Dr Simon Shaw, Chief Medical Officer @ Wilmer Health | 5th February 2025 | hello@wilmerhealth.com
If you’re planning to move to Spain for work, study, or retirement, getting your visa medical certificate is an essential step in the application process. Whether you’re applying for a non-lucrative visa, a student visa, or another long-term Spanish visa, this document verifies that you are in good health and free from infectious diseases that could pose a risk to public health in Spain. Ensuring you have the correct medical certificate in place will prevent delays and help make your transition to Spain as smooth as possible.
Understanding this requirement can be confusing. You may be wondering if the NHS offers this service, whether you need to book an appointment with a GP, or if an online provider is a reliable option. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to help you obtain your Spanish Visa Medical Certificate in the UK, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
A medical certificate for a Spanish visa is an official document issued by a General Medical Council (GMC)-registered doctor that confirms you are in good health and free from infectious diseases that pose a public health risk. This certificate is a mandatory requirement for individuals applying for long-stay visas, including the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa, Spanish Student Visa, and certain residency permits.
The main purpose of this certificate is to ensure that applicants do not carry any contagious diseases that could impact public health in Spain. The certificate follows guidelines set out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005. These regulations list specific diseases that are considered of international concern, including tuberculosis, cholera, yellow fever, and other communicable illnesses.
For the visa to be accepted by Spanish authorities, the certificate must include precise wording, such as:
“[Your Name] does not suffer from any diseases that may have serious public health repercussions in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.”
The document should be issued on an official letterhead, and be signed and stamped by the doctor.
Not all doctors in the UK are authorised to issue a visa medical certificate for Spain. For the certificate to be valid and accepted by Spanish authorities, it must be signed by a doctor whose signature can be verified by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Without this verification, the certificate cannot be legalised (apostilled) and will not be recognised by the Spanish consulate or immigration authorities.
To ensure your certificate is valid, the doctor issuing it must:
Yes. For your Spanish visa medical certificate to be legalised (apostilled), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) must be able to verify the doctor’s signature. If the doctor who issues your certificate is not registered with the FCDO, additional legal steps will be required, increasing both the time and cost of the process.
If your chosen doctor is already registered with the FCDO, the legalisation process is straightforward — the FCDO can verify the signature directly and apply the apostille stamp, which confirms the document’s authenticity for Spanish authorities.
However, if the doctor is not recognised by the FCDO, you must take additional steps before submitting the certificate for legalisation:
This extra process means higher costs and longer processing times, so selecting a provider with FCDO-registered doctors is the best way to ensure a smoother, faster, and more cost-effective visa application process.
While some NHS GP surgeries may offer this service privately, visa medical certificates are not commonly available through the NHS. Most NHS GPs do not provide them, and those who do may not be registered with the FCDO, making the legalisation (apostille) process more complicated.
Choosing the right provider is key to ensuring a smooth, efficient visa application process. Whether you prefer an in-person consultation or the convenience of an online service, it’s important to ensure that the doctor issuing your certificate is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to avoid legalisation delays.
Here are your main options:
Yes, an apostille is required for your Spanish visa medical certificate. The apostille is an official certification issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), confirming the authenticity of both the medical certificate and the doctor’s signature. Without it, Spanish authorities will not accept your certificate.
Spain is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that foreign public documents must be legalised before they can be recognised by another country. The apostille serves as proof that your medical certificate is genuine and issued by a qualified doctor.
Without an apostille, your medical certificate will not be accepted, which could lead to visa delays or rejection.
Yes, if your medical certificate is issued in English, it must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator registered with the Spanish government. This is a legal requirement, and Spanish authorities will reject any unofficial or self-translated documents.
A sworn translator provides an official, certified translation that includes their stamp and signature, ensuring that the document is legally recognised by the Spanish consulate and immigration offices. This guarantees that the translation is accurate and maintains the integrity of the original document.
Many applicants overlook this requirement, leading to unnecessary delays and extra costs when they realise their translation is not officially certified. To prevent complications, ensure your translation is done by a translator officially registered with the Spanish government.
To save time and money, consider using a provider that issues the medical certificate and includes a sworn translation in one package. For example, Wilmer Health provides medical certificates already translated into Spanish, eliminating the need for separate translation services and saving you £75+ in additional fees.
Many Spanish visa documents need an apostille stamp and a sworn translation, which can be confusing. If you’re unsure what these terms mean, our Guide to Apostilles & Sworn Translations for Spanish Visa Documents in the UK provides a clear explanation.
Yes, when applying for a Spanish visa, you must provide a physical copy of your medical certificate to the consulate. While digital copies may be useful for reference, consulates require original, hard copies to ensure authenticity and compliance with legal requirements.
To be accepted by the Spanish authorities, your medical certificate must contain:
To avoid complications, ensure you receive a hard copy of your medical certificate with the doctor’s signature in wet ink before submitting your visa application.
A Spanish visa medical certificate is typically valid for 3 months from the date of issue. This means that your certificate must be no older than 90 days when you submit your visa application to the Spanish consulate.
To prevent issues, it’s advisable to get your medical certificate as close to your application date as possible while allowing enough time for apostille legalisation and sworn translation if needed.
At Wilmer Health, we make obtaining your Spanish visa medical certificate quick, easy, and stress-free. Our FCDO-registered doctors and all-inclusive service ensure your certificate meets Spanish consulate requirements without delays or unnecessary extra costs. Here’s how it works:
Getting started is easy. Just fill out a quick medical history form and upload your passport copy for identification. No in-person appointments, no hassle — just a few minutes online.
One of our GMC and FCDO-registered doctors will review your application. If everything meets the requirements, you will receive a translated digital and physical copy with a wet ink signature, sent via tracked delivery.
Your completed, consulate-ready certificate will be delivered to your door via secure tracked post, ensuring it’s ready for submission with your visa application.
Obtaining your Spanish visa medical certificate doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is choosing a provider that ensures your certificate meets Spanish consulate requirements, including FCDO registration.
At Wilmer Health, we take care of everything for you — from issuance to legalisation — so your certificate is ready to submit without delays or extra hassle. If you want a fast, stress-free solution, get started today and get your fully verified, translated, and apostilled Spanish visa medical certificate with Wilmer Health.
At Wilmer Health, we simplify the Spanish visa application by supplying the key documents required for a smooth process. Whether you’re applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa, Student Visa, or another long-stay visa, we provide a one-stop solution, including apostille services and sworn translations.
Our services include issuing a fully compliant Medical Certificate for a Spanish Visa, obtaining an ACRO Certificate for Spanish visas, arranging Updated Marriage and Birth Certificates and exclusive deals on Spanish Private Health Insurance. Wherever you are in the application journey, we ensure your paperwork aligns with Spanish consulate requirements.
Same-day medical certificates and doctor’s letters, all from the comfort of your home — quick, easy, and hassle-free.
hello@wilmerhealth.com
All certificate requests submitted before 9pm (BST) are issued the same day.
