Recently a reform has been made that affects the legal regime that regulates the entry, free movement and residence of EU citizens in Spain and their families.

As a result of this reform, citizens (even if they belong to the European Union) are required to reside in Spain for a period of over 3 months, as one of the requirements they must meet to contract health insurance and to be able to obtain the residence card.

Community and non-EU citizens who wish to reside in Spain must prove that they have health insurance contracted in Spain or in another country, as long as they provide full coverage in Spain equivalent to that provided by the National Health System. This means that insurance is required where there is no specification of co-payments for any medical act, and without waiting periods, so that from the first moment the insured can be hospitalized for any medical problem that is included in coverage.

Health insurance is required by those from:

• Any country in the European Union, and abroad (Russia, Canada, USA, Latin America, India, China, etc.)
•  Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein
• Not required for students or people who don’t work in Spain

Likewise, the obligation to contract health insurance also applies to those who intend to reside in Spain for more than 3 months:

•  Spouse or registered domestic partnership
• Children under 21 years of age (of the community citizen or their spouse or partner)
• Children over 21 years of age living at home (of the community citizen or their spouse or partner)
• Elderly family members living at home (of the community citizen or their spouse or partner).

No, it affects all foreigners who want to reside in Spain. What changed in the new regulations is that up to now it was not required to have health insurance for citizens who belonged to the European Union.

At least 12 months from signing-up, although during that time a residence permit will be acquired and a public health card will be obtained.