Travel Insurance for Spain, Portugal & France
You will almost certainly need some kind of insurance to cover you health and possessions while walking the Camino de Santiago. The insurance on offer to you will depend on your own personal health situation and from which country you are resident of. Most Camino insurance policies will cover hiking as an outdoor activity, but always check the small print yourself to ensure it’s covered. The max altitude on the French Way is around 1600m, so you should be covered to that height.
– EU, EEA and UK Citizens and Residents
– United States, Canadian, Australian, NZ, SA and Rest of the World
| Insurance provider | Residents of… |
Prices from… | Link… |
 |
Anywhere | $42, £33, €38 | Safety Wing |
 |
EU & UK |
€44 £40 |
-EU Res -UK Res |
 |
Anywhere *except EU currently |
$55, £30 | World Nomads |
 |
US & CAN |
$80 | Travelex |
 |
UK | £9.69 | Travel S’market |
 |
UK |
£40 | Staysure |
Listed below are travel insurance providers for the Camino de Santiago.
Safe travels & Buen Camino!
Safetywing Camino insurance *All Nationalities
Travel medical insurance. Safety Wing cover people from all over the world, while outside their home country.
Prices from $42 / 33.05 GBP / 38.00 EUR
> Insurance here from SAFETY WING – Link not working? try this
World Nomads Insurance *All Nationalities
If you’re travelling and want to travel longer, World Nomads lets you buy more cover to keep you on the road.
> Insurance from WORLDNOMADS – Link not working? try this
AXA Travel Plans *US Citizens & Residents
AXA offers travel insurance plans in conjunction with travel assistance services to not only help compensate for your covered loss but also to provide support during and after your loss.
Prices from $55
> Insurance here from AXA INSURANCE – Link not working? try this
Travel Supermarket *UK Citizens & Residents
Compare 400+ holiday insurance policies from over 50 travel insurance providers including Staysure and Allclear
Cover from as little as £9.69*
> Insurance from TRAVEL SUPERMARKET – Link not working? try this
European Health Insurance Card for Camino De Santiago
Residents and Citizens of the European Union should also remember to carry their EHIC card when travelling along the Caminos.
You can access the EHIC here… https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=563&langId=en
Embarking on the Camino de Santiago is a transformative experience, a journey that blends physical endurance with spiritual or personal reflection. Whether you are walking the popular Camino Francés or the rugged Camino del Norte, the rhythm of the trail creates a sense of liberation. However, that freedom can be cut short by the unpredictable. While the Camino is generally safe, the unique nature of a long-distance pilgrimage makes travel insurance not just a “nice-to-have,” but an essential part of your gear.
The Physical Reality of Long-Distance Trekking
The most immediate risk on the Camino is physical injury. Walking 20 to 30 kilometers a day, often for weeks on end, puts immense strain on the body. While most pilgrims expect blisters, more serious issues like stress fractures, tendonitis, or severe heat exhaustion are common.
Spain has an excellent healthcare system, but access and cost depend heavily on your nationality:
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EU Citizens: While the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers some costs, it doesn’t cover everything, such as private clinics or medical repatriation.
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Non-EU Citizens: Without insurance, a visit to a specialist or an emergency room for a twisted ankle can result in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Insurance ensures that a medical setback doesn’t become a financial crisis, allowing you to focus on recovery rather than the bill.
Protection Against Logistics and Gear Loss
Modern pilgrims carry more than just a staff and a gourd. Most hikers travel with a smartphone, high-end trekking boots, specialized technical clothing, and often a tablet or camera. The communal nature of the albergues (hostels) is one of the joys of the Camino, but it also presents a risk for theft or accidental loss.
Furthermore, travel insurance covers the “travel” aspect of your pilgrimage. If a flight delay causes you to miss your train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, or if a family emergency forces you to abandon your trek halfway through, trip cancellation and interruption coverage can reimburse you for non-refundable bookings and transport home.
Medical Evacuation: The Hidden Necessity
One of the most overlooked aspects of the Camino is its remote terrain. If you are crossing the Pyrenees or trekking through the O Cebreiro pass and suffer a medical emergency, you may require specialized transport to the nearest hospital.
Important Note: Standard health insurance rarely covers “Medical Repatriation”—the cost of flying you back to your home country with medical supervision. These costs can easily exceed $50,000. Travel insurance bridges this gap, providing peace of mind for you and your family back home.
The “Bed Bug” Factor and Illness
While less “dramatic” than a broken bone, illnesses like Norovirus or the occasional bed bug infestation in an albergue can disrupt your journey. If you are too sick to walk, you may need to stay in a private hotel for several days to recover. Many premium travel insurance policies offer a daily allowance or coverage for additional accommodation expenses incurred due to illness, ensuring you can heal in comfort.
Summary of Benefits
Final Thoughts
The spirit of the Camino is about “the trail providing,” but the trail doesn’t pay for hospital stays or stolen passports. Investing in travel insurance is an act of respect for your journey; it acknowledges the challenges of the path and ensures that, should something go wrong, your “Buen Camino” doesn’t turn into a logistical nightmare. It allows you to walk with a lighter heart, knowing that you are protected from the Pyrenees to the Plaza del Obradoiro.
