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Best Spain Travel Insurance: Top Plans & Cost

  • Most U.S. health insurance, including Medicare, is not accepted in Spain. Therefore, we recommend opting for medical travel insurance for Spain.
  • Spain also has some lesser-known risks such as extremely hot Summers, pickpockets, and a heightened threat of terrorist activity.
  • In all of these scenarios, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can protect you, your property, and your finances from harm while traveling.
  • Based on our research, the best Spain travel insurance policies come from Tin Leg, Generali Global Assistance, Trawick International, AXA Assistance USA, and Travel Insured International (skip ahead to view these plans).
  • To help you find the best travel insurance for Spain, we recommend using an online comparison tool to see plans and prices from multiple providers at once.

Our top picks for the best Spain travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure
Best for Medical Coverage

Tin Leg

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.6
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Best for Basic Coverage

Generali Global Assistance

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.34
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $250,000
Best for Medical Evacuation Coverage

Trawick International

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.14
Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Voyager
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000

Do I need travel insurance for Spain?

American citizens are not legally required to have travel insurance for Spain as long as the trip is under 90 days. However, The US Embassy in Madrid highly recommends buying travel insurance when visiting Spain as most traditional US health insurance isn’t accepted at Spanish hospitals.

Reasons why you may need travel insurance for Spain:

Spain won’t accept most U.S. healthcare plans

Most U.S. private health insurance plans and government health plans like Medicaid and Medicare will not work in Spain. This means that if you become sick or injured during your Spanish vacation, you’ll be responsible for paying out-of-pocket for the resulting medical bills. Spain’s free healthcare system is only available for long-term residents and citizens of Spain.

According to the American Embassy in Spain: ”[Spanish] hospitals and health care providers will expect payment if you are not covered by the Spanish or the Andorran public health care system.”

LA Times Compare staff members located in Spain confirmed that Spanish hospitals have also been known to refuse entry if you cannot show proof of a health insurance plan that will cover the costs of your treatment upon arrival.

Comprehensive travel insurance can cover you in case you need treatment while abroad and can even cover medical evacuations to repatriate you back home.

Risk of pickpockets

The U.S. government notes that pickpocketing and petty theft is very common in Spain. Unlike violent robberies, pickpocketing usually happens without you knowing you have been robbed. This type of occurrence frequently happens in touristy areas like La Puerta del Sol in Madrid and La Rambla in Barcelona. In fact, this happens so frequently for tourists visiting Madrid that an entire police unit known as the SATE (Servicio de Atención al Turista Extranjero) is dedicated to filing petty robbery police reports for Tourists.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for any stolen, lost, or damaged personal items.

Most people don’t realize how hot Spain can get in the Summer months. Spain is a sunny and predominantly dry country, and over the past few years has been getting increasingly hotter. This has even led to parts of Spain introducing a heat wave naming system, similar to the way hurricanes are named. Temperatures in parts of Spain can reach upwards of 111 degrees in Summer. This, combined with the dense, historic stone architecture of Spanish cities that radiates this heat can put travelers at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Having backup medical care via travel insurance is never a bad idea.

Medical travel insurance will cover you for a range of medical treatments or medicines you require during your trip.

Risk of terrorism

Like many European nations, the risk of terrorism is a concern for both locals and tourists visiting Spain in recent years. Travel.state.gov mentions that terrorist groups continue to plot possible attacks in Spain. While these attacks are rare, one attack in Barcelona in 2017 killed 13 people and injured 130 others. Therefore, it’s best to consider and prepare for the worst.

Apart from covering medical care if you are injured while traveling, travel insurance often allows reimbursements for trip cancellations or interruptions as a result of terrorist threats or attacks at your travel destination.

Our top picks for the best Spain travel insurance

Advertiser Disclosure

Best for Medical Coverage

Full Policy Details

Tin Leg

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Tin Leg is known for offering high-quality travel insurance coverage at a competitive and reasonable price.

All Tin Leg policies have an A- rating or better for their financial strength from AM Best. We like the Tin Leg Gold plan because it offers great medical and evacuation coverage limits at an affordable price.

This plan comes automatically with trip cancellation and interruption coverage for coronavirus and other covered instances, as well as up to $500,000 in emergency medical expense protection and up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, just in case something were to happen while on your Spain trip.

You may also qualify for travel delay protection, baggage insurance, and insurance that protects against missed connections on your way to Spain.

PROS

  • Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
  • High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
  • Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
  • Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
  • Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects

Best for Basic Coverage

Full Policy Details

Generali Global Assistance

4.34
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000 / $250,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Generali Global Assistance offers high coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency dental expenses, emergency medical evacuation coverage, and more for your trip to Spain.

This travel insurance provider has an A rating from AM Best and offers three tiers of travel insurance coverage to suit your needs:

  1. Standard plan
  2. Preferred plan
  3. Premium plan

If you’re looking for basic coverage at an affordable price point, the Standard plan may be just what you need. This plan offers coverage for up to 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellation and up to 125% of the insured trip cost for interruption. It also offers $1,000 per person in baggage coverage, up to $50,000 in medical coverage, and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

PROS

  • Lowest cost of all Generali Global Assistance plans
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Telemedicine included

CONS

  • Lower coverage than other Generali plans
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Standard plan
  • No coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during on-land travel

Best for Medical Evacuation Coverage

Full Policy Details

Trawick International

4.14
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Voyager
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Trawick International is another highly-rated travel insurance company that offers plans geared to those who want an international health plan. This company offers both premium coverage and budget-friendly travel insurance plans.

The Safe Travels Voyager plan is one of the company’s most well-rated plans due to its high coverage limits. With $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and $250,000 in primary medical coverage, as well as $3,000 in travel delay coverage, this plan can help give you peace of mind while on your trip to Spain.

PROS

  • Excellent medical coverage limits
  • Up to $2,500 baggage coverage included
  • Covers quarantine accommodation expenses

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 8 hours
  • CFAR only covers 75% of the insured trip cost

Best for Trip Cancellation Coverage

AXA Assistance USA

4.22
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Since AXA Assistance USA offers three coverage levels, you can tailor your policy for Spain to suit your needs and budget.

AXA Assistance USA has an A rating from AM Best. It offers a range of travel insurance plans geared to different types of trips. The three coverage levels offered are:

  1. Silver
  2. Gold
  3. Platinum

We like the Platinum plan from AXA Assistance USA because it includes trip cancellation coverage worth up to 100% of non-refundable travel expenses and $1,250 in travel delay coverage. It also offers $1 million in medical evacuation protection, $250,000 in insurance for medical expenses, $100,000 in coverage for non-medical emergency evacuation, and more.

PROS

  • High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
  • Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
  • CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses

CONS

  • Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
  • Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient

Best for Non-Medical Evacuation Coverage

Travel Insured International

4.39
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Travel Insured International offers two plans, Worldwide Trip Protector Edge and Worldwide Trip Protector. Of these two, we recommend the Worldwide Trip Protector plan due to its superior coverage.

Worldwide Trip Protector covers 100% of the insured trip cost due to cancellation, 150% of the insured trip cost due to interruption, as well as $1,500 for trip delays and $500 for baggage delays after only 3 hours. It also includes $100,000 worth of medical coverage, $1 million worth of evacuation coverage, and $150,000 worth of non-medical evacuation coverage.

PROS

  • Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
  • Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included

CONS

  • CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
  • Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
  • No rental car coverage
Passport and Plane Ticket

How much is travel insurance for Spain?

Based on sales data from Squaremouth, Spain travel insurance policies cost between $200 and $250 per week on average.

That said, the cost of travel insurance can vary widely based on factors like the age of travelers, the size of the traveling group, and the total trip cost.

By identifying what coverage you actually need you can find avoid expensive travel insurance. The length of the trip can also play a role in the cost of travel insurance.

Here are some example quotes from six different providers covering a seven-night trip to Spain for two 40-year-olds in September of 2024 that cost them $5,000.

Insurance provider Travel insurance plan Cost
AXA Assistance USA Platinum $236
Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection LuxuryCare $280
HTH Worldwide TripProtector Classic $232.58
Seven Corners Trip Protection Choice $326
Trawick International Safe Travels First Class $230.90
Tin Leg Gold $274

While this example can give you a ballpark idea of how much comprehensive travel insurance for Spain could cost, it’s important to note that the actual cost you will pay will depend heavily on your individual trip details.

You can use our comparison tool below to see exact prices tailored for your trip details.

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What does Spain travel insurance cover?

When you begin shopping for travel insurance for trips to Spain, you’ll quickly discover that insurance plans vary widely, as do their costs.

You’ll also notice you can purchase single-trip, multi-trip or annual travel insurance to protect your trips to Spain and other countries you plan to visit while overseas.

To protect yourself as much as possible, you should strive to buy a travel insurance policy that is as inclusive as possible with ample policy limits.

Make sure to look for the following types of coverage as you compare travel insurance plans.

We’ll break down these types of insurance and what they are below.

Travel medical insurance

While Spanish residents with citizenship enjoy universal public healthcare, tourists visiting from the United States and elsewhere do not qualify for the same benefits. You’ll get treatment if you become sick or injured during your trip, but you’ll be on the hook for the bills that result. With that in mind, travel health insurance is easily the most important type of coverage you’ll want to have for travel to Spain.

Ideally, you’ll purchase a policy that has at least $50,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses per traveler. This type of protection can pay for medical bills that arise if you come down with COVID-19 during your trip, you break an ankle while walking on cobblestone streets or you experience a cardiac event. In that case, you may also consider a COVID-19 travel insurance.

Medical evacuation insurance

Medical evacuation insurance, or medevac, can help pay for emergency evacuation and transportation when you become sick or injured while traveling.

If you’re on the side of a mountain in a remote area of Spain and you break a limb, for example, medevac coverage could pay for an ambulance or helicopter ride to the local hospital.

The American Embassy of Madrid’s website mentions the the following about emergency medical evacuations from Spain:

“There are no U.S. government funds available to pay for medical treatment or medical evacuations, and U.S. nationality does not entitle a person to a military medical evacuation free of charge. Medical evacuations can in fact cost up to $100,000 and the cost is born by the ill or injured person, the family and or the medical insurance company.”

Emergency evacuation and transportation coverage can also pay for a medically supervised flight back to your home country if a supervising physician recommends it.

Trip cancellation insurance

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable, pre-paid travel expenses when your trip must be canceled for a covered reason beyond your control. This type of coverage can come into play if you’re called to jury duty over your travel dates, or if one of your travel companions becomes gravely ill or passes away before you leave for Spain.

Some policies also offer cancel for any reason (CFAR) travel insurance as an optional add-on. This type of insurance lets you cancel your trip for any reason at all, at which point you’ll get 50% to 75% of prepaid travel expenses back depending on the plan.

Trip interruption insurance

Trip interruption insurance can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when your trip must be interrupted after it has already started. Examples of when this coverage kicks in include instances where a travel companion gets sick after a trip is underway or a natural disaster makes a stop on your itinerary uninhabitable.

When trip interruption coverage applies, it can reimburse for nonrefundable travel expenses you didn’t get to use as well as transportation costs to get home.

Trip delay insurance

Trip delay insurance can help pay for unplanned expenses that occur when your trip is delayed, including meals you have to pay for or overnight hotel stays. Most trip delay coverage won’t apply until your trip has been delayed for at least six or 12 hours, and daily and maximum limits typically apply.

Baggage insurance

If your bags are delayed at your destination and you wind up having to pay for toiletries, clothing, electronics chargers or other required items, baggage delay coverage can reimburse you for these out-of-pocket expenses. That said, baggage delay coverage typically only applies after bags are delayed for at least six or 12 hours, and daily and maximum limits apply.

If your bags are lost or stolen while on their way to Spain, or even after you get there, you may be entitled to compensation from your travel insurance provider. Coverage for lost luggage typically comes with a maximum limit per traveler and trip, and separate limits for high-value items like electronics and jewelry can apply.

What is not covered?

Most travel insurance policies come with a standard list of exclusions, although these can vary widely among travel insurance companies.

Here’s a rundown of what may not be covered by Spain travel insurance:

It’s also worth noting that some travel insurance companies exclude Spain and some other countries in Europe due to the increased risk of injury among past travelers. This means you can buy travel insurance for trips to Spain, but you may have fewer companies to choose from.

Tips for choosing the best Spain travel insurance

Whether you’re planning your trip far ahead or you’re hoping to book a last-minute trip to Spain, several moves can help you secure the best travel insurance coverage for your needs.

We recommend you consider the following tips as you browse and compare plans.

1

Get adequate coverage for medical expenses.

While the Spanish healthcare system is exceptional, not having travel insurance means you’ll be on the hook financially for the medical care you receive. Your best bet is lining up travel insurance with at least $50,000 in travel medical coverage for everyone in your traveling party.

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2

Compare multiple providers and policies.

Compare international travel insurance policies from at least three or four different providers, and make sure to compare not only cost but the coverages and policy limits they offer. Fortunately, all the best travel insurance companies make it easy to get a free quote online.

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3

Decide if you want the option to cancel.

If you believe your Spanish vacation may need to be canceled, consider investing in cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage that lets you get part of your prepaid travel expenses back no matter what.

See More See Less
4

Think about extra coverages you might need.

Make sure you have coverage for items specific to you and your traveling party, including protection for pre-existing conditions or adventure sports you plan to take part in.

See More See Less
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Spain travel information & requirements

Query Details
Do Americans need a tourist visa? No, American citizens do not need a visa to visit Spain as a tourist.
How long can I stay without a visa? Up to 90 days without a travel visa
Are there passport requirements? At least three months validity remaining beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.
What is the local currency? Euro
Are there vaccine requirements? No, but the CDC recommends being up to date with routine vaccines.
Are there COVID testing requirements? No, these were lifted in February 2023
What is the US travel advisory level? Level 2: Exercise increased caution
Is US health insurance accepted? Not normally, travel insurance is recommended.
Is travel insurance required? Not for stays under 90 days, but it’s recommended.

Do I need a visa or passport to visit Spain?

Yes, American citizens need a passport to visit Spain. However, Americans don’t need a tourist visa to visit Spain unless they plan to stay in Spain or other countries in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days.

If you’re planning out your trip to Spain from USA for 2025, you should also be on the lookout for a new upcoming requirement. Starting mid-2025, visitors to Spain will be required to apply for a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) application and pay an $8 entry fee to vacation in Spain or other European countries that are co-signers of the Schengen Agreement.

Until then, the U.S. Government outlines that the only other requirement is that your passport must have a **minimum of three months of validity remaining after your planned date of departure from Spain or elsewhere in the Schengen area, although Spain recommends having at least six months. Spain also requires a blank page in your passport for a passport stamp.

Is Spain in the Schengen area?

Spain is located in the Schengen area along with 27 other countries in Europe that have made it increasingly easy to travel between them.

Thanks to this agreement, you can hop a flight or train from Spain and to other Schengen countries without having to pass through border security or show your passport in many cases. This makes it easy to plan a full-fledged European vacation that includes time in Spain as well as other Schengen countries, such as France, or Italy.

Keep in mind, if you plant to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a Schengen travel visa, and travel insurance is part of the requirements for applying for this visa.

Is it safe to travel to Spain?

In general, Spain is quite safe. That said, according to the U.S. Department of State, you should exercise increased caution during trips to Spain due to threats of “terrorism and civil unrest.” However, the country of Spain is very safe overall, and you are unlikely to encounter any issues other than basic instances of theft or pickpocketing.

Travel insurance for the Canary Islands

Although situated over 800 miles south of the Spanish mainland, the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro are all considered part of Spain. This inclusion also grants them Schengen status. Travel insurance for Spain can be used to cover your vacation in the Canary Islands.

Tips for traveling to Spain from the US

Spanish restaurants:
Meal times in Spain have a unique rhythm that can often catch unaware travelers off guard. A first breakfast, known locally as ‘desayuno’, usually takes place before 9 am and is regularly eaten at home. A second breakfast, ‘almuerzo’, is eaten around mid-morning and when local cafes are open. Lunchtime, ‘comida’, is taken around 2 to 4 pm, after which many restaurants and cafes may close. An early evening meal, known as ‘merienda’ is often eaten from 5 to 7 pm and a late dinner, ‘cena’, is eaten between 8.30 and 10.30 pm.  

Opening hours:
Along with the unusual Spanish meal times, general opening hours may differ from what you are used to back home during the summer months. Stores and restaurants are usually continually open from 10 am to 9 pm but during the summer, they may close between 2 and 5 pm.

Transportation:
Spain has a strongly integrated transportation system consisting of major airports, bus charters, and one of the largest and most modern railway networks in Europe. Major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao also have their own integrated metro systems. All of this enables you to travel quickly and efficiently across Spain and the Iberian peninsula as a whole.

FAQs - Travel Insurance Spain

Do I need travel insurance for Spain?

Spain does not require travelers to have travel insurance, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it. Private health insurance that works in the United States will not apply overseas. This means you’ll want to have travel medical coverage, as well as protection for emergency evacuation, trip delays, lost or delayed bags and other travel mishaps that can occur.

How much does Spain travel insurance cost?

Based on our estimates, travel insurance for a seven-night trip to Spain with a total trip cost of $5,000 may cost between $230 and $326 depending on the plan.

Is Spanish healthcare free for tourists?

The Spanish healthcare system offers free public healthcare for citizens, but tourists do not qualify for this benefit.

Does US medical insurance work in Spain?

Private health insurance purchased in the United States does not apply in Spain or elsewhere in Europe.

Do some travel insurance companies exclude coverage for Spain?

Some travel insurance companies don’t offer coverage in Spain and several other countries due to the increased risk of injury and higher claims in these areas overall.

Holly D. Johnson
Holly D. Johnson Finance Expert

Holly D. Johnson is an award-winning personal finance writer who covers topics like insurance, investing, credit and family finance. As a leading voice in the travel and loyalty space, Johnson has traveled with her family to more than 50 countries over the last decade.

The author has also written extensively on the power of household budgeting, and she even co-authored a book on the topic. Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love was originally published in 2017, and it teaches families how to use zero-sum budgeting to reach their financial goals. She is also the co-owner and founder of the family finance and travel website, ClubThrifty.com.

Johnson’s 10+ years of writing have focused on helping families make important financial decisions at each stage of their lives. The author also applies the financial principles she teaches to her own life, and she is currently on track to retire in her late 40’s with her partner. She currently lives in Central Indiana with her husband and children, and she is a regular contributor for Bankrate, CNN, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report Travel and many other notable publications.

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