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Is Health Insurance Mandatory for Expats in Spain?
A few days ago, the Minister of the Interior announced the intention to reduce the blood alcohol limit to 0.2 g/l, which means lowering the current rate of 0.5 g/l to less than half. With this new limit, it will be practically impossible to consume any alcohol at all while driving, following in the steps of other European countries.
Traffic Accidents in Spain involving alcohol
Alcohol is one of the main factors of traffic accidents in Spain. According to the Spanish traffic authorities, between 30% and 50% of fatal accidents are related to alcohol consumption and for this reason the authorities are wanting to reduce the alcohol rate and improve road safety.
When Could the New Rate Come into Effect?
To implement this change, Article 20 of the General Traffic Regulation has to be amended and different parliamentary forces have to agree and approve an extraordinary Royal Decree. Therefore, it is estimated that the blood alcohol limit will not be reduced to 0.2 g/l until well into 2025.
What Happens If You Have an Accident and Have Been Drinking?
The Spanish Penal Code states in Article 379.2 that it is a crime to drive under the influence of alcoholic beverages when exceeding a rate of 0.60 mg/l in exhaled air or 1.2 g/l in blood.
Evaluating the situation
Reducing the blood alcohol limit to 0.2 g/l means that practically no alcohol can be consumed if one is going to drive. Although this measure aims to save lives, it also raises important questions:
- Are we as a society prepared for this change?
- How will this measure affect professionals in the sector?
As professionals linked to the world of insurance and road safety, we must stay informed about these changes and their implications.
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. The proposed measures aim to reduce accidents and save lives, but they require the commitment and collaboration of society as a whole.
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About Our Team
At The Insurance Centre, we’ve been helping clients since 1999 with friendly, professional, and multilingual insurance services tailored especially for expatriates in Spain. We work with top-tier, reputable insurance providers and have proudly received awards for excellence in customer service and expat insurance for the past 10 years.
We are fully registered with the Dirección General de Seguros (DGS) and are members of the Colegio de Mediadores. Our team speaks English, Spanish, French, and Swedish, ensuring clear and confident communication with clients from around the world.
