Brits heading to Spain on holiday this summer could face whopping fines of up to £6,000 or even be refused entry to the country, after new laws have come in to place.
Spain has imposed strict rules which means UK holidaymakers will need provide evidence of comprehensive health cover as part of their travel insurance in order to gain entry to the country.
Brits can still use their European Health Insurance Card for basic healthcare in Spain and other parts of the European Union, but this will no longer be enough to meet the entry requirements for UK travellers holidaying in Spain.
While most people tend to buy travel insurance to ensure they're covered for cancellations or delays, this update means Brits will need to have cover for medical treatment, hospital stays and even repatriation, if the worst were to happen.
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Alarmingly, data gathered by Saga Travel Insurance found that around 16 percent of UK holidaymakers travel without any insurance at all, a move which could now see them refused entry to Spain at all.
If travellers are found attempting to enter Spain without the proper documentation, fines of up to €6,900 (£5,900) could be issued on the spot.
Anyone travelling to Spain in the next few months is being urged to check their insurance to ensure it meets the requirements.
"Not all policies will meet Spain’s new standards. While the Spanish government hasn’t specified exactly how much medical cover is now required, it’s recommended to have at least €30,000 for health-related incidents such as emergency medical treatment, hospital stays and repatriation. This figure is based on the typical minimum cover required for a Schengen visa," Michelle Cooper, director of travel insurance at Saga, said.
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"It’s also now vital for travellers with pre-existing medical conditions to check their insurance covers these conditions, as this has been stipulated in Spain’s new rules.
"They equally say the policy must have a reasonable excess, which is somewhat subjective to each individual, but it could be considered between £50 and £250."
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She went on to advise travellers to check how the excess is applied when selecting their policy.
"It could be per person, per incident, or per section of the policy," she said. "For example, if you needed medical treatment and then had to cut your trip short, you might have to pay two separate excesses.
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"And if you’re travelling with others, each person may have to pay their own excess too. The costs can add up quickly, so it’s important to choose an excess you could afford if something goes wrong."
With around 17.8 million Brits travelling to Spain each year, the policy change is a huge shake up and could catch many holidaymakers out.
Emma Rosemurgey