DKV vs Sanitas Health Insurance

Quick verdict

Choose DKV if: you’re over 55, 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 accepts to 75+; Sanitas typically cuts off at 69.
• Visa compliance: Both accepted by all 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. Both are no-copay and meet consulate requirements. Mundisalud adds international cover — useful if you travel frequently outside Spain.

Age flexibility is where DKV shines: it’s one of only two major carriers (ASSSA being the other) that still underwrites new policies for applicants over 70, case by case.

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. All are no-copay tiers.

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 typically declined

Who should choose which?

Choose DKV for:

• Applicants 55–75, especially those refused by Sanitas or Adeslas.
• 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

Are both DKV and Sanitas accepted by all Spanish consulates?

Yes. Both are DGSFP-authorised and their no-copay residency tiers meet consulate requirements worldwide.

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.