Spain’s government has issued an important clarification regarding medical insurance for British holidaymakers heading to the country. Reports have suggested that British tourists face being slapped with a €6,900 (£5,976) if found to have entered the country without having taken out private medical insurance.
This has led to days of confusion online and on social media, causing panic among those getting ready to go on holiday. However, Spain’s health authorities say British travellers do not need private medical insurance in order to enter the country. Spain’s Health Ministry, though, strongly urged people to purchase travel insurance which covers medial treatment before they travel and not to rely solely on their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
A spokesperson for the ministry told the Olive Press that travel insurance was always a good idea and particularly so for anyone planning to stay longer than 90 days or whose GHIC or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is no longer valid. The ministry’s recommendations echoes standard advice that is issued by the UK Government on its travel website.
Brits are told “to get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book. Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports
“Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these.”
British tourists are facing a whole set of new regulations governing travel to Europe, as Brussels pushes ahead with new immigration controls.
The EU has finally approved a new Entry/Exit System (EES) after months of delay. The new system will be launched in October across Europe – and is expected to streamline border procedures for non-EU nationals.
Brussels plans to roll out the new procedures gradually, in order to prevent chaos and long delays for travellers as the system beds in. The UK government has warned Brits to be ready for the changes and to expect some delays at the beginning.
Travellers will have their biometric data and passport details collected by EU passport officials when entering a European country for the first time under the new regulations.