Spain can mean different things to different people. It might be somewhere you return to year after year, the place for a much-needed family holiday, or the destination you have been looking forward to throughout treatment or recovery.
A cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean that a holiday to Spain is out of reach. It can, however, mean there are a few more things to think about before you go, particularly around travel insurance, treatment, medication and what would happen if you needed medical help while you were away.
At Lighthouse Travel Insurance, we help people living with and recovering from cancer find cover that takes their individual medical circumstances into account.
Whether you are currently receiving treatment, have finished treatment, are in remission or have been living beyond cancer for some time, we are here to help make the insurance side of your trip clearer.
Can you get travel insurance for Spain If you have cancer?
In many cases, travel insurance may be available for a trip to Spain if you are living with cancer, receiving treatment, have finished treatment or are in remission.
When you get a quote, you will complete a medical screening. We may ask about your diagnosis, treatment, medication, ongoing care and current health.
This helps us understand your individual circumstances and assess the cover available to you.
Two people with the same cancer diagnosis can have very different medical circumstances. One person may have finished treatment several years ago, while another may be receiving ongoing treatment or attending regular hospital appointments.
Your quote therefore considers the information you provide about your own health and travel plans, rather than simply the name of your diagnosis.
It is important to answer the medical screening questions accurately so you can be confident that you have provided the information we need.
Find out more about our travel insurance medical screening, here.
Travelling to Spain during or after cancer treatment
Where you are in your treatment or recovery can affect the things you need to think about when planning a holiday to Spain.
Some people may be able to travel during treatment. Others may prefer, or be advised, to wait until treatment has finished or they have had more time to recover.
There is no single rule that applies to everybody.
If you are receiving treatment, have recently finished treatment or have concerns about your health, speak to your healthcare team before booking.
They can help you consider your treatment schedule, possible side effects, recovery and whether the trip you are planning is suitable for your individual circumstances.
Do not change, delay or miss cancer treatment to fit around a holiday unless this has been agreed with your healthcare team.
If you want more detailed information about travelling at different stages of treatment and recovery, you can find dedicated guidance across our Cancer and Travel Hub.
Planning your journey to Spain
For many people travelling from the UK, getting to Spain involves a flight. Your health, recent treatment and recovery can influence whether you need to take any additional precautions when flying.
If you have recently had surgery, are experiencing breathlessness, have concerns about blood clots or are dealing with significant treatment side effects, speak to your healthcare team about whether you are fit to fly.
There is no single waiting period after cancer treatment or surgery that will be right for everybody.
Your airline may also have its own requirements and, in some circumstances, may ask for medical information or confirmation that you are fit to fly.
Think about the journey beyond the flight too. Airports can involve long walks and queues, while transfers and waiting around can add to the amount of energy a travel day requires.
If fatigue, weakness or reduced mobility could make the journey more difficult, check what assistance your airline or airport can provide.
Taking cancer medication to Spain
If you take medication for cancer, following treatment or for another medical condition, plan what you will need before you travel.
Take enough medication for your trip, with additional supplies where appropriate in case your return is delayed.
Keep essential medication in your hand luggage and follow any storage instructions you have been given.
Depending on the medication you take, you may also need to think about:
- Whether it needs to be kept at a particular temperature.
- Whether you need a copy of your prescription or a letter from your healthcare team.
- Whether you will be travelling with needles, syringes or other medical equipment.
- Whether your medicine contains a controlled drug.
- How you will manage medication timings.
- What you would do if medication was lost or damaged while you were away.
Different countries can have different rules about the medicines travellers are allowed to bring in, so check the requirements for Spain before you travel rather than assuming that the rules will be the same as they are in the UK.
If you are unsure how travelling could affect when or how you take your medication, speak to your healthcare team or pharmacist.
Click here, to find out more about taking cancer medication abroad.
Preparing for warmer weather
A holiday in Spain may involve spending more time outdoors or in warmer temperatures than you are used to at home.
How this affects you will depend on your health and any treatment you are receiving or have recently received.
Some cancer treatments can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, while fatigue or other treatment effects can make hot weather feel more demanding.
Medication may also have particular storage requirements.
Ask your healthcare team whether there are any precautions that are especially relevant to your treatment or medication.
While you are away, following the individual advice you have been given and leaving some flexibility in your plans can make it easier to travel at a pace that works for you.
Declaring cancer on your travel insurance for Spain
When arranging travel insurance for your holiday, it is important to answer the medical screening questions accurately.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked about:
- Your cancer diagnosis.
- Treatment you are receiving or have previously received.
- Medication you take.
- Surgery you have had.
- Ongoing hospital appointments or follow-up care.
- Medical conditions connected to your cancer or treatment.
- Other medical conditions you have.
- Your current health.
Do not assume that cancer no longer needs to be mentioned because treatment has finished or you are in remission.
The medical screening process will guide you through the information we need.
Providing accurate information allows us to assess your circumstances and explain the cover available to you.
If relevant medical information is not declared when required, it could affect your cover and may mean that a related claim cannot be paid.
What should you take with you?
Getting a few practical things together before you leave can make it easier to deal with them if you need them while you are away.
Depending on your circumstances, you may want to take:
- Your travel insurance documents.
- Your insurer’s Emergency Medical Assistance contact details.
- Your GHIC or valid EHIC, where applicable.
- Enough medication for your trip.
- Copies of prescriptions or medical letters where required.
- Details of the medication you take.
- Any medical warning or treatment cards your healthcare team has advised you to carry.
- Useful contact details for your healthcare team.
- Any medical equipment or supplies you need.
If you have specific medical equipment, a stoma, catheter, PICC line or another practical requirement, speak to the healthcare professional supporting you about anything you should consider before travelling.
It is also important to remember that a valid GHIC or EHIC can provide access to state-provided, medically necessary healthcare in certain European destinations, usually on the same terms as a resident of that country. However, it is not a replacement for travel insurance, there are costs and circumstances it does not cover, which can include cancellation, lost baggage, medical repatriation to the UK, or if you need to cut your trip short for an eligible reason (details of limits, terms and exclusion are available in your policy wording).
Getting medical help while you are in Spain
Before travelling, it can be helpful to know how you would get medical assistance if you became unwell.
Keep your insurer’s Emergency Medical Assistance details somewhere easy to access and make sure anyone travelling with you knows where to find them.
If you need medical treatment while you are away, contact the Emergency Medical Assistance team as soon as you reasonably can so they can explain the next steps available under your policy.
If your healthcare team has given you specific instructions about symptoms that require urgent medical attention, make sure you understand what to do if they occur while you are travelling.
Having a plan does not mean expecting something to go wrong. It simply means you know where to turn if you do need help.
Why choose Lighthouse Travel Insurance?
Our policies can offer:
- Up to £10 million emergency medical expenses.
- Up to £10,000 cancellation cover, based on the trip cost per person declared.
- Up to £5,000 cover for your personal belongings, depending on the policy selected.
- 24/7 access to an Emergency Medical Assistance team.
- Cover for UK, European and Worldwide trips, provided you are not travelling against the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice.
- Access to Air Doctor Connect is available on numerous policies, allowing you to connect with over 20,000 doctors in 78 countries. Where non-urgent outpatient treatment is provided through Air Doctor Connect, your policy excess is waived, and you may claim back the cost of prescribed medication when you return home.
Please Note: Any amounts listed above are per insured person on the policy. Cover limits, benefits and exclusions vary between policies. Full details can be found in your policy wording, available in your Customer Area
