Convenio Especial
The convenio especial is a voluntary agreement with the Spanish public healthcare system that allows people who are not otherwise entitled to public healthcare to buy into it. It is primarily used by non working residents who do not have an S1 form from their home country, are not employed or self employed in Spain, and are not covered under a family member's social security.
Who uses it
The typical profile is an early retiree who has moved to Spain before reaching state pension age. Without a job or an S1 form, they have no route into the Seguridad Social. The convenio especial fills that gap. It is also used by people who have stopped working but are not yet old enough for a pension, and by some non EU nationals who cannot access public healthcare through other means.
Cost
The monthly fee depends on your age. For people under 65, the fee is approximately 60 euro per month. For people 65 and over, it is approximately 157 euro per month. These amounts are set by royal decree and can change. The fee covers the same public healthcare that employed and self employed workers receive, including GP visits, specialist referrals, hospital care, and prescriptions at reduced rates.
What it covers and what it does not
The convenio especial provides the full range of public healthcare services. However, there is a waiting period. Coverage for most services begins immediately, but certain treatments and interventions may have a waiting period of up to six months after signing the agreement. The specifics depend on the autonomous community. Dental care and optical care are generally not covered, as with standard Seguridad Social coverage.
How to apply
You apply at your local INSS office. You need your NIE or TIE, your empadronamiento, and evidence that you do not qualify for healthcare through other routes (no employment, no S1, no family coverage). Once approved, you pay the monthly fee by direct debit and receive your Tarjeta Sanitaria.
