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Travel Insurance in Spain

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Travel insurance from Generali for expats based in Spain — single trip, annual multi-trip, long-stay and adventure cover. Covers trips from Spain back to the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium and worldwide. English-speaking agents in Javea. Complements your Spanish health insurance without duplication.

For expats resident in Spain, travel insurance works differently to tourist policies. You need cover that starts in Spain (not the UK), covers trips from Spain to other countries, and specifically includes your home country (UK, Ireland, Netherlands) as a destination — something many standard tourist policies exclude.

Travel insurance for Spain residents also needs a minimum trip duration that matches your travel patterns: annual multi-trip policies from Spain typically cover trips of up to 45 or 60 days each, which suits most Costa Blanca expats returning to their home country. We arrange Spain-based travel insurance that genuinely fits the expat lifestyle.

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By Andrew Turner · In insurance since 2001, exclusive Generali agent since 2007 · DGS Registry C0467B54657010 · Last reviewed May 2026
Quick Answer. Travel Insurance from Spain
Mandatory?No — strongly recommended
Typical premium€25–€180 / year (annual multi-trip)
Single & annual optionsYes — family and business too
Medical limitTypically €300k to unlimited
Cancellation coverStandard from day one

Spanish Insurance Law: Travel Insurance. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions

The legal framework, specific waiting periods, exclusions and citations every prospective policyholder should know. Sources are linked inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and Spanish regulators.

Legal framework

Travel insurance in Spain is governed by Ley 50/1980 general provisions. It is not legally mandatory for individual travellers but is required for: tour operators under Ley 7/2017 (package travel). Schengen visa applications (€30,000 minimum medical cover), and many cruise lines and adventure-tour operators by contract.

What the EHIC / GHIC card does NOT cover

UK GHIC and EU EHIC cards cover only state emergency healthcare while travelling and only at public hospitals — they do not cover:

  • Repatriation (€5
  • 000–€20
  • 000 typical cost from Spain to UK by air ambulance)
  • Private clinics (faster but charged)
  • Trip cancellation
  • Baggage
  • Personal liability
  • Or cancelled flights and connections. For UK travellers post-Brexit
  • The GHIC replaced the EHIC (application via NHS BSA) with broadly equivalent state-medical cover

Cover scope and typical limits

Standard Spanish travel insurance includes:

  • Medical emergency (€300
  • 000–€unlimited)
  • Repatriation (full cost)
  • Trip cancellation (typically €3
  • 000–€5
  • 000)
  • Baggage (€1
  • 500–€2
  • 000 with single-item limits of €300–€600)
  • Flight delay (€100/4 hours
  • Max €600)
  • Personal liability (€60
  • 000–€300
  • 000)
  • And legal expenses. Annual multi-trip policies typically cover trips up to 30
  • 60 or 90 days per departure — beyond that you need separate long-stay or expat cover

Standard exclusions

Common travel-policy exclusions include:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions not declared and accepted
  • Under-the-influence claims (alcohol/drugs)
  • Extreme sports not added (skydiving
  • Off-piste skiing
  • Climbing
  • Scuba diving below 18m unless declared)
  • Travel against FCDO advice for UK citizens (or Spanish equivalent advisories)
  • Travel during pregnancy after week 32
  • And any incident occurring before the policy was bought (cancellation cover doesn't backdate)

USA, Canada and high-cost regions

For travel to the United States, Canada or the Caribbean — where medical costs are extreme by European standards — verify your medical limit is at minimum €1,000,000. Standard Spanish travel policies sometimes have lower default caps for"USA / worldwide" trips that do not reflect actual treatment costs. A single overnight stay in a US hospital can exceed €15,000 and air ambulance from US to Europe costs €100,000+.

Cancellation, deadlines and the 7-day rule

Cancellation cover only applies if the cause is one of those listed in your policy (typically:

  • Serious illness/injury of insured/family
  • Redundancy
  • Jury duty
  • Home damage). Notify the insurer before cancelling the trip — most policies require pre-authorisation. Claims for any incident must be notified within seven days under Ley 50/1980 Article 16. Annual policies cancel mid-year only on specific grounds (e.g
  • Emigration)
  • Single-trip policies are non-refundable once travel begins

Travel Insurance for Expats in Spain

Travel insurance Spain is essential for every expat journey. As an expat living in Spain, travel is part of life — visiting family back home, exploring Europe or taking holidays. Generali offers a comprehensive range of travel insurance products through Turner Insurance, all at competitive rates.

All Generali Travel Insurance Products

What All Generali Travel Policies Include

Optional Extras

How to Get a Quote

We make getting a quote simple and fast.

  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.

Travel Insurance Options

Cover level What is included Best for
Single trip Medical emergency, cancellation, baggage and personal liability for one journey Occasional travellers visiting family or on holiday
Annual multi-trip All Single trip benefits for unlimited trips up to 30 days each throughout the year Those travelling 3 or more times per year
Annual family Annual multi-trip cover for the whole family — adults and children on one policy Families who travel regularly together
Business travel Annual cover including business equipment, conference cancellation and professional liability Self-employed and employed people travelling for work

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Compare Travel Insurance Options. Basic, Plus & Premium

Our Generali travel insurance comes in three tiers covering single trips and annual multi-trip cover. The bigger differences are in medical limits, cancellation cover and what's included for adventure / winter sports.

✓ IncludedADD-ON Optional extra— Not available
Cover & benefit BasicShort trips PlusMost popular PremiumFull cover
Emergency medical expenses abroad✓✓✓
Emergency dental treatment✓✓✓
Medical repatriation to Spain or home country✓✓✓
24/7 multilingual emergency line✓✓✓
Personal liability abroad✓✓✓
Personal accident cover✓✓✓
Lost or stolen luggage✓✓✓
Trip cancellation—✓✓
Trip interruption / curtailment—✓✓
Travel delay compensation—✓✓
Delayed luggage allowance—✓✓
Missed connection / rebooking—✓✓
Legal assistance abroad—✓✓
Single trip option✓✓✓
Annual multi-trip option—✓✓
Family / couple cover✓✓✓
COVID-19 medical & cancellation cover✓✓✓
Adventure & outdoor sports—ADD-ON✓
Winter sports (ski / snowboard)—ADD-ON✓
Pre-existing medical condition cover—ADD-ONADD-ON
Cruise / hijack extension——ADD-ON
Rental car excess waiver—ADD-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 Travel Insurance Pricing

Indicative premiums for a Spanish-resident traveller aged under 65, no pre-existing conditions:

Single trip. Europe
from €12/trip
  • Up to 31 days, Europe & Mediterranean
  • €500,000 medical cover
  • Cancellation up to €2,500
  • Lost baggage
  • Personal liability
Most Popular
Annual multi-trip. Europe
from €60/yr
  • Unlimited trips up to 45 days each
  • €1m medical cover
  • Cancellation up to €5,000
  • Personal effects + electronics
  • Best value for 3+ trips/year
Annual multi-trip. Worldwide
from €120/yr
  • Worldwide including USA / Canada
  • €2m medical cover
  • Cancellation up to €10,000
  • Cruise cover available
  • Premium baggage limits

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. Pre-existing conditions, ages 65+ and adventure activities (skiing, diving, motorcycling) increase premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions. Travel Insurance in Spain

These are the most common questions we receive.

These are the most common questions from British and Irish residents in Spain about travel insurance — particularly post-Brexit, when the rules around UK trips and EU travel changed.

Yes. The GHIC (the post-Brexit replacement for the EHIC) only covers state emergency medical treatment in EU countries — and only when you are travelling FROM the UK as a UK resident. As a Spanish resident, your GHIC is normally not valid because your healthcare entitlement is now Spanish, not British. Even if it were, the GHIC does not cover: medical repatriation, private clinics, trip cancellation, lost baggage, personal liability, or anything beyond state emergency care. Travel insurance is essential.
Single trip insures one specific journey for a defined number of days. Annual multi-trip covers unlimited trips during a 12-month period, each up to a maximum length (typically 31, 45 or 60 days per trip). If you take three or more trips a year, annual is normally better value. Spanish residents who fly back to the UK regularly almost always benefit from annual cover.
Only on a worldwide policy. Europe-only annual policies exclude the US, Canada, the Caribbean and other transatlantic destinations because of the much higher medical costs in those countries. A worldwide policy is roughly double the price of a Europe-only one because a single American hospital admission can run to $500,000+. If you are heading to the US, even briefly, take worldwide cover or add a one-off US extension.
Yes — failure to declare any condition you have received treatment, medication, advice or referral for in the previous 12-24 months can void the entire policy at claim time. The insurer's medical questionnaire will ask in detail. Some conditions are accepted at standard rates; others attract a small loading; rare conditions may be excluded. The honest declaration becomes a condition of the policy. We work with you to ensure full disclosure.
Standard cancellation cover applies if you, a travelling companion or a close relative dies, suffers serious illness or injury, or is called for jury duty or compulsory military service before the trip. Job loss is sometimes covered. Cover does NOT apply for change of mind, business reasons, fear of weather or political events, or if the cancellation is foreseeable at the time of booking. Read the policy wording carefully — terms vary substantially by insurer.
Standard travel insurance does not include winter sports — they require an add-on or specific winter policy. Winter sports add-on typically covers: medical for ski injuries (much more frequent and expensive than summer claims), search & rescue costs in mountain areas, ski equipment hire if your equipment is lost or damaged, piste closure, and avalanche cover. Off-piste skiing is usually only covered if accompanied by a qualified guide.
Standard travel insurance does NOT include cruise cover. Cruise add-ons or specific cruise policies are available and provide: missed port departure, cabin confinement (gastric illness on board), shore excursion cancellation, cruise interruption, and emergency repatriation by ship-to-shore air evacuation (which can cost €100,000+ from open ocean). If you cruise even occasionally, a cruise-extended annual policy is the right product.
Standard travel insurance limits each trip to 31, 45 or 60 days. Longer trips (a winter abroad, an extended trip back to the UK) need a long-stay policy or trip extension. We arrange long-stay cover for trips up to 12 months, often called 'expat travel'. Make sure the policy covers your country of destination as a 'long-term stay' rather than treating it as a holiday.
Yes, but with sub-limits — typically €300-€800 per item, €1,500-€2,500 total electronics cover. Single very high-value items (camera bodies, top-end laptops) often need to be specified on the policy with their value declared, otherwise the standard limit applies. Items left unattended (in a beach bag while you swim, in a hotel room without using the safe) may not be covered. Theft must be reported to local police within 24 hours and a denuncia obtained.
Emergency medical treatment, hospital admission, prescription drugs, and where necessary medical repatriation back to Spain. The 24/7 assistance phone number on the policy is the first call — they liaise with the local hospital and arrange direct billing where possible. For minor matters (a doctor's visit for a cold), you pay first and claim back. For major matters (admission, surgery), the assistance line takes over the financial side.
Yes, significantly. A family annual multi-trip for two adults and up to four children is typically only 30-40% more than a single-adult policy. Children under 18 (sometimes 21 if in full-time education) travel free under the family cover. Important: family members must usually all be travelling together for the policy to apply — separately taking trips needs individual policies for each adult.
Spanish car insurance now provides automatic third-party cover for the whole EEA, the UK, Switzerland, Andorra, Serbia and Croatia. Comprehensive cover continues for trips up to 60-90 days. However, what's NOT covered is medical for the driver/passengers, lost luggage, trip cancellation, breakdown beyond Spain's borders unless your assistance package covers it — these are travel insurance responsibilities, not car insurance.
Hire car liability is covered by the hire company's insurance (mandatory in every country). What's missing is the excess waiver — the deductible the hire company charges if the car is damaged. Travel insurance can include hire car excess cover (typically up to €2,000-€3,000 of excess waived). This is significantly cheaper than buying the excess waiver from the hire company at the airport, which is a major hire company profit centre.
Emergency medical claims handled by the assistance line are paid directly to the hospital — no waiting for the insured. Other claims (cancellation, baggage, electronics) are paid 4-8 weeks after submission of full documentation. The keys to fast claims are: police report (denuncia) for any theft, original receipts for everything claimed, doctor's report for medical claims, and photos of damaged items. We help submit and chase claims for our clients.
Yes — even one short trip can produce a six-figure medical claim if something serious happens. Heart attack, stroke, broken bones, or pneumonia in any European country can result in €20,000-€100,000 medical and repatriation costs. A €12 single-trip Europe policy that covers all of this is one of the best value insurance products that exists. Always insure, even short trips.
Yes. Spanish health insurance and travel insurance serve different purposes and are both worth having. Your Spanish health insurance (Generali Salud or EXPAT Medcare) is your primary medical cover while living in Spain, but it has territorial limits — typically 60–90 days outside Spain per trip. Travel insurance covers the trip-specific risks that health insurance does not: cancellation and curtailment costs, lost or delayed baggage, delayed flights, repatriation logistics if you are seriously ill abroad, and specific activity cover (skiing, diving, adventure sports). If you travel back to the UK or Netherlands regularly, annual multi-trip travel insurance from your base in Spain is the most cost-effective solution.
For most expats who travel back to their home country more than once a year, annual multi-trip insurance is significantly cheaper than buying individual single-trip policies. An annual policy from Spain typically costs €80–€180/year and covers unlimited trips of up to 45 or 60 days each. Break-even is typically 2 trips per year compared to single-trip pricing. Key considerations: check the maximum trip duration (some policies limit to 30 or 45 days — important if you plan extended stays), check whether your home country is covered (some policies exclude your country of residence), and confirm that travel to higher-risk destinations (USA, Canada, Australia) is included.
For UK expats based in Spain travelling back to the UK, travel insurance covers: trip cancellation (illness, bereavement, jury service), delayed or missed departure, lost or stolen baggage, medical treatment costs in the UK (which as a non-UK resident you may now need to pay for), emergency dental treatment, and personal liability. Note: since Brexit, UK expats who are no longer UK tax residents may not have the same NHS access entitlement as UK residents — travel insurance with UK medical cover is therefore more important than many realise. Check with your gestor on your NHS entitlement status as a Spanish resident.
For tourists visiting Spain, EU regulations require health insurance with minimum €30,000 emergency medical cover to obtain a Schengen visa. For expats resident in Spain, there are no legal travel insurance requirements for travel within the EU — but travel insurance is strongly recommended for trips outside the EU and back to your home country. UK residents returning home from Spain should note that NHS entitlement may be limited as a Spanish resident — travel health insurance with UK medical cover is therefore more important than many realise.
Travel insurance for Spain residents differs from tourist policies. You need cover that starts from Spain, covers outbound trips including to your home country (UK, Ireland, Netherlands), and is not restricted to Schengen-area travel. Annual multi-trip travel insurance from Spain typically covers unlimited trips of up to 45 or 60 days each — ideal for Costa Blanca expats returning home regularly. Spain residents should ensure their travel insurance specifically covers their home country as a destination, since many UK-issued tourist policies exclude trips back to the UK for residents abroad.
The best expat travel insurance for Spain residents is an annual multi-trip policy that starts in Spain, covers outbound trips including to your home country (UK, Ireland, Netherlands), and is not restricted to Schengen-area travel. As expats resident in Spain, you need a different type of policy to tourists — one designed for people whose home base is Spain rather than the UK. Generali's expat travel insurance covers unlimited trips from Spain up to 45 or 60 days each, medical emergencies worldwide including in your home country, trip cancellation, and 24-hour assistance in English. For the cheapest expat travel insurance Spain without sacrificing core cover, single-trip policies start from a low annual spend for occasional travellers. Call us on 966 461 625 to compare expat travel insurance options for your situation.
Spain does not legally require travel insurance for EU/EEA citizens visiting as tourists. However, for non-EU visitors applying for a Schengen visa, travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical cover is a visa requirement. For UK citizens post-Brexit, travel insurance is not legally mandatory to enter Spain but is very strongly recommended — the GHIC/EHIC covers emergency treatment only, not repatriation, trip cancellation or travel disruption. For expats resident in Spain, travel insurance is not mandatory but essential for trips outside Spain — particularly trips back to the UK or Ireland, where your Spanish health insurance has no coverage, and trips to the USA, Canada or long-haul destinations where emergency medical bills can reach hundreds of thousands of euros. Is travel insurance mandatory in Spain for residents? No — but most experienced Spain-based expats would never travel without it.
The best travel insurance for Spain residents is an annual multi-trip policy designed for people whose home base is Spain — covering unlimited outbound trips including to your home country, with a trip duration limit of 45 or 60 days per journey. Annual travel insurance for Spain residents costs approximately €80-€180/year for a single adult depending on age, cover level and maximum trip duration. For the cheapest travel insurance as a Spain resident, single-trip policies start from around €12-€25 per trip for European destinations, making them cost-effective for those who only travel once or twice a year. Travel insurance for Spain residents differs from tourist policies — it must cover outbound travel from Spain, not inbound travel to Spain. We compare options and can advise on the cheapest travel insurance for your specific travel pattern — call 966 461 625.
If you are travelling to Spain from the UK as a visitor (not a resident), you do not legally need travel insurance to enter Spain — but it is very strongly recommended. Your GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) covers emergency and medically necessary treatment in Spanish public hospitals at no cost, but it does not cover: repatriation back to the UK, trip cancellation or curtailment, lost or stolen luggage, travel delays, or dental emergencies. A single-trip travel insurance policy to Spain from the UK typically costs £15-£40 for a one-week holiday, making it one of the best-value financial decisions a UK visitor can make. For UK expats already living in Spain arranging travel insurance from their Spanish base, our Generali travel insurance plans cover outbound travel from Spain.

More questions? Visit our complete FAQ centre with 90+ detailed guides, or contact us for free English-speaking advice.

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 Viaje vs IATI Seguros and Allianz Travel

How Generali's travel insurance compares to IATI (a popular online expat travel insurer) and Allianz Travel.

Feature Generali Viaje IATI Seguros Estrella Allianz Travel Premium
Single-trip + annual multi-trip Both Both Both
Medical expense limit Up to €600,000 worldwide Up to €5,000,000 Up to €1,000,000
USA / Canada cover available Yes Yes Yes
Trip cancellation cover Up to €3,000 Up to €5,000 Up to €4,000
Baggage cover Up to €1,500 Up to €1,500 Up to €2,000
Adventure / ski / sports Optional add-on Included on Estrella Optional add-on
English claims handling Yes via Turner Insurance Yes Yes
Annual multi-trip premium (family) ~€220–€340/year ~€180–€300/year ~€280–€420/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:

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