The UK government is urging Brits planning trips to Spain to ensure they have a copy of this document to hand, or they could face a large fine
British holidaymakers plotting a Spanish holiday could face massive fines of up to €6,900 (£5,900) if caught without the proper paperwork in a post-Brexit travel clampdown. Spain’s Ministry of the Interior alongside the Ministry of Health have laid down the law with a new regulation that Brit tourists heading for some sunshine need to know.
UK travellers to Spain now need to provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance upon arrival. And a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), will not be enough to cover your stay.
Private health insurance, complete with full coverage, will now be required for all holidaymakers. According to Travel and Tour World, it’s mandatory for British visitors to offer up proof of health insurance which covers emergencies, hospital stays, and repatriation, and your policy should not have hefty excesses or exclude existing health conditions.
Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said: “The health of our visitors is a priority. We are committed to ensuring that all travellers, including British nationals, have the necessary coverage to protect themselves and the local healthcare system.”
If tourists arrive without the right health insurance , they could even find themselves turned away at Spanish borders. Worse still, those on holiday without insurance may get hit with fines climbing up to £5,900, reports Bristol Live.
The UK government has stepped in with key advice for holidaymakers, emphasising the importance of obtaining proper travel insurance before jetting off to Spain, and recommending that travellers carry evidence of their coverage.
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In a statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), they advised: “If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.”
They also pressed on the significance of getting travel insurance before departure, saying: “If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go, covering you for existing physical or mental health conditions (including those currently under investigation) and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away.”
Official guidance concludes: “If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.”
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The change comes among a raft of amendments to rules for Brits visiting Spain, with UK tourists urged to check documents such as their passport before they jet off.
Spain has also created a new national register for tourist accommodation in a bid to cut down on unlicensed short-term rentals.