Is a GHIC enough for a Spanish student visa?
For student visas through the London consulate, the free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as your medical cover, so most UK students don't need to buy insurance at all. Apply for the GHIC free on the official NHS website (students apply by post with a university letter). Only if your consulate doesn't accept the GHIC would you need a private policy with full cover and no co-payments, typically £100-£600 for the year.
Getting the student GHIC
The GHIC is free from the official NHS website. As a student studying abroad you apply by post, including a letter from your institution confirming the course and dates. Allow around 15 working days for delivery. Never pay a third-party site to 'process' a GHIC; the copycat sites charge for something the NHS does for nothing.
When private insurance is needed
- If your consulate does not accept the GHIC for long stays (practice varies, check yours)
- The policy must cover everything Spain's public system covers, with no co-payments and no deductibles
- Budget roughly £100-£600 for a year, depending on provider
- Volunteers additionally need the organisation's civil liability policy
Streamline the whole process
Visado puts every step in the right order for your course date and walks you through them one at a time. Nothing missed, nothing late.
Start my free planFrequently asked
Is the GHIC free?
Yes, completely free from the official NHS website. Any site charging for one is a copycat.
How do students apply for a GHIC?
By post, with a letter from your university or school confirming the course and its dates. Allow about 15 working days.
Does every Spanish consulate accept the GHIC for student visas?
The London consulate's checklist accepts it for student visas. Manchester and Edinburgh practice can differ, so confirm with your own consulate.