These are the three types of policies that you can take out in 2026

Health is one of the most appreciated and best valued public services by Spanish citizens, as well as a fundamental pillar of our welfare state. However, and although confidence in the national system remains at high levels, the latest health barometer released by the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) reflects a slight worsening of the opinion that Spaniards have of public health.

Thus, the average score of general satisfaction suffers a decrease and stands at 6.02 points out of 10, compared to 6.13 the previous year. The same occurs in the score by care levels, since 78.5% of people who have attended primary care rated the care received positively, compared to 82.4% the previous year.

These are not worrying data, but the truth is that more and more people complement public assistance with hiring a private policy. According to data from the latest report prepared by Unespathe insurance employer, almost 26% of Spaniards – some 12.6 million people – have private health insurance.

From Doctoralia, a platform specialized in connecting patients with health professionals, they explain that “health insurance is a contract between a person and an insurance company that provides financial coverage for health and medical expenses” and that “this agreement allows the insured to access health services in exchange for a monthly or annual premium.” “The importance of having health insurance lies in the economic protection it offers against possible illnesses or accidents, preventing the expenses associated with medical care from becoming a financial burden,” he highlights.

Likewise, purchasing health insurance also encourages prevention and continuous health care. “Many policies include annual checkups and preventive tests without additional costs, which encourages policyholders to maintain their state of health. This not only benefits the individual, but also contributes to the early detection of diseases and to the reduction of long-term health spending for the health system in general.

Three types of healthcare insurance

Although there are different types of health insurance, we are going to focus on health care policies, which are the ones that most Spaniards take out. “Health care insurance guarantees medical care of the insured who have opted for this modality, through a medical chart of professionals prepared by the insurer”, indicates Mapfre, the largest Spanish insurer in the world, which specifies that when contracting the insurance, we can choose between three options.

First of all, there is the health insurance without copaywhich is “most suitable for families with 3 insured persons or more.” “It is a product with a higher premium, but it There is no additional amount associated with the use of its services“. That is to say: you pay the monthly fee and you do not have to make any additional payments for the medical consultation, but it is the most expensive.

Health insurance with co-payment offers a low premium, but in exchange the insured pays a higher amount for each use

On the other hand, there is the co-payment modality in its reduced form. In this case, “the insured pay a lower cost premiumbut in exchange participate with the subscription of an amount defined by the insurer for the use of health services.” Mapfre recommends it “for a single insured or families of two insured who enjoy a good state of health in general, but do not want to neglect it.”

Finally, we find health insurance with co-payment, which “offers a low premium, but in exchange the insured pays a higher amount for each use insurance as a co-payment.” This product is “focused on people who want to have private health insurance as an alternative to public health insurance” and most insurers exclude hospital care from it.

It should also be mentioned, on the other hand, the existence of medical and hospital expense reimbursement insurancein which “the insured pays the full bill for the care received, and the insurer reimburses a percentage of both medical and hospital expenses that is stipulated in the contract.”

The OCU denounces lack of guarantees in the renewal

However, before taking out a policy of this type you have to think carefully. From the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) It has recently been reported “absence of real guarantees in the contracting and renewal of private health insurance”. “Currently, current regulations allow insurers to operate with a discretion that leaves the consumer in a position of clear vulnerability,” said this group of consumers.

“Health insurance is usually marketed as annual renewable policies, but this renewal is not assured. “Companies can unilaterally decide not to renew the contract or apply significant increases in the premium, without limits or transparent criteria,” explained the OCU, which considers this practice “abusive” as it understands that “it generates constant uncertainty for the user, who does not know what the future cost of their insurance will be and if they will be able to maintain it over time.”

Likewise, this organization criticizes that the situation is worsening for especially vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or people with health problems. “And in the face of a disproportionate increase in the premium, Changing insurers is not a real option: after a certain age, companies usually reject the applicationexclude coverage related to pre-existing pathologies or impose extra premiums that make contracting unfeasible. The result is paradoxical: the consumer pays for years for a service that they may not be able to use when they need it most“.

Policies from 14.75 to 80 euros per person per month

Next, 20 minutes has compiled the current prices of some of the most well-known companies offering this product today. This information is indicative in nature, since The final price will be determined by several factors, such as age, geographic location or the number of people insured.among others. It is also possible to obtain price discounts at certain times of the year, as has happened with the Black Friday.

-Sanitary. This company offers the Sanitas Más Salud Óptima policy on its website from 34.90 euros per month per person with co-payment. There is also the possibility of contracting insurance with a co-payment. Sanitas Más Salud Plus from 44.90 euros. For its part, the Sanitas Más Salud policy without copayment costs 59.90 euros per month per person. All of these modalities offer dental coverage, video call consultation in all specialties and surgical interventions. They also all give a 10% discount on the family pack.