Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We’re working really hard to keep you in the loop as much as possible in the fast-changing circumstances.
We want to help you wherever we can during these challenging times. If you’re struggling financially as a result of Coronavirus and are worried about the payments for your policy, or if you have a policy that you don’t think you’ll need now, such as an annual travel policy, please get in touch. We’ll discuss your options with you and work out how we can provide support.
Our call centres are very busy at the moment and we are trying to answer your questions as quickly as we can. If your query is non-urgent and you are not due to travel in the next two weeks, please don’t contact us yet, so we can prioritise people in need of urgent help or who are due to travel sooner.
In the meantime, we are regularly monitoring the situation and updating our Coronavirus single trip/backpacker and annual multi-trip FAQ pages. To find out more about the impact the outbreak is having on our travel insurance policies, please check the relevant FAQ before calling or emailing us.
We’d also like to highlight that travel insurance only protects against unforeseen circumstances getting in the way of your travel plans, so any policy you buy now will have very limited insurance coverage. While the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has advised against all but essential travel indefinitely, you will not be covered under our travel insurance policies if you decide to go ahead with your trip.
Travel Insurance for Spain
Spain’s a country that captures the heart of anyone who visits. Madrid and Barcelona are energetic cities that are packed with plenty to do; the Costa del Sol is renowned for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches; and the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa are among the best mountain ranges on the continent. Alternatively, you can explore the Moorish towns of the south, or go on a cultural pilgrimage to Bilbao.
Food and wine are national obsessions in Spain, and many of the country’s best recipes have been handed down through the generations. Side streets in the cities are often packed with cosy tapas bars and Michelin-starred restaurants, where you can try the freshest fish and latest Mediterranean dishes. Don’t worry about being too full after lunch, either; treat yourself to a siesta like a local.
Spanish is the country’s national language, but many people in Spain also speak variants of Catalan, Galician and Basque. Like Ireland, Spain’s currency is also the euro, so there’s no need to exchange your money before you travel or when you arrive.
No matter where you’re heading in Spain, it's important that you get travel insurance to help protect you against risks you may encounter. We offer different levels of cover, so you can choose an insurance type to suit your needs. If you’re taking a family holiday to Costa Blanca, for example, then you may find that our Single Trip travel insurance is best suited to your needs. But if you’re planning multiple trips to Ibiza or Magaluf to party with your friends, then our Annual policy may be a better fit.
Below is some more information about our products, for which Terms and Conditions apply. Please visit the policy information hub for full details.
Why do I need travel insurance for Spain
Even though Spain is close by and is considered to be a safe place to visit, you should take out travel insurance before you travel, because accidents can still happen. Your flight may be delayed or cancelled, you may injure yourself walking along the beach, or you may have your personal possessions stolen by an opportunistic pickpocket. Thankfully, our travel insurance for Spain helps cover you for these eventualities and more.
And although the EHIC card is an important document, it doesn’t replace holiday insurance for Spain. Spain has both public and private healthcare, so some treatment might be free if you travel with an EHIC card. But your EHIC card will not cover you for everything; if you need medical repatriation or mountain rescue, for example, you’ll need to pay for it. And if you fall ill or get injured in Spain and require healthcare that isn’t covered by an EHIC card, you’ll have to pay for the treatment yourself – unless you travel with insurance.
What does travel insurance for Spain cover?
At Allianz, we provide a range of travel insurance policies, so you can choose the right cover for you. Depending on how often you plan to visit Spain, you can choose from a Single Trip policy, an Annual policy or a Backpacker policy. Plus, you can also choose between our Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of cover. Depending on which travel insurance policy you choose, you’ll be protected against:
- *Not available with Bronze cover
- **Only available with Gold cover
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Plus, we also offer a number of additional cover options that you can add to your Spain travel insurance policy. If you’re looking to play golf at one of Spain’s world-class courses, then take a look at our Golf insurance, which can help protect you and your clubs. Or, if you’re looking to be married on one of Spain’s beautiful beaches, our Wedding insurance can help protect the most important parts of your big day, including rings, gifts, photographs and clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any travel risks associated with Spain?
Spain is generally considered to be a safe place to visit, and most holiday-makers enjoy hassle-free trips. But there are still some things you should be aware of when you visit Spain.
Firstly, like many countries, Spain’s busy tourist areas attract opportunistic criminals. If you’re heading to popular spots like La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, then you should be wary of pickpockets. Try to keep valuables hidden away in a zipped pocket or bag, and always make sure they’re out of sight when not in use. Thankfully, if the worst does happen and you’ve taken out our Silver or Gold travel insurance for Spain, then your personal possessions, including your cash and your passport, are covered.
You must also be careful when consuming alcohol. Recently, there have been a number of serious incidents (some fatal) where people have fallen from balconies while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As well as having a devastating impact on your family and friends, if you injure yourself (or worse) whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your insurance will be invalid. For full information, please see the General Exclusions information in your policy documents.
Do I need additional cover to do activities in Spain?
Whether you want to try your hand at surfing in Santander, fancy trekking in the Picos de Europa National Park or want to cycle around the plains, hills and mountains of Majorca, our holiday insurance for Spain covers a number of sports and leisure activities as standard, including water sports like banana boating and kite surfing. For a full list of the activities that our travel insurance for Spain automatically covers, please consult your policy documents.
We may be able to cover you for other activities that are not listed; please call us on 00353 1 619 3681 to find out whether we can insure you for a specific activity. Please note: you may need to pay an extra premium.
How much is holiday insurance for Spain?
The cost of your travel insurance for Spain will depend on a number of factors, including:
To understand exactly how much your holiday insurance for Spain will cost you, visit our Get a Quote page.
Are there any travel risks associated with Spain?
Before you travel to Spain, there are a number of things you should know. Firstly, smaller villages and towns are likely to honour siesta, which means that shops, bars and restaurants will close for a period of time in the afternoon.
In Spain, mealtimes tend to differ to ours in Ireland. This is most evident in the evenings, when restaurants will open later. Many Spanish people eat their evening meal after 9pm, so if you’re travelling with children and need to eat earlier, then you may have to do some research on restaurant opening times before you set off.
In the summer months, the weather can be extremely hot and sunny. Even if the forecast isn’t great, you should still pack plenty of sun cream, in case the weather improves whilst you’re away. And if it is sunny during your visit, you should avoid being out in the direct sunlight for long periods.
In addition, it is forbidden to consume alcohol in public places, except licensed bars and restaurants in Madrid, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Anyone not complying with this may face a fine.
You should also be aware that languages and cultures vary across the country. For example, if you visit the north-eastern area of the country around Barcelona and Costa Brava, you’re likely to be surrounded by a Catalan culture and language. But, if you visit the region that straddles the border between France and Spain, then you’ll see the Basque culture and language. As a result, you should research the area you’re visiting before you travel, to see whether there’s anything you need to know about the local culture before you arrive.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, you should carry an ID card with you at all times, because ID must be shown when using debit or credit cards. Although you may be able to use a driving licence or a photocopy of your passport, you should be prepared to show your original passport.
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