Second Home Insurance in Spain for Non-Residents & Expats (2026 Guide)
Own a holiday home or second residence in Spain? This 2026 guide explains what second-home owners need to cover, vacancy rules, typical costs (€120–€500/yr), and how to avoid common mistakes with banks and communities.
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Second-home insurance in Spain costs €120–€280/yr for buildings-only apartments, or €220–€500/yr with contents and water/theft protection. Detached villas range from €300–€900+/yr depending on rebuild value, alarm, location, and vacancy periods. Non-residents and holiday lets need higher burglary/security requirements and clear unoccupancy clauses.
- Second homes carry higher theft & escape-of-water risk → check unoccupancy clauses (30/60/90 days)
- Buildings cover is usually required by mortgage lenders; contents is your choice but recommended
- Community policies rarely cover your contents or personal liability as an owner
- Planning to rent out? See our Landlord Insurance guide for loss of rent and holiday-let endorsements
- Realistic rebuild cost and contents limits help avoid underinsurance and proportional payouts
Introduction: Why Second-Home Cover Differs from Primary Residences
A second home in Spain is a dream for many expats – sunshine, family time, and a place to escape. But from an insurance point of view, a property that sits empty for weeks or months at a time presents different risks than a primary residence. Leaks go unnoticed, burglary risk changes with vacancy patterns, and in popular holiday areas you may also rent the property out. If you do plan to rent, see our landlord insurance guide.
That's why insurers treat second homes differently. For a complete breakdown of coverage types, read our guide on buildings and contents insurance. Aligning cover to your actual usage – occasional use, long empty periods, or rental activity – avoids declined claims and keeps pricing fair.
Key Risks for Second / Holiday Homes in Spain
Holiday homes face specific risks that differ from main residences. Understanding these helps you choose the right cover:
Long Periods Unoccupied
Leaks and water damage can go unnoticed for weeks. Small problems become expensive repairs when no one is there to catch them early.
Burglary & Vandalism
Empty homes are attractive targets for thieves. Holiday areas can have seasonal spikes in break-ins when properties appear vacant.
Storm & Weather Damage
Coastal locations may face strong wind, rain, or flooding. Without regular presence, damage can accumulate before you notice.
Liability to Visitors
Friends, family, or paying guests could be injured inside or around your property. Liability claims in another country can be complex and expensive.
Short-Term Rental Issues
If you rent to tourists: damage caused by guests, liability if a guest has an accident, potential disputes and legal costs all require specific cover.
What You Need to Cover (Second Homes – Occasional Use)
For properties you own but use only occasionally (no rental activity), focus on these core protections:
Essential Cover
- •Buildings (structure, fixtures) to lender's requirement or rebuild cost
- •Contents (owner's furniture/appliances) if property is furnished
- •Water damage & escape of water (common in empty periods)
- •Burglary/theft – check security requirements (locks, shutters, alarm)
Additional Protections
- •Personal liability (third-party injury/damage)
- •Unoccupancy clauses – what happens after 30/60/90 days empty
- •Legal expenses (optional but valuable for community disputes)
- •Accidental damage (if you have children or frequent guests)
24/7 Emergency Assistance Services
Many holiday home policies in Spain include round-the-clock assistance that's especially valuable for non-resident owners:
- •Emergency plumbing, electricity, and locksmith services
- •Help organising urgent repairs when you're abroad
- •Temporary accommodation if a serious insured event occurs while you're staying there
For owners living abroad, this type of support can be invaluable when something goes wrong and you can't be there in person.
Planning to rent out your second home?
If you're considering long-let or holiday rentals, you'll need landlord-specific cover for loss of rent, malicious damage by tenants, and legal defense. Visit our Landlord Insurance guide for full details on long-let and holiday-let endorsements.
Key point
When you insure a second home, honesty about how often you use the property and whether you rent it out is essential. It helps us match you with insurers who are comfortable with that profile – and avoids unpleasant surprises if you need to claim.
Typical Costs (2026)
Pricing for second-home insurance varies by property type, rebuild cost, location, security, and occupancy pattern:
| Property Type | Buildings Only | Buildings + Contents + Water/Theft |
|---|---|---|
| Apartments | €120–€280/yr | €220–€500/yr |
| Detached Villas / Higher Sums Insured | €300–€900+/yr depending on rebuild value, alarm, location | |
Pricing varies by province, construction year, rebuild cost, security measures (alarm, shutters), claims history, and occupancy duration. Non-residents and properties vacant >90 days may face additional requirements or premium adjustments.
Vacancy rules: how long can your second home stay empty?
One of the biggest differences between main homes and second homes is vacancy. Insurers want to know how long your property can remain unoccupied between visits, as this affects both price and conditions.
Fire damage in vacant properties
Vacant second homes face higher fire risks from electrical faults, squatters, or neighbouring properties. Understanding your cover and the restoration process is essential. Read our complete guide to fire damage restoration in Spain to learn about costs, timelines, and insurance claims.
- Some policies allow up to 30 days unoccupied with no special conditions.
- Others allow 60 or 90 days, but may require water to be turned off and shutters or security systems to be in use.
- Beyond 90 days, you may need a specialist policy with stricter rules or higher premium.
Important
If your property is empty for longer than your policy allows, some types of damage may not be covered. We always check vacancy rules with you during the quote process and choose insurers that match your real usage pattern.
Community building insurance vs your own policy
In many Spanish apartment complexes, the owners' community pays for a shared buildings policy that covers the structure and common areas. This is helpful, but it doesn't always remove the need for your own insurance.
What the community policy often covers
- Structure of the building and common areas (stairs, lifts, roofs)
- Liability for accidents in common areas
- Some basic water and fire protection for the whole complex
What it may not cover for your individual unit
- Improved finishes or reforms inside your apartment
- Your private contents (furniture, appliances, personal items)
- Your personal liability as an owner or landlord
- The buildings cover level required by your bank for your mortgage
Because of this, many owners still need their own policy that complements the community cover – especially if they have a mortgage or if the property is used as a holiday rental.
How to Get the Right Policy (Step-by-Step)
Follow this 7-step process to secure appropriate second-home cover:
Define use clearly
Primary vs second home; no rentals, long-let, or holiday let (with/without tourist license).
Calculate rebuild cost
Use insurer calculators; don't rely on market price. Indexation matters for inflation.
Inventory contents
Furniture, appliances, high-value items (art, jewelry); set realistic limits to avoid underinsurance.
Document security
Locks, shutters, alarm monitoring—discounts often apply; non-compliance can void claims.
Choose add-ons
Water-damage upgrades, accidental damage, legal expenses for community/squatter disputes.
Provide occupancy pattern
Months occupied per year; longest empty stretch—be honest to match insurer's unoccupancy clauses.
Bind & check conditions
Review unoccupancy clauses, alarm requirements, key-holder details; store policy docs safely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong usage declared
Insuring a holiday let as a standard second home creates claims risk. Always disclose rental activity.
Underinsuring buildings
Rebuild cost ≠ purchase price. Indexation matters; underinsurance means proportional payouts.
Ignoring unoccupancy terms
Water/leak exclusions can apply after 30–90 days empty. Match policy to actual usage pattern.
Low contents limits
Furnished properties need higher limits and consider accidental damage if frequently occupied.
No key-holder disclosure
Some insurers require a local key-holder or regular inspection schedule for vacant properties.
How we help expat owners insure second homes in Spain
As an expat-focused broker, we work with multiple insurers that are comfortable with second homes, coastal properties and holiday lets. Our role is to understand how you use your property and then match you with policy wording that fits that usage – not the other way around.
- We review any community insurance and bank requirements you already have.
- We explain buildings, contents and liability in plain English.
- We highlight vacancy, security and rental conditions upfront.
- We stay on your side if you ever need to make a claim.
Looking for broader home insurance coverage?
If you're looking for comprehensive home insurance that covers your main residence in Spain, explore our full guide to buildings and contents protection for expats.
→ Home Insurance in Spain for ExpatsOwn a second home in Spain and want to make sure it's properly insured?
Share a few details about your property – where it is, how often you use it and whether you rent it out – and we'll compare second home and holiday-let options from multiple insurers, with clear explanations in English.
No pressure, no jargon – just honest guidance and cover that matches how you really use your home in Spain.
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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