Medical Visa for Spain

What is the Medical Visa for Spain?

People from around the world come to Spain for its high-quality medical treatments. Indeed, the country has developed a reputation for having many qualified medical specialists and cutting-edge clinics that provide high-end treatments.

If you are coming to Spain for treatment, you will need to apply for a Medical visa that grants you temporary entry to the country.

There are two types of Medical Visas:

• Category C that lets you stay in Spain for less than 3 months.
• Category D, a long-term visa allowing you to stay in the country for more than 3 months.

Spain Medical Visa – Key Facts

Which documents do you need for a Medical Visa to Spain?

Medical Visas are relatively easy to apply for, but require specific documents for the application to be successful.

Medical Visa applications start with a clinic in Spain inviting a foreign patient to receive treatment. The clinic will have to write an invitation letter to the patient.

Before a potential patient can come to Spain, it is necessary to clarify what the treatment will be, how the patient will be transported, and how the treatment will be paid for.

A Medical Visa requires the following documents:

• The invitation letter from the clinic saying how long the patient will stay;
• A medical report from a doctor in your home country confirming that you need treatment in Spain;
• A valid passport that will be valid for at least 3 months after the patient has left Spain;
• 2 recent pictures of the applicant;
• Medical insurance;
• Proof from the clinic in Spain that all fees have been payed;
• Plane tickets to and from Spain. If the Medical Visa is issued urgently, it may be possible to have only one-way tickets.

If the patient is accompanied by someone, this person will have to provide the following documents:

• A valid passport;
• Proof that the patient needs to be accompanied;
• Travel insurance;
• Proof of residence in Spain for the duration of the Medical Visa;
• Plane tickets to and from Spain.

Employment-related documents required for Medical Visas

If you are employed, you will need to show your:

• Employment contract and Certificate of Employment (COE);
• Permission from your employer to come to Spain;
• Payslips from the last 6 months;
• Personal Income Tax Return (ITR).

If you are self-employed, the documents you need are your:

• Business Registration Certificate;
• Business licence;
• Company’s bank statements from the last 6 months.

If you’re a student you need:

• A letter from your school or university that gives you permission to come to Spain;
• Proof that you are enrolled at a school or university.

If you’re retired, you will need:

• Your pension statements from the last 6 months.

Additional documents for Medical Visas for minors

If the patient is a minor, there are some additional documents that are required:

• A birth certificate;
• A letter of consent from one or both parents stating that they are happy for the minor to come to Spain for treatment.

The document requirements for a Medical Visa are very specific. If you are unable to provide all the needed documents, your application is likely to be rejected by Spanish authorities.

Document checklist

How quickly is a Medical Visa to Spain issued?

Medical Visas are processed very quickly, taking 15 days on average to be issued.

In case of urgency, however, Medical Visas can be issued within a period of 3 days. If the patient is in critical condition and needs immediate care, a Medical Visa can be issued within 1 day.

How to apply for a Medical Visa to Spain?

Here are the steps you need to follow in order to successfully apply for a Medical Visa:

1. Complete the application for a short-stay Medical Visa to Spain.
2. Make sure that you have all the required documents for your visa application.
3. Set up an appointment with Spanish authorities.
4. Attend the interview at the agreed-upon date.
5. Pay the fees for your visa.

After you have paid the fees, you will quickly hear the Spanish authorities’ decision regarding your application.

Application Process

What fees do you have to pay for Medical Visa applications to Spain?

For most short-stay visas to Spain, it costs 80 € to complete the application. Fees can vary, however. If the patient is a minor aged 6 to 12, the cost of the visa is only 40 €. For children under the age of 6, the visa application is free.

Where do you have to submit a visa application form for a Medical visa?

To come to Spain on a Medical Visa, you will have to hand in your visa application at a Spanish embassy, consulate or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

When should you apply for a Medical Visa to Spain?

As for all visa applications, we recommend that you apply in advance. You should apply for your Medical Visa at least 2 weeks in advance.

Bear in mind that you are not able to apply for a Medical Visa to Spain over 6 months before you plan on arriving in the country.

If the visa application is submitted in a time of urgency, you can apply up to a day before coming to Spain. Spain can issue Medical Visas very quickly if the patient’s life is at risk and needs urgent treatment.

Is it possible to extend a Medical Visa?

It is possible to extend a Medical Visa if you are still very sick and need to stay in Spain. To receive an extension, you need to show that:

• Leaving Spain to go to your home country would be bad for your health and could put your life at risk;
• You still need treatment in Spain.

Bear in mind that extensions are only granted to those who are in critical condition and who urgently need treatment. If you are able to postpone treatment without putting your health at risk, your extension will be denied.

If you do fall under the exceptional circumstances, you will have to apply for an extension before your visa expires. You need to send your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and the Ministry of the Interior.

If your extension is denied, you will have to leave Spain and return to your country of residence. There, you will be allowed to apply for a long-term Medical Visa and return to Spain at a later date.

This rule is strict, because, in general, Spain and other Schengen states refuse to extend short-stay visas. Indeed, these visas are only extended in very specific situations.

How Can IAS Help?

Medical Visas to Spain have a relatively simple application process and are quick to issue.

These visas require a specific set of documents in each application in order to be accepted by Spanish authorities, however. Forgetting one important document may result in an unsuccessful application, meaning that you are not allowed to come to Spain.

At IAS, we understand that the amount of documents you need to provide can be unclear and overwhelming. That’s why we have a team of dedicated and highly-qualified immigration lawyers who will support you in your visa application to briefly stay in Spain.

The support you can expect from the Immigration Advice Service team includes:

• one-to-one communication, on Skype, over the phone, or even in person;
• a thorough check of the validity of all your documents;
• a Letter of Representation from our lawyers with your application;
• the assurance that your application will be complete to the highest standard.

IAS is known for its high success rate with visa applications, as your dedicated lawyers are highly experienced in immigration law. To apply for a Medical Visa to Spain, contact IAS online, or on (+44) 333 4149244 for professional advice or assistance from lawyers.