Do I need travel insurance for Benidorm if I have a GHIC?

What does the GHIC actually cover in Spain?

Medically necessary state healthcare, on the same terms as a Spanish resident: free or at reduced cost. A UK GHIC, or a UK EHIC that is still in date, does not cover private clinics, does not replace travel insurance and will not pay to fly you home. Prescriptions cost 50% of the price, or 10% if you get a UK State Pension. The card is free from the NHS website, so never pay a third-party site for it. If you lose it, NHS Overseas Healthcare Services on +44 191 218 1999 can issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate.

Where do I go if I'm ill?

For something routine, a state health centre. In Benidorm there are centres at Racó de l'Oix (966 816 350), Foietes (966 870 500) and La Cala (966 870 400), plus the Centro de Especialidades (966 870 200). In 2026 one visitor described turning up with a GHIC and passport: reception, then triage, then a doctor. If you want to use your insurance, ring its medical helpline first; some insurers won't name a clinic, but they'll tell you what they'll pay for. The public hospital is Hospital Marina Baixa in Villajoyosa, the next town south; A&E is open 24 hours on 966 907 235, and bus line 54 runs there from the bus station and La Cala every 30 minutes. In an emergency, call 112.

How do people find cover with a pre-existing condition?

By going to specialists and declaring everything. Prices vary enormously between insurers, so the cheapest quote on a comparison site is rarely the answer. Regulars with several conditions name AllClear for annual cover, and one says Staysure covered his wife once her condition had stabilised after treatment. Some insurers exclude a condition until it is stable. A sensible 2025 tip: ask the charity for your condition whether it keeps a list of insurers. Read the medical section before you pay.

Is there an age limit, or a limit on trip length?

Often the problem is length, not age. Several winter visitors in 2025 found annual policies that cap each trip at 30, 45, 60 or 90 days. An 80-year-old regular got a 12-month policy from Saga in 2025 with 90 days' continuous stay, and a 72-year-old found 60 days' cover with Gigasure even though its site said over-70s weren't accepted. Some insurers cover older travellers but cut certain payouts. Check the maximum single-trip length against your full stay, including travel days.

Will insurance pay out if I'd been drinking?

Often not. Regulars warn that many policies exclude claims where alcohol played a part. Theft claims have their own rules: some policies say theft must be reported to police within 24 hours, and your insurer will want the report reference. In Benidorm you can report it at the SATE office on Calle Gerona, run by the Policía Nacional with interpreters.

What if I'm staying longer or moving out?

Then holiday rules stop applying. Residence visas need full private health insurance, and moving on to Spain's state system is a separate process. In March 2026 there were reports of a new Spanish universal healthcare law, but how it applies to visitors is not settled. For anything beyond a holiday, use GOV.UK's 'Living in Spain' guidance and a qualified adviser.