Do German citizens need a visa to live in Spain?
No. Germany is a full EU member state, so German nationals benefit from the EU right of free movement under Directive 2004/38/EC. You can enter Spain without a visa, work or retire here, and stay as long as you wish. There is no application to a Spanish consulate, no income threshold to prove before you arrive, and no visa fee.
However, if you intend to stay in Spain for more than three months, you must formally register as an EU resident. This is done in Spain — not via a German consulate — and it results in the issue of a Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión Europea (sometimes called the green certificate or resguardo verde). Without this, you are legally present but unregistered, which creates problems with bank accounts, healthcare, and taxes.
Key difference from non-EU applicants: Germans do not apply for a Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or any Spanish visa at all. The registration process happens at the local Oficina de Extranjería or Ayuntamiento in Spain, after you arrive. The health insurance requirement is about proving self-sufficiency as part of that registration — not about satisfying a consulate abroad.
Health insurance requirements for Spanish residency registration
EU law requires that EU citizens seeking to reside in another member state for more than three months must demonstrate they are “self-sufficient” — meaning they will not become a burden on the host country’s public services. For German citizens in Spain who are not employed by a Spanish employer and not contributing to the Spanish Social Security system (Seguridad Social), the standard way to prove self-sufficiency is to hold private health insurance.
The health insurance you present must meet these requirements:
The policy must cover 100% of costs from the first euro — no ticket moderador, no franquicia, no co-insurance. This is the same standard applied to non-EU visa applicants.
Coverage must extend to all of Spain — mainland, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Regional-only policies are not sufficient.
Only a policy from a registered private Spanish insurer is accepted. State health entitlement and foreign public health coverage are not accepted.
GP visits, specialist consultations, hospitalisation, emergency care, and diagnostics. Basic emergency-only or travel policies are not sufficient.
Does your German health insurance work in Spain?
This is the biggest misconception among German expats moving to Spain. Germany has one of the world’s best healthcare systems, and whether you hold statutory insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV) with TK, AOK, Barmer, or DAK — or private insurance (Private Krankenversicherung / PKV) — your German policy does not cover you as a long-term resident in Spain.
What the EHIC (Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte) does and does not cover:
- Emergency and medically necessary treatment during temporary stays in Spain
- Access to Spanish public health services on the same terms as local residents during visits
- Not valid once you are registered as a Spanish resident
- Not accepted for EU residency registration as proof of health coverage
- Not a substitute for a private Spanish insurance policy
When you register as an EU resident and leave Germany, you should notify your German Krankenkasse. GKV members who move abroad long-term typically lose their entitlement to German statutory insurance. PKV (private) policyholders often have the option to suspend their German policy (Anwartschaft) — useful if you might return to Germany later.
Best health insurance options for German residents in Spain
The following insurers are the leading options for German citizens registering as residents in Spain. All three issue the required documentation for residency purposes and have English-speaking support teams. Prices shown are indicative for a healthy 45-year-old.
Step-by-step: registering as an EU resident in Spain
As a German citizen, you register for residency at the local Oficina de Extranjería or, in some municipalities, the Ayuntamiento. The process varies slightly by region but generally follows these steps:
- Obtain your NIE number — The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is required for almost everything in Spain: contracts, bank accounts, taxes. Apply at the Oficina de Extranjería or, before moving, at the Spanish consulate in Germany.
- Arrange private health insurance — Purchase a policy meeting the requirements above. Sanitas, Caser, and ASSSA all issue a residency registration certificate.
- Book an appointment — Use cita.administracionelectronica.gob.es to book a cita previa at the Oficina de Extranjería for the EX-18 form (Solicitud de Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión).
- Prepare your documents — Valid passport or German national ID (Personalausweis), completed EX-18 form, proof of health insurance, proof of sufficient economic means (bank statements, pension), proof of address in Spain.
- Attend your appointment — Present your documents. If everything is in order, you receive the Certificado de Registro (green certificate) as proof of legal residency.
- Register on the Padrón Municipal — Separately register at the Ayuntamiento for the local census. Needed for access to some public services and separate from the EU residency registration.
TIE for long-term residents: After five years of continuous legal residence, German citizens can apply for the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) as a permanent resident — a physical identity card with biometric data.
Frequently asked questions
Do German citizens need a visa to move to Spain?
No. Germany is an EU member state. German citizens have the right of free movement and can live in Spain without any visa. For stays over three months, you register at the local Oficina de Extranjería — no consulate application required.
Does my German Krankenkasse (GKV) cover me in Spain?
Only for temporary stays and emergencies via your EHIC card. Once you are a Spanish resident, your German statutory health insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer, etc.) does not cover your ongoing healthcare needs in Spain, and it is not accepted for residency registration.
What health insurance do I need to register as an EU resident in Spain?
A private Spanish health insurance policy with no copayments, full Spain coverage, and issued by a registered private insurer. Sanitas, Caser, and ASSSA are all widely accepted and provide the required certificate for registration.
Can I use my EHIC card for Spanish residency registration?
No. The EHIC is only valid for temporary stays. Spanish authorities do not accept it as proof of health coverage for EU residency registration. You need a private Spanish policy.
Does my German private health insurance (PKV) count for Spanish residency?
No. German private health insurance (PKV) from providers such as DKV, Allianz, or AXA Germany is not accepted for Spanish residency registration. Spanish authorities require a policy issued by a Spanish-registered insurer. The certificate must confirm full Spain-wide coverage, no copayments, and must comply with DGSFP requirements.
How much does private health insurance cost for German residents in Spain?
Premiums depend on age and the level of cover. For a 45-year-old, expect €70–120/month for a fully compliant no-copayment policy — significantly less than most German PKV premiums. Sanitas starts from €67.76/month, Caser and ASSSA from approximately €55/month. Use the compare tool for a personalised quote.
Can I start my Spanish health insurance before I move to Spain?
Yes — and this is recommended. You can set the policy start date to match your planned arrival in Spain and receive the insurance certificate while still in Germany. Having the certificate ready in advance makes the residency registration process much smoother on arrival.
What is the Registro de Ciudadanos de la Unión Europea?
The formal registration EU citizens must complete to establish legal residency in Spain for stays over three months. The result is the Certificado de Registro de Ciudadano de la Unión — a green certificate serving as proof of residency. It is processed at the Oficina de Extranjería or Ayuntamiento.