15-07-2025
New Spain rules that can cost Brits £5,992 at the border – it's an easy mistake that thousands could make
BRITS travelling to Spain face new rules that could leave them out of pocket at the border.
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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Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations for British holidaymakers, with over 17 million tourists going there every year.
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 government website for Brits has added that at the Spanish border you may need to show proof of travel insurance.
It's been reported that checks are being made at Spanish borders and by transport providers.
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."
ABTA reported in May 2025 that a quarter of people who went on a holiday abroad in the past 12 months did so without travel insurance.
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 must have fully comprehensive coverage in place with reasonable excess to cover costs.
This is especially important if for anyone with pre-existing medical conditions.
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.
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, lots more have been put in place that could lead to fines - including drinking alcohol in a public place.
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 smoking on the beach.
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 where you can wear swimwear - with fines for any rule breakers.
Here are even more .
And the eight golden rules for travelling abroad this summer.
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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