Private health insurance vs. public system
In October 2024, the Valencia region received more than 300 mm of rain in just a few hours. The resulting floods killed over 220 people and caused insured losses estimated at €3.5 billion. It was the costliest natural disaster ever recorded in Spain. And in the summer of 2025, wildfires burned more than 400,000 hectares across Galicia, Castilla y León and Extremadura — the worst wildfire season in over 30 years. If you own property in Spain, the question is no longer if something could happen, but when.
The good news is that house insurance for expats in Spain can protect you against floods, earthquakes, wildfires and other natural disasters. Spain has a unique public-private system — the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) — that steps in to cover extraordinary events. But you must have an active home insurance policy in place to benefit from it. Without one, you are completely unprotected.
This article explains the real risks, how home insurance works for natural disasters in Spain, and what you need to check in your policy right now — especially if you are an expat.
What natural disasters affect Spain?
Spain is exposed to a wider range of natural hazards than many expats realise when they buy a property. Here are the three main threats:
Floods
Flooding is the most damaging natural disaster in Spain. The Mediterranean coast — Valencia, Murcia, Alicante, Málaga — is particularly vulnerable to a weather phenomenon called gota fría (cold drop), which can dump a full year’s worth of rain in hours. The 2024 Valencia floods are a recent and devastating example: over 2,600 buildings damaged, 120,000 vehicles destroyed and 50,000 hectares of crops lost.
Wildfires
Spain is one of the countries most affected by wildfires in Europe. In 2025, fires scorched approximately 400,000 hectares, concentrated in the northwest (Galicia, León, Zamora). Climate change, heatwaves reaching 45 °C and rural depopulation leaving unmanaged forests have made the fire season longer and more severe. Properties near forest edges or in rural areas face the highest risk.
Earthquakes
While Spain does not experience catastrophic earthquakes as frequently as other countries, seismic activity is real — especially in the south and southeast. Regions like Andalucía, Murcia and the south of Valencia are the most seismically active. In the last 10 years, 254 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or above have been recorded within 300 km of Spain. The 2011 Lorca earthquake (magnitude 5.1) killed nine people and damaged thousands of buildings.
How does house insurance cover natural disasters in Spain?
Spain has a system that is different from most countries. It works in two layers:
1. Your private home insurance policy covers everyday risks like storms, hail, wind damage and water leaks. This is the policy you contract with your insurer.
2. The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) is a government-backed public body that covers extraordinary risks: major floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves and cyclonic storms with winds over 120 km/h. When a large-scale disaster strikes and your private insurer cannot absorb the losses, the CCS pays the compensation directly to you.
Here is the key point: you must have an active home insurance policy to be eligible for CCS protection. A small surcharge on your premium (roughly €35 per year for a home insured at €500,000) goes into the CCS fund. If you have no policy, you have no access to the CCS — and no protection at all.
For residential properties, the CCS applies no deductible, which means you will not have to pay an excess out of pocket when claiming for an extraordinary event.
What should expats check in their home insurance policy?
Not all house insurance policies in Spain are created equal. As an expat, pay close attention to these points:
- Buildings and contents cover: make sure both the structure and your belongings are included. A flood can destroy furniture, appliances and personal items just as easily as walls.
- Extraordinary risk surcharge: confirm that your policy includes the CCS surcharge. Most do, but it is worth checking — especially with budget or online-only providers.
- Wildfire and smoke damage: some policies cover fire damage but exclude smoke damage to interiors. Ask your insurer specifically about this.
- Temporary accommodation: if your home becomes uninhabitable after a disaster, does your policy cover hotel or rental costs while repairs take place?
- Garden, pool and outbuildings: standard policies may not cover damage to exterior features. If you own a rural property or finca, check these are included.
- Rebuild value vs. market value: make sure your home is insured for the full cost of rebuilding, not just its current market price.
If you are unsure about any of these, a specialist insurance broker for expats can review your policy and identify gaps in your cover.
How to claim after a natural disaster in Spain
If your home is affected by an extraordinary event, you should:
- Contact the CCS within 7 days of the event. You can do this directly through their website, by phone (900 222 665), or through your insurance broker.
- Notify your private insurance company as well, since they may cover additional aspects of the damage.
- Document everything: take photos and videos of the damage before cleaning up or making temporary repairs.
- Keep receipts for any emergency spending (hotel stays, essential repairs, etc.).
The CCS must pay compensation within a maximum of 3 months from the date the claim is filed. During the 2024 Valencia floods, the CCS received over 46,000 claims in just five days — proof that the system works, but also that acting quickly matters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need separate insurance for earthquakes or floods in Spain?No. If you have a standard home insurance policy for expats in Spain that includes the CCS surcharge, earthquakes, floods and other extraordinary risks are already covered through the Consorcio.Does house insurance cover wildfire damage?Yes. Wildfires are typically covered under both your private policy (for standard fire) and the CCS (if the wildfire is classified as an extraordinary event). Check with your insurer that smoke damage is also included.What if I only rent my property in Spain?As a tenant, your landlord’s policy should cover the building. But your personal belongings are not protected unless you have your own contents insurance. This is especially important for expats renting long-term.Is house insurance mandatory in Spain?It is not legally mandatory unless you have a mortgage, in which case your bank will require it. However, without it, you have zero protection against natural disasters — and no access to the CCS.
Protect your home before the next disaster
Spain’s climate is changing. Floods are becoming more intense, wildfire seasons are lasting longer, and seismic risks remain constant. If you are an expat living in Spain, the right house insurance is not a luxury — it is essential peace of mind.
At The Insurance Centre, we have been helping expats across Spain find the right cover for over 30 years. We work with leading insurers to make sure your home, your belongings and your family are fully protected — including against natural disasters.
Not sure if your current policy covers natural disasters?
Get in touch with our team for a free, no-obligation review of your home insurance. Request your quote here or call us at 952 451 033. We speak your language.
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.
