms.

Dog liability insurance covers damages caused by your dog to third parties. This typically includes bodily injury and property damage liability.

Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is liability coverage specifically for damages caused by your dog. Coverage details vary by policy.

General tips and useful information about German insurance including policy management, claims, and coverage optimization. Check Feather FAQ for detailed tips.

You may update your mailing address, billing information, and other account details through your Feather account. Log in and navigate to 'My Account' section to manage these settings.

Valid cancellation reasons typically include: Moving away from Germany, subject to compulsory public insurance, premium increases, contract expiration, or life circumstance changes. Specific valid reasons vary by policy type - contact Feather for details.

Changing your insurance start date may be possible depending on policy terms. Contact Feather to discuss options for modifying your start date.