Travellers might even be denied entry on the border for the inaccurate doc
UK travellers heading to Spain might now face fines of as much as £5,900, and even be denied entry on the border, merely for not having the appropriate journey insurance coverage.
All UK travellers heading to Spain are actually legally required to point out proof of complete well being cowl as a part of their journey insurance coverage earlier than boarding flights or trains.
This new rule being enforced at Spanish Boarders and by transport suppliers has been launched by Spain’s authorities.
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Beforehand, travellers usually relied on the European Well being Insurance coverage Card (EHIC) or UK World Well being Insurance coverage Card (GHIC) for emergency medical therapy within the EU.
Whereas EHIC and GHIC playing cards nonetheless present primary healthcare entry in Spain and different EU international locations like France, they now not fulfill Spain’s up to date entry requirement for complete personal journey insurance coverage.
Michelle Cooper, Director of Travel Insurance at Saga, stated: “This replace highlights a vital shift in journey planning.
“Now it’s mandated that each one travellers going to Spain should have complete well being cowl as a part of their journey insurance coverage.
“Our personal analysis, nevertheless, suggests many Brits nonetheless journey with none insurance coverage in place in any respect. Our current survey of 902 British holidaymakers discovered 16% sometimes don’t take out journey insurance coverage.
“Transferring forwards, it will likely be essential for all British travellers to rearrange insurance coverage prematurely of their journey to Spain, or threat fines as much as €6,900, which is equal to round £5,900, or being denied entry.
“Not all insurance policies will meet Spain’s new requirements. Whereas the Spanish authorities hasn’t specified precisely how a lot medical cowl is now required, it’s advisable to have at the least €30,000 for health-related incidents reminiscent of emergency medical therapy, hospital stays and repatriation.
“This determine relies on the standard minimal cowl required for a Schengen visa (a brief keep visa which permits an individual to journey throughout the Schengen space, which incorporates most European international locations, while not having separate visas for every).
“It’s additionally now very important for travellers with pre-existing medical situations to test their insurance coverage covers these situations, as this has been stipulated in Spain’s new guidelines.
“They equally say the coverage should have an inexpensive extra, which is considerably subjective to every particular person, however it may very well be thought-about between £50 and £250.
“When selecting your coverage, test how the surplus is utilized, it may very well be per particular person, per incident, or per part of the coverage. For instance, in case you wanted medical therapy after which needed to minimize your journey brief, you may need to pay two separate excesses.
“And in case you’re travelling with others, every particular person could should pay their very own extra too. The prices can add up rapidly, so it’s vital to decide on an extra you might afford if one thing goes improper.
“Medical prices in Spain could be among the many highest in Europe, particularly when personal therapy or evacuation from extra distant areas is a requirement.
“Should you’ve purchased a single-trip coverage and listed particular locations, it’s price double-checking that your insurance coverage covers all of the areas you propose to go to as some areas, together with components of mainland Spain and islands just like the Canaries or Balearics could carry the next threat as a consequence of their location.”
