Ask any long-term expat in Spain what they wish they'd sorted sooner after arriving, and insurance usually features near the top of the list. Not because claims are common, but because when something goes wrong — a health issue, a car accident, a burst pipe — having the right cover makes the difference between a manageable inconvenience and a financial catastrophe.
Here are the five insurance policies every expat in Spain should have, explained clearly and without jargon.
1. Private Health Insurance
If there's one policy you take away from this list, make it this one. Private health insurance is the foundation of expat life in Spain, and for good reason.
What it covers
A good private health insurance policy in Spain gives you access to private hospitals and clinics across the country, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, emergency treatment, surgery, and often dental and optical cover as add-ons. Many policies include a 24/7 medical helpline staffed by English-speaking doctors.
Why you need it
Spain's public health system (Sanidad) is good, but it is under pressure, and access for expats is not automatic. Non-EU nationals, including British citizens post-Brexit, cannot simply register at a Spanish health centre and receive free treatment — there are residency requirements, social security contribution rules, and regional variations that make it complicated.
Private health insurance removes that complexity. You pay your premium, you receive your policy documents, and you have access to private care from day one. It's also required for many Spanish visa applications — without it, your NLV or DNV application will not succeed.
What to look for
Look for a policy with no copayments (sin copago), a wide hospital network in your region, English-language customer service, and cover for pre-existing conditions if applicable (though note that most policies apply a waiting period for pre-existing conditions). Our team at 247 Expat Insurance can compare options across leading Spanish insurers to find you the right match.
2. Car Insurance
This one is non-negotiable: if you drive in Spain, you must have at minimum third party liability insurance. But third party cover alone leaves you exposed — if you're in an accident that's your fault, your own vehicle damage won't be covered.
Levels of cover
Third party (seguro a terceros): Legal minimum. Covers damage and injury to other parties in an accident you cause. Does not cover your own vehicle.
Third party, fire and theft: Adds protection for your vehicle if it's stolen or damaged by fire. Still leaves accidental damage to your vehicle uncovered.
Fully comprehensive (seguro a todo riesgo): The highest level, covering third party liability plus damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault, theft, fire, natural events, and often legal assistance and breakdown recovery.
No-claims discount
If you've built up a no-claims bonus in the UK or another country, this may be transferable to a Spanish policy. Ask our team about this — we've helped many clients transfer their discount history and save money on their first Spanish premium.
3. Home Insurance
Whether you're a homeowner or a renter in Spain, home insurance is essential. For homeowners with a mortgage, it's a legal condition of your finance agreement. For everyone else, it's simply good financial sense.
What's included
A standard home insurance policy (seguro del hogar) in Spain typically covers building damage (from fire, storms, floods, or subsidence), contents cover for your belongings, water damage, theft and burglary, glass breakage, and third party liability if someone is injured on your property. Many policies also include emergency assistance — a plumber or locksmith sent to your home at short notice.
Holiday and second homes
If your Spanish property is a holiday home or second home, you'll need a specialist policy. Standard home insurance policies generally exclude properties that are unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days. Holiday home insurance fills this gap and often includes additional benefits like assistance if you're locked out while abroad, or damage discovered when you arrive for your next visit.
4. Travel Insurance
Living in Spain doesn't mean you stop travelling. Many expats make regular trips back to the UK, visit family in other countries, or travel widely during their time in Spain. Your Spanish health insurance covers medical treatment in Spain — it doesn't automatically cover you elsewhere.
Annual multi-trip cover
For most expats in Spain, an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy is the most practical solution. It covers you for multiple trips per year (usually up to a maximum number of days per trip) and is more cost-effective than buying cover trip by trip.
Things to declare
Always declare pre-existing health conditions when buying travel insurance. A cheaper policy that excludes your conditions is effectively worthless in a real emergency. The right policy — properly declared — gives you peace of mind that your needs are genuinely covered.
5. Life and Funeral Insurance
This is the policy most people put off arranging, usually because it involves confronting an uncomfortable topic. But for expats living in Spain, it's particularly important.
Why it's different for expats
When you live abroad, the logistics of death and burial are significantly more complex. If you want your remains repatriated to your home country, the cost can be substantial — typically £5,000–£15,000 or more. If you want to be buried or cremated in Spain, there are costs there too, along with potential language barriers for your family at a very difficult time.
A funeral insurance policy designed for expats in Spain covers these costs and can include repatriation expenses. Life insurance, meanwhile, ensures that any dependants — a spouse, children, or other family members — are financially protected in the event of your death.
Don't leave it too late
Life and funeral insurance premiums increase with age, and some conditions become uninsurable over time. The best time to arrange cover is now, while premiums are still manageable. Contact our team and we'll find you appropriate cover without pressure or obligation.
Getting All Five Sorted
At 247 Expat Insurance, we help expats arrange all five of these policies in English, from a team that understands the Spanish insurance market and the specific needs of foreign residents. You don't need to navigate the paperwork in Spanish or struggle with Spanish-only customer service lines.
Get in touch today and we'll put together a personalised recommendation based on your situation, budget, and cover needs.
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