Travel Insurance For Spain What To Take Note of

As of 3rd January 2023, the entry restrictions for Spain related to COVID-19 have been lifted. Singaporean travellers are no longer obligated to show their vaccination certificate or submit to a coronavirus test upon arrival, except for those coming from China. 

However, it is best to remember that the travel situation post Covid-19 is constantly evolving. Make sure to refer to Spain’s official government page on Covid-19 entry requirements for the latest information.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs webpage also provides a comprehensive guide for matters related to travelling to Spain. 

Spain is part of the Schengen area.

To travel to any of the 26 European countries in the Schengen area for short-term tourism, a business trip, or while in transit to a non-Schengen destination, your passport must have a validity of at least three months beyond your planned departure date.

If you are a Singaporean and not looking for work, you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days within 180 days starting from your first entry into the Schengen region without a visa. Remember to bring your passport with you whenever you travel across borders, even within the Schengen area.

For more information regarding general entry requirements for Spain, make sure to refer to the Spain’s official government page regarding the matter.

There are various lodging options available in Spain, including hotels, rural houses, unique accommodations, serviced flats, tourist apartments, hostels, and camping sites.

Hotels are the most frequently chosen accommodation option and provide a comfortable experience for tourists. The prices can vary greatly depending on the rate of the hotel, starting from 50€ per night.

If you are looking for a unique lodging experience, consider checking out options like Paradores or traditional regional offerings in each area. Prices start at 70€ per night, but more popular options may cost up to 320€.

If you are planning to stay somewhere for an extended period, consider rentals or apartment hotels with kitchens. Prices typically range from 300€ per week to 900€ per month.

For budget-friendly options, you might want to consider guesthouses, hostels, or camping sites which typically have rates starting from 20€.

Getting travel Insurance for Spain means having a backup plan for emergency health cases. Thus, all travellers are highly advised to obtain travel Insurance for Spain. Additionally, you may also be asked to show proof of medical insurance at the Spanish port of entry.

By purchasing travel insurance, you can get cover for medical emergencies, loss of baggage, delayed or cancelled flights, and other unexpected mishaps during your trip. It will not only give you peace of mind but also help you to have a hassle-free trip.

To make sure you have the cover you require, you should read and comprehend all the terms, conditions, and exclusions before purchasing any policy. 

Mainland Spain and the islands have more than 40 airports with both internal and external flights. Low-cost airlines offer daily internal flights that typically take less than two hours, excluding flights to the Canary Islands.

For a quick and economic journey to the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, Melilla or the Canary Islands, taking the flight is the way to go. A flight from Barcelona to Ibiza has a duration of one hour, whereas a flight from Madrid to the Canary Islands has a duration of about three hours.

Vueling is a subsidiary of Iberia Airlines that offers affordable tickets for domestic flights and is known for providing good value.

Spain's national train network, RENFE, runs regular high-speed, regular, and suburban train services throughout the country. The trains also run to neighbouring Portugal and France, but taking a train from Paris to Madrid may not always be the fastest way to enter Spain as it can take up to 10 hours.

To travel long distances in Spain, it is recommended to reserve a seat on the high-speed train or AVE (Alta Velocidad), which connects most major cities. For instance, the train journey between Barcelona-Madrid and Madrid-Seville spans around 500km and can be completed in just 2 hours and 40 minutes respectively.

In addition to RENFE, there are also other regional train companies operating suburban and local lines, such as FGC (Ferrocarils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) and Euskotren.

To ensure a smooth train journey, it is recommended to purchase your tickets ahead of time, especially for AVE trains and longer trips that require seat reservations. You can also save money by booking online or at the train station before your travel date.

Although not always the most comfortable for long distances, taking the bus is an affordable transportation option for getting around Spain. It is particularly useful for accessing rural areas and off-the-beaten-path destinations that are not served by train lines.

Movelia.es is a great platform to find appropriate bus providers since there might be more than one bus company operating in a specific area. The platform offers services from the major bus companies in the country. 

Renting a car in Spain is another great option for transportation because you can create your own itinerary and travel at your own speed.

Though the legal driving age in Spain is 18 years old, most rental companies may require you to be at least 21 or 23 years old. Some might also require you to have has your license for at least one year.

Make sure to bring the following documents when renting a car in Spain:

• Your driver’s license from your home country
• Your ID (passport)
• Credit card in your name
• International driver's permit

The roads in Spain are divided into two types, which are autovías and autopistas. Autovías are identified by the letter A at the start of the road number and are toll-free. However, some roads may be identified by the letters AP and are known as autopistas that require payment through cards or cash to use.

Hotels in towns and cities may add a parking charge of up to €25 per night for your vehicle. Although public parking lots are comparatively cheaper, they can still charge up to €15 per night depending on the area.

From the main cities, there are plenty of routes that connect to smaller towns in the countryside. To catch these buses, you can go to the bus station (written as estación de autobuses), and buy tickets in advance for specific routes and departures. Alternatively, you can purchase your ticket directly from the driver when boarding the bus.

Just note that these routes are frequently used by commuters, therefore, there may be a higher frequency of services during weekdays compared to weekends.

The healthcare system in Spain is publicly funded and available to all Spanish residents. Workers contribute to the system through monthly social security payments, which ensures that almost everyone can access healthcare for free. Prescription medication may require a co-payment.

Spain's healthcare system may have different regulations for tourists based on their country of origin.

For non-Europeans planning to visit Spain, you will probably need to show that you have sufficient medical insurance before you are allowed to enter the country. This means that legal non-European visitors to Spain are very likely to have a medical coverage for emergency medical situations, excluding pre-existing health condition.

While discovering unfamiliar territories can be exciting, it is crucial to keep in mind the potential risk. Consider purchasing travel insurance for added security and peace of mind when travelling to Spain.

Allianz Travel provides Single Trip and Multi Trip Travel Insurance with three different coverage plans for you to choose according to your needs, including selected Covid-19 covers*. Take a look at our selection of insurance plans to select the one that best suits your specific needs.