Landlord Insurance in Spain: The Right Cover for How You Rent (2026)
There isn't one 'landlord insurance' in Spain — you match the cover to how you rent. A home policy for a property rented to third parties, tourist-rental insurance for licensed short lets, and impago de alquiler for unpaid rent and eviction.
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
In Spain there isn't one 'landlord insurance' — you match the cover to how you rent. Renting long-term? Take out a home policy that declares the property is rented to third parties (alquilado a terceros). Tourist licence? You need a dedicated tourist-rental policy (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico) and full compliance with the tourist law. Want protection if a tenant stops paying? Add impago de alquiler — a separate product where the tenant must qualify (valid contract, income in Spain, residency in Spain).
- Rented long-term: a home policy declaring the property is rented to third parties (alquilado a terceros)
- Tourist licence: a dedicated Seguro de Alquiler Turístico — a normal policy won't cover tourist use
- Unpaid rent / eviction: impago de alquiler, up to 12 months, with a franquicia; the tenant must qualify
- The main way claims fail is holding the wrong product for how the property is actually used
There is no single "landlord insurance" in Spain. Instead, you choose the cover that matches how the property is used — and the single biggest mistake owners make is holding the wrong type for their situation. Get it wrong and a claim can be refused even though you were "insured."
For a rented property, three products come into play. Most long-term landlords need the first; tourist hosts need the second; and either can add the third to protect against a tenant who stops paying.
The Three Covers, Matched to How You Rent
1. Home insurance for a rented-out property (alquilado a terceros)
This is the base cover for a property you rent long-term to third parties. A normal owner-occupier home policy does not cover a rented property — you must take out a policy that declares it is rented to third parties, and tell the insurer about the rental.
- Building structure (walls, roof, fixtures)
- Owner liability (injuries or damage to others)
- Home perils: fire, water damage, etc.
- Optional contents cover for furnished lets
- Loss of rent if an insured event makes it uninhabitable
2. Tourist-rental insurance (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico)
Short-term / holiday lets are a different product entirely. If your property has a tourist licence, it needs dedicated tourist-rental cover, and the property must be fully compliant with the tourist-rental law.
The trap: a flat that holds a tourist licence but is only insured under a normal rented-out policy is not covered for tourist use. The licence and the insurance have to match the activity.
3. Rent-default & eviction cover (impago de alquiler)
This is the separate product that protects you if a tenant simply stops paying. It is not part of your home policy, and it's different from "loss of rent" after a fire or flood.
- Covers unpaid rent for up to 12 months, plus legal and eviction costs
- There is a franquicia (excess), and the price depends on how many months of rent you choose to absorb yourself — assume more months and the premium falls; fewer and it rises
The tenant must qualify. To take out impago de alquiler, the tenant needs a valid rental contract, income in Spain, and residency in Spain. If the tenant doesn't meet those conditions, this cover isn't available for that let — worth knowing before you sign with a tenant you want to protect against.
Which One Do You Need?
Start from how the property is actually used, then add rent protection if you want it:
Renting long-term to a tenant? Take out home insurance that declares the property is rented to third parties (alquilado a terceros).
Have a tourist licence and letting short-term? Take out tourist-rental insurance (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico) and keep the property fully compliant with the tourist law.
Worried about non-payment or eviction? Add impago de alquiler — provided your tenant qualifies (valid contract, income in Spain, resident in Spain).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Renting on an owner-occupier policy
Once you rent out, a standard home policy no longer fits. Declare the property as rented to third parties, or a claim can be refused.
Tourist flat on a normal policy
A tourist-licensed property needs the tourist-rental product. A normal rented-out policy won't cover the tourist activity.
Expecting the home policy to cover non-payment
Unpaid rent is impago de alquiler, a separate product — and the tenant has to qualify. It isn't bundled into buildings cover.
Underinsuring the building
Insure for full rebuild cost, not market value. Underinsurance means the insurer pays your claim proportionally.
How a Landlord Claim Works
Document the damage
Photograph and film everything before any cleanup; list damaged or stolen items.
Report to authorities if needed
For theft or vandalism, get a police report (denuncia) and send a copy to your insurer.
Notify your insurer within 7 days
Give your policy number and a description of the incident, and ask for a claim reference.
Assessor (perito) visit
For significant claims the insurer sends a perito to inspect. Provide access and share your documentation; the insurer settles the covered amount, less any excess.
Getting the Right Cover for Your Property
We help expat owners match the right cover to how they actually rent — long-term (alquilado a terceros), tourist licence (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico), and impago de alquiler where you want non-payment protection. Tell us about your property and we'll help you find the right fit for your needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all quote.
What we need to quote:
- Property address and type (apartment, villa, etc.) and approximate rebuild value
- How it's rented: long-term, tourist licence, or both
- For a tourist let: the tourist licence details
- For impago de alquiler: the tenant's contract, income and residency status in Spain
Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents.
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 · DGSFP License: C0031B93323293
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.
Is there a single 'landlord insurance' product in Spain?
No. You match the cover to how the property is used: a home insurance policy that declares the property is rented to third parties (alquilado a terceros); a specific tourist-rental policy (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico) if you have a tourist licence; and, if you want protection against a tenant who stops paying, a separate impago de alquiler (rent-default) policy. Getting the match wrong is the main reason claims fail.
Do I need landlord insurance if I already have home insurance?
Standard home insurance assumes you live in the property. Once you rent it out you must tell the insurer and hold a policy that declares it is rented to third parties — otherwise a claim can be refused. It is not legally mandatory, but a mortgage lender will usually require buildings cover.
What does a home policy for a rented-out property cover?
The building structure, your liability as owner, and the usual home perils (fire, water damage, etc.), plus optional contents cover for furnished lets. If an insured event makes the home uninhabitable, loss of rent can be included. What it does NOT do is protect you against a tenant who simply stops paying — that's a separate product.
How does impago de alquiler (rent-default insurance) work?
It covers unpaid rent for up to 12 months plus legal and eviction costs. It's a separate product from your home policy, and there is a franquicia (excess). Crucially, the tenant has to qualify first: a valid rental contract, income in Spain, and residency in Spain. If the tenant doesn't meet those, you can't take out this cover for them.
What decides the price of impago de alquiler?
Chiefly how many months of unpaid rent you're willing to absorb yourself before the policy pays. The more months you assume, the lower the premium; the fewer, the higher. There's also a franquicia. Because it depends on the tenant qualifying and on your chosen excess, it's quoted case by case.
Can I insure a tourist rental with a normal landlord policy?
No — this is a common and costly mistake. A tourist-licensed apartment needs the specific tourist-rental product (Seguro de Alquiler Turístico), and the property must be fully compliant with the tourist-rental law. A flat that holds a tourist licence but is only insured under a normal rented-out policy is not covered for that use.
Does a tourist rental need a licence for insurance?
Yes. Tourist-rental cover assumes the property is licensed and fully compliant with the applicable tourist-rental regulations. Sort the licence and compliance first, then take out the tourist-rental policy.
What's the difference between long-term letting and tourist letting cover?
A long-term let (alquilado a terceros) is a home policy for a property rented to third parties, optionally paired with impago de alquiler for non-payment. A tourist let needs the dedicated tourist-rental policy and full compliance with the tourist law. They are different products — you can't use one for the other.
How do I make a landlord claim in Spain?
Report to your insurer within 7 days of discovering the damage, document everything with photos before any cleanup, get a police report (denuncia) for theft or vandalism, and keep repair invoices. For significant claims the insurer sends a perito (loss adjuster) to assess.
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