Essential Insurance Checklist if you are moving to Spain as an Expat
Moving to Spain as an expat means adapting to a whole new environment, and making sure you’re protected against the unexpected. At MutuaRisk Expats , we’ve prepared this checklist so you can stay on top of the essential insurance policies you may need in Spain. It will help you meet legal requirements and enjoy day-to-day peace of mind.
- Private Health Insurance
The health insurance we offer at Mutuarisk guarantees private medical coverage, with fast and personalized access to quality healthcare services, including primary care, hospitalization, emergency care with no copay, and home assistance.
What is private health insurance?
The Health Insurance plans we offer at Mutuarisk provide private medical coverage with fast, personalised access to quality care: hospitalisation, primary care, emergency services with and without copay, and at-home assistance.
Why should an expat have health insurance?
Spain has an excellent public healthcare system, but not every expat has immediate access to it. In many cases, you’ll be asked to show full medical coverage (private insurance) across Spanish territory to obtain a visa or residence permit. To choose the right policy also protects you from unexpected expenses, makes it easier to get care in your language, and gives you peace of mind where the public system may be limited or inaccessible.
Some key limitations you may encounter in the public system vs. private insurance are:
- Doctor and hospital choice: You typically cannot choose your doctor or hospital freely because is assigned based on your address. With private insurance, you can choose among a wide network of private providers across the country.
- Waiting lists: Appointments, tests, and surgeries can take a long time. Private insurance offers near-immediate access.
- Language: Care is mainly offered in Spanish, which can be a barrier for expats. At Mutuarisk Expats we make sure you choose a plan with doctors and specialists who speak English.
What should your health plan include?
- Primary and specialist care
- 24/7 emergencies
- Hospitalisation and surgery
- Nationwide coverage
- Care in English
Recommended for: Expats without immediate access to public healthcare, people who want to have a second opinion or don’t speak Spanish well, employees on assignment, international students, retirees abroad, and freelancers living outside their home country for extended periods.
- Home Insurance (for owners and tenants)
What is home insurance?
Home Insurance protects your home, and everything inside, from damage (both structural and contents, including third-party damage) without hassles or unnecessary costs. Whether you’re an owner or a tenant, it’s an essential layer of protection.
Why should an expat have home insurance?
Settling into a new country comes with new risks. Home insurance may be a legal or contractual requirement when renting or buying. It also helps you handle issues like breakdowns, fire, theft, or third-party claims.
What should a home policy include?
- Building (structure) damage
- Contents damage
- Personal liability
- Theft/robbery
- Water damage and weather events
Optional add-ons: Legal assistance, lost keys, handyman service, electrical damage.
Recommended for: Both expat homeowners and foreign tenants, as well as anyone living abroad for long periods. Owners protect their property and belongings; tenants stay compliant with contracts and gain peace of mind.
- Life Insurance
What is it?
Life Insurance is a financial protection tool designed to safeguard your loved ones’ stability if you pass away or a serious illness/accident changes your circumstances.
Why should an expat have life insurance?
Life insurance is key to protecting your family’s finances if something unexpected happens. It can cover lost income as well as funeral or repatriation costs.
What should a life policy include?
- Death benefit (basic life policy)
- Total or permanent disability
- Medical and hospital expenses
- Legal assistance
- Medical and remains repatriation
- Possible support services for beneficiaries
Recommended for: All expats, especially those without access to local social security systems, expats with dependents, people living abroad long-term, or anyone who wants to secure their family’s financial stability if they pass away while abroad.
- Travel insurance (for trips, in Spain and abroad)
What is travel insurance?
Travel Insurance protects you against medical, logistical, or legal issues during your trips—both while travelling and during your stay. It covers work and leisure trips, in Spain and abroad.
Why should an expat have travel insurance?
It provides immediate medical care, covers cancellations, lost luggage, and potential legal issues. For some destinations, or even to renew a visa, this cover is required.
What should a travel policy include?
- Emergency medical cover
- Repatriation
- Trip cancellation
- Personal liability
- Lost or stolen luggage
- 24/7 multilingual assistance
Recommended for: Anyone who travels frequently outside their home country, expats travelling for work, international students, and digital nomads.
- Funeral Insurance
What is funeral insurance?
Funeral Insurance covers not only the costs associated with death, but also the full management of the funeral. It handles all subsequent administrative procedures and provides psychological support for the family.
Why should an expat have funeral insurance?
Passing away abroad can create legal, logistical, and financial complications for your family. This policy streamlines procedures (including repatriation) and ensures arrangements are handled according to your wishes.
What should a funeral policy include?
- Repatriation to the country of origin
- Funeral expenses
- Administrative management
- Legal assistance
- Psychological support
- Service adapted to your religion and culture
Recommended for: Expats living permanently outside their home country who want to relieve their families of financial and organisational burdens. Also suitable for older adults abroad or employees on assignment.
- Car insurance
What is car insurance?
Car Insurance protects your vehicle according to its characteristics and age, covering personal injury, property damage, and third-party liability.
Why should an expat have car insurance?
If you drive in Spain, third-party liability insurance is required by law. Being in a different country, this policy protects you from the unexpected and offers roadside assistance, service in your language, and legal defence if needed.
What should a car policy include?
- Compulsory third-party liability
- Own-damage cover
- Theft
- Roadside assistance
- Courtesy car
- Fine management
- Legal defence
Recommended for: Expats with a car in Spain, long-term residents, frequent car-hire users, and professionals seeking safe mobility and legal support.
- Business Insurance in Spain (for expats)
What is business insurance?
Business Insurance protects your company, shop, or office against risks that may affect your assets, employees, operations, and peace of mind as an expat in Spain. It covers key areas such as civil liability, property damage, legal defence, and business interruption—tailored to your sector and business profile.
Why should an expat have business insurance?
Running a business in Spain involves specific risks for expats—unexpected damage, third-party claims, or legal issues. Specialised cover is highly recommended (and mandatory in some sectors) to protect you under Spanish regulations, provide service in your language, and let you focus on growth with solid backup.
What should a business policy include?
- General and professional liability (mandatory in many sectors)
- Property damage (theft, fire, water, vandalism)
- Office/retail multi-risk policy
- Business interruption and loss of profits
- Employee and management protection
- Legal assistance and defence
- Cyber cover (optional)
- Environmental and product liability (for specific sectors)
Recommended for: Expats starting a business in Spain, international freelancers, long-term residents, and professionals who want to protect their investment, assets, and operations with specialist support and personalised service in their language.
Summary table
| Insurance | Mandatory? | Core coverage | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health | Often required for visas and residence | Private medical care, hospitalisation, emergencies, specialists | Fast access to specialists and avoids public system waiting lists |
| Home (owners & tenants) | May be a legal/contractual requirement | Property/contents damage, civil liability, weather events, theft | Essential to protect your home and belongings |
| Life | Not mandatory but strongly recommended | Death, disability, legal assistance | Protects your family financially and covers repatriation costs |
| Travel | Required in many countries / visas | Medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage, repatriation | Indispensable for frequent travellers for work or study |
| Funeral | Not mandatory | Repatriation, funeral costs, legal and administrative procedures, psychological support | Reduces financial and bureaucratic burdens on your family |
| Car | Yes, it is mandatory in Spain | Third-party liability, own-damage, theft, roadside assistance | Needed if you drive in Spain |
| Business in Spain | Mandatory in certain sectors | Liability, property damage, business interruption, legal defence | Protects your company and supports compliance with Spanish regulations |
Why this Checklist matters?
- Helps meeting legal requirements for residence or visas.
- Eases integration with fast access to healthcare and asset protection.
- Reduces financial and personal risks in emergencies or accidents.
Final Thoughts
Having the right cover from day one in Spain isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about peace of mind. At Mutuarisk Expats, we advise you in English and help you find the best solution for your situation.
Moving to Spain and unsure which policies to take out? Contact us and we’ll guide you step by step.
