2026 Verified
By Neil Peter Osborne
Updated May 2026
8 min read
Head-to-Head Spanish Visa Health Insurance

Caser vs ASSSA: Spanish Visa Health Insurance 2026

ASSSA has long been a popular expat choice for south-eastern Spain — multilingual support, no age-based price increases, and good local network coverage. But the picture has changed: ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud hospitals, a significant network reduction. And ASSSA does not include dental. Caser Adapta, at a confirmed €46.95/month, includes dental as standard (Sonrisa Esencial — the only non-Sanitas insurer to do so), has confirmed repatriation, and does not carry the Quirónsalud complication. For applicants under 70, Caser is the cleaner recommendation. ASSSA remains relevant for applicants aged 70–74 (Caser's maximum is 69) and for applicants specifically based in south-eastern Spain who value ASSSA's local network and multilingual service.

Our Pick
Caser
Dental included, confirmed price, no Quirónsalud issue
Best for Over 69s
ASSSA
Accepts to 74, multilingual, no age-based increases

Important: ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud hospitals

ASSSA has ended its working relationship with the Quirónsalud hospital group — one of Spain's largest private hospital networks. Any recommendation of ASSSA that mentions Quirónsalud access is out of date. If you are considering ASSSA based on older information, verify the current network for your specific province before purchasing.

Caser vs ASSSA: at a glance

Feature Caser ASSSA
Plan name Caser Adapta + Dental + Repatriation ASSSA Standard / Plus
From price €46.95/month confirmed ✓ ~€53/mo benchmark (quote required)
Contract length 12 months 12 months
Max joining age 69 74 ✓
Dental cover INCLUDED (Sonrisa Esencial) ✓ Not included
Repatriation ✓ (named in plan)
Age-based price increases Standard adjustments No age increases ✓
Multilingual support Via 247 Expat Insurance (English) MULTILINGUAL ✓ (expat-focused)
Quirónsalud hospitals Not applicable NO — relationship ended
Network geography National contracted network Primarily SE Spain (Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Málaga)
DGSFP authorised

Why Caser is the stronger overall choice

1. Dental included as standard

Caser Adapta includes dental (Sonrisa Esencial) from day one. ASSSA does not include dental. This is the primary differentiator in this comparison — and it is decisive for most applicants. Adult dental care is not provided by the Spanish public health system. Anyone living long-term in Spain will need dental care. Having it included in the base policy from day one, with no waiting period, is a meaningful practical and financial advantage. ASSSA's benchmark price of ~€53/month (requiring a quote) plus dental arranged separately is likely to exceed Caser's confirmed €46.95/month on a total-cost basis.

2. Confirmed from-price

Caser's from-price of €46.95/month is publicly confirmed. ASSSA does not publish a fixed from-price — the benchmark of approximately €53/month requires a personalised quote. For applicants comparing options on a budget, price transparency matters. Caser gives you a confirmed starting point; ASSSA does not.

3. No Quirónsalud complication

ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud hospitals. Caser's contracted network does not have this specific complication. If Quirónsalud access is relevant to your location, neither insurer currently provides it — but only ASSSA carries the reputational legacy of having previously offered it, which makes older recommendations of ASSSA misleading.

4. Repatriation clearly confirmed

Caser's repatriation cover is named in the plan title. Both insurers include repatriation, but Caser's confirmation is unambiguous — important when submitting documentation to a Spanish consulate.

Where ASSSA is genuinely better

Despite Caser winning overall, ASSSA has real advantages that deserve honest acknowledgment:

ASSSA advantage Who it matters for
Maximum age 74 Applicants aged 70–74 — Caser cannot accept them (max 69)
No age-based premium increases Long-term policyholders who want price stability as they age — ASSSA does not automatically increase premiums with age
Multilingual direct support Non-Spanish speakers who want the insurer itself to speak their language — not just an English broker intermediary
SE Spain network depth Applicants in Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Málaga — ASSSA's local network in these areas has historically been very strong (post Quirónsalud change, verify current coverage)

Maximum joining age: five years separates them

ASSSA accepts new applicants up to age 74. Caser's maximum is 69. For applicants aged 70–74, Caser is simply not available — ASSSA is one of three main options alongside DKV (max 75) and Sanitas (max 75).

Aged 70 or over? Caser cannot help — compare ASSSA, DKV, and Sanitas

Caser's maximum joining age is 69. For applicants aged 70–74, consider ASSSA (max 74), DKV (max 75), or Sanitas (max 75). Note that DKV and Sanitas both also accept to 75, and Sanitas includes dental and an English-language digital platform — worth comparing if the premium is manageable.

Who should choose Caser?

  • Anyone aged under 70 who wants dental included from day one — Caser is the only non-Sanitas insurer to provide this
  • Applicants relocating outside south-eastern Spain — Caser's national network is broader
  • Applicants who want a confirmed published from-price rather than a quote-only benchmark
  • 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
  • Applicants in Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, or Málaga who have verified ASSSA's current local network is strong in their municipality
  • Long-term policyholders who want no age-based premium increases over many years of renewal
  • Applicants who specifically want direct multilingual support from the insurer itself (not just via a broker)

Note: always verify the current ASSSA network for your province given the Quirónsalud change, especially for hospital access.

Our verdict

For applicants under 70, Caser is the stronger recommendation. Dental included as standard. Confirmed lower price. No Quirónsalud network complication. Both have 12-month contracts and both include repatriation. Caser's dental inclusion is the decisive factor for anyone planning to actually use their health insurance in Spain over the long term.

ASSSA has genuine strengths — particularly for applicants aged 70–74 (where Caser is not available), for those in south-eastern Spain who have verified the current local network, and for those who value direct multilingual support and long-term price stability. But the Quirónsalud network change is a material reduction to what ASSSA previously offered, and it must be factored into any decision.

If ASSSA appeals to you based on its expat-focused positioning or south-eastern Spain network depth, verify the current cuadro médico for your specific municipality before purchasing — the product has changed, and older information may no longer reflect what you will actually get.

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 better for applicants aged 70–74 (Caser does not accept over-69s), for long-term policyholders concerned about age-based price increases, and for those in south-eastern Spain who value ASSSA's local network and multilingual support.

Yes. ASSSA no longer works with Quirónsalud hospitals. This is a significant change to ASSSA's network. Any recommendation based on ASSSA + Quirónsalud access is out of date. Verify the current ASSSA network for your province before purchasing.

Caser includes dental (Sonrisa Esencial) as standard — built into the policy from day one. ASSSA does not include dental. Caser is the only non-Sanitas visa-compliant insurer that includes dental as standard.

Caser Adapta has a maximum joining age of 69. ASSSA accepts to 74 — five years more. For applicants aged 70–74, ASSSA is one option; also compare DKV (max 75) and Sanitas (max 75).

ASSSA does not apply standard age-based premium increases — your premium does not automatically rise because you age and renew. This is a genuine long-term advantage for policyholders who renew annually over many years. Caser applies standard age-related adjustments at renewal.

Both Caser and ASSSA will accept most applicants with pre-existing conditions, applying exclusions rather than outright refusals. ASSSA has historically been strong for older applicants in SE Spain with managed chronic conditions. Caser's underwriting approach is standard for a mainstream insurer. For the most complex health histories, Sanitas has the most flexible underwriting of all the main options.

ASSSA was founded as an expat insurer for south-east Spain (Murcia, Alicante, Almería) and still has a particularly strong network there. However, ASSSA's network now covers all of Spain. For applicants outside SE Spain, ASSSA is still a valid option — verify the cuadro médico for your specific province. Caser's network is more evenly distributed across Spain with no regional concentration.

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.

Caser: dental included, confirmed from €46.95/month

The only non-Sanitas visa insurer with dental as standard. No Quirónsalud complications. 12-month contract. English support via 247 Expat Insurance.

Get a Caser Quote →