DKV vs Sanitas Health Insurance
Head-to-head comparison of two of Spain’s leading visa-compliant insurers. Which one is right for your visa application?
By Bruno Bianchi, CEO of Spainguru (225,000+ community members) · Updated October 2026
Key takeaways
- DKV — German-owned, best for preventive-care bundles (DKV Integral publishes a maximum contracting age of 75) and preventive-care bundled plans.
- Sanitas — Bupa-owned, best for English-speaking support and top-tier digital tools.
- Both are fully visa-compliant for NLV, DNV, Student and Retirement visas.
- Pricing under 50 is roughly comparable; from 55 the cheaper carrier depends on the exact quote — compare both.
Find a suitable visa insurance option
Three questions, based on 2026 indicative pricing and each carrier’s published age limits. The final policy is confirmed by the partner.
Quick verdict
Choose DKV if: you want no-copay visa plans with dental bundled in, or need a carrier that still accepts new applicants at 70+.
Choose Sanitas if: English-language support matters to you, you want the best mobile app and telehealth experience, or you live in a major metro where Bupa-network care is available.
Side-by-side comparison
Key attributes for visa applicants in 2026:
- Ownership: DKV = ERGO Group (German); Sanitas = Bupa (UK).
- Hospital network size: Sanitas slightly larger nationwide; DKV strong in northern Spain.
- English support: Sanitas wins — native English customer service and English-speaking doctors indexed in its directory.
- Age limit (new applicants): DKV publishes 75 for DKV Integral; Sanitas’s limit varies by policy — confirm before applying.
- Visa compliance: both offer no-copay policies routinely accepted by Spanish consulates.
- Starting monthly premium (under 40): DKV €55–€85; Sanitas €50–€75.
- Premium at 60–65: DKV €150–€250; Sanitas €120–€200.
- Dental: DKV bundles in mid-tier; Sanitas requires add-on.
- Digital tools: Sanitas leads (app rating 4.5+); DKV competent but less polished.
DKV: detailed profile
DKV Seguros is part of the German ERGO Group, owned by Munich Re — one of the largest reinsurers in the world. It operates throughout Spain with a particular strength in the north (Catalonia, Aragón, Basque Country).
DKV’s visa-compliant plans include DKV Integral Élite and DKV Mundisalud, in their no-copay modality — confirm the exact product with Innoinsure or the DKV agent. Mundisalud adds international cover — useful if you travel frequently outside Spain.
On age, DKV publishes a maximum contracting age of 75 for DKV Integral, so applicants over 70 fall inside that published limit. Acceptance is still assessed individually.
Sanitas: detailed profile
Sanitas is owned by Bupa, a UK-based international health and care group. It operates Bupa-Sanitas Milenium clinics and has preferred-provider agreements with major Spanish hospital chains including Hospital Universitario Sanitas La Moraleja (Madrid) and Sanitas CIMA Barcelona.
Visa-compliant plans include Sanitas Más 65 Premium, Sanitas Más Familia and Sanitas Más Salud Sin Copago. Only the sin-copago versions qualify (Más Salud Plus and Óptima carry copays).
Sanitas consistently leads on English-speaking support — its customer service and online portal are available in English, and its doctor directory lets you filter by English-speaking practitioners.
Price comparison
Approximate monthly premiums for 2026 visa-compliant no-copay tiers:
- Age 30: DKV ~€60, Sanitas ~€55
- Age 40: DKV ~€75, Sanitas ~€70
- Age 50: DKV ~€105, Sanitas ~€100
- Age 60: DKV ~€145, Sanitas ~€160
- Age 68: DKV ~€210, Sanitas ~€240 (if accepted)
- Age 72: DKV ~€260, Sanitas quoted on request
Who should choose which?
Choose DKV for:
- Applicants 55–75 looking for a published contracting age (75 for DKV Integral).
- Anyone wanting dental bundled into the base plan.
- Applicants based in northern Spain.
Choose Sanitas for:
- English-speaking applicants who value native-English customer service.
- Families with young children (strong pediatric network).
- Anyone who prioritises digital tools and telemedicine.
- Applicants under 60.
Frequently asked questions
We earn a commission when you get a quote or a policy through one of our partners. Your price never changes and our recommendations are independent. How we choose partners
Are both DKV and Sanitas accepted by all Spanish consulates?
Both are DGSFP-authorised and their no-copay residency tiers are routinely accepted — acceptance always depends on the exact policy, the certificate and your consulate.
Which has better pricing for pre-existing conditions?
Neither is as flexible as ASSSA. DKV tends to be slightly more lenient than Sanitas, but both may exclude or surcharge recent serious conditions. See our pre-existing conditions guide.
Can I switch between them mid-term?
Yes, but check waiting-period clauses. If you switch after visa approval, confirm with your consulate that the new policy also meets the requirement.
Where can I get quotes for both?
Through our vetted broker network — a single broker can quote both carriers and compare side by side.
Get Quotes for Both
A single vetted broker can quote DKV and Sanitas side by side, so you can compare real prices for your age and visa type.Compare Brokers →Ready to get a quote?
Our vetted partners — Gidea – Insbrok, Innoinsure, ASSSA and our exclusive DKV agent — compare carriers for you and arrange the consulate certificate, typically within 1–5 business days.
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