Everything you need to know about insurance as a foreigner in Spain — explained in plain English by our specialist expat team. From health and car cover to visas, home insurance, and more.
About These Guides
Spanish insurance can be confusing — especially if you have come from the UK, USA, Ireland, or another country where the system works differently. The terminology is different, the legal requirements are different, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be expensive.
These guides are written specifically for expats and foreign residents in Spain. Each one covers a different area of insurance in detail — what it is, what it covers, what the law requires, how much it costs, what to watch out for, and how to choose the right policy for your situation. They are designed to give you a genuine understanding of the subject, not just a brief overview.
If you read a guide and have questions, or if you want help arranging the right cover, our English-speaking team is available seven days a week. You can contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email — the details are on our contact page.
All Guides
Ten detailed guides covering the insurance topics that matter most to expats and foreign residents in Spain.
Private health insurance in Spain explained — what it covers, the difference between copayment and no-copayment policies, which insurers operate in Spain, what you need for visa applications, and how to compare policies as an expat.
Read the guideHow car insurance works in Spain, the different levels of cover (third party, third party fire and theft, comprehensive), what affects your premium, and what UK or international drivers need to know when switching to a Spanish policy.
Read the guideThe full matriculación process explained — ITV, ficha técnica, IEDMT, IVTM, gestor, DGT application, costs, timelines, and the 30-day rule. Covers UK cars, EU vehicles, right-hand drive, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Read the guideEverything you need to know about insuring your main residence in Spain — what hogar insurance covers, what it does not, the difference between buildings and contents cover, community insurance, and how to get the right policy for your property type.
Read the guideInsuring a holiday home or second property in Spain is different from standard home insurance. This guide covers unoccupied periods, letting cover, the risks of under-insurance, what standard policies exclude, and what specialist cover looks like.
Read the guideTravel insurance for people living in Spain is not the same as a standard tourist policy. This guide explains what expats need when travelling, why standard UK or US travel policies often do not apply once you are a Spanish resident, and what to look for instead.
Read the guideHealth insurance is a mandatory requirement for the Non-Lucrative Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain. This guide explains exactly what the consulate requires, which policies qualify, what to look for, and the mistakes that cause visa rejections.
Read the guideIf you are moving to Spain, insurance is one of the first things you need to sort. This guide covers what you need before you arrive, what changes once you have residency, the order in which to arrange cover, and the most common mistakes people make in their first year.
Read the guideThe hipoteca inversa explained for foreign property owners in Spain — how it works, who qualifies, what it costs, tax implications, inheritance considerations, and how it compares to other ways of releasing equity from a Spanish property.
Read the guideAbout 247 Expat Insurance
247 Expat Insurance is a specialist insurance broker focused on expats and foreign residents in Spain. We help British, American, Irish, Canadian, and other international clients find the right insurance for their situation — whether that is health cover for a visa application, car insurance for an imported vehicle, or home insurance for a Spanish property.
Our team advises in English, works across all regions of Spain, and is available seven days a week. These guides are written by the same team that handles our clients' insurance every day — so the information is practical, accurate, and based on what expats actually need to know.
If you have a question after reading a guide, or if you would like help arranging cover, contact our team. We will give you honest, straightforward advice with no obligation.
Our English-speaking team is available seven days a week to help you find the right insurance for your life in Spain. Whether you have a quick question or need a full policy arranged, we are here to help.
Step-by-step guides for non-EU citizens moving to Spain, by country of origin and life stage. Each one covers the visa route, paperwork, healthcare, tax and the insurance choices most people get wrong.
Click a topic to expand. Doorway and condition-specific pages are excluded from this index but remain indexed and accessible directly.
Visa-compliant cover, plans by age, S1, SNS, dental, mental health, hospital networks.
NLV, DNV, Student, Family Reunification, TIE, NIE, empadronamiento, citizenship.
IRPF, Beckham Law, wealth tax, Modelo 720, inheritance and capital gains.
Car insurance, licence exchange, registration, ITV, importing vehicles.
Home insurance, buying, renting, mortgages and equity release.
Schools, pet insurance, funeral planning, maternity and childcare.
Insurance and admin essentials by Spanish region and nationality.
Banking, utilities, GPs, pharmacies, public transport and admin.
