Travel Insurance for Expats Living in Spain

247 Expat Insurance specialises in health insurance for people moving to or living in Spain. We no longer arrange travel insurance; this page is a general information guide.

Whether you travel back to the UK, explore Europe, or head further afield, the right travel insurance for a resident of Spain differs from a UK-resident policy — in English, with options for all ages and trip types.

Travel insurance in Spain
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Travel Insurance for Expats in Spain

Living in Spain does not mean you stop travelling. Many expats make regular trips back to the UK, Ireland, or their home country, travel across Europe, or head further afield to places like the US, Canada, or Australia. Others use Spain as a base for extensive touring across the continent.

The important thing to understand is that your Spanish health insurance — whether private or through the public system — generally only covers you within Spain. The moment you leave the country, you are largely on your own unless you have travel insurance in place. A medical emergency abroad, a cancelled flight, or lost luggage can be extremely expensive without the right cover.

At 247 Expat Insurance, we help expats living in Spain find travel insurance that works for their lifestyle — whether that means a single trip, an annual multi-trip policy, worldwide cover, or specialist senior travel cover. It is worth checking that the policy fits what you actually do.

All Trip Types Single trip, annual multi-trip, and worldwide cover for expats in Spain
Senior Cover Specialist travel insurance options for expats over 65 living in Spain
English Support Arranged and explained in English throughout — available Monday to Friday
Medical Cover Emergency medical expenses abroad are typically the most important element of any travel policy

Four travel insurance options for Spain residents

Whether you're heading home for a fortnight, taking annual trips out of Spain, or planning a worldwide adventure — we'll match you to the right policy for your travel pattern.

Annual Cover

Annual Multi-Trip

One policy that covers every trip you take from Spain over the year — usually best value if you travel more than twice a year.

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Single Trip

Single Trip

Cover for one specific trip — flights, baggage, medical, cancellation, and disruption.

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Worldwide

Worldwide Travel

Cover for travel anywhere in the world — including USA, Canada, and Caribbean destinations.

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Over 65

Senior Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for residents over 65 — including medical conditions and longer trips.

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Travel Insurance Options for Expats in Spain

We help expats in Spain with a range of travel insurance options designed for different travel patterns and personal circumstances.

Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance

The most convenient and usually the most cost-effective option if you travel more than once or twice a year from Spain. One policy covers all your trips for 12 months, up to a maximum duration per trip.

Learn more about Annual Travel Insurance ›

Single Trip Travel Insurance

Cover for one specific journey. Ideal if you are taking a one-off trip and do not travel frequently enough to justify annual cover. Can be arranged quickly for upcoming departures.

Learn more about Single Trip Cover ›

Senior Travel Insurance (Over 65)

Specialist travel insurance for expats over 65 living in Spain. Policies for older travellers differ in how they treat age, travel habits and health, including exclusions and pricing.

Learn more about Senior Travel Insurance ›

Worldwide Travel Insurance

Cover that includes destinations outside Europe — important if you travel to the US, Canada, Australia, or other non-European destinations from your Spanish base. Worldwide cover typically offers higher medical expense limits.

Learn more about Worldwide Travel Insurance ›

What Travel Insurance Typically Covers

A comprehensive travel insurance policy for expats in Spain will usually include a combination of the following elements. The exact cover depends on the policy type and level you choose.

  • Emergency medical expenses. Costs of treatment if you fall ill or are injured abroad. This is typically the most important and potentially the most expensive element of a travel policy.
  • Emergency medical repatriation. The cost of bringing you back to Spain (or your home country) if you need medical transport following a serious illness or injury.
  • Trip cancellation and curtailment. Reimbursement of prepaid costs if you have to cancel or cut short a trip due to illness, bereavement, or other covered reasons.
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage. Compensation for personal belongings lost, stolen, or damaged during your trip.
  • Travel delay and missed departure. Compensation or additional costs if your flight is delayed beyond a certain threshold or you miss a connection.
  • Personal liability. Cover if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property during your trip and are held legally responsible.
  • Legal expenses. Costs if you need legal assistance following an incident abroad.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies cover stable pre-existing conditions; others exclude them or charge an additional premium. Always declare conditions accurately.

Who Needs Travel Insurance as an Expat in Spain

Travel insurance from Spain is relevant for a wide range of expats and their travel habits. You should consider a policy if any of the following apply.

  • You regularly travel back to the UK, Ireland, or your home country from Spain
  • You travel across Europe for holidays, business, or family visits
  • You make trips to the US, Canada, Australia, or other non-European destinations
  • You are over 65 and want specialist cover appropriate for your age and health situation
  • You have a pre-existing medical condition and want to ensure it is covered when you travel
  • You are a digital nomad who travels regularly from Spain as a base
  • You want to ensure medical costs abroad are covered — not just within Spain
  • Your Spanish private health insurance does not extend cover to trips outside the country

Other Insurance for Expats in Spain

Expats in Spain typically need to consider several different types of cover.

Expat Insurance

Health Insurance in Spain

Private health insurance for expats — visa-compliant cover and English-speaking doctors.

Find out more →
Expat Insurance

Car Insurance in Spain

Car insurance for expats — foreign licences, no-claims history, and imported vehicles.

Find out more →
Expat Insurance

Home Insurance in Spain

Cover for villa, apartment, finca or holiday home — all explained in plain English.

Find out more →

Explore Our Travel Insurance Options

We offer a range of travel insurance options for expats living in Spain. Find the right cover for your travel pattern below.

You may also be interested in our other insurance services for expats in Spain:

Frequently Asked Questions — Travel Insurance for Expats in Spain

Do expats living in Spain need travel insurance?
Yes, in most cases. Even if you have Spanish public healthcare access or a private health insurance policy in Spain, this cover typically only applies within Spain. When you travel outside the country — whether to the UK, the US, or anywhere else — you need separate travel insurance to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other travel-related risks.
What is the difference between annual and single trip travel insurance?
Annual multi-trip insurance covers an unlimited number of trips during a 12-month period, each up to a maximum duration (typically 30–60 days per trip). Single trip insurance covers one specific journey. If you travel from Spain more than twice a year — for example, returning to the UK regularly — annual cover is almost always better value and simpler to manage.
Can expats over 65 get travel insurance in Spain?
Yes. Travel insurance is available for seniors and people over 65 living in Spain. The options available will depend on age and any pre-existing health conditions, and premiums will reflect these factors. Cover for older expats differs from standard policies, many of which cut off cover at 70 or 75.
Does travel insurance from Spain cover trips to the UK?
Yes. Most travel insurance policies taken out in Spain cover trips to the UK and other countries. British expats making regular trips home to the UK should specifically confirm their policy includes UK cover — some European-only policies may exclude the UK or have specific conditions for British passport holders. This should be confirmed before cover begins.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?
This depends on the policy and the specific condition. Some policies automatically include cover for stable pre-existing conditions; others require a medical screening or charge an additional premium. Some conditions may be excluded entirely. It is essential to declare all pre-existing conditions accurately at the time of application — failure to do so can invalidate your cover entirely. Declaring pre-existing conditions accurately is what determines whether they are covered.
Do expats living in Spain need travel insurance to travel within Europe?

Spain-resident expats who have a Spanish public health card (tarjeta sanitaria) may have some reciprocal health coverage when visiting other EU countries via the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) equivalent. However, this is not the same as travel insurance and will not cover cancellation, missed flights, baggage, or many other situations. For comprehensive protection when travelling, dedicated travel insurance is still strongly recommended.

Can I buy travel insurance in Spain if I am not a Spanish citizen?

Yes. Travel insurance is available to expats and foreign residents living in Spain regardless of nationality. The important factors are that you are resident in Spain (so the policy is based here) and that you declare any pre-existing medical conditions accurately. Travel insurance for expats living in Spain covers trips within Europe and worldwide.