Waiting Periods in Health Insurance in Spain
Waiting periods are periods of time that must elapse from the time a health insurance policy is taken out until the insured is able to access certain services or benefits covered by the policy. During this period, some treatments or services may not be immediately available, depending on the insurer and the type of coverage.
At C1 Broker, as specialist health brokers, we are committed to helping our clients find the best policies with the best waiting periods and cover. We work with leading insurers to identify the options that best suit your needs.
On this page, we’ll take a closer look at the waiting periods of the insurers we work with, so you can make informed decisions about your health insurance in Spain:
Axa Salud - Waiting Periods
The insurer Axa defines the ‘Waiting Periods’ as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance, or the inclusion of a new insured, or a new coverage to which it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting peridods |
Surgical interventions of any kind (with or without hospitalisation), hospitalisation due to surgical or non-surgical | 6 MONTHS |
Simple or complex fillings, in the event of having contracted dental cover. | 7 MONTHS |
The assistance of childbirth and/or caesarean section in a clinic and hospitalisation as a consequence of such assistance. This period of grace shall not apply to births in which the life of the foetus or of the mother is in danger, or in births diagnosed as premature (being considered as such when they occur before 259 days or 37 complete weeks from the date of the last menstruation), provided that the gestation has begun after the date of the Insured’s discharge. | 8 MONTHS |
Rehabilitation of urinary incontinence. Cognitive telerehabilitation for children and young people. | 12 MONTHS |
BRCA plus determination | 24 MONTHS |
DKV Salud - Waiting periods
DKV defines ‘Waiting Periods’ as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance policy, or the inclusion of a new insured person, or a new coverage that it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting Periods |
Surgical interventions and hospitalisation, including surgical prostheses, for any reason and of any nature, which shall have a | 6 MONTHS |
Proton therapy in paediatric tumours and assistance in any type of delivery (except premature delivery) or caesarean section. | 8 MONTHS |
Transplantation | 12 MONTHS |
ALLIANZ Salud - Waiting periods
The Allianz health insurance company defines a ‘Waiting Periods’ as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance, or from the date of inclusion of a new insured, or a new coverage that is affected) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting periods |
Hospitalisation:
Complementary tests:
Surgical interventions, treatments and prostheses:
Rehabilitation Blood and blood products (bloodless surgery). Rehabilitation sessions by qualified therapists. | 6 MONTHS |
Childbirth | 12 MONTHS |
Sanitas Salud - Waiting periods
The Sanitas Salud health insurance company defines the “Waiting Periods” as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance, or the inclusion of a new insured, or a new coverage to which it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting Periods |
Surgical interventions from Group 0 to II according to the classification of the Spanish Medical Association. | 3 Months |
Psychology. 6 months: Complex diagnostic tests. | 6 Months |
Childbirth or caesarean section. | 8 Months |
Vasectomy and tubal ligation. Complex therapeutic methods. Hospitalisation and surgical interventions from Group III to VIII according to the classification of the Spanish Medical Association (Organización Médica Colegial). | 10 Months |
Asisa Salud - Waiting Periods
The health insurance company Asisa Salud defines the ” Waiting Period” as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance policy, or the inclusion of a new insured person, or a new cover that it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting period |
Hospitalisations | 8 Months |
Outpatient surgery | 6 Months |
Family planning | 6 Months |
Special diagnostic tests | 6 Months |
Special treatment techniques | 6 Months |
Psychotherapy | 6 Months |
Aegon Salud - Waiting Periods
The company Aegon Salud defines a ” waiting period ” as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance policy, or the inclusion of a new insured, or a new cover that it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting Periods |
Podiatry | 3 Months |
Radioactive isotopes, prostate biopsy guided by image fusion, Computerised Axial Tomography CT, Colono CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), haemodialysis, lithotripsy, digital arteriography, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), PET Choline, PET PSMA, endoscopic capsule, intensity modulated radiotherapy, otoemission studies, psychology, early amniocentesis in high-risk pregnancies, shock waves, genetic studies, therapeutic targets, Fibroescan, all types of endoscopies, medical examination necessary for obtaining or renewing a driving licence for type B licence, Epiluminescence (digitalised Dermatoscopy), and psychotherapy for eating disorders. | 6 Months |
The prostheses covered, hospitalisation for any reason and nature, and, in the event of being guaranteed, radiotherapy in any of its forms, laser therapy, urological laser, pain treatment, postmastectomy lymphatic drainage, post-surgery cardiac rehabilitation, pelvic floor rehabilitation, any type of surgery, mucosectomy, intraoperative monitoring, incontinence mesh-obturators, cardiac and/or psychiatric pathologies even if they are classified as accidental in origin by administrative or judicial bodies, preventive mastectomy, laser haemorrhoids, laser for proctological pathology, assistance in childbirth, preparation for childbirth and the non-invasive prenatal Harmony 3 test. This waiting period does not apply in the event of premature birth, if the initial expected date of birth is outside the waiting period. | 8 Months |
Intragastric balloon, prostate photovaporisation with green laser, transplants, family planning, the study and diagnosis of sterility or infertility, the Da Vinci Surgical System, the Holmium Laser and the Carto System. 48-month waiting period: Infertility treatment. The above-mentioned waiting periods shall not apply in cases of vital emergency surgery and accidents. | 12 Months |
Caser Salud - Waiting Periods
The insurance company Caser Salud defines the “Carencias” as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance, or the inclusion of a new insured person, or a new coverage which it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting period |
Family planning, surgery and hospital admissions (except in case of vital emergency). Oncological, cardiovascular, lithotripsy and dialysis treatments. | 6 Months |
Assistance during childbirth, rehabilitation of the pelvic floor after childbirth. Postpartum home care. | 10 Months |
Assisted reproduction | 6 Months |
Cigna Salud Internacional - Períodos de Carencia
The insurer Cigna defines the ‘gaps’ as the period of time (counted from the effective date of the insurance, or the inclusion of a new insured, or a new coverage to which it affects) during which some of the guarantees of the policy do not come into force.
The deficiencies are detailed in the general conditions of the contracted product.
Covers | Waiting period |
Parent and Baby Care | |
Routine maternity care Complications from maternity Homebirths Newborn Care | 12 MONTHS ** |
International Outpatient | |
Pre-natal and post natal care | 12 MONTHS ** |
Infertility Investigations and treatment | 24 MONTHS |
Genetic Cancer test | 12 MONTHS |
Treatment for Obesity | 24 MONTHS |
Cancer preventative surgery | 12 MONTHS |
Dental Treatment | |
Preventative | 3 MONTHS |
Routine | 3 MONTHS |
Major restorative | 12 MONTHS |
Orthodontic treatment | 18 MONTHS |
** For treatment incurred in either Hong Kong or Singapore, this benefit is only available once the mother has been a beneficiary under this policy for a continuous period of at least 24 months or more.
