Travel insurance

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Spain? Risks and Costs to Know

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Spain? Risks and Costs to Know
takayuki

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.

Estimated medical costs if you get food poisoning in Spain
  • 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.

No,1
SafetyWing
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$56.28 (not including the US)
・$104.44 (including the US)
Medical Compensation
$250,000
Emergency Transportation
$20,000
Dental treatment
$1,000
Flight delays
$200
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
Without
Standby time
0 hours
No.2
World Nomads
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$220.43 (not including the US)
・$265.07 (including US)
Medical Compensation
$5,000,000
Emergency Transportation
$500,000
Dental treatment
$300
Flight delays
$500
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
$2,500
Standby time
72 hours
No.3
Heymondo
Insurance fee (4 weeks)
・$113.05 (not including the US)
・$130.16 (including the US)
Medical Compensation
$5,000,000
Emergency Transportation
$500,000
Dental treatment
$300
Flight delays
$450
Damaged/stolen/lost personal belongings
$1,700
Standby time
72 hours

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.

ItemApproximate 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.

Safety Wing Features
  • 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 DetailsInsurance 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.

Features of World Nomads
  • 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 DetailsInsurance 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.

Features of Heymondo
  • 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 DetailsInsurance 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.

Looking for the best travel insurance for your trip?

On the page below, we’ve handpicked some of the most popular insurance options for travel nomads and explained each plan’s features and benefits in a simple, easy-to-understand way.

Which travel insurance is best for you?
Best Travel Insurance: Our Top Pick Is SafetyWing at $56/Month
Best Travel Insurance: Our Top Pick Is SafetyWing at $56/Month

You’re sure to find a plan that fits your needs—so be sure to check it out!

ABOUT ME
Taka
Taka
Japanese blogger
I've been a nomad abroad for five years, traveling through 10+ cities across Europe. Right now I’m spending time in places like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona. I’ll be sharing simple, useful tips for living abroad.
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