Overview

• Since July 5, Spain has required British visitors to present private health insurance covering emergencies, hospital stays and repatriation at border controls.
• European Health Insurance Cards and Global Health Insurance Cards are no longer accepted as sole proof of cover under the new regulation.
• Border officers can refuse entry to travelers without adequate policies and issue fines of up to €6,900.
• Spain’s Interior and Health ministries introduced the mandate to protect visitors and ease pressure on public healthcare after Brexit.
• The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to urge holidaymakers to secure policies covering existing medical conditions and planned activities before departure.