Travel insurance for Spain

Golden beaches, delicious cuisine, and plenty of sunshine. These are just 3 things that make mainland Spain and its Canary and Balearic islands so popular with British tourists.

If you're ready, click 'get a quote' now. Otherwise, just keep reading to learn more about travel insurance for Spain.

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert

Reviewed by Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert 6 min read | Published 17/09/2024

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Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. These are global events that can endanger you and/or cause travel disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of this.

If the event was declared as a 'known event' when you bought your insurance, this exclusion applies. If you travel to a place where there's a known event, you won't be covered by your travel insurance.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won't be covered by your travel insurance. If you fail to comply with your destination's entry requirements, you also won't be covered.

There is currently an FCDO warning about severe weather and flooding in Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La Mancha. You can check the latest weather warnings from Spain’s meteorological office before you travel and follow instructions from local authorities.

*Correct as of October 2024

Do I need travel insurance for Spain?

Travel insurance for Spain isn't a legal requirement, but it's worth thinking about.

With the right policy in place, you can have peace of mind you're covered against anything that goes wrong.

For example, if your luggage gets lost, stolen or delayed. Or, if you get injured and need to receive emergency medical treatment.

There's also been new rules introduced for British travellers heading to Spain. It's worth familiarising yourself with them before you go.

Choosing the right policy for your trip to Spain

For Spain, the Canary Islands or the Balearic Island, you'll need European travel insurance.

You can choose between different policy types, depending on your personal needs.

Let's break each one down:

Single-trip travel insurance

Single-trip travel insurance is the perfect policy for 'one-off' holidays. For example, summer holidays to Ibiza, or city breaks to Barcelona.

Annual travel insurance

If you're someone who likes to go on multiple trips a year, an annual policy could save you money. It usually covers multiple, separate trips over a 12-month period.

Backpackers travel insurance

Travelling to multiple countries on a longer trip? Backpacker travel insurance is a good option. For example, like interrailing. It can cover you across multiple different countries during a single trip. Usually, anywhere from 3 to 18 months.

Business cover

Travelling for work? Business travel insurance offers specialist cover for those travelling for work purposes.

What our travel insurance expert says

"Spain has been one of the most popular destinations for UK tourists for decades. It offers so much. From the buzzing cities of Barcelona and Madrid to the turquoise islands of Ibiza and Tenerife.

You might think your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) card will cover you for healthcare. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, you could end up at a private hospital with a big bill to pay without insurance in place. But with the right policy, you can have peace of mind you're covered should anything go wrong. Phew!"

Alvaro Iturmendi Travel insurance expert

What does travel insurance for Spain cover?

Travel insurance policies for Spain can vary depending on the insurer, so it's a good idea to read the wording.

In general, travel insurance usually offers the following:

What's normally covered:

Emergency medical treatment

If you need to receive emergency medical treatment due to illness or injury.

Repatriation to the UK

If you need to return home to the UK to receive medical treatment. This could cost thousands of pounds without travel insurance.

Theft accidental damage or loss

If your luggage is damaged, stolen or accidentally lost. Usually, policies also cover personal possessions.

Travel disruption

If you experience travel disruptions because of strikes, bad weather or mechanical issues.

Cancellation or curtailment

If you need to cancel your trip before it begins. Or, if you need to cut it short while you're on it because of something unexpected. For example, because of illness.

What's usually not covered:

Travelling against government advice

You'll invalidate your policy if you travel to a destination that the FCDO has advised not to visit.

Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions

Travel insurance providers can cover pre-existing medical conditions but only if they're declared. If you don't make your provider aware and need treatment, your provider may not accept your claim.

Extreme sports and activities

Standard travel insurance offers limited cover when it comes to sports and activities. Anything insurers consider to be 'high-risk' like hiking, won't be covered. In this case, you'll need a policy add-on for enhanced cover.

Incidents involving alcohol and drugs

If illness, injury or death occurs as a result of being under the influence of these substances. In these types of situations, you won't be able to claim.

Changing your mind

If you have a change of heart and decide that you no longer want to go on your trip. In this situation, you won't be covered for any expenses lost.

How much is travel insurance to Spain?

Policy prices can vary depending on personal circumstances, age, and the nature of the trip.

To give you an idea, here's a few examples of the cheapest policies:

Policy type	Policy cost
Single trip travel insurance	£6.85¹
Annual travel insurance	£10.85²
Backpacker travel insurance	£37.98³

¹The cheapest single-trip policy for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions, travelling to Spain for 1 week. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

²The cheapest annual European policy for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

³The cheapest backpacker policy for a 30 year old with no previous medical conditions, travelling to Europe for 3 months. Correct as of August 2024 - Confused.com data

Medical care in Spain

Since the UK left the European Union (EU) the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has been replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

These cards can be used to access state-subsidised healthcare in Spain and its islands. If you have an EHIC, check if it's in date. If it's expired, you'll need to apply for a GHIC card.

Even if you have a GHIC or EHIC, you might still have to pay medical bills. For example, if you're taken to a private hospital for emergency treatment, your GHIC won't be valid.

It's also important to note that medical repatriation isn't covered by a GHIC or EHIC card. So, if you need to return to the UK to receive medical treatment, you'd have to foot the bill.

So, while it's ideal to have a GHIC, it's still worth getting travel insurance. Unlike these cards, the right policy can cover you for medical costs if the worst happens. Some policies can even cover the cost of you being returned to the UK if you need treatment at home.

For peace of mind you're covered should you fall ill or get injured, travel insurance is a no-brainer.

Travel insurance for activities in Spain

There's plenty of fun things to get up to in Spain. Just make sure you’re covered if you plan to do any specific activities out there!

Standard travel insurance offers limited cover for sports and activities. But, knowing what you have to get extra cover for can be confusing. If in doubt, check with your insurer.

You can get policy add-ons for an extra cost, and the main kinds are:

Golf travel insurance

Playing golf is normally covered on a standard travel insurance policy. But, the cover is usually basic. So, if you plan to play a lot of golf, or your trip to Spain is purely for golf - you might want to consider some extra cover.

Adventure travel insurance

Certain activities, like snorkelling, tend to be covered on a standard policy. But, things like skydiving or hiking might not be. Let your insurer know exactly what you're doing to ensure you have the right cover. If your activities aren't covered, you can get adventure travel insurance.

Ski travel insurance

Spain isn’t all beaches and hot weather! Thanks to its high peaks there’s a huge range of skiing holidays on offer. If you’re going skiing, make sure you have this cover in place. It can cover you for ski-related problems, like piste closure and a lost ski pass.

Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?

No, you won't need a visa for Spain.

British citizens can visit Spain for up to 90 days before needing to apply for a visa.

But, you'll still need to make sure your passport is in date. You need to have at least 3 months remaining on your passport after the day you leave.

If you want to work in Spain, the requirements are different. You can find information about working in Spain on the GOV.uk website.

Tips for travelling to Spain

Make the most of your Spanish adventure with our tips:

Time zones

Most of the country is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). But, the Canary Islands keep to the same time that we follow here in the UK.

Driving

If you have car insurance, you’re normally allowed at least 30 days to drive in Europe. But, this cover is normally third party only. So, if you plan to drive to hire a car out there, let your car insurance company know so you can check your cover. It's also important to make sure you have all of your driving documents available. Oh, and don't forget - Spain drives on the right side of the road.

Crime and safety

As with anywhere, there's good and bad parts of the cities. But in general, Spain is relatively safe and welcoming in most areas. Beware of pickpockets, though, especially in Barcelona. The city has a big reputation for pickpocketing and theft.

Climate

It can be deceptively cold at certain times of the year. In particular, the North. As for the summer months? Temperatures can rocket. So, it's a good idea to plan ahead, check forecasts and make sure you have the right clothing.

Visiting Madrid?

According to Lonely Planet, August should be avoided if you're planning on getting the most out of Madrid! Lots of establishments close, and owners head to the coast to escape the August heat.

You can find more tips in Lonely Planet's guide on things to know before visiting Spain.