Tommy Lloyd
Author: Tommy Lloyd, Managing Director

Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.

Originally posted: 20th Oct 2022

Travel insurance for Spain

It's the UK’s favourite European holiday destination for a reason. From those sunny beaches to the buzzing markets, there really is something for everyone!

With Medical Travel Compared you can compare quotes in a matter of minutes for Spain. We work with over 30 insurance providers specialising in cover for pre-existing medical conditions – so you’re guaranteed to find suitable cover ahead of your trip.

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Do I need travel insurance for Spain?

Whilst travel insurance for Spain isn’t compulsory, the Government always advises that anyone travelling overseas (whether to the EU or elsewhere in the world) should take out comprehensive travel insurance.

A travel insurance policy will cover you for a variety of different potential eventualities – big and small.

Even though Spain is only usually a maximum of 2 hours away via plane, the cost of transporting you or a member of your party back to the UK in the event of a medical emergency is very high.

It’s not the sort of cost you want landing on your doorstep. So, it’s important to make sure that you have the right travel insurance to cover you before you embark. Even if you never claim – it’s worthwhile just for peace of mind.

Valencia Spain

What does Spain travel insurance cover?

Besides the cost of repatriation back to the UK, a solid Spain travel insurance policy will normally cover any medical expenses that arise, last-minute cancellations, travel delays, and lost or stolen baggage.

However, there are a few things that your insurance provider isn’t likely to pay out for if you’ve only purchased a standard policy.

For example, if you’ve booked any additional activities that may be deemed high-risk (i.e. adventure sports like scuba diving or jet skiing) – you should always refer back to your policy to see what activities are and aren’t covered, or you could always speak directly to your insurer.   

Also, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions (even if you consider them to be minor) – we’d always recommend that you declare them when searching for insurance. You want to make sure that you’re as protected as you can possibly be so that you can enjoy your holiday the way you should.

Can I still use my EHIC card in Spain?

UK citizens are able to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), launched as part of a UK/EU deal. This card will provide equivalent protection to the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is being phased out.

If you have a currently valid EHIC card, you can continue to use it until it expires – but from 1st January 2021, it is only valid in the EU.

You can find out all of the information on the new GHIC card, and how to apply, over on our guide below.

GHIC more info
Spanish Cityscape

Taking medication into Spain

If you’re bringing medication into Spain, then it’s highly recommended to keep it all in the prescription containers which were supplied to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

Always ensure you take a large enough supply with you – but it’s wise to double-check with your airline to find out the exact limitations on travelling with prescription drugs.

The last thing you want is to end up dumping a large amount of important medication before you board the plane.

Our very own Dr Sarah Jarvis has pulled together a fantastic guide on everything you need to know about travelling with medication.

Find out more

Finding the best travel insurance for Spain holidays

Finding comprehensive travel insurance cover ahead of your trip to Spain is simple, and with Medical Travel Compared you’ll be able to compare quotes from a variety of insurance providers in no time.

Let us know what type of policy you need, what dates you intend to travel on and what dates you intend to travel back.

We’ll then ask you a few simple questions to help determine your medical history. This enables us to generate a list of quotes that are most relevant to your personal circumstances.

So, what are you waiting for? Get fully prepared for your holidays and buy a Spain travel insurance policy today.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You must have a permanent UK address, have lived in the UK for the last 6 months and be registered with a medical practitioner in the UK. All trips must start and end in the UK and you must purchase the insurance before you depart for your first trip.

It's easy! Enter your details just once and you'll be able to compare quotes from over 30 specialist providers. We'll even e-mail your top quotes to you so you can access them at any time. Once you've found the policy that is right for you, pay securely online and your documents will be sent to you directly from your insurance provider.

Single Trip insurance is for one-off, individual trips and will cover your specified travel dates. This is usually up to 45 days; however, some insurance providers can cover up to 94 days. If you’re not a frequent traveller, single trip cover is a great option and will likely be cheaper than an annual multi-trip cover.

If you travel 2 or more times a year, annual trip cover may very well save you money. The maximum duration of any trip will always be specified and will vary by provider. But don't worry, when you get a quote, we'll ask you what your maximum trip length is and only show you quotes that match!

A pre-existing condition is a diagnosed medical condition that existed before taking out a policy. We'll ask a series of questions about the medical history for you and any travellers on your quote. If you answer yes to any of these, you will need to tell us about the traveller's conditions. This could be a condition that a traveller has now or has had in the past. If you are not sure what conditions you need to declare, we have online support available to help you 24/7!

You can send your question to our team, or visit our help centre on Destinations.

* Price is based on 1 traveller aged 61, who has no medical conditions and is travelling to Spain for 7 nights. The price is correct as of October 2023. Prices may vary according to your individual requirements.


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Don't just take our word for it...

If we're unable to help you find cover for a pre-existing medical condition, the Money Helper Directory has listings of companies that may be able to assist you. Further details can be found on their website.