Travel Insurance Glossary Spain
Essential travel insurance terms explained in plain English. Understand your coverage before you go and travel with confidence.
Terms by category
Policy Types
(5 terms)Seguro de viaje
Travel insurance
General term for insurance covering risks associated with traveling—medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and more. Essential for any trip, especially outside the EU where EHIC doesn't apply.
Why it matters for expats:
Whether you're visiting Spain or traveling from Spain abroad, travel insurance protects against unexpected costs. Medical treatment abroad can cost thousands; travel insurance is your safety net.
Seguro de viaje anual
Annual multi-trip insurance
Year-round coverage for multiple trips rather than single-trip policies. Typically covers unlimited trips up to a maximum duration per trip (30-90 days). Cost-effective for frequent travelers.
Why it matters for expats:
If you travel more than 2-3 times per year, annual coverage usually saves money. Expats in Spain often travel frequently—annual policies remove the hassle of buying coverage each trip.
Seguro Schengen
Schengen visa insurance
Specific travel insurance meeting Schengen visa requirements: minimum €30,000 medical coverage, repatriation, valid in all Schengen countries. Required for non-EU nationals applying for Schengen visas.
Why it matters for expats:
If you need a Schengen visa to visit Spain, this insurance is mandatory for your application. We can provide compliant certificates accepted by all Spanish consulates.
Seguro de cancelación
Trip cancellation insurance
Coverage for non-refundable travel costs if you need to cancel your trip before departure due to covered reasons—illness, injury, family emergency, or other specified events.
Why it matters for expats:
Flights, hotels, and tours often have strict cancellation policies. If you've paid €2,000 for a trip and can't go due to illness, cancellation insurance reimburses these costs.
Seguro de aventura
Adventure/sports travel insurance
Enhanced travel insurance covering adventure activities and sports that standard policies exclude—skiing, diving, hiking at altitude, watersports, etc. Essential if your trip includes active pursuits.
Why it matters for expats:
Standard travel insurance typically excludes 'hazardous activities.' If you're skiing in the Pyrenees, diving in the Med, or hiking the Camino, you need adventure coverage.
Financial Terms
(4 terms)Prima de viaje
Travel insurance premium
The cost of your travel insurance policy. Premiums depend on trip duration, destination, traveler age, coverage level, and activities. Longer trips and older travelers typically pay more.
Why it matters for expats:
Travel insurance costs pennies per day compared to potential medical bills. A week's coverage might cost €20-€50; a single emergency room visit abroad could cost €2,000+.
Franquicia de viaje
Travel insurance excess
The amount you pay toward each claim before insurance covers the rest. Travel policies often have separate excesses for medical claims versus baggage claims. Lower excess means higher premium.
Why it matters for expats:
Understand your excess before traveling. A €100 excess on baggage means small claims won't be covered, but a €0 excess on medical ensures full coverage for health emergencies.
Límite de cobertura
Coverage limit
Maximum amount the insurer will pay for each type of claim—medical expenses, baggage loss, cancellation, etc. Higher limits provide more protection but increase premium cost.
Why it matters for expats:
Check limits carefully, especially for medical coverage when traveling to the US where costs are extreme. €50,000 might not cover a serious medical emergency in America—opt for €500,000+ limits.
Reembolso de gastos
Expense reimbursement
Process of claiming back money you've paid during an emergency. You may need to pay upfront for treatment or replacement items, then submit receipts for reimbursement after returning.
Why it matters for expats:
Keep all receipts when you claim. Some policies pay providers directly for large medical bills, but smaller expenses often require you to pay and claim back later.
Coverage Types
(7 terms)Cobertura médica de viaje
Travel medical coverage
Insurance for medical emergencies abroad—hospital treatment, doctor visits, medications, emergency surgery. The core protection of any travel policy. Limits typically range from €30,000 to €1,000,000+.
Why it matters for expats:
This is the most important travel insurance coverage. A broken leg abroad could cost €15,000 to treat; emergency surgery even more. Never travel without adequate medical coverage.
Repatriación sanitaria
Medical repatriation
Coverage for transport back to your home country for medical treatment, including air ambulance if needed. One of the most expensive potential costs—private medical flights can cost €50,000+.
Why it matters for expats:
If you're seriously ill or injured abroad, you may need specialized transport home. This coverage can literally be lifesaving and is often included in travel policies.
Equipaje y efectos personales
Baggage and personal effects
Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items during your trip. Includes clothing, electronics, and valuables up to policy limits. Individual item limits usually apply.
Why it matters for expats:
Airlines lose bags; hotels get robbed. This coverage replaces essential items and reimburses losses. Check single-item limits—expensive electronics may need additional coverage.
Demora de equipaje
Baggage delay
Coverage for essential purchases when your luggage is delayed. If your bags don't arrive with your flight, this covers toiletries, clothing, and necessities up to a limit after a waiting period.
Why it matters for expats:
Arriving at a beach holiday without swimwear or a business trip without suits? Baggage delay coverage lets you buy essentials immediately rather than waiting for lost luggage.
Interrupción de viaje
Trip interruption
Coverage if you need to cut your trip short due to emergency—returning home for family illness, natural disasters, or other covered events. Covers unused travel costs and emergency return transport.
Why it matters for expats:
Different from cancellation insurance, this covers emergencies during your trip. If a parent falls ill and you need to fly home immediately, interruption coverage helps with costs.
Responsabilidad civil de viaje
Travel personal liability
Coverage if you accidentally injure someone or damage property while traveling. Protects against legal liability and compensation claims from third parties.
Why it matters for expats:
Accidents happen—you could damage hotel property, injure another skier, or cause harm accidentally. Liability coverage protects against potentially large compensation claims.
Asistencia 24 horas
24-hour assistance
Round-the-clock emergency helpline provided by your insurer. Multilingual operators help with medical emergencies, lost documents, legal issues, and travel problems at any time.
Why it matters for expats:
When you're injured at 3am in a foreign country, having someone to call who speaks your language and can organize help is invaluable. Save your insurer's emergency number in your phone.
Claims & Process
(3 terms)Reclamación de viaje
Travel insurance claim
The formal process of requesting compensation for covered losses. Requires documentation—medical records, police reports for theft, receipts for expenses, proof of cancellation reason.
Why it matters for expats:
Document everything when something goes wrong. Take photos, get written statements, keep receipts, and report incidents promptly. Good documentation speeds up claim approval.
Pre-autorización médica
Medical pre-authorization
Approval from your insurer before receiving non-emergency treatment abroad. Required for planned procedures, hospital admissions, and expensive treatments. Failure to get pre-auth may reduce payout.
Why it matters for expats:
For non-emergencies, always contact your insurer first. They may direct you to approved providers, pay hospitals directly, or advise on covered treatments. Skip this and you might pay more out of pocket.
Plazo de reclamación
Claim time limit
Deadline for submitting claims after an incident—typically 30-60 days. Missing this deadline can result in claim denial. Different incidents may have different time limits.
Why it matters for expats:
Don't delay filing claims. Start the process as soon as you return home, or earlier if possible. Gather documents during your trip while details are fresh.
People & Roles
(2 terms)Asegurado de viaje
Insured traveler
The person(s) protected by the travel insurance policy. Can be individual, couple, or family. Each person's details must be declared, and coverage applies to named travelers only.
Why it matters for expats:
Make sure everyone traveling is properly covered. Family policies have age limits for children. Friends traveling together usually need individual policies unless grouped coverage is available.
Compañero de viaje
Travel companion
Someone traveling with you whose circumstances may affect your coverage—for example, if their illness causes you to cancel. Some policies cover cancellation due to a companion's emergency.
Why it matters for expats:
If you're traveling with others, their emergencies could affect your trip. Check if your policy covers cancellation when a travel companion falls ill, even if they're not on your policy.
Documents
(4 terms)Certificado de seguro
Insurance certificate
Official document proving your travel insurance coverage—policy number, dates, coverage levels, and emergency contact numbers. Required for Schengen visas and recommended to carry while traveling.
Why it matters for expats:
Keep a printed copy and digital version accessible. You may need it for visa applications, hospital admissions, or to prove coverage when making claims. Save it on your phone.
Tarjeta de asistencia
Assistance card
Wallet-sized card with policy number, emergency contact numbers, and key coverage details. Carry it separately from your main documents for quick access during emergencies.
Why it matters for expats:
In an emergency, you need quick access to your insurer's number and policy details. The assistance card puts this information at your fingertips when you need it most.
EHIC/TSE
European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Spanish TSE provides access to state healthcare in EU/EEA countries. It's NOT travel insurance—it only covers state healthcare at local rates, not repatriation or other travel risks.
Why it matters for expats:
EHIC is useful but limited. It won't cover private treatment, medical repatriation, lost luggage, or trip cancellation. Always carry travel insurance alongside your EHIC.
Parte policial
Police report
Official police report documenting theft, assault, or other crimes during travel. Required for insurance claims involving stolen property. Get this filed before leaving the country where the incident occurred.
Why it matters for expats:
Without a police report, theft claims are difficult to process. Report incidents to local police immediately and get a written report (denuncia). Keep copies for your claim.
Ready to get travel insurance?
Now that you understand the terminology, let us find you the right coverage for your trip. We explain everything in English and help with claims.
Get Travel Insurance QuoteCommon questions
Do I need travel insurance if I have EHIC?
Yes. EHIC (TSE in Spain) only covers state healthcare in EU countries at local rates. It doesn't cover private treatment, repatriation, trip cancellation, or lost luggage. Travel insurance provides comprehensive protection EHIC cannot.
What's the difference between cancellation and interruption coverage?
Cancellation covers costs if you can't take your trip at all (before departure). Interruption covers cutting your trip short once you've started traveling. Both protect against covered emergencies but apply at different stages.
How much medical coverage do I need?
For Europe, €100,000 is usually adequate. For the US, aim for €500,000+ due to extreme healthcare costs. Schengen visa requires minimum €30,000. When in doubt, choose higher limits—the premium difference is usually small.
Are adventure activities covered?
Standard policies usually exclude 'hazardous activities' like skiing, diving, or hiking at altitude. If your trip includes sports or adventure, you need specific adventure coverage. Check activity lists carefully.
How do I make a claim while traveling?
Contact your insurer's 24-hour helpline immediately. They'll guide you through the process, may pre-authorize treatment, or direct you to approved providers. Keep all receipts, reports, and documentation for your claim.
What documents should I carry?
Carry your insurance certificate (printed and digital), assistance card with emergency numbers, EHIC if traveling in Europe, and passport. Save your insurer's contact details in your phone for quick access.
Related guides
Learn more about insurance in Spain
Schengen Travel Insurance Spain 2026
Visa-compliant travel insurance for residents traveling in Europe.
Holiday Insurance from Spain 2026
Coverage for trips abroad when living in Spain.
EHIC vs Private Health Insurance
Understanding what your European Health Card does and doesn't cover.