British tourists heading to Spain for their summer holidays are being urged to prepare for new insurance rules or face fines of up to €6,900 (£5,900).
Spain is a popular holiday destination but travellers could get burned before even hitting the beach due to new border requirements.
Spain’s Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Health has unveiled new rules that mean travellers heading to Spain are now legally required to show proof of comprehensive health cover as part of their travel insurance.
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Checks are being made at Spanish borders and by transport providers, and you could be fined up to €6,900 if you don’t have the right cover.
The UK’s Foreign Office guidance now says travellers may need to show proof of travel insurance when arriving in Spain.
It comes after Spain scrapped its Golden Visa earlier this year, in another blow for Brits.
What are Spain’s new travel rules?
Most people purchase travel insurance when they book a holiday to cover them for issues such has delays and cancellations.
Many policies will also include cover for injuries and illness, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying for hospital stays or treatment.
Previously, travellers often relied on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for emergency medical treatment in the European Union.
While EHIC and GHIC cards still provide basic healthcare access in Spain and other EU countries like France, they no longer satisfy Spain’s updated entry requirement for comprehensive private travel insurance.
The Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias says that the new rule aims to protect visitors’ health and safeguard Spain’s healthcare system.
Visitors must now have fully comprehensive coverage in place with a reasonable excess to cover costs, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.
How to choose the best travel insurance policy
You can shop around for travel insurance policies on comparison websites, but don’t just focus on the premium.
Make sure you check the details to ensure you are getting the right level of cover.
Michelle Cooper, Saga’s director of travel insurance, warns that medical costs can be among the highest in Europe so check how much treatment is covered, how the excess is applied and that your destinations are covered in your policy.
Also make sure you have specific cover if you are doing adventure sports or going on a cruise.
Don’t panic if you don’t have insurance yet though.
Cooper said you can still get travel insurance on the same day you travel.
She added: “Most providers specify that your trip starts when you leave your home, so you need to buy your last-minute policy before you leave. However, some policies include a 24–48 hour period where claims can’t be made, so this could leave room for a fine or denied entry.
“Generally, we always recommend the best time to buy your travel insurance is right after you’ve booked a holiday. Protecting your plans in the run-up to your holiday is just as important as when you’re there.
“Keep a copy of your policy printed or saved digitally to show at border control if asked.”
