Spanish home insurance: what you really need to know

👉 Watch the video now and hear exactly what our expert lawyer has to say about Spanish home insurance.

Is Spanish home insurance mandatory?

Let’s start with the big question. According to Alex Radford, a lawyer from My Lawyer in Spain:

“It is not mandatory, but it’s highly advisable to have it.”

So, you won’t get fined for skipping it, but that doesn’t mean it’s wise to go without. If you’re buying an apartment, some cover is already baked in:

“Typically the façade and the common areas will be covered by insurance taken out by the community of owners and the block.”

That means your building’s exterior and shared stairwells are looked after, but everything inside your own four walls is your responsibility. Which brings us neatly to…

What kind of cover do you actually need?

Alex is clear:

“You would really only need home insurance for contents and your own property. If you’re buying a property, we would strongly recommend that you do have home and contents insurance and buildings insurance as well.”

So even if you live in an apartment with community insurance, it won’t protect your sofa, laptop, or wine fridge (priorities). That’s why most buyers take out a combined buildings and contents policy.

Types of Spanish home insurance

Not all policies are created equal. Here are the main options you’ll come across:

1. Buildings insurance

Covers the physical structure - walls, roof, fitted kitchen and bathrooms. If you’ve got a mortgage, your bank will almost certainly insist on this.

2. Contents insurance

Protects your belongings: furniture, electronics, clothing, art, golf clubs… and yes, the wine fridge. Handy if you own unusual or high-value items.

3. Combined cover

The most cost-effective (and sanity-saving) option: both buildings and contents under one policy. Often includes extras like temporary accommodation if repairs make your home unliveable.

4. Holiday home insurance

If your place sits empty for months, standard cover may not apply. Holiday home policies are designed for second homes, including ones you rent out. These can also include cover for malicious damage, theft, and even loss of rental income.

How much does Spanish home insurance cost?

The million-euro question (don’t worry, it’s not that expensive). On average, Spanish home insurance comes in at around €150–€400 per year for a standard apartment, with villas or larger homes pushing higher depending on size, location, and contents. Expect to pay more if you’ve got a pool, pricey tech, or a Picasso on the wall. At the lower end, a small flat in a low-risk area might cost less than your monthly tapas bill. At the top end, a big countryside finca with land and contents can run into the four figures.

Do insurers care about home security?

Absolutely. The safer your home, the better your premiums. Installing decent locks, alarms, or a safe shows insurers you’re serious. Some will even shave money off your annual costs for making upgrades.

Other types of insurance worth considering

While we’re here, a quick reminder of other policies that might crop up in Spain:

• Mortgage insurance – covers repayments if you become unwell or lose income.
  
   
• Life insurance – important if you share property ownership.
  
   
• Health insurance – often required for residency applications.
  
   
• Car insurance – compulsory if you keep a vehicle in Spain.
  
   

What do you need to buy Spanish home insurance as a foreigner?

The good news: it’s pretty straightforward. Most insurers will ask for:

• Proof of identity (passport or NIE).
  
   
• Property details (address, size, usage — main home or holiday home).
  
   
• Bank account in Spain for direct debits (sometimes you can pay from abroad, but Spanish banks make life easier).
   

Some insurers offer policies in English, but many don’t, so unless your Spanish is top-notch, consider going through a broker who can explain the fine print. And yes, you’ll need to value your contents honestly. “Guessing” that your €5,000 sofa is worth €200 won’t do you any favours when it comes to claiming.

Final checks before signing

A couple of golden rules:

• Always read the small print. Look for exclusions (natural disasters, vacant property limits, etc.).
  
   
• Annual payments usually work out cheaper.
   

Update your insurer if your circumstances change, even swapping locks or adding a window could affect payouts.
 

Wrapping up

Spanish home insurance isn’t a legal must-have, but it’s as close to essential as you’ll get. Between protecting your stuff, keeping the bank happy, and sleeping better at night, it’s a smart move.