Home Insurance in Spain for Expats

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Home insurance in Spain (seguro de hogar) from Generali — buildings (continente), contents (contenido), civil liability and optional extras for expats in Javea and the Costa Blanca. Holiday homes, rental properties and primary residences all covered. English-speaking agents and claims staff.

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Quick Answer. Home Insurance in Spain
Mandatory?Not legally — but mortgage lenders require it
Typical premium€200–€750 / year
Insure atRebuild cost (NOT market value)
Squatters / okupas cover?Yes — legal expenses available
Holiday-home OK?Yes — up to 150 days unoccupied
Home insurance, house insurance, property insurance, household insurance, buildings & contents — same product, different names. Whether you searched for "home insurance Spain", "house insurance Spain", "property insurance Spain", "household insurance Spain", "buildings insurance", "contents insurance", "holiday home insurance", "landlord insurance", "Spanish home insurance" or the Spanish seguro de hogar, you're in the right place. Spanish home insurance is the legally regulated seguro multirriesgo de hogar, covering buildings (continente), contents (contenido), civil liability (responsabilidad civil) and 24-hour assistance. We arrange Generali Hogar policies for British, Irish, Dutch and Northern-European resident and non-resident owners across the whole of Spain.

Home Insurance in Spain. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions

The legal framework, waiting periods, exclusions and sources every buyer should know. We link the sources inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and the Spanish regulators.

Legal framework

Home insurance in Spain is governed by Ley 50/1980 Articles 45–82 (general property and Seguros Multirriesgo). It is not legally mandatory for owner-occupiers. Spanish mortgage law (Ley Hipotecaria) does effectively require buildings cover (continente) for any mortgaged property. Apartments in a Comunidad de Propietarios are also indirectly affected by Ley 49/1960 LPH, which covers communal areas. Buildings cover for the individual flat is still your own responsibility.

Buildings vs contents — what each covers

Continente (buildings) covers the structure of the property:

  • Walls, roof and floors
  • Fixed installations — plumbing, electrics and fitted kitchens
  • Pool, perimeter walls and outbuildings

Contenido (contents) covers everything that would fall out if you turned the property upside down:

  • Furniture and electronics
  • Clothing
  • Jewellery (usually up to 20% of the contents sum)

The most common error is to insure at market value instead of rebuild cost. Rebuild cost is typically 50–70% of market value on the Costa Blanca, because land value is excluded. Under-insuring triggers the proportional rule (regla proporcional) under Ley 50/1980 Article 30. This reduces every claim payment by the same proportion you under-insured.

Extraordinary risks: the Consorcio

In Spain, your home insurer does not pay for extraordinary risks. These include flooding (inundación extraordinaria), earthquakes, severe windstorms (over 120 km/h), terrorism, riots and falling celestial bodies.

Instead, they are paid by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. This is a public body funded by a small charge added to every Spanish home and car policy. The Consorcio lists the events it has declared, such as the DANA Valencia floods of October 2024. It then pays the insured directly. Claim within seven days at consorseguros.es.

Standard exclusions

The Consorcio handles extraordinary risks. Beyond those, home policies usually exclude:

  • Gradual wear and tear (desgaste)
  • Damp and mould from long-term humidity, rather than a sudden incident
  • Damage caused by pets
  • Damage by tenants on a rented property, unless you hold landlord cover
  • Jewellery left visible outside a safe
  • Properties undergoing major structural works (obras mayores) are ineligible for cover entirely — the policy cannot be taken out or maintained while major structural work is under way. Minor or cosmetic works (obras menores) are acceptable and civil liability for those works is included.

Holiday homes, rentals and unoccupancy

Holiday homes are accepted by Generali Hogar Premium, but the unoccupancy rules are property-type specific and must be declared at inception:

  • Standard / permanent-residence property: vacant periods up to 30 consecutive days are covered in full.
  • Declared holiday home: vacancy of up to 180 consecutive days is permitted.

In both cases, there is a requirement to maintain installations to a reasonable standard. Properties undergoing major structural works (obras mayores) are not eligible for cover. The policy must be suspended for the duration and reinstated once the works are complete. Minor or cosmetic works are unaffected.

For rented homes, a Seguro de Hogar para arrendatarios covers tenant contents and liability. Landlords need a separate landlord policy with rent-loss cover. Short-term holiday lets need a dedicated tourist rental (VUT) policy with the compulsory guest liability the licence requires. You can also add squatter (okupa) legal-expenses cover up to €6,000. This matters because eviction under Real Decreto-ley 7/2019 can take 12–24 months.

Expat Home Insurance Spain — Cover That Works for Your Situation

Expat home insurance in Spain works differently from UK cover in several important ways. This is true whether you call it house insurance or home insurance. Properties on the Costa Blanca face risks that UK policies have never heard of: DANA flooding, Consorcio claims procedures, the regla proporcional under-insurance rule, and the squatter (okupa) problem. A locally-issued Spanish policy from Generali, arranged in English by our Jávea-based team, covers all of these. It also resolves claims in Spain rather than from a UK call centre. Here is what changes for expat homeowners:

Issue UK home policy (kept after moving) Spanish policy (Generali Hogar)
DANA / catastrophic floodingNot covered — UK policies don't know what the Consorcio isAutomatically triggers Consorcio de Compensación — paid by state guarantee
Squatter (okupa) legal coverNot a feature of UK policiesStandard on Generali Hogar — legal costs up to €6,000 for eviction
Holiday-home unoccupancyUK policies typically void cover after 30 days unoccupiedUp to 180 days vacancy accepted — essential for seasonal Costa Blanca properties
Claims handling languageUK insurer, UK call centre — no Spanish adjuster on siteWe manage the claim in English; Generali's Spanish peritos attend in person
Mortgage lender requirementSpanish banks will not accept a UK policyAccepted by all Spanish lenders — issued with bank assignment clause

We arrange expat home insurance in Spain for British, Irish, Dutch, Norwegian and other European residents throughout the Costa Blanca and across Spain. Generali Hogar policies from €200/year, all documentation in English, and 24-hour emergency cover included. Get a free home insurance quote →

Key Points

  • 24-hour home emergency — plumbers, builders, electricians, carpenters, locksmiths
  • Optional full accidental damage cover for building and contents
  • Automatic cover for jewellery up to 20% of contents sum insured
  • Cover for excess water consumption up to €1,000 — even with no damage caused
  • Cover for blocked pipes even if no damage caused
  • Full cover for electrical damages and power surges
  • Not limited to 1 claim per year
  • Optional: jewellery and valuables outside the home
  • Alternative accommodation if property is uninhabitable
  • Landlord liability and tenant contents cover available

Buildings Insurance Spain — Including Holiday Home Cover

Buildings insurance Spain (seguro de continente) covers the rebuild cost of the entire property: walls, roof, fixed fittings, pool, perimeter walls, terraces and outbuildings. For apartments, community insurance does not cover from your front door inwards. Our buildings policy fills that gap. Civil liability up to €1,000,000 included. Buildings insurance in Spain must be set at rebuild value, not market value. Insuring at the wrong figure triggers the regla proporcional underinsurance penalty. We calculate the correct rebuild value for free when preparing your quote.

Contents Cover

Covers everything inside your property including fitted kitchen. Cover is new-for-old — we pay the full replacement cost as new today, not a depreciated value. Includes fire, smoke, power surge, flooding, theft and vandalism.

Get Insurance for Your Home in Spain. Quick Quote

  1. Call or email us — ring 966 461 625 or email info@turnerinsurance.es. Our English-speaking team is available Monday to Friday, 09:30–15:00.
  2. Tell us your situation — we will ask a few quick questions about what you need to cover, your age, location, and any existing policies you hold.
  3. We compare options — as authorised Generali agents, we present the plans that match your needs and budget. No pressure, no obligation.
  4. Your policy is set up — once you are happy, we arrange everything and send your certificate and English-language policy documents promptly.

Home Insurance Cover Levels

Cover level What is included Best for
Buildings only Structure, walls, roof, fixed fittings and outbuildings — no contents Buy-to-let investors and landlords
Buildings + Contents All Buildings cover plus furniture, appliances, clothing and personal items Main residence owners
All-risks Buildings, contents, plus jewellery, art, valuables and accidental damage High-value properties and second homes
Holiday home Up to 150 days unoccupied cover, buildings and contents, weather damage Second homes and holiday properties on the Costa Blanca

Insurance for Your Home in Spain. Compare Tiers

Our home insurance product is Generali Hogar Premium. It was formerly Liberty Hogar, now fully under the Generali brand following the 2024 acquisition. It comes in two escalating tiers. Pick the level that matches your property value, contents and the way you use the home.

IncludedADD-ON Optional extra Not available
Cover & benefit PlusMost popular PremiumAll-risks
Buildings cover (continente)
Contents cover (contenido)
Fire, smoke, lightning & explosion
Storm, flood & weather damage
Water damage & pipe leaks
Theft inside the home
Civil liability (RC familiar)
Legal defence (defensa jurídica)
24/7 home emergency assistance
Locksmith, plumber & electrician callouts
Glass, mirrors & sanitary ware
Electrical surge / appliance damage
Garden furniture & outdoor plants
Theft outside the home (contents away)
Accidental damage (clumsy / DIY) (optional on both)ADD-ONADD-ON
Bicycles outside the home (civil liability only — bike not insured away from home)
IT equipment & portable electronicsADD-ON
Jewellery & valuables (20% of contents sum insured, standard on both)
Holiday home / extended absence coverADD-ON
Loss of rental income (landlord)ADD-ONADD-ON
Pest control / vermin damageADD-ON

⚠️ Indicative comparison only. Generali completed its acquisition of Liberty Seguros in January 2024 and finalised the legal integration in November 2025 — both ranges now operate under Generali España de Seguros y Reaseguros. Specific limits, excesses and add-on availability vary by policy, vehicle, property and individual circumstance. Contact our team for a tailored quote and the latest schedule of cover.

Approximate Home Insurance Pricing

Annual premiums for a Costa Blanca residence with full continente + contenido cover:

Apartment / Townhouse
from €200/yr
  • €100,000 buildings sum
  • €30,000 contents
  • Family liability €150,000
  • Squatter (okupas) cover
  • Defensa Jurídica included
Premium Villa
from €750/yr
  • €500,000+ buildings rebuild value
  • €100,000+ contents
  • High-value items scheduled
  • Family liability €1m+
  • Survey may be required

Prices shown are typical Spanish market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and your individual circumstances. Contact us for a free personalised quote. Insurance must be on rebuild value (not purchase price) to avoid the regla proporcional underinsurance penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions. Home Insurance in Spain

These are the most common questions we receive.

Home insurance in Spain has features that surprise many British, Irish and Dutch owners — particularly around community insurance, squatter cover, the consorcio, and how the rebuild value differs from the purchase price. Here are the questions we are asked most often.

Home insurance, house insurance, property insurance, household insurance, buildings & contents insurance and the Spanish seguro de hogar or seguro multirriesgo de hogar all refer to the same legally regulated Spanish product. The product covers continente (buildings), contenido (contents), responsabilidad civil (civil liability) and asistencia (24-hour assistance for plumbing, electrical, locksmith and glazing emergencies). The rules and cover are identical regardless of which English term you searched for.
Call our English-speaking team on 966 461 625 (Monday-Friday 09:30–15:00) or email info@turnerinsurance.es with the property address and postcode, build year, square meters of building (m²), number of bedrooms, your declared contents value, whether it's owner-occupied, second home or holiday let, and any security features (alarm, shutters, CCTV). We calculate the correct rebuild value for you using Colegio de Arquitectos cost-per-m² data and send a formal Generali Hogar quote within 30 minutes — often on the call. Prefer to start online? Send us the property details for a home insurance Spain online quote in English.
For most British, Irish, Dutch and Norwegian Costa Blanca owners the strongest combination of price, cover and English-language claims is Generali Hogar Plus with the squatter legal-defence extension and 24-hour assistance. It includes €6,000 squatter legal defence (vs €3,000 on most competitors), buildings + contents + civil liability up to €1.5 million, and English documents and English claims through a Spanish broker. Mapfre and Mutua Madrileña are 5–10% cheaper but Spanish-only at claim time.
Typical 2026 prices on the Costa Blanca: a 2-bed apartment owner-occupied from €180–€280/year; a 3-bed villa worth €250k rebuild value from €320–€480/year; a 4-bed luxury villa worth €500k+ rebuild value from €520–€850/year; holiday-home premiums typically add 15–25% over standard residential. Contents-only renters cover from €90/year. Premiums vary by rebuild value, postcode, security features, claims history and unoccupancy days.
Match the rebuild value, contents declared, cover level and excess across quotes. Most expat home-insurance comparison goes wrong because the rebuild value is inconsistently calculated — some quotes use purchase price (wrong), others use Colegio de Arquitectos figures (correct). Call Turner Insurance on 966 461 625 for a Generali Hogar benchmark with the correct rebuild value applied; you can then compare any other Spanish broker quote on identical terms.
For private homeowners with no mortgage, home insurance is not legally compulsory in Spain — but it is strongly recommended. The exception is if your property is mortgaged: the mortgage lender will require buildings insurance ('seguro de hogar' with the bank assigned as beneficiary for the buildings sum) for the full mortgage period. Apartment owners must contribute to the block's communal insurance through their community fees, but this only covers the shared parts of the building — not the inside of your unit.
'Continente' is the building itself — the structure, fixed installations (kitchen, bathroom fittings, fitted wardrobes, fixed flooring), heating, plumbing and electrics. 'Contenido' is the contents — furniture, appliances, clothes, electronics, paintings, jewellery. A buildings-only policy is fine for an empty rental flat that you don't furnish; a homeowner needs both. Apartments above the ground floor sometimes have lower contenido limits because flood and external theft risks are reduced.
No — and this is the single most common error British owners make. The buildings sum should be the rebuild cost ('valor de reconstrucción a nuevo'), which excludes the cost of the land itself. On a Costa Blanca villa, the rebuild cost is typically 50–70% of the purchase price, because much of what you paid was for the plot and location. Insuring at the purchase price results in years of overpaying premiums and never being able to claim more than the rebuild value at claim time. We help calculate the right figure for your property.
Under-insurance triggers the 'regla proporcional' (proportional rule) under Spanish insurance law. If your buildings sum insured is, say, 60% of the actual rebuild value and you have a partial-loss claim, the insurer pays only 60% of the claim. Some policies waive this rule up to a 20% under-insurance margin ('compensación de capitales'); we always recommend including this clause if available. The fix is to value the property correctly at inception and review annually.
Catastrophic floods, including DANA events like the November 2024 Valencia floods, are covered by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros — a state-backed body that pays out for extraordinary natural events. Spanish home insurance customers automatically have Consorcio cover bundled into their policy at no extra premium. The Consorcio paid out over €4 billion for the November 2024 Valencia floods. For routine local water ingress (a leaking pipe, a rainstorm coming through a damaged roof), your home insurer pays — not the Consorcio.
Yes if you specifically include 'cobertura de okupación' on the policy — this is now standard on most Generali home policies. Squatter cover typically pays for: legal fees to evict the squatters (often €5,000–€20,000), repairs to damage they caused, locksmith costs, and in some cases alternative accommodation if you cannot occupy your home. Squatter cover does not normally apply to short-term holiday lets that have overstayed — that is a contractual rather than criminal matter and requires separate legal action. For the full picture, read our Squatters' Rights in Spain homeowner guide — the eviction process step by step with timings, and a 13-row chart of exactly what the HU2 policy pays at each stage.
You must declare to the insurer that the property is operated as a 'Vivienda de Uso Turístico' (VUT) — short-term holiday rental. Standard residential policies often exclude or limit cover while paying guests are in the property. There are specific tourist-rental policies that include wider third-party liability (for guest injuries), accidental damage caused by guests, and loss of rental income after an insured event. Failing to declare commercial use is one of the main reasons claims are declined on Costa Blanca holiday homes.
No, but you must tell the insurer if it is a holiday home or second residence. Properties unoccupied for long stretches have higher theft and water-damage risks and require either a specialist 'segunda residencia' policy or an unoccupancy clause on the standard policy. The unoccupancy clause typically requires that you turn off the water at the mains, set the heating to a frost-protection setting in winter, and have the property visited at minimum intervals (often every 30 days). Failing to comply can void cover.
If water from an upstairs neighbour damages your apartment, Spanish law makes the upstairs neighbour liable. Their home insurance pays for your damage; if they are uninsured, you can claim from your own insurer who then pursues the neighbour. The community insurance covers leaks originating in shared pipes (those serving the whole block). It is essential that all owners in a community have personal home insurance — a single uninsured neighbour can cost everyone else considerable hassle when leaks occur.
Yes — most Spanish home policies include 'Responsabilidad Civil Familiar' (family liability) as standard, with cover usually €150,000 to €600,000. This protects you if a member of your household — including your dog (separately under Ley 7/2023) — accidentally causes injury or damage to a third party anywhere in the world. It covers the kids breaking a window with a football, your dog biting another visitor, a guest tripping on your stairs, etc. Limits can be increased to €1m+ for a small additional premium.
Outdoor structures (swimming pool, terrace, paths, garden walls, gates, BBQ areas) are usually covered under buildings 'continente' if they are within the property boundary, with sub-limits. Garden furniture, ride-on lawn mowers, BBQs and pool equipment are usually under contents 'contenido' as 'enseres' (chattels in the open). Theft of garden furniture is generally not covered — it has to be securely locked away. Specialist Costa Blanca pool/garden cover is available where standard limits are inadequate.
Spanish home theft cover requires evidence of forced entry ('robo con fuerza en las cosas') — broken locks, smashed glass, damaged door frames. Theft from an unlocked door, or by someone you let in (a tradesperson, cleaner, dog walker), is not covered as theft. Theft of cash, jewellery and watches is typically capped at a low aggregate sum (€1,500-€3,000); higher values must be specifically declared and may need to be locked in a fitted safe to be insured.
The landlord insures the building; the tenant insures their own contents and their tenant's liability. Many Spanish leases require tenants to hold a 'Seguro de Inquilino' covering the tenant's contents plus damage they cause to the property and to the landlord's contents. If you're a landlord, ask for proof of the tenant's policy at the time of signing and make renewal a tenancy condition. Specialist landlord cover also includes legal expenses for non-payment of rent.
The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros covers damage from 'extraordinary risks': floods exceeding 40 litres/m²/hour, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, atypical cyclonic storms (winds exceeding 120 km/h), terrorism, riots, and meteor impact among others. Funded by a small levy on every insurance policy in Spain (around 0.025% of insured sums), it sits as a state-backed safety net. After a Consorcio event, you submit the claim through your insurer — they investigate, then route the documentation to the Consorcio for payment.
Yes — storm damage (high winds, hail, falling debris) is standard buildings cover. A neighbour's tree falling onto your property: their home insurance liability pays if they were negligent (rotted, untrimmed, known dangerous); if it was a 'fuerza mayor' storm event, your own insurance pays under the storm peril. Fallen trees from common areas in a community are paid by the community insurance. Damage from your own trees falling: usually your own building/contents policy.
Standard contents cover includes a small overall sub-limit on jewellery, watches, art and collectibles (typically 20-30% of the contents sum or a fixed cap of €3,000-€8,000). Higher-value individual items must be specifically declared on a schedule with valuations from a recognised appraiser, and may need photographs. Items kept in a locked fitted safe attract a higher limit. Items worn outside the home (jewellery on holiday, watches at the gym) need 'all risks worldwide' extension.
'Defensa Jurídica' or legal expenses cover funds your legal representation in disputes such as: claims against neighbours over damage, defending claims brought against you, disputes with tradespeople over poor work, consumer disputes, and inheritance cases. Cover limits are usually €600 to €3,000 per claim. It is one of the most useful additions on Spanish home policies because Spanish litigation is slow and lawyer fees are not recoverable from the losing side in most cases.
Contact our office as soon as possible — there is a 7-day legal deadline under the Insurance Contract Law to notify the insurer. We open the claim the same day, brief the insurer, and if needed arrange an emergency tradesperson to mitigate further damage (a leak that's still running, broken windows). The insurer assigns a perito (loss adjuster) who attends the property within 3–7 days to assess the damage. Settlement typically takes 30-60 days from full documentation.
Building works create exposures not covered under a standard home policy: third-party injury to workers, accidental damage caused by the works, theft of materials on site, and (for new builds and significant extensions) the 10-year structural warranty 'Seguro Decenal' that is legally required by the LOE law. We arrange specific 'Todo Riesgo Construcción' cover for the construction period, and Decenal at completion. Works lasting under 30 days can sometimes be added to the existing policy as an extension.
For most residential properties, no — we issue cover based on declared age, construction type, size and contents value. Older traditional builds with stone walls or cane ceilings, properties with historic or wooden roof beams, or unusual constructions may require an inspection. Properties valued over €1m almost always need a survey. We let you know upfront whether one is needed.
Home insurance in Spain costs between €150 and €600/year for a typical expat property on the Costa Blanca, depending on the rebuild value of the building, the contents insured, location and cover level. A 3-bedroom villa in Javea or Moraira with a rebuild value of €250,000 and €30,000 contents typically costs €220–€350/year for a comprehensive policy. Key factors that affect premium: location (coastal areas and flood plains cost more), property age (older properties may have higher loadings), swimming pool (adds liability exposure), and whether the property is permanently occupied or a holiday home. Always insure on rebuild value — not market value — to avoid the regla proporcional penalty.
The regla proporcional is one of the most important concepts in Spanish home insurance — and one of the most commonly misunderstood. Under Article 30 of Ley 50/1980, if your property is under-insured (the sum insured is less than the actual rebuild value), the insurer will only pay the same proportion of any claim. Example: a villa with a rebuild value of €300,000 insured for only €150,000 (50%) — if fire causes €100,000 damage, the insurer pays €50,000 (50% of the claim). This is not a penalty the insurer invents — it is written into Spanish law. The solution is to insure at the correct rebuild value, which we calculate for you at quotation stage.
Home insurance is not legally compulsory in Spain for private homeowners — unlike car insurance. However, it is almost always required as a condition of a Spanish mortgage (the mortgage agreement will stipulate minimum buildings insurance with the lender as beneficiary). For communities of owners (VvE/comunidades de propietarios), the community buildings insurance is compulsory under Ley 49/1960 — but individual apartment contents are not covered by the community policy and require a separate personal policy. Practically, given the risk of fire, flooding, theft and water damage from neighbouring properties, home insurance is essential rather than optional.
Holiday home insurance in Spain is a specific type of home insurance for properties not permanently occupied. Standard home insurance policies typically require the property to be occupied at least once every 30–60 days — holiday homes sitting empty for months at a time need a specific unoccupancy endorsement or a dedicated holiday home policy. Holiday home insurance in Spain covers the building structure, contents, civil liability and extended theft cover for unoccupied periods. If your Costa Blanca property is a holiday home or you only visit seasonally, always declare the occupancy status when taking out the policy — failing to do so is one of the most common reasons claims are reduced or declined.
Yes — if your Spanish property is a holiday home or is unoccupied for long periods, you need either a standard policy with an unoccupancy endorsement or a dedicated holiday home insurance policy in Spain. Standard home insurance policies typically require occupation at least once every 30–60 days. Holiday home insurance Spain covers the building, contents, civil liability and extended theft cover for unoccupied periods. If your Costa Blanca property sits empty for months at a time, always declare this when applying — failing to do so is the most common reason claims are reduced in Spain.
Home insurance in Spain costs between €150 and €600/year for a typical expat property, depending on rebuild value, contents value, location and cover level. As a guide for properties in the Costa Blanca area: a small apartment or townhouse with €150,000 rebuild value and €15,000 contents typically pays €150–€220/year; a three-bedroom detached villa with €250,000 rebuild value and €30,000 contents typically pays €220–€350/year; a large villa with pool, €400,000 rebuild value: €320–€500/year. The most important factor is insuring on rebuild value (coste de reconstrucción) rather than market value — insuring on market value leads to the regla proporcional underinsurance penalty. We calculate the correct rebuild value for your property at no cost when preparing your quote — call 966 461 625.
Home insurance is not legally compulsory in Spain for owner-occupiers — but it is required by all Spanish mortgage lenders (bancos and cajas) as a condition of the loan, and the bank will typically require at least buildings cover (continente) equal to the rebuild value of the property. If you own your Spanish property outright without a mortgage, you are not legally required to hold home insurance — though it is strongly advisable given the cost of property damage, civil liability claims from neighbours and the DANA flooding risk on the Mediterranean coast. For tenants in Spain, buildings insurance is the landlord's responsibility; contents insurance is the tenant's choice. Home insurance in Spain in English is available through Generali — all policy documentation, correspondence and claims handling in English.
The main home insurance providers in Spain are Generali, Mapfre, Allianz, AXA, Línea Directa, Zurich, Caser and Liberty. Mapfre is the largest Spanish home insurer by market share but primarily serves Spanish-speaking clients. Línea Directa is a direct insurer without broker support — no English-speaking advice. Allianz and AXA have international networks but limited English-language claims handling in Spain. Generali is the only major provider offering full home insurance in Spain in English. English documentation, English-speaking agents in Jávea, and English claims support when you need it most. Home contents insurance (contenido) is included in all Generali combined policies. We also include civil liability as standard, and can add legal expenses, key cover and personal accident extensions.

Best Home Insurance in Spain for Expats. Cost and Options

The best home insurance in Spain for expats covers buildings, contents and liability in a single policy. It also comes with English-language documentation and an English-speaking claims process. The best home insurance companies in Spain for English-speaking residents include Generali, Mapfre, Axa and Mutua Madrileña.

As authorised Generali agents, Turner Insurance arranges home insurance for expats in Spain, expat insurance for homes in Spain, across the Costa Blanca. Compare home insurance in Spain options with a free quote — 966 461 625.

Cost of Home Insurance in Spain

The cost of home insurance in Spain depends on the rebuild value of the property, contents value, location and cover level. How much is home insurance in Spain on average:

  • Apartment (€80,000 rebuild): €180–€280/year — cheap home insurance in Spain for smaller properties
  • Townhouse (€140,000 rebuild): €260–€380/year
  • Villa (€220,000 rebuild): €350–€550/year
  • Second home / holiday home: add 15–25% for unoccupancy cover
  • Home contents insurance in Spain only: €120–€200/year

Home insurance in Spain for expats costs the same as for Spanish nationals. No nationality loading applies. Insurance for holiday homes in Spain and second home insurance in Spain is slightly higher, due to extended unoccupancy. Mobile home insurance in Spain is available as a separate specialist product. See our static caravan insurance page.

The best home insurance in Spain for expats combines buildings cover, home contents insurance in Spain and liability in one policy — with English documentation and English claims support. The best home insurance companies in Spain for expats are Generali, Mapfre and AXA. Turner Insurance arranges Generali home insurance for expats in Spain across the Costa Blanca — all in English, from the initial quote to claims handling. Home insurance for expats in Spain from Generali covers the full range of risks relevant to the Costa Blanca: storm and DANA flood damage, subsidence, fire, theft and civil liability. Compare home insurance in Spain options free — call 966 461 625.
Home insurance is not legally mandatory in Spain for most homeowners — unlike some European countries. However, if your property has a Spanish mortgage, your lender will require at minimum buildings insurance (seguro de hogar continente) as a condition of the loan. For community properties (apartments and urbanisations), community insurance is compulsory under the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal — though this covers common areas only, not individual apartments. For tenants: are tenants obliged to get home insurance in Spain? No — contents insurance is not legally required for renters, though landlords often require it as a condition of the rental contract. Is home insurance needed when renting in Spain? We recommend it — your landlord's policy will not cover your personal belongings.
Home contents insurance in Spain covers your personal belongings and moveable property inside the home — furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, valuables and personal items. A standard contents policy pays to repair or replace items up to the stated contents sum insured. Key items for expats in Spain to include: high-value electronics, jewellery (often subject to a sub-limit — declare individually), art and antiques, outdoor furniture and pool equipment. Home contents insurance in Spain from Generali can be taken as a standalone policy or combined with buildings cover. The cheapest home insurance in Spain for contents-only starts around €120–€180/year for a typical apartment.
Second home insurance in Spain and holiday home insurance in Spain covers a property that is not your main residence — a vacation property, investment property or home used seasonally. Insurance for holiday homes in Spain differs from standard home insurance because the property may be left unoccupied for extended periods. Standard Spanish home insurance policies include clauses that reduce or void cover if the property is empty for more than 30–60 consecutive days. Second home insurance in Spain includes extended unoccupancy cover — typically up to 90 days or 12 months depending on the policy. If you also rent the property, you need a landlord endorsement. Turner Insurance arranges holiday home insurance in Spain and second home cover for British, Dutch and Norwegian expats across the Costa Blanca — see also our dedicated overseas holiday home insurance page.
To compare home insurance in Spain, you need to compare: buildings rebuild value cover, contents sum insured, liability limits, excess amounts, unoccupancy conditions, and claims service. Online comparison sites in Spain (Rastreator, Acierto) operate in Spanish and may not include expat-oriented policies. Comparing home insurance in Spain in English is simpler through Turner Insurance — we compare Generali products against the market, explain the differences in plain English, and recommend the best value for your property type and situation. Home insurance in Spain compare quotes are free and there is no obligation. Call 966 461 625 or use our contact form.

More questions? Contact us for free English-speaking advice — or call 966 461 625.

How This Compares to the Competition

Honest comparisons help you make an informed choice. These figures are typical Spanish-market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and individual circumstances.

Generali Home Insurance for Expats vs AXA Hogar

Generali's home insurance arranged through Turner Insurance offers English-speaking claims, holiday-home cover and the broadest unoccupancy allowances. Here is how it compares to the alternatives most commonly suggested to expats.

Feature Generali Hogar Premium AXA Hogar Plus
Holiday / second home accepted Yes — main, holiday or rental Yes (with surcharge)
Maximum unoccupied period 30 days (standard) / 180 days (declared holiday home) 90 days/year
Squatters / okupas legal cover Optional add-on, up to €6,000 Optional add-on, up to €3,000
Excess water consumption cover Up to €1,000 — even with no damage Up to €500
Jewellery automatic cover 20% of contents sum 15% of contents sum
24-hour home emergency Plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, glaziers Plumbers, locksmiths, electricians
Liability cover Up to €1,000,000 €600,000 standard
English-speaking claims handling Yes via Turner Insurance Limited
Premium 100m² Marina Alta home ~€280–€420/year ~€310–€460/year

Generali Home Insurance vs Mapfre Hogar and Mutua Madrileña

How Generali's home insurance compares against Mapfre and Mutua Madrileña, two of the largest Spanish home insurers by market share.

Feature Generali Hogar Premium Mapfre Hogar Plus Mutua Madrileña Hogar Plus
Buildings + contents combined Yes Yes Yes
New-for-old contents settlement Yes Yes Yes
Liability cover Up to €1,000,000 €600,000 (€1M optional) €600,000
Annual claim cap Unlimited (subject to policy sum) Unlimited Unlimited
Holiday/second-home rates Same as main home +15% surcharge +10% surcharge
24-hour emergency response time <60 min target <90 min target <90 min target
Premium 120m² standard home ~€340/year ~€370/year ~€380/year

Comparisons are based on publicly available product literature and our experience placing policies across the Spanish market. Premium estimates assume a healthy applicant on the Costa Blanca with no significant claims history. Contact us for a personalised, like-for-like quote.

Sources & References

This page references the following official Spanish regulatory and legal sources. These are the authoritative bodies and laws governing insurance products in Spain:

Get a Home Insurance Quote in Spain

COMPETITIVE PRICES · ENGLISH POLICIES · ENGLISH CLAIMS HANDLING

🔗 Need to make a claim? See our home insurance claims guide → — or call 966 461 625 and we will guide you through it in English.

Cancellation rights. Annual contracts auto-renew under Ley 50/1980 Article 22. Cancellation requires at least one month's written notice before renewal.

Coverage Across Spain

Home Insurance Across Spain

We arrange home insurance for expats across Spain - including online and across the islands. Popular coverage areas include:

📍 Jávea📍 Dénia📍 Moraira📍 Altea📍 Benidorm📍 El Albir📍 Orihuela Costa📍 Torrevieja📍 Mazarrón📍 Ciudad Quesada📍 Pilar de la Horadada📍 Teulada📍 Els Poblets📍 Rojales📍 Orihuela📍 Marbella📍 San Pedro de Alcántara📍 Estepona📍 Fuengirola📍 Mijas📍 Benalmádena📍 Nerja📍 Mallorca📍 Ibiza📍 Tenerife📍 Gran Canaria📍 San Fulgencio📍 La Marina📍 Els Poblets📍 Oliva📍 Benijofar📍 Playa Flamenca📍 Los Alcázares📍 Lanzarote📍 Albox📍 San Juan📍 Mojácar