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).
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.
Step-by-Step: Getting Temporary Cover Fast
1. Tell us your situation
Duration (e.g., 14/30/60 days), plate country, where the car stays, why you need temporary cover.
2. Upload documents
Passport, address proof, registration, ITV/MOT, and—if buying—transfer/venta documents.
3. We search niche markets
We'll check which insurers will accept your duration + plate + address combination, and present compliant options.
4. Bind & receive documents
Pay online; receive policy schedule and (if needed) Green Card. We'll clarify limits (e.g., re-plating within X days).
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
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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.
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