Updated: October 2026

Home insurance in Spain, called seguro de hogar, is not compulsory for most private households, yet nearly every homeowner and many tenants have it. This guide is for expats who own, rent or keep a holiday home in Spain. It explains what a policy covers, how it fits with your community’s building insurance and your mortgage, who pays after floods and storms, and how to make a claim.

If you are new to Spanish insurance in general, start with our overview of insurance in Spain.

Continente and contenido: the two halves of a policy

Every Spanish home policy is built around two insured values. Getting them right is the most important part of buying cover.

• Continente (building): walls, floors, roof, fixed installations such as plumbing and wiring, fitted kitchens and bathrooms. The value should be the cost of rebuilding, not the market price of the property.
• Contenido (contents): furniture, appliances, clothes, electronics and personal belongings. Jewellery and valuables are usually limited unless you declare them.

Most policies also include responsabilidad civil (third-party liability), for example if water from your flat damages the neighbour’s ceiling, plus assistance services such as emergency plumbers and locksmiths.

Watch out for infraseguro (underinsurance). If you declare less than the real value, the insurer can reduce any payout in proportion. Many insurers offer a “valor total” option or automatic indexation to avoid this.

Owners, tenants and the community policy

If you own a flat

In an apartment block, the community of owners (comunidad de propietarios) normally insures the common parts: facade, roof, staircases, lifts and shared pipes. The national property law does not make this insurance compulsory everywhere, but some regions do. In the Madrid region and the Valencian Community, for example, residential buildings must be insured against fire and third-party damage. In practice most communities have a policy, and the premium is part of your community fees.

Ask the administrator for a summary of the community policy so you know where it stops. Your own policy should then cover the inside of your flat, your contents and your personal liability. A burst pipe in your bathroom that floods the flat below is normally your responsibility, not the community’s.

If you own a house

For a detached or semi-detached house you insure everything yourself: building, garden walls, pool and contents. Check that outdoor items, pool equipment and solar panels are listed, because some basic policies exclude them.

If you rent

The landlord is responsible for insuring the building. As a tenant you only need a contents and liability policy, which is usually inexpensive. Liability cover is the key part: if you cause a leak or a fire, you could otherwise be asked to pay for the damage. Our guide to renting in Spain as a foreigner covers contracts, deposits and your rights.

Home insurance and your mortgage

If you buy with a Spanish mortgage, the bank can require damage insurance on the property for the life of the loan. Under the mortgage credit law (Law 5/2019), however, it cannot force you to buy that policy from the bank or from an insurer it chooses.

• You can present a policy from another company with equivalent cover, both at signing and at each renewal.
• The bank may not charge you for reviewing that alternative policy, nor worsen the loan terms because you chose it.
• The bank can offer a lower interest rate if you take its insurance. Compare the total cost over several years before you accept.

The Banco de España explains these rights in its customer portal (Spanish).

Floods, storms and the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros

Spain has a public body that pays for damage from extraordinary events: the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. It is funded by a small surcharge included in home, car and other property policies. It covers, among other things:

• Extraordinary floods, including sea surges.
• Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
• Atypical cyclonic storms, including tornadoes and wind gusts above 120 km/h.
• Terrorism, riots and civil unrest.

The catch is simple: you only get Consorcio compensation if you have a valid policy covering the damaged property and your premium is paid. A house with no insurance gets nothing from the Consorcio after a flood. The excess that applies to businesses has been removed for private homes and residential communities. Ordinary storms, rain coming through a roof and rising groundwater are not “extraordinary” and are handled, if at all, by your own insurer under your policy terms.

To claim from the Consorcio, you, your insurer or your broker file a claim online, by phone or by email. RACE summarises how the Consorcio works, and Legálitas explains what it covers after floods.

Holiday homes and empty properties

If your Spanish home is empty for months at a time, tell the insurer and choose a policy designed for a second home (segunda residencia). Standard policies often restrict theft and water damage cover when a property is unoccupied for a long continuous period, so read the clause on deshabitación carefully.

• Security: some insurers ask for a reinforced door, window bars or an alarm for theft cover.
• Water: turning off the main tap when you leave can be a policy condition and prevents most leaks.
• Holiday letting: a normal home policy rarely covers paying guests. If you rent to tourists, you need specific cover, and several regions require liability insurance for licensed tourist rentals. Check your regional rules and tell your insurer.

Owners of second homes also have running costs and local taxes to budget for; see our guide to property taxes for foreign owners.

How to make a claim

1. Limit the damage: stop the leak, secure doors and windows, and keep damaged items if it is safe to do so.
2. Document everything: photos, videos, receipts and a list of what was damaged or stolen.
3. Report a theft to the police: insurers need the police report (denuncia) for burglary claims.
4. Notify the insurer within 7 days: this is the general deadline in the Spanish insurance contract law, unless your policy gives longer. Most insurers accept claims by app, phone or online.
5. Meet the loss adjuster: for larger claims the insurer sends a perito to assess the damage. Do not throw away damaged items or start major repairs before the visit unless it is urgent.

If the insurer rejects your claim or offers too little, complain in writing to its customer service department first. If that fails, you can escalate to the insurance supervisor, the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones.

Useful links

• Banco de España: can the bank impose its insurance with a mortgage? (Spanish)
• RACE: what the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros is (Spanish)
• Legálitas: what the Consorcio covers (Spanish)
• Understanding insurance in Spain
• Renting a home in Spain as a foreigner
• Property taxes for foreign owners in Spain

FAQ: home insurance in Spain

Is home insurance compulsory in Spain?

Not for most private homes. It becomes a requirement if you have a mortgage (damage cover on the building), and some regions require residential buildings to be insured against fire and third-party damage.

Do I have to buy home insurance from my mortgage bank?

No. The bank can require cover but must accept an equivalent policy from another insurer, both at signing and at renewal, without charging you for it.

Who pays for flood damage?

Damage from extraordinary floods is paid by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, but only if you have a valid insurance policy on the damaged property with the premium paid.

Do tenants need home insurance?

It is not required by law, but a contents and liability policy is cheap and protects you if you accidentally damage the flat or a neighbour’s property.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or insurance advice. Rules and policy terms differ between insurers and regions – always read the policy conditions and check with the insurer, a registered broker or the official source before you act.

Updated: October 2026

If you drive in Spain, whether in a car you brought from home or one you bought here, you need valid motor insurance from the first day. This guide is for expats and new residents who want to understand what is compulsory, which type of cover makes sense, how to use your no-claims history from abroad and what to do if you have an accident.

For an overview of all the main policies in Spain, from health to home, see our guide to insurance in Spain.

What the law requires

Every motor vehicle that is normally kept in Spain must have compulsory third-party liability insurance (seguro obligatorio de responsabilidad civil). This applies even if the car is parked and not being driven. The rules are set out in the motor liability law (Real Decreto Legislativo 8/2004), which was updated by Law 5/2025 to transpose the latest EU motor insurance directive.

The legal minimum cover is 70 million euros per claim for personal injury, regardless of the number of victims, and 15 million euros per claim for damage to property. The compulsory part only pays for harm you cause to other people and their property. It does not repair your own car.

Driving or keeping a car on the public road without insurance is a very serious offence. Fines are high (often reported at around 1,500 euros for a car on the road), and the police can immobilise the vehicle on the spot. If you cause an accident without insurance, the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros pays the victims and can then claim the full amount back from you.

Types of car insurance in Spain

Spanish insurers sell three broad levels of cover. Names differ slightly between companies, but the structure is almost always the same.

Type	What it usually covers	Suits
Terceros (third party)	Compulsory liability, plus voluntary liability, legal defence and often roadside assistance	Older or low-value cars
Terceros ampliado (third party plus)	As above, plus extras such as glass, fire and theft	Mid-value cars that are a few years old
Todo riesgo (fully comprehensive)	Damage to your own car as well, even if the accident is your fault	New or financed cars

Fully comprehensive policies are often sold con franquicia, meaning with an excess you pay yourself on each claim for your own damage. A higher excess lowers the premium. If you finance or lease a car, the lender usually requires comprehensive cover for the length of the contract.

What affects the price

• Driver profile: age, years holding a licence and claims history.
• The car: value, power and how attractive it is to thieves.
• Where you live and park: postcode and whether the car sleeps in a garage.
• Named drivers: adding young or occasional drivers usually raises the price.

Foreign licence, foreign plates and your history abroad

Driving on a foreign licence

Most Spanish insurers will cover a driver with an EU licence without problems. With a UK or other non-EU licence, check first whether you are still allowed to drive on it as a resident, because insurance does not make an invalid licence valid. Our driving licence guide explains the exchange rules for EU, UK and non-EU drivers.

Cars on foreign plates

Compulsory liability insurance from any EU country is valid across the EU, so a visitor driving a car insured at home is legally covered in Spain. Voluntary extras such as comprehensive cover may be limited to a certain number of days abroad, so read your policy. Since 2 August 2021, UK-insured cars no longer need a green card in the EU.

Once you live in Spain, the car is generally expected to be registered here, and you will then need a policy from an insurer authorised in Spain. Many Spanish insurers will not insure a foreign-plated car long term, so plan the switch together with the registration. See our guide to registering a foreign car in Spain.

Using your no-claims history from abroad

Spanish insurers check your Spanish history in a shared industry file called SINCO, which records at-fault claims for the last five years. As a newcomer you will not appear there, so you may be quoted as a new driver unless you prove your record.

1. Ask your previous insurer for a claims history statement covering the last five years. Under EU rules it must be issued within 15 days of your request.
2. Send it with your quote request. A sworn translation is not always required, but ask the insurer what they accept.
3. Compare several offers. Insurers are not obliged to give you a discount, but Spanish law says that when they use these certificates they must not discriminate on the basis of nationality or of the country where the certificate was issued.

What to do after an accident

Minor collisions in Spain are normally settled with the parte amistoso, officially the declaración amistosa de accidente (DAA), a joint report both drivers fill in at the scene. Keep a blank copy in the glovebox; your insurer can give you one, and many insurers also offer a digital version in their app.

1. Make the scene safe: hazard lights, high-visibility vest and the V-16 warning light, and move the cars if they block traffic and nobody is hurt.
2. Call 112 if anyone is injured or if the other driver refuses to cooperate.
3. Fill in one DAA together: both drivers’ details, insurers and policy numbers, a sketch and the boxes that describe what happened. Both sign, and each keeps a copy.
4. Do not sign anything you do not understand. If your Spanish is limited, write your version in your own language in the observations box.
5. Take photos of the cars, plates, the road and any witnesses’ details.
6. Report the accident to your insurer within 7 days, the general deadline in the Spanish insurance contract law, unless your policy gives you longer.

When both drivers sign the same DAA, the insurers can usually settle the claim quickly between themselves. If the other party disagrees or drives away, call the police so they can write a report.

Checking whether a vehicle is insured (FIVA)

Spain keeps a central database of insured vehicles called FIVA (Fichero Informativo de Vehículos Asegurados), managed by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. Police use it at roadside checks, and it is updated daily.

Private individuals cannot search it freely online. If you have been in an accident and need to know the other vehicle’s insurer, you can apply to the Consorcio with the request form and a copy of the accident report or DAA. RACE explains the procedure and other ways to check. If the vehicle turns out to be uninsured or unidentified, the Consorcio can compensate you directly.

Tips for buying a policy

• Read the exclusions: check driving abroad, named drivers and what happens if an undeclared driver has an accident.
• Watch the renewal: policies renew automatically each year. To cancel, notify the insurer in writing before the renewal date.
• Keep proof in the car: police check insurance through FIVA, but carrying the receipt or a digital copy avoids discussions.
• Use a broker if needed: an independent corredor can compare insurers that accept foreign licences and foreign no-claims statements.

Useful links

• BOE: Law 5/2025 on motor liability insurance (consolidated text, Spanish)
• Your Europe: car insurance validity in the EU and claims history
• RACE: how to check if a car is insured (Spanish)
• Understanding insurance in Spain
• Driving in Spain: licence rules for EU, UK and non-EU drivers
• Registering a foreign car in Spain

FAQ: car insurance in Spain

Do I need insurance if my car is parked and not used?

Yes. A vehicle registered in Spain must have compulsory liability insurance even when it is not driven, unless it has been formally deregistered with the DGT.

Will a Spanish insurer accept my no-claims bonus from home?

Many will take it into account if you provide a claims history statement from your previous insurer, but they are not obliged to give a discount. Ask before you buy and compare several offers.

Do UK drivers need a green card in Spain?

No. The green card requirement for UK-insured vehicles in the EU ended on 2 August 2021. You still need valid insurance and should carry proof of it.

How long do I have to report an accident?

The general legal deadline is 7 days from the accident, unless your policy allows longer. Report it as soon as possible, even if you missed the deadline.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or insurance advice. Rules, cover and prices can change – always read your policy conditions and check with the insurer, a registered broker or the official source before you act.

Updated: October 2026

Spain has one of the best public health systems in Europe – but as a foreign resident you only get access once you are registered in the right way. How you qualify depends on whether you work, receive a pension or live on your own income. Here is how it works in 2026, step by step.

Who can use the public health system?

• Employees and self-employed (autónomos): you are covered through your social security contributions, and so are your registered family members.
• EU pensioners: register your S1 form from your home country with the Spanish social security (INSS). Your home country then pays for your care in Spain.
• Residents without work or S1: you can join the public system by paying a monthly fee through the convenio especial – after at least one year of registration on the padrón. The national fee is around €60 per month under 65 and €157 from 65, and some regions run their own schemes.
• Visitors and new arrivals: EU citizens on a short stay can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Others need travel or private insurance.

How to register – step by step

1. Get your NIE and padrón – you need both for almost everything. See how to get your NIE.
2. Get your social security number – your employer usually arranges it, or you apply yourself at the social security office.
3. Apply for recognition of your right to healthcare at the INSS (online or by appointment), with your S1 form if you are a pensioner.
4. Register at your local health centre (centro de salud) with your passport, NIE, padrón and INSS document. You will be given a family doctor.
5. Receive your health card (tarjeta sanitaria individual) by post or at the health centre. Download your region’s health app to book appointments.

Public or private health insurance?

• Public: free at the point of use (prescriptions have a co-payment based on income). Waiting lists for specialists can be long.
• Private: faster access to specialists and English-speaking doctors. Many expats combine both. Policies typically cost €50–150 per month per adult, depending on age and cover.
• For visas: non-lucrative, digital nomad and student visas require private insurance with full cover and no co-payments (sin copagos) unless you are covered by social security.

Emergencies

Call 112 for any emergency – operators often speak English. Public hospital emergency departments (urgencias) treat everyone; if you are not covered, you may receive a bill afterwards.

FAQ: healthcare in Spain

Is healthcare free in Spain for foreigners?

It is free at the point of use if you are covered through work, an S1 form or the convenio especial. Otherwise you need private insurance.

Can I keep using my EHIC card when I live in Spain?

No. The EHIC is for temporary stays. Once you live in Spain you must register in the Spanish system or have private insurance.

How do I find an English-speaking doctor?

In tourist areas many public and private doctors speak English. Private insurers list English-speaking doctors in their apps.

Do I pay for medicines?

Yes, a share. Working-age patients pay 40–60% depending on income, and pensioners usually pay 10% with a monthly cap.

Useful links

• Spanish social security (INSS)
• Official directory of public health centres
• Mental health support for expats

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Rules and fees differ between regions and can change – always check with the INSS or your regional health service.