Travel & Schengen Insurance for Expats Living in Spain – 2026 Guide
If you live in Spain as an expat, your travel pattern is different from a normal tourist. You fly from Spain to other EU/Schengen countries, visit your home country regularly, and travel to non-EU destinations. This guide explains how travel insurance for residents in Spain works.
Quick Summary
As a resident in Spain, you need travel insurance for when you LEAVE Spain—not the 'Schengen insurance' tourists buy to visit. Annual multi-trip policies are usually best for expats who travel frequently.
- Spanish public/private healthcare has limited cover abroad
- Travel insurance covers medical emergencies, repatriation, cancellation, baggage
- Annual multi-trip is often more cost-effective for frequent travellers
- You must declare Spain as your country of residence
- Check pre-existing condition rules carefully
"Holiday Insurance" vs Travel Insurance for Residents in Spain
Your site already has a Holiday Insurance guide aimed at visitors coming TO Spain for a short trip. This guide is different. It's for expats and residents who live in Spain and travel from Spain to other countries.
Your residence is Spain
Trips start and end in Spain (most of the time)
You may have Spanish health cover
Public or private healthcare in Spain
So the question is: When I leave Spain, what do I need? EHIC? Travel insurance? Both?
How Health & Travel Insurance Interact When You Live in Spain
Depending on your status, you might have access to Spanish public healthcare (Seguridad Social), and/or private health insurance in Spain.
| Your Cover | Inside Spain | Other EU Countries | Outside Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Public Healthcare | Limited via EHIC | ||
| Spanish Private Insurance | Often limited (60-90 days) | Often limited/excluded | |
| Travel Insurance | Not needed |
Even with private health cover in Spain, many policies don't cover long stays abroad and often don't cover trip cancellation, baggage, delays, or liability. That's where dedicated travel insurance for residents in Spain comes in.
What Is "Schengen Insurance" If You Already Live in Spain?
Online, "Schengen insurance" normally means travel medical insurance meeting Schengen visa requirements for people visiting the Schengen area. If you live in Spain, you're already inside Schengen.
However, the term is still used in two cases:
Non-EU residents in Spain
Need travel medical insurance for trips outside Spain (e.g. Spain → Germany → Austria)
Family/friends visiting you
You might buy them Schengen travel insurance with your Spanish address
What Travel Insurance for Residents in Spain Should Cover
Medical Expenses Abroad
Emergency treatment, hospitalisation, surgery, medical transport. Check limits for USA (expensive!).
Repatriation & Transport
Medical repatriation to Spain, repatriation of remains. Critical for expats with family abroad.
Trip Cancellation
Covers non-refundable costs if you cancel before departure or cut your trip short.
Baggage & Effects
Loss, theft, damage. Check limits for electronics and work devices.
Personal Liability
If you accidentally injure someone or damage property abroad.
Single-Trip vs Annual Multi-Trip Policies
| Policy Type | Best For | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Trip | Infrequent travellers, one big long-haul trip | €20-€80 per trip |
| Annual Multi-Trip | Frequent travellers (3+ trips/year) | €100-€300/year |
Annual multi-trip covers unlimited trips during 12 months, with a maximum length per trip (typically 30, 60, or 90 days). Perfect for expats who fly frequently between Spain and their home country, take multiple shorter holidays, or have blended work + leisure trips.
Important Details for Expats & Residents
Country of Residence Declaration
You must state Spain as your country of residence. Some international insurers don't accept Spain-resident risks. Make sure emergency assistance numbers work from abroad.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Many expats are over 50-60 with chronic conditions. Some policies exclude all pre-existing conditions; others cover stable conditions if declared. Don't assume you're covered—read the policy definition carefully.
Sports & Activities
If your Spain-based lifestyle includes skiing, hiking, diving, or cycling, check which sports are covered as standard, which are excluded, and any equipment requirements.
Business & Remote Work Travel
Digital nomads often mix holiday with work. Standard leisure travel insurance typically doesn't cover professional liability and may have limits for equipment. Consider business travel insurance.
Resident Profiles – What Travel Insurance Makes Sense?
EU Pensioner in Spain
Travels 2-3 times per year back home, maybe a few city trips.
Best option: Annual multi-trip policy based in Spain with clear medical + cancellation + baggage cover.
Non-EU Expat with Private Health
Has visa-compliant health insurance, wants cover for short trips.
Best option: Travel insurance that complements the private health plan. Focus on emergency medical abroad + repatriation + cancellation.
Digital Nomad / Remote Worker
Lives in Spain, travels frequently, needs global cover.
Best option: Annual multi-trip or specialised expat/nomad travel cover. Pay attention to trip durations and equipment.
How to Choose Travel Insurance When You Live in Spain
- Confirm your country of residence = Spain
- Decide single-trip vs annual multi-trip
- Check medical limits (especially for USA/Canada/UK)
- Clarify pre-existing conditions and age-related rules
- Make sure policy documents are available in a language you understand
- Save emergency contact details in your phone before travelling
Final Thoughts
"Schengen insurance Spain residents" and "travel insurance living in Spain" are really about one scenario: "I'm an expat or resident in Spain—how do I protect myself when I leave Spain?"
The answer is usually: keep your Spanish health insurance for life in Spain, and add a travel policy based on your Spanish residence covering emergency medical abroad, repatriation, cancellation, baggage, and liability. That way, no matter which direction you travel—Spain → home country, Spain → EU, Spain → worldwide—you're protected.
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
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