Holiday Home Insurance in Spain: A Guide for Non-Residents
Holiday Home Insurance in Spain: A Guide for Non-Residents
Thousands of British, Irish, German, and Scandinavian families own a holiday home in Spain — on the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Balearics, or the Canary Islands. But insuring a property that sits empty for months at a time is different from insuring your main residence.
The Vacancy Problem
Standard Spanish home insurance policies typically include a vacancy clause — a condition stating the property must not be left unoccupied for more than 30, 60, or 90 consecutive days (depending on the policy). If your property is empty beyond this limit and you make a claim, the insurer may reduce or refuse the payout.
For holiday homes used only a few weeks per year, this is a critical issue. We source policies specifically designed for extended vacancy, covering periods of 6 months or more without occupancy.
Key Risks for Holiday Homes
Water Damage
A burst pipe in an unoccupied property can go undetected for weeks, causing catastrophic damage. Turn off the water at the stopcock when you leave, or install a smart water leak detector that alerts your phone.
Theft and Break-Ins
Empty properties are targets. Villas in quieter areas are particularly vulnerable. Ensure your policy covers theft with force and check whether security requirements (alarm, grilles, reinforced door) are conditions of your cover.
Storm Damage
Covered automatically by the Consorcio for extraordinary events. But standard storm damage (a broken tile from wind, tree falling) is covered by your regular policy — make sure it is not excluded for unoccupied properties.
Do You Rent Your Holiday Home?
If you rent your property on Airbnb, Booking.com, or to friends, your standard home insurance likely does NOT cover commercial letting activity. You need either:
- A holiday rental clause added to your existing policy
- A dedicated landlord / rental property policy
These cover guest liability (a guest is injured on the property), accidental damage by guests, loss of rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable, and public liability for rental activity.
Managing Your Property Remotely
Many policies offer — or you can add — a property management service that arranges emergency repairs while you are away. Combined with a local keyholder, this means problems can be dealt with quickly rather than waiting until your next visit.
Costs
- Apartment (holiday home, extended vacancy) — €200 to €450/year
- Villa with pool (holiday home) — €400 to €900/year
- Add holiday rental cover — typically €100 to €250/year extra
Own a holiday home in Spain? Contact us for a free quote — we specialise in policies for non-resident property owners and handle everything in English.
See also: Home Insurance Spain | Contents Insurance
Key Takeaways
- ✓ Standard Spanish home insurance policies typically include vacancy clauses limiting unoccupied periods to 30-90 days, which may result in claim refusal for holiday homes left empty for longer periods.
- ✓ Holiday homes face specific risks including water damage from burst pipes, theft in unoccupied properties, and storm damage that may be excluded from standard policies.
- ✓ If you rent your holiday home on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, you need a dedicated holiday rental clause or landlord policy, as standard home insurance does not cover commercial letting activity.
- ✓ Holiday home insurance in Spain costs between €200-€450 annually for apartments and €400-€900 for villas, with an additional €100-€250 per year for rental cover.
- ✓ Remote property management services and smart water leak detectors can be added to policies to help protect your property and detect issues while you are away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on insurance in spain
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