Travel Insurance for Expats Living in Spain
Annual and single-trip travel cover for Spain-based residents — because your old UK policy almost certainly no longer protects you.
Does Your UK Travel Insurance Still Cover You?
If you’ve moved to Spain and you’re still relying on a UK-based annual travel insurance policy, there’s a very good chance you’re not covered. UK travel insurance is designed for UK residents. The policy definition of “home country” is the UK. Once you become a Spanish resident, most UK insurers will consider your policy void — and may refuse to pay out on a claim if they establish you are no longer UK-based.
This catches expats out regularly. The solution is a travel policy designed for people who are resident in Spain — which is exactly what we arrange.
Why Spain-Based Expats Still Need Travel Insurance
Just because you live in Spain doesn’t mean you stop travelling. Most expats travel regularly — back to the UK to see family, around Europe, and further afield. And when you travel, the risks are the same as they’ve always been:
- Medical emergencies abroad (including in the UK — your Spanish health insurance doesn’t cover you outside Spain)
- Cancelled or delayed flights
- Lost or stolen luggage
- Trip curtailment (having to cut a trip short due to illness or family emergency)
- Personal liability while travelling
The GHIC does not protect you. The Global Health Insurance Card provides emergency medical cover for UK visitors to the EU. As a Spanish resident, you are not a visitor to the EU — you live here. The GHIC will not reliably cover Spanish residents travelling in Europe.
Your Spanish health insurance doesn’t cover you abroad. Most Spanish private health insurance policies provide cover within Spain only. The moment you travel abroad — including to the UK — you have no medical cover without a separate travel policy.
Travel Insurance Options for Spain Residents
Annual Multi-Trip Insurance
If you travel more than twice a year — and most expats do — annual multi-trip travel insurance is almost always better value than buying single-trip cover each time. One policy, one premium, covers all your trips throughout the year up to a maximum trip duration (typically 31 or 45 days per trip).
Single Trip Insurance
For one-off travel — a holiday, a long trip back to the UK, a business trip. More expensive per trip than annual cover, but flexible if you travel infrequently.
What’s Typically Covered
- Medical emergencies and repatriation
- Hospitalisation abroad
- Trip cancellation (before departure)
- Trip curtailment (cutting a trip short)
- Lost, stolen or delayed baggage
- Flight and travel delay
- Personal liability abroad
- 24/7 emergency assistance line
| Destination Zone | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Europe | EU and Schengen area countries — including the UK (check your policy includes it explicitly) |
| Worldwide (excl. USA/Canada) | Broader coverage for global travel at a mid-range premium |
| Worldwide (incl. USA/Canada) | Comprehensive global coverage — essential if you travel to North America where medical costs are extremely high |
Travel Insurance with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, declaring it correctly is essential. Failing to declare a condition and then making a claim related to it can result in the claim being refused. We work with insurers who take a reasonable approach to pre-existing conditions and will always be clear about what is and isn’t covered before you take out a policy.
Travel Insurance for Spain Residents — FAQ
My UK travel insurance policy is still showing as active — am I not covered?
The policy may still be technically in force, but if you are now a Spanish resident, you are almost certainly outside the terms of the policy. Most UK travel insurers require you to be a UK resident to claim. Check the definition of “residency” in your policy wording. If in doubt, get a Spain-based policy.
Does my Spanish health insurance cover me when I travel to the UK?
Almost certainly not. Spanish private health insurance policies are typically limited to coverage within Spain. When you travel abroad — including to the UK — you need separate travel insurance that includes medical cover.
Can I get travel insurance if I’m over 70?
Yes, though options narrow and premiums increase at higher ages. We work with insurers who offer travel cover for older travellers, including with pre-existing conditions. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
I want to cover a long trip of 6–8 weeks. Is that possible?
Standard annual policies cap individual trips at 31 or 45 days. Longer trip extensions (60, 90 days) are available from some insurers at additional cost. If you’re planning an extended trip, tell us the duration when getting a quote.
Does travel insurance cover me for COVID-related cancellations?
COVID-related cover varies significantly by insurer and policy. Some policies cover medical costs if you contract COVID while travelling; fewer cover cancellation solely due to a COVID diagnosis. We’ll clarify exactly what’s covered when we present your options.
Get Travel Insurance as a Spain Resident
Tell us where you travel, how often and what cover you need — and we’ll find you the right policy for your situation.
Or WhatsApp: +34 650 160 711