Why the route matters
Non-Lucrative Visa applicants commonly use private insurance. International teleworkers may use Spanish Social Security, qualifying overseas entitlement or private insurance. People working in Spain and registered with Social Security normally obtain public healthcare through that system.
Private rules are route-specific
Conditions may include no co-payments, no waiting periods, a specified period and particular certificate wording. Never transfer a rule from one visa route to another without checking.
Public healthcare routes
Entitlement can arise through Spanish Social Security or an S1 in qualifying circumstances. The convenio especial is available only where its residence, padrón and no-other-public-entitlement conditions are met. Residence in specified European countries or the UK can count towards the required year.
What sin copago means
No co-payment means no fee each time a covered service is used. It does not guarantee every condition, medicine, treatment or provider is covered.
S1 entitlement
The S1 is relevant in qualifying EU, EEA, Swiss and UK cases. It is not awarded simply because someone is retired or holds a particular nationality.