Do I Need Travel Insurance For Spain?

Sunny beaches, lively bars, the islands, and some incredible historic cities - plus the towering mountains of the Pyrenees with scenery, wildlife, hiking, skiing, and cycling. From Barcelona’s artistic quarters to Madrid’s majestic vistas - from the party island of Ibiza and its sunkissed neighbors to relaxing on some of the best golf courses in mainland Europe. It’s no wonder Spain is one of the top countries in Europe to visit! As part of the Schengen Area, you may need Schengen travel insurance to visit this beautiful country.

AXA’s Schengen travel insurance offers extensive protection for those traveling to Spain - as it can cover medical expenses up to €100,000 in Spain and other Schengen Area countries. It also allows you to obtain the travel insurance certificate required with your visa application. 

What does AXA Schengen travel insurance for Spain cover?

Starting at €33 per week (approx. US$35) of your trip, our Schengen Travel insurance covers

• Up to €100,000 coverage in medical expenses 
• Medical repatriation & transport 
• 24/7 medical assistance in English or French in case of urgency
• Up to 180 days of coverage
• All Schengen and European Union countries as well as the United Kingdom (depending on the chosen insurance)
• Insurance certificate issued immediately and approved by the embassies
• No age limit
• Zero deductible - which will allow you to avoid some upfront and early costs with your claim

Is travel insurance required for Spain?

Travel insurance is mandatory if you need a Schengen Visa for Spain. If you don’t need a visa, travel insurance is optional but strongly recommended as medical costs can be high for foreigners, especially as you will need to pay for any prescriptions.

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Do you cover emergency medical costs related to coronavirus? 

We will cover your medical costs related to coronavirus provided you haven't traveled against World Health Organization advice, personal medical advice from your doctor, or any other government body’s advice in your home country or the country you are traveling to. Emergency and additional travel costs are also covered providing you have stuck to this advice. 

All issued electronic certificates purchased on the axa-schengen site include this disclaimer: “Medical fees related to COVID-19 are covered in the terms, conditions & exclusions established in the insurance policy”. This will satisfy any embassy rules that state you must get an insurance certificate with Covid protection. 

Will AXA Schengen travel insurance be accepted with my Spanish visa application?

We’re the experts here. AXA has been delivering insurance certificates that meet Schengen countries’ requirements to obtain a visa for more than 10 years.  All you need to do is print the electronic form of the health insurance certificate and enclose it with your visa application. Each AXA Schengen insurance certificate is individualized and bears a number that is verifiable on our website.

What are the requirements for travel insurance for my Spanish visa?

To obtain a Schengen Visa to Spain your insurance must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum coverage for at least €30,000 in medical expenses
• It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area
• It should cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons.

Our low-cost option also fits these criteria.

I don’t need a Schengen Visa to visit Spain - can I still purchase your insurance to cover my possible health expenses?

Although Schengen travel insurance is not mandatory for travelers from countries with visa-free travel to Spain, that doesn’t mean you won’t be injured or get ill. A broken wrist or nasty infection can happen to anyone! We thus strongly recommend that you subscribe to our insurance for travelers visiting Europe to make sure your trip is as safe and peaceful as possible. Particularly if tackling dangerous sports.

Do you cover the Canary islands?

AXA’s insurance does cover the Canary Islands, which are Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, as although they are not in mainland Spain or near its coast, they are a part of the Schengen Area.

What are the main advantages of AXA Schengen insurance?

1. Compliant with European requirements for Schengen Visa. 10 years of existence
2. Immediate coverage. Your insurance covers you from the first day you need it
3. No age restriction, zero deductible
4. No price variation because of nationality or age
5. Refund if your Schengen Visa application is denied.

Why should you trust us?

• Medical files processed by AXA Schengen in 2021: 2292
• Medical calls processed by our agents in 2021: 3845

Which insurance plans to consider?

What should I do if I am injured or ill while in Spain?

Don’t worry - AXA’s Schengen insurance is here to guide, help, and protect you. In case of a medical emergency, you must contact the AXA Schengen call center at the number provided on your insurance policy. Medical assistance professionals will answer your questions and advise you 24/7 to help you find the medical center best suited to your situation and the closest to your location.

The following information must be given to the call center:

• The number of your policy, which begins with “SCH”.
• The address and telephone number at which you can be reached and the details of the people that can be contacted locally.
• The dossier number, which is communicated at the time of the first call.

IMPORTANT: Remember to always keep bills/ invoices and enclose them with your file.

What should I know when preparing for my trip to Spain?

Security: Most visits to Spain pass off without incident. Thieves often work in teams of two or more people and tend to target money and passports - so don’t carry all your valuables in one place, and take extra care to guard passports, money, and personal belongings when collecting or checking in luggage at the airport. In some city centers and resorts, thieves posing as police officers may approach tourists and ask to see their wallets for identification purposes. Genuine police officers don’t do this. In general, you should be most cautious in busy city or tourist areas.

Public transport: Public transport in Spain involves everything from high-speed trains to century-old trams traipsing through medieval streets - but it’s notable that the country has one of the largest and most modern high-speed rail networks - with trains that reach speeds of up to 310km/h. Most of the country is connected so it’s the perfect way to get around. Spain is full of big cities with transport systems. Three Spanish cities have their own metro systems: Barcelona, Bilbao, and Madrid. Another 13 have trams, mostly running at street level. In Spain, there is no national bus company, so you need to check bus routes and times with each local authority. 

Opening hours: The norm is for shops to open continuously from 10 am to 9 pm but in summer they may close between 2 and 5 pm.

Driving license: Spain requires foreign drivers to obtain an International Driving Permit prior to arriving in Spain. This is a requirement to drive in Spain, and without the permit, you could face punishment if stopped by law enforcement officials while driving.

Restaurants: Spain has some unusual meal times - including two breakfasts, a first breakfast, ‘desayuno’, which is usually eaten at home before 9 am, and ‘almuerzo’, which is eaten in the mid-morning, and for which cafes will be open, ‘comida’, a lunch eaten from 2pm until 4pm - after which restaurants may shut before opening again for the early evening meal of ‘merienda’. The day closes with a late-night meal, ‘cena’, eaten between 8.30pm and 10.30 pm - for which restaurants may stay open late - especially in the heat of summer, when meals tend to be taken when the day gets a little cooler. 

Visa: Although many countries have visa-free travel with Spain and the Schengen Area, if you think you do need a visa to Spain you can find out more here.