Travel insurance for Spain
Expert tips on choosing the right travel insurance for Spain
Whether you want to tour the historical architecture of Seville or soak up the sun at the Canary Islands, our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor, has some tips for helping you decide on the best travel insurance for Spain for your needs.
Adrian Taylor
Executive General Manager – General Insurance
Compare and save
Compare comprehensive travel insurance quotes and purchase your policy as soon as you make a booking and pay any deposits if you want to have cancellation cover for before you depart. Or, if you’re a backpacker on a tight budget, you can still look at basic travel insurance policies to cover the essentials for your trip.
Plan out your travel itinerary for the right cover
Decide what cover is needed for your trip – whether it be coverage for medical expenses, cancellation fees, rental vehicle excess or optional cover for cruises or adventurous activities. Be sure to pick an appropriate policy that provides the right level of protection you require. If you plan to visit more of Europe than just Spain, remember be sure to also list every destination on your travel insurance policy to ensure you’re covered for your whole trip.
Declare your pre-existing medical conditions
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, search for products that allow you to declare these conditions as part of your application to your chosen insurer. That way, you will be better placed to receive cover you need (although this may incur an additional premium) if you’re injured or become ill overseas.
Do I need travel insurance for Spain?
Even if you’re a frequent globetrotter, it’s always best to take out travel insurance for Spain or any other destination before you head overseas for peace of mind. Travel insurance can cover you for a range of losses, accidents and cancellations.
Be sure to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to see the specifics of your travel insurance cover. Read the Target Market Determination (TMD) to see if a policy is right for you.
What should I consider when taking out travel insurance for Spain?
Medical expenses
Travel insurance cover can protect you against financial costs if you become sick or injured while overseas and need medical care. The healthcare system in Spain is typically quite good, but unless you’ve got medical cover, any treatment you need while there will have to be paid out-of-pocket.
Medical emergencies, repatriation and medical evacuation can also be covered by your travel insurance policy, as well as 24/7 emergency assistance.
Theft and loss of belongings
Petty crime (such as pickpocketing) is rife in Spain, particularly in major cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza and Valencia.1 Luckily, if you have luggage cover, you may be financially protected from the loss of your belongings (up to the limits of your policy). This includes electronics, cash, credit cards and even travel documents such as your passport.
A few typical hotspots where pickpockets usually target unsuspecting tourists are:
- Tourist attractions
- Restaurants, bars and nightclubs
- Public transport
- Hotel foyers.1
Keep an eye on any belongings or valuables when you’re out and about, and remember your policy may not cover you for theft or loss of belongings if you leave them unattended in public places.
Trip cancellations and travel delays
While you can plan out the perfect holiday, sometimes things still go wrong. For covered events (such as you becoming injured and being unable to finish your trip), your travel insurance policy may cover any lost deposits for prepaid accommodation, tours or activities that you are no longer able to attend.
Cancellation cover is also the only travel insurance benefit that can cover you before you even depart on your trip.
Coverage while driving
You might fancy taking a car out for hire and meander across the Spanish countryside or take a trip along the Mediterranean coastline. When taking out a travel insurance plan, check it comes with car hire excess cover included automatically, or consider purchasing it as an optional extra.
Some insurers will not cover your claim if you have a road accident or other similar issue and don’t have you don’t have the correct license, so make sure your Australian license is valid, and you have an international driving permit before you go.1
Adventure activities
If you’re holidaying by the Spanish coast or visiting the Balearic Islands, water activities are a must, but some might not be included in your insurance policy. Take note of what adventure activities are included automatically in your policy and consider adding adventure cover as an optional extra if you need further cover.
Exclusions you should watch out for
It’s important to note there will be instances when your travel insurance does not cover you. It’s a good idea to check with your travel insurance company to see what you are and aren’t covered for. Some exclusions may include the following:
- Claims based on pre-existing medical conditions. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, you must disclose them to your insurer before you take out a policy, otherwise you may not be covered for any losses relating to those conditions.
- Unattended luggage is stolen. While travel insurance policies may cover the loss of personal items, luggage and belongings that are left unattended are commonly excluded.
- Government travel advice is disregarded. Travel insurance providers often won’t cover you if there is a ‘Do not travel’ warning in place. You can check the current travel warnings for most destinations through the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website.
- Injuries while under the influence. Claims related to drug- or alcohol-related incidents generally won’t be covered.
- Driving vehicles without a license. Driving and motorcycling is common in Spain but be wary of accidents and holding an appropriate licence. Medical costs that may arise due to unlicensed driving aren’t likely to be covered.
- If cover is purchased after the incident. You must hold a policy before you suffer any loss that you intend claiming for.
Read the PDS to learn more about the exclusions, limits and conditions of your policy.
Understanding more about travelling to Spain
Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
Spain is one of the 29 European countries in the Schengen Area where Australian citizens can travel for up to 90 days without a visa.2 However, if you plan to visit other visa-exempt EU countries, it’s even more crucial you protect yourself with travel insurance.
Is Spain safe?
Most of the time, Spain is safe. However, like most countries in the European Union, if you’re not mindful of your surroundings, you may be taken advantage of. But don’t let that stop you from having a fantastic, safe and fun experience.
It’s important for you to continually monitor Smartraveller for any government-sanctioned advisory warnings for your country of travel. Spain does have a high terrorist threat alert and can also be subject to protests and demonstrations, which you should avoid for your safety. Should you take risks while on holiday, your claims may be rejected under your travel insurance policy.
Drink spiking has also been reported in Spain.1 Taking proper care to avoid this on a night out is important and usually easy to do:
- Ensure you know your surroundings when you are drinking
- Keep an eye on your drink the minute you receive it and don’t leave it unattended
- Stick with people you trust and don’t accept food from strangers.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Spain?
No, it’s not a requirement for you to purchase travel insurance for Spain. However, it’s always a good idea to consider taking out a travel insurance policy before you depart to cover for you unforeseen events that could impact you or your trip.
While no one wants their holiday to go wrong, planning ahead may help you avoid unexpected medical or other expenses that you would otherwise have to pay out of pocket.
Meet our travel insurance expert, Adrian Taylor
As a General Insurance expert with over 13 years’ experience in financial services, Adrian Taylor believes in educating customers about the importance of travel insurance so that anyone can kick back and make the most of their time away from home. While no one wants a disrupted holiday, a suitable travel insurance policy can provide a financial safety net for yourself, your belongings and your trip in case things go wrong.
Want to know more about travel insurance?
1 Smartraveller, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government. Spain. Current as of June 2025. Accessed June 2025.
2 Smartraveller, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government. Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area. Last updated April 2024. Accessed June 2025.