How much does repatriation cost in Spain?

Planning for end-of-life arrangements is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of preparing for the future. Taking proactive steps can significantly ease the emotional and logistical burdens on your loved ones during times of loss. One critical component of this preparation is understanding and planning for repatriation. By considering healthcare directives, insurance, and repatriation options well in advance, you ensure that your wishes are respected and that your family is spared the complexities and expenses of last-minute arrangements. 

In this post, we'll delve into how much repatriation costs in Spain, and how repatriation can form part of your health insurance or funeral insurance. 

When we talk about repatriation, what does it mean?

Repatriation is the process of returning someone or something to their country of origin, and is commonly used in reference to expatriates living abroad or the transfer of artifacts, funds, or property to their home countries. The repatriation process can involve legal and logistical considerations to ensure a smooth and respectful return. 

Repatriation, in the context of a deceased person, refers to the process of returning the remains of an individual to their country of origin or home after they have died abroad. This involves several logistical steps, including obtaining the necessary legal documentation, preparing and transporting the body or ashes, and coordinating with international and local authorities to ensure that cultural, religious, and legal protocols are respected. Repatriation is often pursued to fulfill the wishes of the deceased or their family, allowing them to be laid to rest in their homeland, which can provide a sense of closure and honor familial or cultural traditions.

How much does repatriation cost in Spain with and without insurance?

The cost of repatriating a body from Spain can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the destination country, the services required, and whether or not the deceased had insurance.

Without insurance, the cost typically ranges from €3,000 to €7,000. This includes expenses such as embalming, a suitable coffin for international transport, administrative fees, documentation, transportation to the airport, and the flight itself. Additional costs might arise from factors such as the distance to the destination, specific legal or bureaucratic requirements, and any additional services requested by the family.

With insurance, the costs of funeral repatriation can be significantly lower or even fully covered, depending on the policy. Some travel insurance policies include repatriation coverage, which can cover the entire process, thus relieving the family of the financial burden. Other travel insurance policies only partially cover the costs, or have exclusions or specific coverages depending on the origin of the deceased. If you go with this type of option, it’s worth looking into the fine print and asking your insurance provider for more details.

Typically though, you can get the best repatriation coverage through your health insurance or funeral insurance. Read below to see more on these two options. 

Repatriation as part of your health insurance

Caser Expat Insurance offers comprehensive health insurance coverage that includes repatriation services. Our policies such as Adapta + Dental, Integral, and Prestigio provide extensive medical benefits, including emergency medical assistance abroad, which covers repatriation of mortal remains. This ensures that if an insured person passes away while abroad, the costs associated with returning their body to their home country are covered. Additionally, these plans offer various healthcare services such as primary medicine, specialist consultations, hospitalization, and dental coverage, catering to the diverse needs of expatriates living in Spain​

Adapta + Sonrisa Esencial + Repatriation is Caser’s specific healthcare plan for visa and residency in Spain. In accordance with Spanish residency requirements, expats need healthcare coverage with no co-payments as well as repatriation coverage to the insured person’s country of origin. Plus, the Adapta plan offers medical assistance, hospitalization and dental coverage. Adapta insurance has an official certificate as health insurance in Spain for residency. What’s more, you can take advantage of our legal advice phone line for foreign residency matters, which can be extremely helpful during confusing and complex bureaucratic processes, in another language, at that! 

Repatriation as part of funeral insurance

Caser Expat Insurance’s funeral insurance is a specific insurance policy in the event that a loved one dies. It covers funeral services in Spain (everything from the documentation, coffin, burial, and beyond) or repatriation to the deceased’s country of origin. If repatriation is chosen, you forego funeral services in the country of origin. 

It also covers transfer assistance for the accompanying person in the event of an international transfer, including plane tickets and hotel stays. Finally, you can take advantage of over-the-phone legal guidance on administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings.

The younger you are, the less you pay. And if the cost of the funeral service is less than the insured sum, Caser will reimburse the unused amount to your beneficiaries. To get a full overview of our Caser insurance to cover funeral expenses, read here. 

Although planning for end-of-life arrangements can be scary, the sooner you start out, the better prepared you will be when the time comes. You especially won't want to be worrying about the cost of repatriation in Spain, and will instead be able to focused on your loved ones. If you're interested in learning more, download the free guide below.