Temporary Car Insurance in Spain (1–90 Days): When It Makes Sense, Documents & Costs
Short-term cover for visiting drivers, test drives, and re-plating periods—what's available in 2026 and how to get it fast.
Quick Answer (TL;DR)
Short-term car insurance in Spain exists but is niche and stricter than annual policies. Typical spans are 1–30 days (sometimes up to 90 days) and are most common for foreign plates, vehicle transfers, or bridging gaps while re-plating. Expect higher per-day pricing, limited insurer selection, and tighter document checks.
- Available for specific scenarios (re-plating, temporary stay, transfer)
- Terms often capped (e.g., 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 days)
- Costs: higher per day vs. annual; third-party cover is most common
- Fastest route: apply via an expat broker that can access niche markets
Introduction: Why Short-Term Cover Is Tricky in Spain
Spain's market is optimized for annual policies linked to a stable risk address. Temporary cover is mostly a specialty: it helps drivers who are between registrations, test-driving a car, or visiting short-term with their vehicle. If you're planning to stay longer, check our guide on car insurance costs in Spain for standard annual policies. Because risk data (where the car sleeps, driver profile stability) is weaker, insurers price conservatively and limit durations.
Who Qualifies & Common Use Cases
Typical scenarios
- Foreign plates in Spain during re-plating or short stays.
- Just bought a car and need cover to drive it home/for transfer.
- Visitors (holiday home owners, students, digital nomads) staying for a few weeks.
- Test drives, vehicle transport, or garage-to-inspection trips.
When short-term works best
- You have clear documentation and a Spanish risk address (even temporary).
- Your ITV/MOT/inspection is valid and you can show ownership/keeper status.
- You only need third-party liability (own-damage is rare in temporary markets).
Regional Pricing Variations
Temporary car insurance costs vary significantly depending on where in Spain you're driving and parking. Understanding regional factors helps you budget accurately.
| Region | 30-Day TPO Cost | Risk Factors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Madrid & Barcelona | €350-500 | Higher theft, accident rates, dense traffic | Premium zones; expect 20-40% above national average |
Costa del Sol (Málaga) | €280-380 | Tourist area, foreign plates common | More insurers accept foreign plates here |
Costa Blanca (Alicante) | €260-360 | High expat population, seasonal traffic | Good broker availability for expats |
Valencia | €240-340 | Urban + coastal mix | Moderate pricing, good insurer options |
Canary Islands | €220-320 | Island driving, tourism | Fewer insurers but competitive when available |
Rural Spain (interior) | €180-280 | Lower traffic, fewer claims | Lowest rates but may require Spanish plates |
Foreign Plates Premium
UK, German, French, and other foreign plates typically cost 15-30% more than Spanish plates for the same coverage. This reflects higher perceived risk and limited claims history access.
Duration Pricing
Shorter periods cost more per day: 7-day cover averages €12-20/day, while 30-day drops to €8-15/day. 60-90 day policies (when available) offer the best per-day rates at €6-10/day.
Documents You'll Need (Checklist)
Identity & contact
Passport (and NIE if you have it), email, mobile.
Address & risk
Spanish address (rental agreement, utility bill) or formal host authorization.
Vehicle
Registration (Spanish: Permiso de Circulación / Foreign: V5C etc.).
ITV/MOT valid if applicable.
Purchase/transfer paperwork if newly acquired.
Driving history
No-Claims Bonus letter (helps pricing if the market accepts it).
How Much Does Temporary Car Insurance Cost?
Pricing varies by duration, plate country, driver age, postcode, and vehicle.
- 7 days (TPO): typically €60–€160.
- 14 days (TPO): €120–€280.
- 30 days (TPO): €200–€450.
- 60–90 days (limited availability): €450–€900+.
Notes:
- Foreign plates often pay a premium uplift vs. Spanish plates.
- Comprehensive short-term is uncommon; most offers are third-party (+ optional glass/assist).
- Expect minimum age thresholds and driver-history checks.
Hidden Costs & Fees to Watch For
The quoted premium isn't always the final cost. Be aware of these additional charges that can increase your total expense.
Administration Fees
Many insurers charge €20-50 admin/setup fees on top of the premium. This is especially common for short-term policies where processing costs are proportionally higher.
Foreign Plate Surcharge
Non-Spanish plates incur a 15-30% surcharge due to perceived higher risk and limited claims history verification.
Green Card Fee
If you need to drive outside Spain (Portugal, France, Andorra), a Green Card may cost €15-40 extra—some insurers include it, others charge separately.
Young Driver Loading
Drivers under 25 face premium increases of 30-50%. Some temporary markets simply won't cover drivers under 23.
Extension Fees
If you need to extend your temporary policy, expect a new setup fee plus potentially higher per-day rates for the extension period.
Payment Processing
Credit card payments may incur 2-3% fees. Some insurers only accept bank transfer, which can delay policy start if international transfers take days.
💡 Get a Complete Quote
Always ask for the "total cost to drive away"—premium plus all fees. A €280 policy can easily become €350+ once admin fees, Green Card, and card processing are added. Working with a broker who provides all-inclusive quotes avoids surprises.
Temporary vs. Annual: When Each Makes Sense
Understanding the cost and coverage differences helps you make the right choice for your situation.
| Factor | Temporary (30 days) | Annual Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Cost | €250-450 | €350-700/year |
| Cost per Day | €8-15/day | €1-2/day |
| Coverage Options | Third-party only (usually) | TPO, TPO+, Comprehensive |
| Own Damage Cover | Rarely available | Standard option |
| No-Claims Bonus | Not built | Earned over time |
| Foreign Plates | Often accepted | Usually requires Spanish plates |
| Setup Speed | 24-48 hours typical | Same day possible |
| Cancellation | No refund (short term) | Pro-rata refund available |
Choose Temporary When...
- You're visiting for less than 2 months with your own car
- Re-plating from foreign plates and need a bridge policy
- Just bought a car and need cover for transfer/ITV
- Third-party only is sufficient for your needs
- You can't get annual cover due to plate/residency status
Choose Annual When...
- You'll be in Spain for 3+ months
- You want comprehensive or TPO+ coverage
- You have Spanish plates or are completing re-plating
- Building no-claims bonus matters to you
- You want flexibility to cancel mid-year if plans change
💰 Cost Comparison Example
Driver staying 3 months with a mid-range car in Costa del Sol:
3 x 30-day Temporary Policies
€900-1,200
Third-party only, multiple setups
1 Annual Policy (cancel after 3 months)
€200-350 net
After pro-rata refund, potentially comprehensive
Step-by-Step: Getting Temporary Cover Fast
Follow this process to secure temporary insurance efficiently—the faster you provide documents, the sooner you can drive legally.
Tell Us Your Situation
Duration needed (7/14/30/60/90 days), plate country (UK, DE, FR, ES, etc.), where the car will be parked overnight, and why you need temporary cover.
Upload Documents
Passport, address proof (rental agreement, utility bill, or host letter), vehicle registration, valid ITV/MOT, and—if buying a car—purchase/transfer documents.
We Search Niche Markets
We check which insurers will accept your combination of duration, plate country, and address. Not all markets take foreign plates or very short durations—we know which do.
Review Options & Confirm
We present compliant options with clear pricing (all fees included). You choose the best fit and confirm details.
Pay & Receive Documents
Pay online (card or transfer). Receive your policy schedule and certificate immediately by email. Green Card provided if needed for cross-border travel.
⏱️ Timeline Expectations
- Spanish plates, standard case: Same-day or next-day cover possible
- Foreign plates: 24-48 hours typical (verification takes longer)
- Missing documents: Each missing document adds 1-2 days
- Weekend requests: May not process until Monday
What's Typically Covered vs. Optional vs. Excluded
Included (most temporary policies)
- Third-party liability (injury & property damage)
- Basic roadside assistance (varies by plan)
- Legal defense
Optional (availability varies)
- Enhanced roadside/Europe-wide assistance
- Glass/windscreen (often limited on short-term)
- Replacement car (rare for temporary)
- Green Card for cross-border trips
Common exclusions
- Driving with expired ITV/MOT or invalid license
- Commercial use if the policy is private
- Non-disclosed modifications
- Own-damage unless a rare comprehensive short-term is offered
When You Should Choose an Annual Policy Instead
You'll be better off with an annual policy if:
- You'll be in Spain for >2–3 months or travel frequently.
- You want comprehensive coverage or wider add-ons.
- You can provide a stable Spanish risk address and plan to stay.
- You're re-plating soon: sometimes an annual with correct declarations is cheaper overall than chaining multiple short-term policies.
Mistakes to Avoid
Starting too late
Some markets need 24–48h for checks (especially foreign plates).
Assuming comprehensive is available short-term
It's usually TPO only.
No address proof
Without a risk address, expect refusals.
Letting MOT/ITV lapse during the period
This can invalidate claims.
Ready to explore temporary car insurance options?
Tell us your duration, plate country, and risk address—we'll place the right short-term policy or advise when an annual saves you money.
We'll explain your options in clear English and provide quotes from multiple insurers, so you can choose with confidence instead of guessing.
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.
Can I get 1–7 day insurance for a quick trip?
Sometimes, yes—7, 14, and 30 days are the most common buckets. True 1–3 day cover is rare but we'll check markets.
Do you cover foreign plates temporarily?
Yes, in specific markets. Premiums are higher and durations capped. Often used while re-plating.
Can I add comprehensive on a 30-day policy?
Unusual. Most short-term offers are third-party only. We'll confirm options at quote time.
Is a Green Card included?
Depends on the insurer and destination. Ask at quote time—we'll include it when possible.
Can I extend my temporary policy?
Sometimes—extensions may be allowed, but some insurers require a new policy. Tell us early if your plans change.
What if I'm buying a car and need cover to drive it home?
Common use case. Provide purchase docs and we'll place short-term TPO so you can complete the transfer legally.
I'm re-plating to Spanish plates—should I go temporary or annual?
If re-plating will take weeks, temporary can bridge the gap. If you'll be here months, a correctly declared annual may be more cost-effective.
Do I need NIE to get temporary cover?
Not strictly; passport + address proof often suffice, but NIE helps.
Is temporary insurance more expensive than annual per day?
Yes, significantly. A 30-day temporary policy might cost €300-450, while an annual policy could be €400-600 for a full year. Temporary insurance makes sense only for genuine short-term needs—if you're staying more than 2-3 months, annual is almost always cheaper overall.
What happens if I have an accident with temporary insurance?
The claims process is similar to annual policies: report to the insurer, file a police report if required, provide documentation. However, temporary policies are typically third-party only, so your own vehicle damage won't be covered. Make sure you have the insurer's emergency number saved before driving.
Can I get temporary insurance for a rental car instead?
Temporary insurance is for vehicles you own or are transferring ownership of. For rentals, you're usually offered the rental company's CDW/SCDW coverage. If declining their insurance, check if your existing policy (from home country) or credit card covers rentals in Spain before driving.
What if I'm a young driver (under 25) seeking temporary cover?
Temporary insurance for young drivers is harder to find and more expensive. Many short-term markets have age minimums of 23-25. If you're under 25, expect limited insurer options, premium surcharges of 30-50%, and potentially restricted coverage. Starting your search early gives us time to find markets that will accept your profile.
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