Travel insurance for Spain

Spain, with its endless artistic heritage, enthralling festivals, celebrated gastronomy and varied landscapes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, attracts millions of travellers every year. Before immersing yourself in the charms of Spanish life, having adequate insurance cover is a key precaution that can make the difference between an unforgettable holiday and a problematic experience.

Spain is generally a safe country, but it does have some peculiarities to be aware of. The crime rate is relatively low for violent crime, but some Spanish cities have a high incidence of property crime, particularly targeting tourists.

Barcelona, in particular, is infamous for pickpocketing in tourist areas such as Las Ramblas, the Barrio Gótico or in metro stations. Madrid, in the busiest areas such as Puerta del Sol or Gran Vía, also requires special attention. Good insurance will protect you against the theft of personal belongings, including electronic devices, documents and cash, up to the maximum limits.

In case of emergency, the single European number 112 is active throughout Spain, with operators often able to respond in several languages. For specific medical emergencies, 061 is available, while the national police answer 091 and the local police (Policía Municipal) 092. Before any action, always contact your insurance company’s operations centre, which can guide you to the most appropriate solutions and activate the necessary assistance or reimbursement procedures.

Why the European Card is not enough

Many European tourists travelling to the Iberian Peninsula believe that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides comprehensive protection. This belief, unfortunately, often turns out to be wrong when faced with unforeseen situations on Spanish soil.

Certainly, the EHIC guarantees access to the Spanish public health system, but its limitations become apparent in many common circumstances during a holiday. Not only does it exclude any treatment at private facilities, where waiting times are generally much shorter, but it leaves the insured completely uncovered in the event of the need for medical repatriation, an expense that can easily exceed 15,000 euros.

In busy tourist areas such as the Costa del Sol, the Balearic Islands or the Canary Islands, the public system can be congested, especially in the summer months, making private alternatives a necessity rather than a choice. This is why consular authorities insist on the importance of taking out supplementary insurance, particularly if your itinerary includes activities such as trekking the Camino de Santiago, water sports or hiking in mountainous areas.

Canary Islands travel insurance: specific considerations

Although the Canary Islands are Spanish territory, they have peculiarities that require special attention when choosing travel insurance. Their geographical location off the African coast, about 1,000 km from the Iberian Peninsula, introduces different risk factors that deserve consideration when assessing your insurance cover.

The first factor to bear in mind is the significant distance from the mainland, which makes any medical repatriation considerably more complex and costly than in other Spanish locations. An emergency medical evacuation from the Canaries can easily exceed 25,000-30,000 euros, making a high ceiling for these expenses essential.

The islands are famous for their outdoor activities and water sports: surfing in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, diving in El Hierro, trekking on the volcanic slopes of Tenerife, paragliding in Gran Canaria. Many of these activities are considered high risk by insurance companies and may not be included in standard policies. Check specifically the coverage for the sports you intend to practise and consider any dedicated extensions.

On the health front, although the medical facilities on the larger islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria) are generally well equipped, the smaller islands may have significant limitations. In the case of serious illnesses, an inter-island transfer to better-equipped facilities may be necessary, with costs that a good insurance should cover.

Due to the popularity of the Canaries as an international tourist destination, public health facilities can be overcrowded in high season, resulting in long waiting times. Insurance that guarantees access to private facilities is a significant added value, allowing you to receive timely and quality care without financial worries.

What a good policy for Spain covers

Investing in a comprehensive travel insurance for Spain – we recommend you choose Columbus – means ensuring multiple protections that go well beyond the medical aspect. The maximum sums for medical expenses should be substantial, ideally no less than half a million euros, with the possibility of direct payment to medical facilities without an advance payment of sums that could be prohibitive.

One of the most valuable features is 24-hour access to an operations centre with assistance in your language, which can guide you in emergencies, find the most appropriate medical facility for your case and, when necessary, organise medical repatriation. This service becomes invaluable when you face a health problem in a remote location or have to overcome language barriers at times of greatest vulnerability.

Your insurance should include cover for theft or loss of luggage, a risk particularly relevant in cities such as Barcelona, known for its high incidence of pickpocketing, or in transfers between airports and hotels. Also essential is protection for cancellation or early termination of your stay, which reimburses penalties or days not taken if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from leaving or force you to return home early.

Confronto delle migliori assicurazioni di viaggio

Di seguito una tabella riepilogativa di quelle che riteniamo essere le migliori assicurazioni di viaggio.

Sono stati inclusi l’assicurazione sanitaria e, ove possibile, quella di annullamento. Tutte le assicurazioni di seguito inoltre includono assistenza H24 e pagamento diretto delle spese ospedaliere.

What to know about the Spanish health system

The Spanish health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud) has distinctive features that you should know before you leave. The organisation is highly decentralised, with each Autonomous Community running its own health service with rules and procedures that can vary significantly from one region to another.

In large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, the standards of public facilities are generally high, but waiting times for non-urgent services can be considerably longer. In busy seaside resorts, such as Ibiza, Lloret de Mar or Benidorm, public medical centres are sized for the resident population and not for the influx of summer tourists, creating potential problems.

With EHIC, access to emergency medical care is free of charge, but you may be subject to health co-payments (copagos) for drugs or certain services. These amounts, although small, may accumulate in the case of prolonged treatment or multiple prescriptions. Without supplementary insurance, treatment in private facilities would be entirely at your expense, with fees varying widely: from EUR 60-200 for a specialist visit up to EUR 1,500-2,500 per day for an ordinary hospitalisation.

One aspect not to be underestimated is the presence, in many tourist resorts, of private medical centres that cater specifically to foreign visitors. These facilities offer multilingual staff and simplified procedures, but sometimes charge higher rates than the local standard, making the support of your insurance company even more valuable.

Criteria for choosing insurance

Selecting the most suitable policy for your trip to Spain requires a careful analysis of your specific needs. First of all, consider the type of activities you will be doing: an exclusively urban stay in Madrid or Seville presents different risks than an active holiday in the Pyrenees or a week of surfing in Fuerteventura.

The analysis of maximum sums is crucial, especially for medical coverage. An advisable minimum amount is €300,000, preferably half a million or more to cover any eventuality, including emergency surgery or long hospital stays. Check that the policy provides for direct payment to healthcare facilities, avoiding large sums upfront.

Pay particular attention to the deductibles and co-payments applied to the different guarantees. Some cheap policies may have high deductibles that significantly reduce the practical value of the cover. The reputation of the insurance company and the efficiency of its customer service should not be underestimated: consult online reviews or seek advice from those who have already used the service.

For sports enthusiasts, it is crucial to check which activities are covered by the standard policy. Many insurances automatically exclude sports considered to be high risk such as paragliding, climbing, diving beyond certain depths or off-piste skiing. If these activities are on your agenda, consider specialised policies or dedicated extensions that are often low cost compared to the peace of mind they offer.

Single or annual policy: which is better?

The choice between a single trip policy or annual multi-trip cover is a strategic decision that can significantly affect the value for money of your insurance protection. To properly assess this option, carefully consider your travel habits.

Single trip insurance for Spain

If Spain is your only foreign destination for the year, a single trip policy is usually the cheapest option. Costs vary depending on the length of stay, the age of the insured and the guarantees selected, but are generally between EUR 30 and EUR 70 for a week of standard cover for an adult.

Annual travel insurance

On the other hand, if you plan at least 2-3 trips abroad over a 12-month period, an annual multi-trip policy quickly becomes cheaper. With an average cost ranging from 130 to 250 euros for a full year, this type of cover will allow you to travel several times without having to worry about taking out new insurance for each trip. Most annual policies cover trips of a maximum duration of between 30 and 90 consecutive days, depending on the company.

A further advantage of the annual policy is the automatic cover even for unplanned or last-minute short trips, situations where people often tend to neglect insurance. Some operators also offer advantageous family rates for annual policies, making this option particularly attractive for couples or families who travel together regularly.

It is important to note that certain guarantees, such as trip cancellation, may have different conditions in annual policies than in single trip policies. So check that your annual cover includes all the protections you consider essential for your specific travel patterns.

Safety and practical advice

To maximise the effectiveness of your insurance cover, follow a few practical tips.

Keep physical and digital copies of your documents, EHIC and insurance policy with you at all times. Save the emergency and operations centre numbers in your phone contacts, if possible in an easily accessible location.

In case of medical necessity, contact the operations centre immediately before going to any facility, unless it is a serious emergency. Operators will be able to direct you to contracted centres where direct payment is guaranteed, thus avoiding the need to pay large sums in advance.

Collect and keep all documentation relating to any expenses incurred: medical bills, medication receipts, medical certificates, reports to local authorities in case of theft, and any other evidence useful for later reimbursement claims. Take photos of documents to have a digital backup immediately available.

With careful planning and adequate insurance cover, your trip to Spain can run smoothly, leaving you free to fully immerse yourself in the many wonders this extraordinary country has to offer.