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Travel Insurance for Tenerife and the Canary Islands from £6.25^

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Written by  Jake Edmonds
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Reviewed by  Saarrah Mussa
10 min read
Updated: 10 Sep 2025

🚩 Spain has introduced new travel rules. Tourists must now have proof of health insurance. Without it you can be fined 6,900 or not allowed into the country.

Key takeaways

  • Travel insurance safeguards your well-being during your holiday and protects you from unexpected payouts.

  • EHICs and GHICs are valid for emergency healthcare but are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.

  • Make sure you are aware of any exclusions on your policy and always declare pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer.

Sunbathers on a beach, Canary Islands

Travel insurance for the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands, a part of Spain, are known as a beacon of leisure and relaxation attracting millions of British tourists each year. Beaches, mountain hikes, theme parks. The islands have it all, making them a perfect destination for a family holiday. Tenerife remains the most popular destination, but tourists also flock to its sister islands.

If you are planning a trip to the Canaries, then travel insurance is an importqnt companion to avoid unforeseen costs and issues. It offers a layer of protection to ensure that the only surprises you encounter are the pleasant kind.

Why do I need travel insurance for the Canary Islands?

People visit the Canary Islands for rest and relaxation. But unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the most idyllic holiday. Travel insurance can protect your finances from some of the following events:

  • Medical treatment abroad

  • Theft or loss of belongings

  • Cancellation or changes to your trip

  • Replacement flights

  • Lost luggage

Will an EHIC/GHIC cover me in the Canary Islands?

Yes. As the Canary Islands are part of Spain, both the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) are valid for emergency healthcare during your holiday.

Since the UK left the EU, British citizens can apply for a GHIC. This is free and functions similarly to the EHIC. Existing EHICs are still valid until their expiry date.

However, while EHICs and GHICs offer substantial benefits, they are not substitutes for comprehensive travel insurance. They cover emergency healthcare and will not help if you need to be repatriated, cancel your trip or incur other healthcare costs.

What should my travel insurance policy for the Canary Islands include?

When selecting travel insurance for the Canary Islands, it's important to ensure that the policy is as sunny as the destination itself. A good travel insurance policy for the Canary Islands (including Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, among other islands) should include the following:

  • Medical cover: Emergencies don't take a vacation, so your policy should not either. A good policy will cover the cost of any emergency medical treatments you need while you're abroad, sparing you the financial headache in times of distress.

  • Cover for your repatriation to the UK: If an unforeseen emergency necessitates your early return, this will cover the expenses, potentially including the cost of an air ambulance flight, ensuring you're not left stranded or out of pocket.

  • Cancellation cover: Cover for the cancellation or curtailment of your holiday in case it can no longer go ahead, or is cut short for a valid reason, can be a financial lifesaver.

  • Delay cover: Delays and missed departures due to factors beyond your control can derail your plans. The right insurance will pay out for things like replacement flights if necessary.

  • Cover for travel abandonment: In the unlikely event that problems arise on your journey and you have to give up trying to get to your destination, your insurance provider will step in to compensate for the inconvenience.

  • Cover for lost and stolen baggage: The distress of losing personal items is lessened when your travel insurance covers their value, whether during transit or at your holiday destination.

  • Cover for the loss or theft of your passport: Losing your passport overseas is a hassle. But, if your travel insurance has passport cover, then at least it won’t cost you.

Canary Islands travel insurance: exclusions and things to watch out for

All insurance policies come with exclusions, and travel insurance is no exception. It's essential to be aware of what might not be covered under your policy. Common exclusions include:

  • Incidents related to war, terrorism, civil unrest, or natural disasters.

  • Accidents and injuries resulting from alcohol consumption.

  • Travel to areas against UK Government advice.

  • Participation in adventure sports and activities without the appropriate cover.

How much does travel insurance for the Canary Islands cost?

Prices for travel insurance to the Canary Islands start from £6.25^ on MoneySuperMarket. The average price our customers pay is £16.04^ .

Those are prices for single trip insurance. You can also buy annual worldwide cover and long-stay backpackers insurance. The table shows the average prices paid by MoneySuperMarket customers for these types of travel insurance.

Policy Type

Median Cost

Worldwide

£73^

Backpackers

£201^

What excess should I have on my travel insurance?

The excess on your policy is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim. Opting for a higher excess will make your policy cheaper, but it’s important to avoid setting it so high that it’s unaffordable if you need to make a claim.

When should I start my travel insurance policy for Tenerife and the Canary Islands?

It’s a good idea to buy your travel insurance policy as soon as you book your trip. This means you are covered for cancellation before you leave. Other claims will only be valid on the dates that you are travelling.

I have a pre-existing medical condition; can I still get cover?

Yes, you can, but you will need to declare your condition to the insurer. This may cost more but it will mean that you can travel with peace of mind. Dishonesty over conditions can lead to your policy being invalidated. Some travellers with pre-existing medical conditions may find that standard policies do not provide cover for these conditions. However, specialist insurance providers offer policies tailored to include pre-existing conditions.

Can I get cover for adventure sports in Tenerife?

Yes, but you may need to purchase cover as an add on. The Canary Islands are a haven for adventure enthusiasts, but standard insurance policies may not cover activities such as diving or surfing. For those inclined towards adrenaline-pumping pursuits, special cover is available to ensure protection against accidents during such sports.

Compare travel insurance

With MoneySuperMarket you can compare travel insurance policies to find the one that’s right for you. We work with 60^ providers to make sure that you can find the policy that suits you best. And with the average cost of a policy for travel to Spain only £11.74^ . Compare policies with MoneySuperMarket and you can travel with the peace of mind that you are covered should anything go wrong.

Author

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Jake Edmonds

Former Senior Commercial Manager

Jake was a Senior Commercial Manager at MoneySuperMarket, overseeing the Travel, Business, and Landlord Insurance channels. Jake joined MoneySuperMarket over six years ago, he began his career here...

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Reviewer

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Saarrah Mussa

Former Content Writer

Saarrah was a MoneySuperMarket's in-house pet insurance expert. With broad experience writing across insurance products Saarrah is acutely aware of the complexities and costs consumers have to face...

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Data based on the 10th percentile price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Canary Islands in December 2025.

Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Canary Islands in December 2025.

Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for Worldwide cover in November 2025.

Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for backpacker cover in November 2025.

The number of providers for travel insurance in December 2025

Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Spain in October 2025.