Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
We have an elderly relative that we would like to visit here in Spain. The question I have is surrounding travel health insurance, do you think it is necessary to take out extra insurance, or is a GHIC card sufficient
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“GHIC isn’t travel or health insurance, actually states so. GHIC will give you urgent/ necessary treatment only and doesn’t include repatriation, covelessing, rehabilitation (ongoing care, physio) or private healthcare. Yes insurance should be taken out too.”
“ALWAYS take out full travel insurance. Have you got the £40,000 or so set a medical repatriation flight can cost… And which like loads of other massive costs IS NOT covered by GHIC/EHIC.”
“Never travel without insurance. Shop around – sometimes a year long policy is better value than single trip. It’s a small investment if you care to think of the alternatives.”
“Travel insurance should be compulsory for all tourist.”
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Explore Cities →“I would advise you to get insurance. GHIC will cover the first problems, up to 90 days. If there were a major problem, requiring repatriation to the United Kingdom . . long term hospital treatment etc. the costs could be enormous.”
“Here are Spainguru’s health insurance recommendations”
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