New Spain rules that can cost Brits £5,992 at the border – it's an easy mistake that thousands could make
Spain's
Health
Minister announced new rules meaning travellers heading to Spain are legally required to show proof of health cover as part of their travel insurance.
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Travel insurance is now required to enter Spain - and you may be asked to show proof
Credit: Alamy
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The new rules put in place are to ease strain on Spain's health system
Credit: Alamy
New rules mean that British citizens will have to get some more paperwork in order to prove they have appropriate travel insurance, which could be checked at the border.
Official Foreign Travel Advice on the
It's been reported that checks are being made at Spanish borders and by transport providers.
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Anyone without the correct cover could be fined up to €6,900 (£5,992).
During a recent update, Spain's Health Minister Carolina Darias said that this measure is to avoid additional strain on the Spanish public health system.
In a statement, Carolina Darias said: "The health of our visitors is a priority.
"We are committed to ensuring that all travellers, including British citizens, have the necessary coverage to protect themselves and the local health system."
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Most read in News Travel
It stated that "those most likely to forgo insurance are travellers aged 25-34, with two in five (41 per cent) admitting that they went on at least one trip uninsured in the past year".
The Spanish region undiscovered by Brits despite seaside views and ancient Roman cities
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Visitors to Spain must have fully comprehensive coverage in place
Credit: Alamy
Visitors must have fully comprehensive coverage in place with reasonable excess to cover costs.
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This is especially important if for anyone with
While it's not illegal to travel without insurance, it can be risky as travel
insurance
helps you to claim if you run into trouble while on holiday.
Cover ranges from
emergency medical treatment, assistance if belongings are stolen while you're away, or you have to cancel a trip due to death, illness or bereavement.
Before you leave, you can look around for the best travel insurance policy, for example whether that's individual or for families.
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The cost will vary depending on what kind of holiday you go on too, whether that's high or low risk.
That's not the only new rule in Spain,
Anyone seen drinking on the street, in parks, or on beaches could be fined up to €3,000 (£2,568).
A new
law
was passed in Spain last year that gives local municipalities the
power
to fine anyone caught
.
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If a municipality does take up the law, anyone caught smoking on the beach can be charged up to €2,000 (£1,700) - so check before you go.
And you can only wear swimwear on the beach or sunbathing as certain places in Spain have cracked down on wearing bikinis and trunks into towns and cities.
Two popular Spanish destinations have strict rules on
Here are even more
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And the
What should you look for in a good travel insurance policy?
TRAVEL insurance policies can vary a great deal, but here are some "must have
Medical expenses -
A good policy will give cover of £1million or more for travel in Europe and £2million or more for the USA
Repatriation service -
The costs of getting you back to the UK for medical reasons should be covered automatically by your policy
Cancellation and curtailment -
A good policy will cover you for £2,000 or more if you have to cancel or shorten your holiday
Missed departure -
Covers additional accommodation costs and travel expenses up to £500 or more if you miss your flight due to circumstances out of your control
Delay -
You'll usually be covered for £250 or more if your travel plans are delayed due to circumstances out of your control
Baggage cover -
Covers you if your baggage is lost, damaged or stolen. Look for policies that have cover of £1,500 or more.
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Brits could be fined if they don't do one thing before heading to Spain
Credit: Alamy
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