Important: ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud hospitals
ASSSA has ended its relationship with the Quirónsalud hospital group. Quirónsalud is one of Spain's largest and most widely used private hospital networks. If you are considering ASSSA based on recommendations that mention Quirónsalud access, those recommendations are now out of date. Verify the current ASSSA network for your specific province and intended location before purchasing.
ASSSA vs Caser: at a glance
| Feature | ASSSA | Caser |
|---|---|---|
| Plan name | ASSSA Standard / Plus | Caser Adapta + Dental + Repatriation |
| From price | ~€53/mo benchmark (quote required) | €46.95/month confirmed ✓ |
| Contract length | 12 months | 12 months |
| Max joining age | 74 ✓ | 69 |
| Dental cover | Not included | INCLUDED (Sonrisa Esencial) ✓ |
| Repatriation | ✓ | ✓ (named in plan) |
| Age-based price increases | No age increases ✓ | Standard age-related adjustments |
| Multilingual support | MULTILINGUAL ✓ (expat-focused) | Via 247 Expat Insurance (English) |
| Quirónsalud hospitals | NO — relationship ended | Not applicable (different network) |
| Network geography | Primarily SE Spain (Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Málaga) | National contracted network |
| Certificate | 48–72 hrs via agent | 48–72 hrs via agent |
| DGSFP authorised | ✓ | ✓ |
The Quirónsalud issue: what it means for ASSSA policyholders
Until recently, ASSSA's network included access to Quirónsalud — Spain's largest private hospital group, part of Fresenius Helios, with major hospitals in virtually every province. ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud.
This is not a minor change. Quirónsalud hospitals are a primary reference point for many expats choosing private health insurance in Spain — they are modern, well-staffed, and widely distributed. In the Alicante and Valencia region where ASSSA is particularly popular, Quirónsalud facilities were a key part of the network. Their absence meaningfully reduces the ASSSA hospital offering.
ASSSA's current network still covers primary care and specialist access in south-eastern Spain, and it is worth verifying exactly what providers are available in your specific municipality. But any recommendation of ASSSA that mentions Quirónsalud is out of date. Factor the current network (without Quirónsalud) into your decision before purchasing.
Caser's network of 45,000+ professionals is a contracted arrangement with no owned hospitals, but it does not have the same Quirónsalud complication. If Quirónsalud access is important to you, neither ASSSA nor Caser provides it — in which case Sanitas (with its owned hospital infrastructure) or a policy with explicit Quirónsalud access should be your starting point.
Price: Caser has a confirmed from-price, ASSSA requires a quote
Caser Adapta is publicly confirmed from €46.95/month. ASSSA does not publish a confirmed from-price in the same way — the benchmark is approximately €53/month but the actual figure requires a personalised quote based on your age, province, and specific plan (Standard vs Plus).
The inability to give a firm from-price is not unique to ASSSA, but it does mean that price comparisons are approximate. At the benchmark levels, Caser is cheaper. And Caser includes dental; ASSSA does not. On a total-cost basis, Caser is likely the better value for most applicants under 70.
ASSSA's notable pricing advantage is its policy of not applying age-based premium increases. If you join ASSSA at 60 and renew annually, your premium does not automatically rise simply because you turn 65 or 70. For long-term policyholders, this is a genuine structural advantage that can offset a higher initial starting price over time.
Multilingual support: ASSSA's genuine strength
ASSSA has always been positioned as an expat-focused insurer, and multilingual support is one of its most consistent real-world advantages. ASSSA provides customer service in multiple languages — not just Spanish. For non-Spanish-speaking policyholders dealing with the insurer directly for authorisations, policy queries, or certificate requests, this is a meaningful operational advantage.
Caser's English-language support is available through the specialist broker 247 Expat Insurance, which handles the application, certificate process, and ongoing queries in English. This works well in practice but relies on the broker relationship rather than being a built-in feature of Caser's own service. ASSSA's multilingual provision is the insurer's own offering.
If you are specifically looking for direct multilingual communication with the insurer — rather than through a broker — ASSSA's approach is the stronger one in this comparison.
Age limits: ASSSA accepts five years beyond Caser
ASSSA accepts new applicants up to age 74. Caser's maximum joining age is 69. This five-year gap is ASSSA's most significant structural advantage for older applicants.
For applicants aged 70–74, Caser is simply not available. ASSSA is one of three main options in this age group — alongside DKV (max 75) and Sanitas (max 75). Among these three, ASSSA is the most regionally focused (south-eastern Spain), DKV has the largest network nationally, and Sanitas provides the most comprehensive policy including dental and English digital platform.
Aged 70 or over? Caser is not available.
Caser Adapta has a maximum joining age of 69. For applicants aged 70–74, ASSSA is one option — but also compare DKV (max 75) and Sanitas (max 75). Given ASSSA's network change (no Quirónsalud) and regional focus, those alternatives may better suit applicants outside south-eastern Spain.
Network geography: ASSSA suits south-east Spain
ASSSA's network is primarily concentrated in south-eastern Spain — Alicante province (Costa Blanca), Valencia, Murcia, and Málaga. This is exactly where many British and European expats settle, which is one reason ASSSA has been popular in the expat community.
If you are moving to the Costa Blanca, the Orihuela/Torrevieja area, Valencia city, or the Murcia region, ASSSA's network is well-suited to your location. The density of providers in these areas is higher than for most other insurers.
If you are moving to Barcelona, Madrid, the Canary Islands, the Balearics, Galicia, or the Basque Country — areas not served primarily by ASSSA's network — this geographic advantage does not apply. Caser's contracted national network of 45,000+ professionals provides broader national coverage.
Who should choose Caser?
- Anyone who wants dental included from day one — not available on ASSSA
- Applicants relocating outside south-eastern Spain — Caser's national network is broader
- Applicants aged under 70 who want a confirmed from-price without requiring a custom quote
- Anyone for whom the Quirónsalud network loss makes ASSSA a less attractive option in their area
Who should choose ASSSA?
- Applicants aged 70–74 — Caser's maximum is 69, ASSSA accepts to 74
- Applicants relocating to Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, or Málaga — ASSSA's network is well-suited to these areas (post Quirónsalud change)
- Long-term policyholders concerned about premium increases with age — ASSSA does not apply standard age-based increases
- Applicants who want direct multilingual customer service from the insurer itself — not just via a broker
Note: always verify the current ASSSA network for your specific province before purchasing, given the Quirónsalud change.
Our verdict
For applicants aged under 70, Caser is the stronger recommendation. It includes dental from day one, has a confirmed lower from-price, and does not carry the Quirónsalud network complication. Both run 12-month contracts, both include repatriation. The dental differentiator resolves the comparison for most applicants.
ASSSA has genuine strengths that deserve honest recognition — multilingual support, no age-based price increases, and a well-suited network for south-eastern Spain. If you are relocating to Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, or Málaga, ASSSA's local network depth is a real consideration. And for applicants aged 70–74, ASSSA is one of the few available options.
But the Quirónsalud situation materially changes the case for ASSSA. For years, Quirónsalud access was a key reason many expats chose ASSSA. That reason no longer applies. If you are considering ASSSA based on older information that includes Quirónsalud, reassess with the current network before committing.
Want to compare all insurers including Sanitas? Use our full comparison tool at /compare/get-a-quote/ — every major insurer matched to your age, visa type, and province.
Frequently asked questions
Caser is better for most applicants under 70 — dental included, confirmed price of €46.95/month, no Quirónsalud network issue. ASSSA is the better option for applicants aged 70–74 (Caser does not accept over-69s), for those relocating to south-eastern Spain, and for those who prioritise direct multilingual insurer support and no age-based price increases.
The specific commercial reasons for ASSSA ending its relationship with Quirónsalud have not been publicly detailed. What matters for applicants is the practical outcome: Quirónsalud hospitals are no longer available through ASSSA. Any recommendation or review mentioning ASSSA's Quirónsalud access is out of date. Verify the current cuadro médico for your province before purchasing.
ASSSA has historically been strong in south-eastern Spain, including Alicante province and the Costa Blanca. The network in this region includes primary care, specialists, and clinics well-suited to the expat community. However, given the Quirónsalud change, verify the current ASSSA cuadro médico specifically for your municipality — hospital access in particular has changed.
ASSSA is notable for not applying age-based premium increases in the same way as most other insurers. Your premium does not automatically increase simply because you get older and renew. This is a meaningful long-term advantage for policyholders who intend to renew annually over many years. Caser applies standard age-related adjustments at renewal.
ASSSA accepts new applicants up to age 74. Caser's maximum is 69 — five years less. For applicants aged 70–74, ASSSA is one of three main options (alongside DKV max 75 and Sanitas max 75). For applicants under 70, Caser is available and is generally the stronger value option.
Get a Caser quote — dental included, from €46.95/month
247 Expat Insurance are specialist English-language agents for Caser. Get a personalised quote or compare all insurers including Sanitas and ASSSA.
Or get a full comparison including Sanitas at /compare/get-a-quote/
Pricing shown is sourced from each insurer's own published pages and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Premiums are individually underwritten and confirmed at quote stage. Always verify current terms directly with the insurer or your specialist before purchasing.