IMG Global for Expats in Spain (2026)

Spanish consulates require private health insurance with no co-pays, no coverage limits, and full coverage within Spain. Some IMG plans—particularly their comprehensive Global Medical Insurance—may satisfy these requirements.

IMG is less commonly seen by Spanish consulates than Cigna or Allianz. This isn't necessarily a problem, but it means consular officials may scrutinize the documentation more carefully. Clear, comprehensive policy certificates are important.

What to verify: Before purchasing, confirm with IMG that your specific plan meets Spanish visa requirements. Request documentation that explicitly states coverage terms. If your consulate has specific requirements (no co-pays, etc.), ensure the policy certificate addresses them.

Global Medical Insurance: IMG's comprehensive international coverage. Multiple deductible options. This is most likely to meet Spanish visa requirements. Covers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care globally.

Patriot International: Designed for US citizens abroad. More affordable but may have coverage limitations. Check whether it meets Spanish requirements for your visa type.

Short-term plans: IMG offers temporary coverage for shorter stays. These are unlikely to meet Spanish long-term visa requirements but may work for initial periods or tourist stays.

For US citizens, IMG is often a familiar name. They've focused on the American expat market for years, and their plans are designed with US healthcare expectations in mind.

This familiarity can be valuable for customer service and claims processing. However, for Spanish visa purposes, what matters is whether the coverage meets Spanish requirements—not US recognition.

Some US expats choose IMG because they're comfortable with the company, then verify visa compliance as a separate step. This approach can work, but don't assume US-market familiarity translates to European consulate acceptance.

For comprehensive Global Medical Insurance, expect roughly €100-200/month for a 35-year-old, increasing with age. This is notably less than Cigna or Allianz (€150-400/month) but more than SafetyWing (~€40-80/month).

Deductible choices affect pricing significantly. Higher deductibles reduce premiums but may affect visa compliance if consulates view them as coverage gaps.

For those who find Cigna/Allianz pricing too high but want more solid coverage than SafetyWing, IMG represents a middle ground. The question is whether the savings justify any additional uncertainty around visa acceptance.

IMG's Global Medical Insurance provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient coverage. Hospital stays, surgery, specialist visits, diagnostics, and prescriptions are typically included.

Coverage limits vary by plan—check whether there are annual or lifetime caps that might concern Spanish consulates. The better plans have high or no limits.

Pre-existing condition handling depends on the specific plan. Some IMG plans have waiting periods; others offer immediate coverage with appropriate underwriting. Clarify this before purchasing.

Request a policy certificate that clearly outlines coverage: valid in Spain, inpatient and outpatient covered, any limits or co-pays explicitly stated. If your plan has no co-pays on essential services, ensure this is documented.

IMG may be less familiar with Spanish visa documentation requirements than Cigna or Allianz. Be specific about what you need when requesting certificates.

Allow time for document requests. If the initial certificate doesn't clearly address Spanish requirements, you may need to request clarification or additional documentation.

vs Cigna/Allianz: Lower cost but less consulate recognition. If budget is a primary concern and you're comfortable with more verification work, IMG can be a value option. If certainty matters most, premium providers are safer.

vs SafetyWing: IMG offers more comprehensive coverage with better visa compliance potential. For those who find SafetyWing too risky for visas but can't justify premium pricing, IMG is worth considering.

The practical tradeoff: IMG saves money compared to Cigna/Allianz but requires more verification effort. You're trading convenience and certainty for cost savings.