The Convenio Especial — buy into public healthcare.
When you’re living in Spain but not yet covered by the public health system, the Convenio Especial lets you pay a set monthly fee to get in. It’s run by the autonomous community, not an insurer. We tell you plainly whether it’s your best route — or whether a private policy fits you better — before you sign up for anything.
The Convenio Especial, in plain English
A public scheme with a fixed monthly fee — genuinely useful for the right person, with two catches worth knowing before you commit.
A monthly pay-in premium
The Convenio Especial is a public scheme run by each autonomous community: you pay a set monthly fee and, in return, you can use the public health system. As a rough guide it tends to be around €60 a month if you’re under 65 and about €157 a month for over-65s — but rates are set by the region and updated, so we confirm the current figure for Andalucía before you commit.
For when you’re not otherwise covered
It’s designed for people with no other public entitlement — for example, if you’re not working and paying social security, and you have no reciprocal cover through your home country. If you already qualify through work, a pension arrangement or an S1, you generally won’t need it.
Roughly a year of empadronamiento
The regional rules typically ask for around one year of registered residence (empadronamiento) in the community before you can sign up, plus proof that you have no other public health cover. Requirements vary by region, so we check what Andalucía asks for in your specific case.
Medicines aren’t subsidised
One thing worth knowing up front: the Convenio Especial doesn’t give you the subsidised-prescription rate that pensioners and workers get. You’re expected to pay the full price for medicines. For some people that tips the balance towards a private policy instead — we’ll lay out both honestly.
Eligibility, monthly rates and documentary requirements are set by the autonomous community and change over time — we confirm the current position for Andalucía at the time you apply. It often pairs with public healthcare registration and is worth weighing against a private health policy.
The questions we get first
What is the Convenio Especial?
It’s a public pay-in scheme that lets you access Spain’s public healthcare when you’re not otherwise entitled to it. You pay a set monthly premium to the autonomous community and, in exchange, you can use public health services. It’s meant as a bridge for residents who fall outside the usual routes into the system, such as people who aren’t working or don’t have reciprocal cover from home.
How much does it cost per month?
It’s a fixed monthly fee rather than an insurance premium tied to your health. As a guide it’s commonly around €60 a month for people under 65 and about €157 a month for those 65 and over, but the exact amount is set by the autonomous community and updated over time. We confirm the current Andalucía rates for you rather than quote a figure that may have moved.
Who can apply, and what do I need?
Broadly, it’s for residents who have no other public health cover and have been registered locally (empadronados) for around a year in the region. You’ll usually need to show that empadronamiento and prove you’re not already entitled through work or a reciprocal arrangement. The precise conditions are regional, so we check exactly what applies to your situation on the Costa del Sol before you sign anything.
Does it cover prescriptions like a pensioner or worker?
No — and this is the catch people don’t expect. The Convenio Especial gives you access to public healthcare, but not the subsidised-prescription rate that pensioners and employees receive. You pay the full price for medicines. If you have ongoing prescriptions, that cost is worth weighing against a private policy before you decide.
Convenio Especial or private health insurance — which is right for me?
It depends on your situation. The Convenio Especial can be good value if you want into the public system and don’t have heavy prescription costs. A visa-compliant private policy may suit you better if you need cover immediately, don’t yet have a year of empadronamiento, or want subsidised-style pharmacy arrangements. We map both against your circumstances so you choose on facts, not guesswork.
Reviewed by a lawyer
Reviewed by Alberto García López
Immigration lawyer · ICA Málaga, reg. no. 11.441
We check every page against current Spanish law. This is general information, not advice on your individual case.
Globalium is an independent law firm, not a government agency, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any public administration. Visas, permits and identification numbers are granted solely by the Spanish authorities, and you are free to apply to them directly yourself. Our fees pay for legal advice and representation, and are separate from any official fee or tax.
Public pay-in or private policy? We’ll tell you which is yours.
A straight answer on whether you qualify for the Convenio Especial, what it costs in Andalucía and whether it beats a private policy for your situation — before you commit to anything.