Which insurance is compulsory in Spain? A guide for expats (2026)

Moving to Spain comes with a long list of paperwork, and insurance is one of the areas where expats get the most conflicting advice. The good news: very few policies are compulsory by law. The catch: several others are required in practice by banks, consulates or collective agreements. This guide sums up what you really need, written by an Allianz agency in Murcia that advises expats every day.

The short answer

By law, you must insure any motor vehicle you use (car, motorbike, moped and, since 2 January 2026, e-scooters and other personal mobility vehicles), recreational boats, and certain professional activities. In practice you’ll also need building insurance if you have a mortgage, private health insurance for some residence visas, and accident insurance for your staff if you employ people.

Car, motorbike and e-scooter

Every motor vehicle used on Spanish roads needs at least compulsory third-party liability insurance (seguro obligatorio). Driving without it can mean heavy fines and your vehicle being immobilised. If you’ve brought a car on foreign plates, remember that once you’re resident you’ll need to register it in Spain and insure it with a Spanish policy.

One tip that saves expats a lot of money: ask your previous insurer for a no-claims certificate before you cancel. Many Spanish insurers ignore foreign driving history, but we take it into account to apply the maximum no-claims bonus.

E-scooters and other personal mobility vehicles have required liability insurance since 2 January 2026. If you use one to get around town, check your e-scooter cover.

Home insurance

Home insurance isn’t compulsory by law if you own your home outright. If you have a mortgage, however, the lender will require the property to be insured against damage. You’re free to choose the insurer: the bank can offer you a better interest rate if you take its products, but it can’t force you to. Tenants aren’t legally obliged to insure their belongings, although some rental contracts ask for it. See our home insurance plans for expats.

Health insurance and residence visas

If you work in Spain and pay Social Security, or you receive a state pension from another EU country and register your S1 form here, you’re entitled to public healthcare. For other residence routes, such as the non-lucrative visa, the student visa or the digital nomad visa, consulates usually require comprehensive private health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, often with no co-payments and no waiting periods. Our health insurance for expats is issued without waiting periods, and we also offer student visa health insurance.

Dogs

Owners of potentially dangerous dogs must have liability insurance. The 2023 Animal Welfare Law extends the liability insurance requirement to all dog owners, although its practical application depends on regulations that are still being developed. Given how little it costs, we recommend having it anyway: see our dog insurance.

Boats and jet skis

Recreational boats and jet skis must have compulsory liability insurance. If you keep a boat on the Mar Menor or the Costa Cálida, check your boat insurance.

Self-employed and business owners

Professional liability insurance is compulsory for certain professions, such as healthcare, legal and building professionals, and many professional associations require it to register. If you employ staff, most collective agreements require accident insurance for your employees. Our insurance guide for the self-employed explains what you need depending on your situation.

Family visiting from outside the EU

Relatives who need a Schengen visa to visit you must show travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover. We can arrange it for them.

Not compulsory, but worth considering

Life insurance isn’t compulsory, even with a mortgage, but it protects your family if the worst happens. Funeral insurance with repatriation cover is popular with expats who want their families to avoid costs and paperwork abroad. And if you’re self-employed, sick pay insurance protects your income when you can’t work.

Need a hand?

We’re an exclusive Allianz agency in Murcia with more than 30 years of experience, and we advise expats in English in person, by WhatsApp or by video call. Get in touch and we’ll tell you exactly what you need for your situation.