Buildings vs Contents – Home Insurance in Spain Explained
Understand the difference between buildings and contents insurance in Spain, what your bank requires, and whether you need both as an expat homeowner or tenant
Quick Answer
Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property (walls, roof, fixtures), while contents insurance covers your belongings inside. Homeowners typically need both (€250-700/year combined), while renters only need contents insurance (€100-300/year).
- Buildings = structure, Contents = belongings
- Homeowners need both, renters need contents only
- Buildings: €150-400/year, Contents: €100-300/year
- Mortgage lenders require buildings insurance
- High-value items need separate declaration
Understanding the Two Types of Home Insurance
Home insurance in Spain, like in most countries, is divided into two main categories. Understanding which one you need (or if you need both) is crucial for proper protection and avoiding paying for unnecessary coverage.
Buildings Insurance
(Seguro de Continente)
Covers the physical structure of your property and permanent fixtures.
What's included:
- • Walls, roof, and foundations
- • Windows and doors
- • Built-in kitchens and bathrooms
- • Plumbing and electrical systems
- • Garages and outbuildings
- • Boundary walls and fences
Contents Insurance
(Seguro de Contenido)
Covers your personal belongings and movable items inside the property.
What's included:
- • Furniture and furnishings
- • Electronics and appliances
- • Clothing and personal items
- • Jewelry and valuables
- • Books, art, and collectibles
- • Portable electronics
Who Needs What?
Homeowners (Property Owners)
Need: Both Buildings and Contents Insurance
As a property owner, you're responsible for both the structure and typically want to protect your belongings. If you have a mortgage, your lender will require buildings insurance as a condition of the loan.
Typical cost: €250-700/year for combined coverage, depending on property value and location.
Renters (Tenants)
Need: Contents Insurance Only
Your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance. You should get contents insurance to protect your personal belongings from theft, fire, or damage. Most landlords don't cover tenants' possessions.
Typical cost: €100-300/year depending on coverage amount.
Landlords (Property Investors)
Need: Buildings Insurance + Landlord-Specific Coverage
You must have buildings insurance and should consider specialized landlord insurance that covers loss of rent, tenant default, and legal expenses. You don't need contents insurance for tenants' belongings, only for any furniture you provide.
Typical cost: €200-500/year for buildings + landlord coverage.
What Buildings Insurance Covers
Structural Damage
Damage to walls, roof, floors, windows, and doors from covered events like fire, storm, explosion, or vandalism. Does not cover gradual deterioration or poor maintenance.
🔥 Fire Damage Coverage
Fire is one of the most common and devastating home insurance claims. Buildings and contents insurance covers fire damage, but understanding the restoration process is crucial. Learn more about fire damage restoration costs, timelines, and the complete recovery process in Spain.
Water Damage
Burst pipes, plumbing leaks, and water damage from neighboring properties. May not cover slow leaks that weren't promptly reported or damage from lack of maintenance.
Subsidence and Settlement
Ground movement causing structural damage (important in certain Spanish regions). Often has specific exclusions and high deductibles.
Civil Liability
Protection if someone is injured on your property or if damage from your property affects neighbors (e.g., water leak into apartment below).
Emergency Repairs
Coverage for emergency services like emergency plumber, locksmith, or temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable.
What Contents Insurance Covers
Personal Belongings
Furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, and household items damaged by fire, water, theft, or vandalism.
Valuables (with Limits)
Jewelry, watches, art, collectibles up to policy limits (typically €1,000-2,000 per item without separate declaration). Higher-value items need to be listed separately.
Items Outside the Home
Some policies cover personal belongings temporarily away from home (e.g., luggage, laptop) up to certain limits, typically 10% of total contents coverage.
Alternative Accommodation
If your home is uninhabitable due to a covered event, contents insurance may cover temporary accommodation costs while repairs are made.
What's NOT Covered
Buildings Insurance Exclusions:
- • Wear and tear, gradual deterioration
- • Poor or lack of maintenance
- • Pre-existing damage or defects
- • Pest damage (termites, woodworm)
- • Cosmetic damage (scratches, stains)
- • Acts of war or nuclear risks
Contents Insurance Exclusions:
- • Items not properly secured (theft)
- • Valuables over single-item limits
- • Business equipment and stock
- • Motor vehicles and boats
- • Intentional damage or neglect
- • Contraband or illegal items
Combined vs Separate Policies
Combined Policy
Single policy covering both buildings and contents from one insurer.
Advantages:
- • Usually 10-15% cheaper than separate
- • Single renewal date and payment
- • Easier administration
- • One deductible if both damaged
Disadvantages:
- • Less flexibility on coverage levels
- • Can't shop around for best rates
- • May include coverage you don't need
Separate Policies
Different insurers or policies for buildings and contents.
Advantages:
- • Flexibility to choose coverage levels
- • Can find best price for each
- • Easier to adjust one without affecting other
- • Good for landlords or unusual situations
Disadvantages:
- • More administration (two renewals)
- • Typically more expensive overall
- • Need to manage two relationships
How to Calculate Coverage Amounts
Buildings Insurance Amount
Should cover the rebuild cost, not the market value. Rebuild costs are typically lower than purchase price in urban areas but can be higher in remote locations.
Example: A €300,000 apartment might only need €150,000 buildings insurance (your share of the building structure), while a €250,000 villa might need €300,000 to fully rebuild.
Contents Insurance Amount
Should cover the replacement cost of all your belongings. Walk through each room and add up what it would cost to replace everything new.
Typical contents values:
- • Small apartment (furnished): €15,000-30,000
- • Medium home: €30,000-50,000
- • Large villa (well-furnished): €50,000-100,000+
Special Considerations for Expats
Holiday Homes
If your property is unoccupied for extended periods (more than 60 days), you may need specialized coverage. Some insurers require additional security measures or charge higher premiums.
Rental Properties
Landlords need buildings insurance plus landlord liability. If you provide furniture, you need contents insurance for those items. Tenants should always get their own contents insurance.
Community Properties
In apartments/condos, the community typically insures common areas and external structure. You need to insure your internal walls, fixtures, and contents. Check what your community policy covers.
High-Value Items
If you have valuable jewelry, art, or collectibles, these need to be itemized and separately insured. Standard policies have per-item limits of €1,000-2,000.
Making a Claim: Buildings vs Contents
When making a claim, it's important to know which policy covers what:
Scenario: Water leak damages your floor and sofa
Buildings insurance covers repairing the floor (structure). Contents insurance covers replacing the sofa (personal property).
Scenario: Fire damages your kitchen
Buildings insurance covers built-in cabinets, tiles, and structural repairs. Contents insurance covers movable appliances, dishes, and kitchenware.
Scenario: Burglary through broken window
Buildings insurance covers repairing the window. Contents insurance covers stolen items and damaged personal property.
Get the Right Coverage for Your Situation
Choosing between buildings and contents insurance (or both) depends on whether you own or rent, and what assets you need to protect. Our team can help you assess your needs and find the right coverage at competitive prices.
We work with leading Spanish insurers and can explain policies in English, help you calculate appropriate coverage amounts, and ensure you're not paying for coverage you don't need. Whether you're a homeowner, landlord, or tenant, we'll find the right solution for your situation.
Expert reviewed
Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents Maya Kallio and Marco Elsinger, who have helped over 15,000 expats in Spain since 2012.
Maya Kallio
Licensed Insurance Agent
Since 2012
Marco Elsinger
Licensed Insurance Agent
10+ years
Languages: English, Finnish, Spanish, German, Swedish
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.
What's the difference between buildings (continente) and contents (contenido) insurance?
Buildings insurance (seguro de continente) covers the physical structure of your property – walls, roof, floors, fixed installations like kitchens and bathrooms, windows and doors. Contents insurance (seguro de contenido) covers everything inside that you could take with you if you moved – furniture, electronics, clothing, personal belongings, and valuables.
Do I need both buildings and contents insurance in Spain?
It depends on your situation. Homeowners typically need both to protect their investment and belongings. Renters only need contents insurance since the landlord insures the building. Apartment owners should check if the community buildings insurance covers their unit's interior – many only cover communal areas and the external structure.
What does my bank require if I have a mortgage in Spain?
Spanish banks require buildings insurance (seguro de continente) as a condition of the mortgage to protect their investment. The coverage amount must typically match the rebuild value, not the market value. Contents insurance is optional but strongly recommended. The bank will verify annual renewal.
What's included in buildings insurance coverage?
Standard buildings insurance covers: structural damage from fire, explosion, water damage (burst pipes), storms and wind damage, theft-related structural damage, subsidence, electrical surges to fixed wiring, and glass breakage. Optional add-ons include earthquake coverage, flooding (in high-risk areas), and accidental damage.
What's typically covered by contents insurance?
Contents insurance covers personal belongings inside your home: furniture and furnishings, electronic equipment and appliances, clothing and personal items, kitchen equipment, curtains and carpets, and temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable. High-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles over €1,000-2,000 usually need separate declaration.
Does community fees (cuota de comunidad) include buildings insurance?
Many apartment communities include basic buildings insurance in the monthly fees, but this typically only covers communal areas (stairs, lobby, roof, external walls) and the building's exterior structure. Your individual apartment's interior (walls, floors, installations) often isn't covered. Always check your community statutes and consider additional coverage.
What's not covered by buildings insurance?
Standard exclusions include: wear and tear and gradual deterioration, poor maintenance or neglect, pre-existing damage, pest and vermin damage (termites, woodworm), cosmetic damage without structural impact, damage from illegal building work, and certain natural disasters (flooding, earthquake) without specific add-ons.
Are my valuables automatically covered in contents insurance?
Standard contents policies have sub-limits on valuable items – typically €1,000-2,000 per item or €5,000-10,000 total. Jewelry, art, collectibles, expensive electronics, or musical instruments exceeding these limits need to be declared separately with proof of value (receipts, valuations, photos). This increases your premium but ensures full coverage.
How much does home insurance cost in Spain?
Buildings insurance typically costs €200-600/year depending on property value, size, location, and rebuild cost. Contents insurance ranges from €100-300/year based on coverage amount, deductible, and location. Combined policies are usually 10-20% cheaper than buying separately. Deductibles (franquicia) of €150-500 are standard.
Should I get combined or separate buildings and contents policies?
Combined policies offer convenience (one renewal, one contact) and are typically cheaper (10-20% discount). Separate policies offer flexibility – different coverage levels, deductibles, and the ability to switch providers for each. Choose combined if you want simplicity and lower cost; choose separate if you need specific coverage levels or want to shop around.
What's civil liability (responsabilidad civil) and do I need it?
Civil liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property or you accidentally cause damage to neighboring properties (like a leak flooding the apartment below). It's usually included in home insurance or available as a low-cost add-on. Coverage of €150,000-300,000 is standard and highly recommended – legal claims can be expensive.
Do I need home insurance as a tenant in Spain?
The landlord insures the building structure, so you don't need buildings insurance. However, contents insurance is strongly recommended to protect your belongings from theft, fire, or water damage. Some landlords require proof of contents insurance. It costs €100-200/year and covers temporary accommodation if the property becomes uninhabitable.
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