Do You Need Travel Insurance for Spain? Risks and Costs to Know
Spain is a country full of charm, history, and unforgettable cultural experiences.
However, before you pack your bags, there is one important thing you should prepare: travel insurance.
- Doctor’s consultation + IV treatment + tests: around €500
- Hospitalization (1–2 days): around €1,500
Total cost: about €2,000
If you do not have medical insurance in Spain, you must cover all medical expenses yourself.
In addition, Spain’s popular tourist areas are known for petty crimes like pickpocketing, making theft protection another important consideration.
To stay safe and avoid financial risks, consider the following travel insurance options.
These plans can be purchased online and offer comprehensive coverage for medical expenses, lost belongings, and more.
This page explains why medical insurance is essential when traveling in Spain and introduces several recommended insurance services that can be easily purchased online.
Healthcare Standards and Medical Costs in Spain
Spain is known for having one of the strongest healthcare systems in Europe, supported by both public and private medical facilities throughout the country.
Doctors and nurses provide high-quality care, offering everything from basic consultations to advanced medical treatment.
However, public health insurance in Spain does not cover foreign travelers. This means you must pay the full cost of any medical treatment out of your own pocket.
Below are some general examples of medical expenses in Spain.
| Item | Approximate Medical Costs |
|---|---|
| General Consultation | €50–€100 |
| Emergency Room Visit | €100–€200 |
| Prescription | €10–€50 |
| Ambulance Service | €200–€400 |
| Hospitalization Cost (per day) | ・Private Room: €300–€600 ・ICU: €1,000–€2,000 |
Even a simple consultation or emergency visit can cost between €100 and €400 without insurance.
Hospital stays can become much more expensive, so having travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Is Insurance Required When Entering or Staying in Spain?
Some countries require travelers to show proof of medical insurance when entering the country.
For example, in the Czech Republic, visitors must present insurance documents upon arrival and carry them with their passport during their stay, with possible fines for not complying.
» Which Countries Require Travel Insurance to Enter?
At the moment, Spain does not require medical insurance for entry or for staying as a tourist.
However, purchasing travel insurance is strongly recommended for several reasons:
- Unexpected medical expenses
- Theft or loss of personal belongings
- Trip changes or cancellations
- Emergency repatriation
Petty crimes such as pickpocketing are common in Spain’s popular tourist areas, making travel insurance especially important for protecting your belongings.
Examples of High Medical Expenses in Spain
If you become sick or injured while traveling in Spain, medical costs can be unexpectedly high.
The cases below illustrate the kinds of expenses travelers may face.
1. Arm Fracture After a Fall in Barcelona
If you fall while sightseeing and break your arm, the estimated medical costs are:
- Emergency transport: €300
- Surgery: €12,000
- Hospital stay (3 days): €1,800
- Rehabilitation: €1,200
Total cost: €15,300
*Additional helicopter transport fees may apply depending on the location.
2.Food Poisoning in Madrid
Here is an example of the cost if you suffer food poisoning at a restaurant and require hospitalization for dehydration:
- Emergency transport: €300
- Consultation and IV treatment: €500
- Hospital stay (2 days): €1,200
- Medication: €100
Total cost: €2,100
*If the condition becomes more serious, extra costs may be added.
3.Severe Sunburn on the Mediterranean Coast
Severe sunburn at the beach can also require medical treatment:
- Emergency transport: €300
- Consultation and treatment: €300
- Hospital stay (1 day): €600
- Special medications and ointments: €150
Total cost: €1,350
*If symptoms worsen, extended hospitalization may increase the total cost.
Travel Insurance for Spain with Easy Online Applications
Choosing travel insurance that you can apply for online — and submit claims online — makes your trip much safer and more convenient.
The options below are especially popular because they offer simple online enrollment and comprehensive coverage.
- SafetyWing
: A cost-effective plan you can purchase the same day, even from abroad, with no waiting period. - World Nomads
: Provides extensive coverage, including medical expenses and protection against theft. - Heymondo
: Offers plans designed for long-term travelers, with medical coverage options of up to $10,000,000.
To enjoy a stress-free trip to Spain, consider signing up for one of these travel insurance services!
SafetyWing

Safety Wing offers excellent cost performance and comprehensive coverage, making it one of the most popular travel insurance options for visitors to Spain.
You can easily sign up online — even if you are already in Spain — and coverage begins immediately with no waiting period.
- Monthly premium: $56.28
- Coverage periods starting from 5 days
- No waiting period for overseas enrollments
- 24/7 live chat support
- Coverage for flight delays and lost luggage
- Simple and quick online quote and application process
The specific insurance coverage details are as follows.
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $250,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $1,000 |
| Emergency Transportation | $100,000 |
| Medical repatriation | $5,000 |
| Emergency return to your country | $5,000 |
| Lost Baggage | $3,000 |
| Flight delays | $200 |
| Theft of passports | $100 |
| Car Accident | $250,000 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $250,000 |
| At the time of death | $20,000 |
Safety Wing offers a comprehensive travel insurance plan with up to $250,000 in medical coverage for a monthly premium of just $56.28.
You can also customize the length of your coverage to match your travel schedule, making it a highly cost-effective option.
Start by getting a quote for your insurance plan on the SafetyWing website.
World Nomads

World Nomads is a highly trusted travel insurance provider offering extensive protection, including medical coverage and compensation for theft such as pickpocketing.
With an easy online application and flexible plans that adjust to your destination and travel dates, you can explore Spain with confidence.
- Insurance costs depend on the destination
(e.g., $265.07 for a 4-week policy that includes the U.S.) - Medical coverage up to $5,000,000, with unlimited plans also available
- Coverage for flight delays and lost baggage
- 24/7 customer support by phone or email
The detailed coverage information is provided below.
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $5,000,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $300 |
| Medical Transportation and Repatriation | $5,000,000 |
| Medical repatriation | $5,000 |
| Emergency return to your country | $5,000 |
| Baggage coverage | $2,500 |
| Flight delays | $500 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $3,500 |
| At the time of death | $15,000 |
The premium for World Nomads is slightly higher at $215.38 for a four-week plan, but it provides generous protection with medical coverage of up to $5 million, and even offers an unlimited plan option.
Check the World Nomads website to get a personalised quote based on your travel schedule.
Heymondo

For travellers planning a long stay in Europe, including Spain, Heymondo is a highly cost-effective insurance option.
By choosing their 3-month plan, you can keep monthly premiums low while still receiving extensive medical coverage of up to $10,000,000.
It also includes strong protection against theft, such as pickpocketing, making it a reliable choice for enjoying an extended stay abroad with confidence.
- Cost-effective 3-month plan for long-term stays
- Premiums vary depending on the destination country
- Medical coverage limit of $5,000,000 (or up to $10,000,000)
- Covers flight delays and lost baggage
- 24/7 support available via phone or email
The specific coverage details are as follows:
| Insurance Details | Insurance Limit |
|---|---|
| Medical Insurance | $5,000,000 |
| Emergency Dental Care | $300 |
| Extended Overnight Expenses | $1,800 |
| Emergency Transportation | $5,000,000 |
| Baggage coverage | $1,700 |
| Flight delays | $450 |
| Interruption of travel (return to your country) | $3,500 |
| At the time of death | $100,000 |
The information above refers to the Standard Plan (Travel Insurance Top). Heymondo also offers several other plans to fit different travel needs.
While premiums vary by plan, some options provide medical coverage of up to $10 million, offering strong protection even in countries with high medical costs.
For accurate pricing, you can easily check detailed estimates on the Heymondo website.


