DKV repatriation: verify before purchasing
DKV Visado's repatriation cover is not clearly confirmed in standard publicly available documentation. Since most Spanish consulates require repatriation cover to be evidenced in the policy, you must confirm this with DKV or your agent before purchasing. Caser's repatriation is explicitly confirmed in the plan name (Caser Adapta + Dental + Repatriation).
Caser vs DKV: at a glance
| Feature | Caser | DKV |
|---|---|---|
| Plan name | Caser Adapta + Dental + Repatriation | DKV Visado |
| From price | €46.95/month ✓ | €57/month |
| Contract length | 12 months | 12 months |
| Max joining age | 69 | 75 ✓ |
| Dental cover | INCLUDED (Sonrisa Esencial) ✓ | Not included |
| Repatriation | CONFIRMED (named in plan) ✓ | Not clearly confirmed — verify |
| Network | 45,000+ contracted professionals | 51,000+ pros + 23 DKV centres ✓ |
| Certificate | 48–72 hrs via agent | 48–72 hrs via agent |
| English support | Via 247 Expat Insurance ✓ | Limited |
| Insurer backing | Caser Seguros | ERGO Group / Munich Re |
| DGSFP authorised | ✓ | ✓ |
Price: Caser is approximately €10/month cheaper
The price difference in this comparison is substantial. Caser Adapta starts from €46.95/month. DKV Visado from €57/month. That is approximately €10.05/month or around €120.60/year difference at entry level. Over three years, that is a saving of over €360 on entry-level premiums alone.
The comparison deepens when dental is factored in. DKV does not include dental. Caser includes dental as standard (Sonrisa Esencial). On a total healthcare cost basis — monthly premium plus likely dental expenditure — Caser offers considerably better value at a lower headline price.
Dental: Caser includes it, DKV does not
Caser Adapta includes the Sonrisa Esencial dental benefit as standard. No waiting periods. No separate arrangement. It is built into the policy from day one. DKV Visado does not include dental.
Adult dental care is not provided by the Spanish public health system. Routine check-ups, fillings, and hygienist appointments are private costs — and they recur regularly for anyone living long-term in Spain. Caser policyholders have dental access from the start of their policy. DKV policyholders do not, and must either pay out of pocket or arrange dental separately.
Among all non-Sanitas visa-compliant insurers, Caser is the only one that includes dental as standard. This is a unique feature that meaningfully distinguishes Caser from every other non-Sanitas option — including DKV.
Repatriation: confirmed with Caser, uncertain with DKV
Caser's repatriation cover is explicitly confirmed — the plan is literally called "Caser Adapta + Dental + Repatriation". There is no ambiguity. Repatriation is named as a core component.
DKV Visado's repatriation status is not clearly confirmed in standard publicly available policy documentation. This is not necessarily an absence of cover — but it creates uncertainty in the application process. Spanish consulates require evidence of repatriation cover, and if the DKV policy documentation does not clearly state this, your visa application may be queried or rejected. Verify with DKV before purchasing.
Age limits: the one area where DKV is clearly better
DKV accepts new applicants up to age 75. Caser's maximum joining age is 69. This is DKV's most significant advantage in this comparison, and for applicants in the 70–75 age range, it is a decisive one — Caser simply is not available to them.
Aged 70 or over? Caser cannot accept your application.
Caser Adapta's maximum joining age is 69. If you are 70 or over, compare DKV (max 75) and Sanitas (max 75) instead. Sanitas also accepts to 75 and includes dental as standard plus an English-language digital platform — for older applicants willing to pay more for a more comprehensive product, Sanitas should be in the comparison alongside DKV.
Network: DKV has a modest infrastructure advantage
DKV's contracted network of 51,000+ professionals is slightly larger than Caser's 45,000+. DKV also operates 23 of its own medical centres across Spain — a modest but genuine owned-infrastructure element that Caser's contracted-only network does not have.
For the majority of day-to-day GP and specialist use, the practical difference between these network sizes is marginal across most provinces. Both provide adequate access in major cities and coastal areas. For applicants in specific rural or less-served provinces, verifying the cuadro médico for your exact municipality before committing is worthwhile for both insurers.
Who should choose Caser?
- Applicants aged under 70 — Caser is cheaper and includes dental
- Anyone who wants dental included from day one — not available on DKV
- Applicants who need repatriation unambiguously confirmed in the policy documentation
- Cost-conscious applicants — approximately €120/year saving at entry level
- English-speaking applicants — 247 Expat Insurance provides full English support for Caser
Who should choose DKV?
- Applicants aged 70–75 — Caser's maximum is 69, DKV accepts to 75
- Applicants who specifically value DKV's 23 owned medical centres
Our verdict
For applicants aged under 70, Caser is the stronger choice. Lower price, dental included as standard (unique among non-Sanitas visa insurers), repatriation explicitly confirmed. Both have 12-month contracts. There is no compelling reason to choose DKV over Caser if you are under 70.
For applicants aged 70–75, DKV is the main non-Sanitas option — Caser is not available. At this age, also compare Sanitas (max 75), which includes dental, an English-language digital health platform (BLUA), and owned hospital infrastructure at a higher price point. The right choice between DKV and Sanitas for over-70s depends on budget and how much the additional features of Sanitas matter to you.
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
For applicants under 70, Caser is better — cheaper (€46.95/month vs €57/month), includes dental as standard, and has confirmed repatriation. For applicants aged 70–75, DKV is the main non-Sanitas option as Caser does not accept over-69 applicants. Both run 12-month contracts.
Caser includes the Sonrisa Esencial dental benefit as standard — it is part of the base policy. DKV does not include dental. Among all non-Sanitas visa-compliant insurers, Caser is the only one that includes dental as standard.
This is not clearly confirmed in standard DKV Visado documentation and must be verified with DKV directly before purchasing. Caser's repatriation is named in the plan title — it is unambiguous. If your consulate requires repatriation to be clearly evidenced in the policy, confirm this with DKV before committing.
Yes — through 247 Expat Insurance (247expatinsurance.com), specialist English-language agents for Caser. They handle application, certificate, and policy management in English. DKV's customer service is primarily Spanish-language.
Caser is the better choice for a healthy 40-year-old applying via a UK or EU consulate — cheaper (~€46.95/month vs DKV ~€57/month), dental included as standard, and confirmed repatriation. DKV has stronger preventive health tools and owned medical centres, but for a healthy applicant focused on value at this age, Caser is the clearer pick.
DKV operates 23 of its own medical centres across Spain, in addition to a contracted network of 51,000+ professionals. This owned-centre infrastructure is a minor differentiator vs Caser, which operates through contracted networks only. DKV's owned centres are primarily in major cities. For rural areas or provinces without a DKV centre, the experience is broadly similar to any contracted-network insurer.
Caser from ~€46.95/month vs DKV from ~€57/month at entry level — approximately €10/month less for Caser. Caser also includes dental as standard; DKV does not. For healthy applicants under 70, this combination of lower price and dental inclusion makes Caser the better value proposition in most straightforward comparisons.
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 DKV.
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.