Can I really be fined €6,900 for going to Spain without travel insurance?

I read a story that said Spain could start issuing big fines of up to €6,900 to British holidaymakers if they cannot produce proof of travel insurance covering medical costs.

When I tried to discover if this was true, I hit a brick wall. I thought that a GHIC covered me in Spain and getting travel insurance for extra medical costs was up to me.

Could I really be fined when I go on holiday?

Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: In recent weeks, reports have been published suggesting Britons could be fined up to €6,900, or around £5,900, if they go to Spain and are unable to prove they have adequate travel insurance covering medical costs.

The reports suggest Britons must have travel insurance that stands to cover all medical costs for the duration of their stay in Spain, or risk a substantial fine.

According to some of the articles, the insurance policy must meet certain criteria outlined by the Spanish Ministry of Health, such as covering medical emergencies, hospital stays and other essential services.

Some of the media reports include a quote purporting to be from Spain’s health minister, emphasising that this measure was designed to ensure that all visitors have the necessary financial resources to cover the costs of medical care, and avoid placing further strain on the country's healthcare system.

This is Money has, like you, been working to figure out what is going on and whether the reports are correct.

Last week, we contacted Spain's Ministry of Health and asked them whether Britons could be fined up to €6,900 if they travel to Spain and are found to be without travel insurance covering medical costs.

On Tuesday, we received a response in Spanish, which translates as: 'According to our information, there are no regulations in place requiring British tourists to purchase private health travel insurance to enter Spain as tourists.'

However, the department said it still 'highly recommended' that visitors to Spain have travel insurance that includes medical cover, especially if their stay is longer than 90 days or the individual does not have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

I also contacted Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office about the matter.

It said it was for the Spanish authorities to answer questions on the terms they set for people entering Spain.

The Government department said it kept its travel advice under constant review 'to ensure it reflects the latest updated information for British nationals travelling abroad.'

The FCDO noted that it had longstanding advice that British nationals should purchase appropriate insurance before travelling abroad.

The FCDO website does state that Britons could be asked to show proof of their travel insurance at the Spanish border. There is no mention of a potential fine at present.

To date, it has not been confirmed by authorities in Spain or Britain that you could be fined if you are found to be travelling to Spain without adequate travel insurance. This could change.

However, it is always sensible to take out travel insurance providing appropriate medical cover before you travel abroad. The risks of not taking out travel insurance can be extremely serious if things go wrong.

Use comparison sites and do your research to ensure you get an appropriate level of cover. The cheapest policies may not be the most appropriate, particularly when it comes to providing adequate cover in case of a medical emergency overseas.

If you are going to Spain, read the FCDO's online travel advice for Spain. This covers topics like entry requirements, insurance advice and health insurance cards.

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The FCDO also has a list of medical providers in Spain where some staff will speak English.

If you are in Spain and need to access state healthcare in Spain, you will need a valid EHIC or GHIC card.

A GHIC or EHIC covers state healthcare. It does not provide private healthcare cover.

With a GHIC or EHIC card, you can get medically necessary treatment in Spain on the same basis as a Spanish citizen. This means that you will get healthcare services for free or at a reduced cost.

If you travel to Spain or elsewhere in Europe without a valid EHIC or GHIC, you may need to pay in full for the state treatment or care you receive.

A GHIC or EHIC card is not a replacement for travel insurance. The cards do not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to Britain via a medical repatriation.

The GHIC has replaced the existing EHIC card. If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you will need to apply for a GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to five years. You can apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid using unofficial websites as they may charge you a fee to apply.

Britons also need to be careful about their passport when entering Spain.

Britons entering Spain must have a passport date of issue less than 10 years before the date you arrive.

Your passport also needs to have an expiry date at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. The expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue.