Moving to Spain: Your Complete Insurance Checklist
Getting Insurance Right When You Move to Spain
Moving to Spain is an exciting step, but it comes with a long list of practical tasks — and insurance is one of the most important. Getting the right coverage in place from day one protects your finances, helps with your visa application, and means you are not scrambling to sort things out in a crisis. Here is what you need to think about.
1. Health Insurance
If you are moving to Spain without a job that provides access to the public healthcare system, private health insurance should be your first priority. It is required for most Spanish visas (including the Non-Lucrative Visa and Digital Nomad Visa), gives you access to English-speaking doctors, and avoids long public hospital waiting times. Sort this before you arrive if possible — many visa applications require proof of coverage.
2. Car Insurance
If you are bringing a vehicle to Spain, you need to ensure it is properly insured for Spanish roads from day one. Your existing policy from your home country may provide temporary coverage, but it is worth checking whether this is sufficient and for how long. We recommend arranging a dedicated Spanish car insurance policy as soon as you arrive.
3. Home or Contents Insurance
Whether you are buying or renting, you need to think about home insurance. If you are buying with a mortgage, building insurance will be mandatory. If you are renting, at the very minimum you should have contents insurance to protect your belongings. Theft and water damage are the most common claims in Spain.
4. Pet Insurance
Moving abroad with pets? Pet insurance in Spain is affordable and highly recommended. Vet costs in Spain, while generally lower than in the UK or Scandinavia, can still be significant in an emergency. Many policies cover routine vaccinations, dental care, and emergency treatment.
5. Life Insurance
If you have a mortgage, dependants, or financial commitments in Spain, life insurance is worth considering. Spanish mortgage providers often require life insurance as a condition of the loan, and it can be significantly cheaper to arrange independently rather than through the bank.
6. Civil Liability Insurance
If you are self-employed or run a business in Spain, you will likely need professional civil responsibility insurance. Even homeowners can benefit from personal liability coverage in case someone is injured on their property.
Let Us Help You Get Set Up
Sorting out insurance when you first move is time-consuming and confusing — especially when everything is in Spanish. At Insurance Spain, we make it simple. One conversation with our bilingual team and we can sort out all your insurance needs in one go. Get in touch today — it is completely free.