Is it true that one can face a fine of €6,900 for traveling to Spain without having travel insurance?
As the summer travel season approaches, British holidaymakers planning a trip to Spain should be aware of the latest advice regarding travel insurance. While there is no official law mandating private travel insurance for tourists, reports suggest that Spain is considering fining visitors who cannot provide proof of insurance covering medical costs.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has long advocated for British nationals to purchase appropriate travel insurance before embarking on any foreign travel, and this advice remains valid for trips to Spain. The FCDO website states that you may be asked to show proof of your travel insurance at the Spanish border, but there is no mention of a potential fine at present.
When choosing a travel insurance policy, it is essential to ensure that it meets the criteria set out by Spain's Ministry of Health. This includes coverage for medical emergencies, hospital stays, and other essential services. The cheapest policies may not offer the most appropriate level of cover, particularly when it comes to providing adequate cover in case of a medical emergency overseas.
A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can cover state healthcare services in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. However, it is essential to note that these cards do not provide private healthcare cover or cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK via a medical repatriation.
If your stay in Spain exceeds 90 days or you do not have a valid EHIC or GHIC, the Spanish Ministry of Health highly recommends that you have travel insurance that includes medical cover. It is always sensible to take out travel insurance providing appropriate medical cover before traveling abroad.
To find the most appropriate travel insurance policy, use comparison sites and do your research. A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to five years. You can apply for your new card through the NHS website.
The risks of not taking out travel insurance can be extremely serious if things go wrong. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you are adequately covered before setting off on your Spanish holiday.
[1] BBC News, "Spain to fine British tourists up to €6,900 if they can't prove travel insurance," 24 May 2021,
While the FCDO advises British nationals to acquire comprehensive travel insurance for their trips to Spain, recent reports indicate that Spain is contemplating imposing fines of up to €6,900 on visitors who cannot provide proof of travel insurance covering medical costs (BBC News, 24 May 2021). Consequently, it would be prudent for travelers to carefully evaluate and invest in suitable travel insurance policies that offer adequate medical coverage in line with Spain's Ministry of Health criteria and offer protection in case of a medical emergency overseas.
