British tourists have been left confused about rumours of new insurance rules in Spain.
Reports emerged earlier this month that Spain’s Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Health had unveiled new rules that mean travellers heading to Spain are now legally required to show proof of comprehensive health cover as part of their travel insurance.
It suggested checks are being made at Spanish borders and by transport providers, and you could be fined up to €6,900 if you don’t have the right cover.
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A Google search analysis by Saga Travel Insurance found a 5,000% surge in UK searches for “Spain entry requirements” in the first week of July, suggesting confusion among travellers during peak travel season.
But a spokesperson for Spain’s Ministry of Health has clarified that there’s currently no law requiring Brits to purchase travel insurance to gain entry, and it’s only strongly recommended.
Michelle Cooper, director of travel insurance at Saga, said: “Following further clarification from Spanish authorities, Spain has confirmed that while comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, especially for medical coverage beyond what the UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) offers, it’s not currently a mandatory entry requirement as initially thought.”
How to choose the best travel insurance policy
You can shop around for travel insurance policies on comparison websites, but don’t just focus on the premium.
Make sure you check the details to ensure you are getting the right level of cover, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.
Cooper warns that medical costs can be among the highest in Europe so check how much treatment is covered, how the excess is applied and that your destinations are covered in your policy.
She said: “Although it’s not a requirement, travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover is always strongly recommended. Our own research suggests many Brits still travel without any insurance in place at all. Our recent survey of 902 British holidaymakers found 16% typically don’t take out travel insurance.
“Medical costs in Spain can be among the highest in Europe, especially when private treatment or evacuation from more remote areas is a requirement. That’s why it’s important to arrange travel insurance in advance of your trip.
“It’s generally recommended to have at least €30,000 for health-related incidents such as emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and repatriation.”
Also make sure you have specific cover if you are doing adventure sports or going on a cruise.
Don’t panic if you don’t have insurance yet though.
Cooper said you can still get travel insurance on the same day you travel.
She added: “Most providers specify that your trip starts when you leave your home, so you need to buy your last-minute policy before you leave. However, some policies include a 24–48 hour period where claims can’t be made, so this could leave room for a fine or denied entry.
“Generally, we always recommend the best time to buy your travel insurance is right after you’ve booked a holiday. Protecting your plans in the run-up to your holiday is just as important as when you're there.
“Keep a copy of your policy printed or saved digitally to show at border control if asked.”
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