The terms that decide NLV suitability are sin copago (no copayment), sin franquicia (no excess/deductible), sin carencias (no waiting periods), aseguradora autorizada (authorised insurer), plus the certificado (certificate) and recibo (proof of payment) you present at your appointment. If you can confirm these, you are most of the way to certificate-ready cover.
You don't need to become fluent in Spanish insurance terminology, but understanding a handful of words makes it far easier to tell whether a policy is suitable for the Non-Lucrative Visa. This glossary groups the terms by what they do, so you can find the one you're stuck on quickly.
If a policy's wording still isn't clear, request a quote or send us the details and we can help you check it.
Why Spanish insurance terms matter for the NLV
Certificates and policy documents for NLV cover are commonly in Spanish, because the consulate reviews them. That means the exact Spanish wording is what a caseworker actually reads — and a few specific phrases are what confirm the policy has no copay, no excess and no waiting periods. Recognising those phrases lets you check a policy yourself, rather than taking a summary on trust.
The terms below are the ones that come up when applicants ask "is this policy suitable?" Get comfortable with the core group and the rest is context. For the underlying rules these terms describe, see the requirements hub.
Core terms applicants must understand
If you learn only a handful of terms, learn these — they are the ones that most directly decide NLV suitability.
Sin copago
Without copayment. You do not pay a small charge each time you use a service. For the NLV, cover is usually expected to be sin copago where required. See no-copay cover.
Copago
Copayment. A small amount you pay per visit or service. Common on cheaper Spanish policies, and generally unsuitable for the NLV where no copay is required.
Sin franquicia
Without excess/deductible. No fixed amount to pay before the insurer pays. For the NLV you generally want cover that is sin franquicia. See no excess / deductible.
Franquicia
Excess / deductible. A set amount you pay before cover applies. Often found on international plans, and usually a problem for the NLV.
Sin carencias
Without waiting periods. Cover applies from the start date, with no delay on certain treatments. Where the consulate requires it, NLV cover should be sin carencias. See no waiting periods.
Carencia / carencias
Waiting period(s). A time after the policy starts during which some treatments aren't yet covered. Standard on many policies, so worth checking for the NLV.
Aseguradora autorizada
Authorised insurer. An insurer authorised to operate in Spain. NLV cover is usually expected to come from one. See authorised insurer.
Policy and cover terms
Seguro médico privado
Private medical insurance. The general category of cover the NLV expects — private health insurance, as opposed to travel or public cover.
Seguro de salud
Health insurance. Used interchangeably with seguro médico for health cover.
Cobertura completa
Full / comprehensive cover. Cover across GP, specialists, hospital, surgery, diagnostics and emergencies — the breadth the NLV expects. See full cover.
Cuadro médico
Medical network. The list of doctors, specialists and hospitals you can use under the policy.
Hospitalización
Hospitalisation. Inpatient hospital cover, including stays and surgery — a key part of comprehensive cover.
Pruebas diagnósticas
Diagnostic tests. Scans, blood tests and other diagnostics, which comprehensive cover should include.
Urgencias
Emergencies. Emergency medical treatment, which the policy should cover.
Exclusiones
Exclusions. Things the policy does not cover. Worth reading, as exclusions can affect suitability.
Certificate and payment terms
Certificado
Certificate. The insurance certificate confirming cover, often the document you present at your appointment. See the certificate page.
Recibo
Receipt. Proof the policy is paid — often requested alongside the certificate.
Justificante de pago
Proof of payment. Documentary evidence that the premium has been paid and the policy is active. See proof of payment.
Fecha de efecto
Effective / start date. The date cover begins. Setting the right one matters for aligning cover with your appointment and move.
Fecha de vencimiento
Expiry / renewal date. The date the policy period ends. Relevant for one-year cover and renewal. See renewal.
Insurer and authorisation terms
DGSFP
Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones. The Spanish body that regulates insurers. An authorised insurer is typically registered here.
Tomador
Policyholder. The person who holds the policy and is responsible for it — not always the same as the insured person.
Asegurado
Insured person. The person actually covered by the policy. For a couple or family, each applicant is normally an asegurado.
Medical and underwriting terms
Preexistencias
Pre-existing conditions. Health conditions you have before the policy starts, assessed by the insurer. See pre-existing conditions.
Cuestionario de salud
Health questionnaire. A form about your health used in underwriting. Answer it fully and honestly.
Reembolso
Reimbursement. A policy type where you pay and claim back, as opposed to a network (cuadro médico) policy. Both can exist; suitability still depends on the NLV conditions.
Visa-document and related terms
Excess / Deductible
The English equivalents of franquicia. "Excess" is common in UK English, "deductible" in US English. For the NLV you generally want none.
Repatriación
Repatriation. Returning someone to their home country in certain serious circumstances. Sometimes mentioned in visa/insurance discussions. See repatriation.
Common wording mistakes
- Assuming "comprehensive" means no copay. A policy can be comprehensive and still have copago — check specifically.
- Missing a franquicia. An excess can be buried in the terms of an otherwise good policy.
- Overlooking carencias. Waiting periods may apply only to certain treatments, so read the detail.
- Treating a quote as a certificado. A quote or welcome email is not the certificate a consulate wants.
- Not confirming the aseguradora is autorizada. Authorisation to operate in Spain matters.
Glossary checklist
- Policy is sin copago where required
- Policy is sin franquicia — no excess/deductible
- Policy is sin carencias where required
- Insurer is an aseguradora autorizada in Spain
- You will receive a certificado and recibo / justificante de pago
- The fecha de efecto fits your appointment and move
Unsure what your policy wording means?
If you're not certain a policy is sin copago, sin franquicia and sin carencias from an authorised Spanish insurer, tell us about it. We'll help you check the wording before you commit, and arrange certificate-ready cover if you need it.
Glossary FAQs
What does sin copago mean?
Sin copago means "without copayment" — you do not pay a small charge each time you use a medical service. For the NLV, cover is usually expected to be sin copago where required, so it behaves like comprehensive resident healthcare. See no copay.
What does franquicia mean?
Franquicia is the Spanish word for an excess or deductible — a set amount you pay before the insurer starts to pay. For the NLV, cover is usually expected to be sin franquicia, meaning no excess. See no excess.
Is a deductible the same as an excess?
In everyday terms, yes. "Deductible" (common in US English) and "excess" (common in UK English) both describe an amount you pay before cover applies. In Spanish this is a franquicia, and for the NLV you generally want none.
What are carencias?
Carencias are waiting periods — a time after the policy starts during which certain treatments are not yet covered. Where the consulate requires it, NLV cover should be sin carencias, meaning cover applies from the start date. See no waiting periods.
What is a certificado de seguro?
A certificado de seguro is an insurance certificate — the document confirming your cover, usually naming each insured person, the cover dates and the key conditions. It is often the document you present at your consulate appointment. See the certificate page.
What is a recibo?
A recibo is a receipt or proof of payment showing the policy is paid and active. Consulates often want to see this alongside the certificate as evidence the cover is genuinely in force. See proof of payment.
What does aseguradora autorizada mean?
Aseguradora autorizada means an authorised insurer — an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain, typically regulated via the DGSFP. NLV cover is usually expected to come from an insurer authorised in Spain. See authorised insurer.
What is a preexistencia?
A preexistencia is a pre-existing condition — a health condition you have before the policy starts. These are assessed by the insurer during underwriting, and acceptance or terms depend on the condition and the insurer. See pre-existing conditions.
What does fecha de efecto mean?
Fecha de efecto is the effective date — the date your cover starts. Setting the right fecha de efecto matters for the NLV, so cover aligns with your appointment and move to Spain. See when to buy.
Can you check Spanish policy wording for me?
Yes. If you are unsure whether a policy's Spanish wording meets the usual NLV conditions — sin copago, sin franquicia, sin carencias, from an aseguradora autorizada — tell us about it and we can help you check before you commit. Request a quote.
More questions? See the full FAQ hub.