Do New Zealand citizens need a visa to live in Spain?
Yes. New Zealanders can visit Spain and the Schengen zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. To live in Spain beyond that — to become a resident — NZ citizens must apply for a Spanish residency visa. The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the standard route for New Zealanders who want to retire in Spain, live there on passive income, or work remotely for non-Spanish employers or clients.
New Zealand does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Spain. ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) — New Zealand's no-fault accident compensation scheme — covers accidents that occur within New Zealand only. New Zealand public healthcare similarly only operates domestically. None of this has any bearing on a Spanish visa application, which requires private Spanish health insurance exclusively.
ACC is a New Zealand-specific accident compensation scheme that covers the cost of treatment for accidents occurring within New Zealand. It does not operate internationally. ACC has absolutely no standing for Spanish visa purposes and is not accepted as proof of health insurance under any circumstances for the NLV. Every New Zealand NLV applicant must purchase private Spanish health insurance from a Spanish-registered insurer.
What health insurance do New Zealanders need for the Spanish NLV?
The six core NLV insurance requirements apply to all nationalities including New Zealand citizens. For NZ applicants applying through the Spanish Embassy in Wellington or Consulate in Auckland, repatriation must be explicitly stated on the insurance certificate — consistent with requirements at other English-speaking country consulates.
Zero copayments, zero deductible, zero co-insurance. 100% of costs covered from day one. Any cost-sharing results in rejection.
At least one year from the policy start date. Travel and short-term policies are not accepted.
Must cover all of Spain — mainland, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Must be a Spanish-registered insurer. NZ public health and ACC are not accepted. NZ private insurers are not accepted.
Repatriation must be explicitly named on the visa certificate. All recommended plans include it — confirm it appears on your letter before submitting.
Full cover from the policy start date — no initial exclusions for general medicine, emergencies, or hospital treatment.
Does New Zealand health coverage work for the Spanish NLV?
No. New Zealand health coverage of any kind is not accepted for Spanish NLV applications. The following are explicitly not accepted:
ACC is New Zealand's no-fault accident compensation scheme — it covers the cost of treatment for accidents occurring within New Zealand only. It has absolutely no international scope, covers only accidents (not illness), and is not accepted under any circumstances for a Spanish visa application.
NZ public healthcare only covers New Zealand residents within New Zealand. It has no international standing and plays no role in a Spanish visa application.
New Zealand private health insurers are not registered with Spain's DGS and cannot issue the required Spanish-language visa certificate. They do not satisfy Spanish NLV compliance requirements regardless of the scope of their coverage.
Travel insurance is for temporary trips and is not residential health insurance. Spanish consulates will reject any travel policy submitted as NLV health insurance.
Which insurers are recommended for New Zealand NLV applicants?
The Spanish Embassy in Wellington applies the same core requirements as other English-speaking country consulates. Repatriation must be explicitly stated on the certificate, and the visa letter should be in in Spanish format. The following insurers are recommended for New Zealand applicants:
Sanitas issues its visa certificate instantly by email at policy activation, in Spanish. Repatriation is explicitly stated on the certificate — meeting the requirement consistently flagged at English-speaking country consulates. The Residents and Residents Platinum plans are the recommended options for NZ applicants across all age groups.
ASSSA is the preferred alternative — particularly for New Zealanders over 70, as it is one of the few Spanish insurers accepting new policyholders above that age. Its English-speaking team and expat-specialist focus make it well-suited for NZ applicants. Caser is a good value option for New Zealanders under 70 who want dental cover included.
Best health insurance plans for New Zealand NLV applicants
Where do New Zealanders apply for the Spanish NLV?
New Zealanders apply in person at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington or the Spanish Consulate in Auckland. The Embassy in Wellington (at 50 Manners Street, Wellington) is the primary diplomatic mission for Spain in New Zealand. The Consulate in Auckland also processes NLV applications. Always check the current application process and appointment booking details on the Embassy website before starting your application.
Apply early: Appointment availability at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington and Consulate in Auckland is more limited than at larger consulates in the US or UK. New Zealanders should aim to book appointments 6–10 weeks in advance of their intended travel date. Allow 3–4 months total from starting your insurance and document preparation to having your visa.
The NLV application from New Zealand requires all the standard documents: completed National Visa form and Form EX-01, valid NZ passport, passport photos, bank certificate demonstrating sufficient income/funds (~NZD $52,000+ equivalent), NZ Police criminal record check (apostilled), medical certificate from your doctor, proof of accommodation in Spain, and the Spanish private health insurance visa certificate.
How to apply for the Spanish NLV as a New Zealand citizen
Choose Sanitas or ASSSA. Activate your policy and request the carta para visado. Confirm repatriation is explicitly stated on the certificate. Sanitas issues this instantly by email.
Valid NZ passport (12+ months remaining), National Visa form + Form EX-01, passport photos, bank certificate showing ~NZD $52,000+ equivalent in passive income/funds, NZ Police criminal record check (apostilled), medical certificate, and proof of accommodation in Spain.
Appointments are booked online. Book as early as possible — availability is limited. Allow 6–10 weeks lead time from booking to appointment date.
Present originals and photocopies of all documents. The Embassy/Consulate has one month to issue a decision. Most NZ applicants receive a response within 2–4 weeks.
Once approved, collect your passport with the NLV visa sticker. Valid for one year. Within 30 days of arriving in Spain, register at the local ayuntamiento and apply for your TIE at the police station.
Barcelona is the most popular destination for New Zealanders moving to Spain — the city has a large English-speaking expat community, a young international population, and a thriving food and culture scene that appeals to Kiwi sensibilities. Madrid is growing in popularity. The Costa del Sol attracts retirees from all English-speaking countries including NZ. Most parts of Spain with established English-speaking expat communities will have NZ faces in them.
Frequently asked questions — New Zealanders & the Spanish NLV
No. New Zealand's public health system only covers healthcare within New Zealand. Spain and New Zealand have no reciprocal healthcare agreement covering residency. Spanish consulates require private health insurance from a Spanish-registered insurer. No form of NZ public health coverage satisfies NLV requirements.
No. ACC is New Zealand's accident compensation scheme — it only covers the cost of treatment for accidents occurring within New Zealand. It has no international scope, does not cover illness, and has absolutely no standing for a Spanish visa application. Every NZ applicant must purchase private Spanish health insurance from a Spanish-registered insurer.
In person at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington or the Spanish Consulate in Auckland. The Embassy in Wellington is the primary diplomatic mission. Appointments must be booked online in advance. You apply from New Zealand before travelling — you cannot submit an NLV application from within Spain.
Yes. As with other English-speaking country consulates (US, Australia, Canada), the Spanish Embassy processing NZ applications requires repatriation to be explicitly stated on the insurance certificate. It must appear clearly in the visa letter — not just be implied by the general policy terms. Always verify this on your certificate before attending your appointment.
The benchmark is approximately €28,800/year — roughly NZD $52,000–$56,000 at 2026 exchange rates. Acceptable income sources include passive investment income, KiwiSaver or superannuation drawdowns (pension phase), rental income from outside Spain, and liquid savings. Employment income from NZ clients is not permitted on the NLV. Each additional family member adds ~€7,200/year to the requirement.
No. NZ private health insurers are not registered with Spain's DGS and cannot issue the Spanish-language visa certificate required by Spanish consulates. Even if they technically cover overseas medical expenses, they do not satisfy the formal NLV compliance requirements. You must use a Spanish-registered insurer.
Most Spanish insurers allow you to purchase a policy 30–90 days before the start date. Sanitas is the most flexible — policies can be contracted up to 6 months before the policy start date, which is useful given the advance booking required at the Spanish Embassy in Wellington or Consulate in Auckland. The policy start date should align with your planned arrival in Spain.
Most Spanish health insurers will cancel and refund your premium if you notify them promptly after a refusal. Sanitas and Caser both have clear refund procedures for visa refusals. You typically need to provide proof of refusal and request cancellation within 30 days. Always confirm the exact cancellation terms and any admin fees in writing before you purchase.