Living Abroad

Spain, Sunshine, and… Insurance? A No-Nonsense Chat Before You Move

So, the decision is made. You’re trading in the grey British skies for Spanish sunshine. You can practically taste the sangria and feel the warmth on your skin. It’s going to be amazing.

But then, usually late at night, the boring-but-important stuff starts to creep in. What about banking? What about taxes? And the big one: what on earth do I do about my life and health insurance?

Let’s be honest, it’s the least exciting part of moving abroad, but sorting it out now will save you a world of headaches. We’ll cover the main points in this chat, but if you’d rather see all the technical details in a full guide on insurance for UK citizens moving to Spain, or simply book a call with an expert to get straight answers, you can do that too. For everyone else, let’s dive in.

First up: Can I just keep my UK life insurance?

This is the question everyone asks. And the short answer is… probably, yes. Most UK life policies are happy to travel with you, but they have a few non-negotiables. You almost always need to have been living in the UK when you first bought it, and you absolutely must keep paying for it from a UK bank account.

The most crucial bit? You have to tell them you’re moving. Don’t just pack up and hope for the best. Some policies have funny little clauses about living overseas permanently. The last thing you want is for your family to face a problem with a claim down the line because of a simple change of address. So, before you do anything else, just give your provider a ring.

Now, that brings up another point: should you even keep it? If you’re planning on getting a Spanish mortgage, the bank will almost certainly demand you take out a life insurance policy with them, in Euros. For some, it just feels simpler to have a local policy in the local currency. For others, sticking with a familiar UK provider feels safer. There’s no right or wrong answer, it’s just about what works for you.

What about healthcare? The NHS vs. Spanish life.

You’ve probably heard that Spain has a brilliant public healthcare system (the SNS), and it does. But it’s not quite like walking into your local GP here. To get full access, you need to be an official resident and paying into the Spanish social security system. Even then, you might find yourself in a long queue for certain treatments, and trying to explain your symptoms in broken Spanish can be an adventure you’d rather avoid.

This is why so many expats choose to get private medical insurance.

Think of it as your fast-track pass. It gets you seen quicker, gives you access to private hospitals where English is commonly spoken, and generally just makes life easier, especially when you’re still finding your feet. And here’s a key thing to know: if you’re moving over without a job and applying for residency, the Spanish authorities will likely demand that you show proof of private health cover. For many, it’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.

The smart move is often to sort this out before you even leave the UK. You can get an ‘international’ plan from a big name you already know, like Bupa or AXA. These are designed for people living abroad and give you the flexibility to get treated in Spain, or even back in the UK if you prefer.

A simple to-do list before the removal van arrives

It sounds like a lot, I know, but it’s simpler than you think. If I were in your shoes, here’s what I’d do:

1. Find that life insurance policy document – yes, the one in that drawer with the old takeaway menus – and actually read the bit about moving abroad.
2. Get on the phone to your provider and have a straight conversation. Tell them your plans and ask them to confirm in writing that you’re still covered.
3. Have a think about what you want from your healthcare in Spain. Are you happy to rely on the public system or do you want the peace of mind of private cover?
4. Get a few quotes for international health insurance. It’s amazing how much they can vary.
5. Whatever you decide, make sure you keep a UK bank account open. It makes paying for any UK policies a thousand times easier.

Look, moving to a new country is a huge and exciting step. The insurance side of things is just a box you need to tick to make sure you and your family are properly looked after. By getting it sorted before you go, you can focus on the important stuff, like how to order two beers and a plate of patatas bravas. Good luck with the move!

The Expat’s Guide to Not Messing Up Your Insurance

So, you’re doing it. You’re actually moving abroad. The leaving party is booked, you’ve started strategically packing boxes (read: hiding stuff you don’t want to deal with yet), and you’re spending way too much time looking at weather forecasts for your new home. It’s a whirlwind of excitement, chaos, and that one nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach… the ‘life admin’ feeling.

Among the joys of redirecting mail and figuring out if your cat needs a passport, lies the beast of insurance. It’s the topic that can make a grown person want to curl up in a half-packed box and pretend it’s not happening.

But sorting it out is your golden ticket to a stress-free move. This is your no-nonsense guide to getting it right. Of course, if you’d rather just skip the reading and get straight to the answers, you can dive into a deep-dive guide on international insurance here or just book a call with a specialist who can untangle it all for you. For everyone else, grab a brew, and let’s get this sorted.

First Things First: Can’t I Just Take My UK Policies With Me?

This is the million-dollar question. You’ve been dutifully paying for your life and health cover for years, so it should just pop in your suitcase alongside your favourite teapot, right? Well… it’s a bit more complicated than that.

Let’s Talk Life Insurance

In many cases, your UK life insurance policy can come with you. It’s often perfectly happy to cover you wherever you are in the world, but only if you play by its rules. These usually include:

1. You were a UK resident when you bought it: They signed you up based on your UK status, and that’s the foundation of the deal.
2. You keep paying from a UK bank account: This is a surprisingly big deal for insurers. Trying to pay from a foreign account can cause all sorts of compliance headaches and may even invalidate your policy.
3. You tell them you’re moving: This is the big one. Don’t just sneak off into the sunset. You need to call your insurer and tell them you’re becoming an expat. Some policies have geographical restrictions or clauses about permanent moves that you need to know about. Get their confirmation in writing.

Think of your life insurance policy like a slightly fussy houseplant. It can survive in a new environment, but only if you give it the right conditions. Uproot it without care, and it’s not going to be happy.

And What About Health Cover? The NHS Isn’t Going in Your Hand Luggage

This is where a lot of people get caught out. The National Health Service is exactly that: National. It’s funded by UK taxpayers for UK residents. The moment you move abroad and are no longer a resident, you generally lose your right to routine NHS treatment.

“But what about my GHIC card?” I hear you cry. The Global Health Insurance Card (and its predecessor, the EHIC) is a brilliant bit of kit for a holiday. It gives you access to state-funded emergency or necessary medical care in EU countries. It is not private health insurance, and it is absolutely not designed for people who are permanent residents in another country. It’s for temporary stays. Relying on it as your long-term health plan is like using a plaster for a broken leg.

The Big Debate: Local Cover vs. International Expat Insurance

Okay, so if your UK cover won’t quite cut it, the logical next step is to just buy some insurance in your new country, right? It might be the perfect solution. Or it might be a bureaucratic nightmare.

Getting a local policy can be great. It’s often cheaper, it’s in the local currency, and it can feel simpler. But it comes with a few potential pitfalls:

• The Language Barrier: Trying to understand the nuances of an insurance contract is hard enough in English. In another language? Good luck.
• Different Systems: Every country has a different approach to insurance. The level of cover you expect as standard might be a pricey add-on elsewhere.
• Underwriting Woes: Local insurers want to see a local medical history. If you’ve just arrived, you don’t have one, which can make the application process feel like an interrogation.

This is where International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) swans onto the stage. This is insurance designed specifically for people living and working abroad. It’s the seasoned traveller of the insurance world.

Think of it this way: buying a local policy is like buying a car designed for city driving when you’re about to move to the countryside. It’ll probably do the job, but it’s not quite right. An IPMI policy is the 4×4 Land Rover, built to handle exactly the kind of terrain you’re heading into.

Decoding the Jargon: What to Look for in an International Health Plan

When you start looking at IPMI plans, you’ll be hit with a load of terms that sound unnecessarily complicated. Let’s break them down.

• Area of Cover: This is crucial. Most insurers offer “Worldwide” or “Worldwide excluding the USA.” The USA is separated because its healthcare costs are so astronomical that including it sends premiums into orbit. If you’re not planning on spending significant time there, excluding it is an easy way to save a lot of money.
• Levels of Cover: Just like car insurance, you get different tiers. The basic level is usually ‘in-patient only’, which covers you if you’re admitted to hospital. The comprehensive plans will also cover ‘out-patient’ care (GP visits, specialist consultations, diagnostics) and might include extras like dental, optical, and wellness checks.
• The Deductible (or Excess): This is the amount you agree to pay yourself towards a claim before the insurer steps in. A higher deductible means a lower monthly premium, and vice-versa. It’s a trade-off: are you willing to pay more upfront to have lower monthly costs?
• Underwriting: This is how the insurer assesses your health before they offer you a policy. You’ll usually see two main types:
  • Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You fill out a detailed health questionnaire, listing all your pre-existing conditions. The insurer then decides what they will and won’t cover. It’s more admin upfront, but you know exactly where you stand from day one.
  • Moratorium Underwriting: This is a “wait and see” approach. The policy will automatically exclude any conditions you’ve had symptoms or treatment for in the last few years (usually five). If you then go a set period (usually two years) in your new country without any symptoms or treatment for that condition, it may become eligible for cover. It’s quicker to set up, but leaves a grey area.

The Life Insurance Lowdown: Sort It Before You Fly

Let’s circle back to life insurance. While your UK policy might come with you, what if you need a new one, or want to top up your cover?

Here’s a golden piece of advice: It is almost always easier to get life insurance sorted while you are still a UK resident.

Insurers are creatures of habit. They like nice, predictable risk, and a UK resident with a UK medical history is a box they love to tick. The moment you say you’re moving to Country X, things can get more complicated. Some UK insurers won’t offer a new policy to someone about to emigrate, and trying to get a new policy once you’re already an expat can be tricky.

By arranging it before you go, the policy is underwritten based on your UK records and your UK residency. You lock in your cover, and then you’re free to move, knowing your family is protected.

Your Pre-Flight Insurance Checklist: A Simple Plan

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t be. Here’s a simple, step-by-step plan.

1. Audit Your Existing Policies: Don’t assume anything. Dig out the paperwork for any life, health, or income protection policies you have.
2. Call Your Providers: Have a straight conversation. “I am moving to Spain permanently on this date. Please confirm in writing how this affects my policy.”
3. Research Your Destination: What’s the local healthcare like? Is it expensive? What are the visa requirements? Many countries (like Spain and Dubai) now mandate that all residents have private health insurance.
4. Get Quotes Early: Don’t leave this until the last minute. Give yourself at least two or three months before your move date to compare international health and life insurance plans.
5. Be Brutally Honest: When you fill out application forms, disclose everything. That knee trouble you had three years ago? Mention it. Trying to hide a pre-existing condition is the surest way to get a future claim denied.
6. Keep Your UK Bank Account: Even if it’s just with a small amount of money, keeping a UK account open will make paying for any ongoing UK-based policies a thousand times simpler.

Final Thought: It’s Peace of Mind, Not Paperwork

Moving abroad is one of the most exciting, life-changing things you can ever do. The insurance part is just the boring scaffolding that makes the whole adventure safe and secure. By taking a bit of time to understand your options and put the right cover in place before you leave, you’re not just ticking a box. You’re buying peace of mind.

And that frees you up to focus on the much more important questions, like how to say “another glass of the local red wine, please” in your new language. Good luck with the move!