Insurance
Understanding insurance in Spain: a 2026 guide for expats
Health, car, home, life, travel and pet insurance in Spain explained: what is compulsory in 2026, brokers vs agents and how to compare policies.
Updated: October 2026
Insurance in Spain works a little differently from what many newcomers are used to: some covers are compulsory, some are tied to a mortgage or a visa, and others are simply very popular locally. This guide explains the main types of insurance, what is required by law in 2026, the difference between a broker and an agent, and how to compare policies without paying for cover you do not need.
What is compulsory and what is optional
| Insurance | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car (third-party liability) | Yes, for every vehicle registered in Spain | Even if the car is parked and not used |
| E-scooters and personal mobility vehicles | Yes, liability cover since January 2026 | Linked to a new DGT registry for these vehicles |
| Health | Only in some cases | Needed for some visas and residence permits if you are not in the public system |
| Home | Not by law | Building damage cover is required by mortgage lenders |
| Dogs (liability) | Only for potentially dangerous breeds so far | General obligation for all dogs awaits implementing rules |
| Life, travel, funeral, accident | No | Optional, but often sold with mortgages and loans |
Health insurance
If you work in Spain, are self-employed or receive a pension that gives you rights here, you are covered by the public health system; see our guide to healthcare for foreign residents. Many expats still add private cover to get faster specialist appointments and English-speaking doctors. Public waiting lists are real: the Ministry of Health reported an average wait of around 121 days for planned surgery at the end of 2025, with large differences between regions.
If you apply for certain residence permits without access to the public system, such as non-lucrative residence, consulates and immigration offices usually require a private policy from an insurer authorised in Spain, with cover comparable to the public system and typically no co-payments and no waiting periods. Check the exact wording required before you buy; see our residency guide.
- Co-payment (copago): a small fee per visit; makes the premium cheaper.
- Waiting periods (carencias): time before some services are covered, often for maternity, surgery or hospital stays.
- Pre-existing conditions: often excluded; declare them honestly, or a claim can be refused.
- Age: premiums usually rise with age, and some insurers do not accept new customers above a certain age.
Car and e-scooter insurance
Every vehicle registered in Spain must have at least compulsory third-party liability insurance (seguro obligatorio), even if it is not driven. The common levels of cover are:
- Terceros: third-party liability only, the legal minimum plus usually legal defence.
- Terceros ampliado: adds items such as glass, theft and fire.
- Todo riesgo: fully comprehensive, also covering damage to your own car, often with an excess (franquicia) to lower the price.
Insurers price on your Spanish claims history, so ask your previous insurer abroad for a no-claims certificate, ideally translated. Since January 2026, owners of electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles must also hold liability insurance under Law 5/2025, linked to a new DGT registry. For driving rules, see our driving licence guide.
Home, life and other common covers
Home insurance
Home insurance (seguro de hogar) is not compulsory by law, but if you have a mortgage the lender will require cover for damage to the building. You are not obliged to buy it from the bank; you can choose an equivalent policy elsewhere. In apartment blocks the community of owners normally insures the building, so owners often only need contents and liability cover. Tenants should consider contents and liability cover too; see our guide to renting in Spain.
Damage from floods, earthquakes and other extraordinary events is normally paid not by your insurer but by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, a public body funded through a small surcharge included in most home and car policies. It also steps in for accidents caused by uninsured or unidentified vehicles. This is why having a valid policy matters even in a natural disaster.
Life, funeral and accident insurance
- Life insurance (seguro de vida): banks often push it with a mortgage. Compare it with independent offers, and check whether you can change policy later.
- Funeral insurance (seguro de decesos): very common in Spain, much more than in Northern Europe. It pays and organises the funeral, and some policies include repatriation of remains to your home country.
- Accident insurance: pays fixed amounts for injury or disability; popular with self-employed people and active retirees.
Travel and pet insurance
Annual multi-trip travel insurance suits residents who travel often. EU residents can use the European Health Insurance Card in other EU countries, but the European Commission stresses it is not a replacement for travel insurance. For dogs, the 2023 animal welfare law includes a liability insurance obligation, but it cannot be enforced until implementing regulations set the details; owners of potentially dangerous breeds already need liability cover, and some regions and towns set their own rules.
Broker, agent or bank?
You can buy insurance directly from an insurer, through an agent who represents one company (or a few), through a broker (corredor) who works independently with several insurers, or through your bank.
- Broker: can compare several insurers and move your policy if prices rise. Ask how they are paid, since commissions differ between companies.
- Agent: knows one insurer well and can be a direct contact when you claim, but offers less choice.
- Bank: convenient, but often more expensive and sometimes linked to better loan conditions. Do the maths before accepting.
Insurance distributors must be registered. In Andalusia the regional consumer service explains the register of agents and brokers, which is public and connected to the national register kept by the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP).
How to compare policies
- Decide what you really need to cover, based on your residence status, home, car and family situation.
- Ask for the general and particular conditions (condiciones generales y particulares) and read the exclusions, not just the summary.
- Compare excesses, waiting periods, cover limits and whether you can choose your own doctor or repair shop.
- Check the renewal terms: most policies renew automatically each year, and you must give written notice before the renewal date if you want to cancel.
- Ask for documents in English if your Spanish is limited, but remember the Spanish version is usually the legally binding one.
The cheapest offer rarely gives the best protection. If a claim is refused, complain in writing to the insurer’s customer service department first; if that does not solve it, you can take the complaint to the DGSFP.
Useful links
- Consumo Responde (Junta de Andalucía): register of insurance agents and brokers
- RACE: what the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros covers
- European Commission: what the EHIC covers
- Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents
- How to become a resident in Spain
FAQ: insurance in Spain
Which insurance is compulsory in Spain?
Third-party liability for cars and other motor vehicles, liability cover for e-scooters since January 2026, and liability for potentially dangerous dogs. Health insurance is required for some visas and permits.
Do I have to buy home and life insurance from my mortgage bank?
No. The lender can require building damage cover, but you can choose an equivalent policy from another insurer. Life insurance is optional, although banks may offer better loan terms if you take it.
Who pays for flood damage?
Damage from extraordinary events such as floods is usually paid by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, but only if you have a valid home or car policy that includes its surcharge.
How do I cancel a policy in Spain?
Most policies renew automatically. Send written notice to the insurer before the renewal date, keep proof that it was received, and check the notice period in your conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal, financial or insurance advice. Rules, cover and prices can change – always read the policy conditions and check with the insurer or an authorised broker before you sign.
