Do Children Need a Spanish Visa Medical Certificate? (2026)

The medical director at Wilmer Health - Dr Andrew SmithBy Dr Andrew Smith | Medical Director, Wilmer Health | Published: 25 April 2025 | Last Update: 26 April 2026

This guide is reviewed regularly to reflect current Spanish consulate requirements. Last updated April 2026 by Dr Andrew Smith, Medical Director, Wilmer Health. For specific advice about your individual application, contact us at hello@wilmerhealth.com.

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If you’re moving to Spain with your family — whether on a Non-Lucrative Visa, Student Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or through a Family Reunification Visa — you might be wondering whether your children need their own medical certificate. 

Here’s what you need to know. For the full picture on the medical certificate process, read our complete guide — Spanish Visa Medical Certificate in the UK: Everything You Need to Know (2026).

Do All Children Need One?

Yes — babies, toddlers, and teenagers all need their own individual medical certificate. There’s no shared family certificate. Every person in the application, whatever their age, needs their own separately issued document.

This surprises a lot of families, especially those with very young children. But the rule is the same across all ages and all long-stay visa types.

Is the Certificate Any Different for Children?

No — it’s exactly the same document as the one an adult would need. Same wording, same format, same requirements. The only difference is that the child’s name goes on the certificate instead of an adult’s.

The wording follows the same format we cover in our guide on what your Spanish visa medical certificate should say — a declaration that the named person does not suffer from any disease with serious public health implications in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).

Virtual doctor assessing a child's application for a Spanish Visa Medical Certificate through Wilmer Health

What About Parental Consent?

For younger children, a parent or guardian fills in the application on their behalf. You’ll provide your child’s name, date of birth, and basic health information. The certificate is then issued in the child’s name, signed by the doctor, and meets the same requirements as an adult certificate.

The UK apostille service for Spanish visa services at Wilmer Health

Does It Need an Apostille?

It depends on where you’re applying from.

UK applicants — yes. The child’s certificate needs an apostille, just like an adult’s. The apostille is the official stamp from the UK government that makes the certificate legally recognised in Spain. Without it, the consulate won’t accept it. Find out how the process works in our guide on getting an apostille for your Spanish visa medical certificate.

US applicants — generally no, though always check with your specific consulate before submitting.

Does It Need to Be in Spanish?

Yes — just like an adult’s certificate. That means either a sworn translation from an officially registered translator, or a bilingual certificate that’s already in both English and Spanish.

At Wilmer Health, every certificate we issue — including those for children — comes in bilingual format as standard. No separate translation needed. Find out more about the benefits of a bilingual certificate and getting your certificate translated.

Does Each Child Need a Separate Certificate?

Yes — each child needs their own certificate, their own apostille (for UK applicants), and their own translation or bilingual document. The consulate requires individual documents for every applicant, no exceptions.

If you’re applying as a family with more than one child, factor this into your planning from the start. At Wilmer Health, we can process everyone — adults and children — in the same order, so everything arrives together.

How Quickly Can You Get One?

The same turnaround options apply for children as for adults. At Wilmer Health, you can choose 4, 5, or 10 working day packages — all including the certificate, apostille (for UK applicants), and translation. If you’re in a hurry, read our guide on getting your certificate sorted fast.

How Wilmer Health Can Help

Getting a certificate for a child is just as straightforward as getting one for an adult. Parents or guardians fill in a short online form on their child’s behalf, our doctors issue the certificate in the child’s name, and we handle everything from there.

Every certificate is bilingual as standard. For UK applicants, we handle the apostille through our direct access to the FCDO counter in Milton Keynes — so everything arrives together, in the right order, ready to submit.

We’re on hand seven days a week. Any questions before you apply? Drop us a message at hello@wilmerhealth.com — we’re always happy to help.