IATI Estudios: insurance for Erasmus and academic year abroad

1. Do you need specific student insurance?

Almost always yes. Most European universities and practically all outside the EU require a medical and civil-liability insurance certificate with specific minimum sums before enrolment. Typical amounts required:

• EU (Erasmus): medical assistance 30,000€ - 100,000€ depending on university, CL 300,000€.
• United Kingdom: NHS requires IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) + complementary medical insurance.
• USA / Canada: very high cover (500,000€+), often with specific requirements that force you to take out the university's own insurance.
• Australia: OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) mandatory for the student visa.
• Latin America and Asia: variable by country, usually 100,000€ - 500,000€ medical + CL.

The European Health Insurance Card covers part of public medical assistance in EEA countries + UK + Switzerland, but does NOT cover repatriation, CL, study cancellation, luggage, federated sports practice or private assistance. For long studies you need complementary insurance even inside the EU.

2. What IATI Estudios is and who it is for

IATI Estudios is IATI's specific product for students going abroad for an academic period. Its main features:

• Duration adapted to the academic calendar (usually 4-12 months, renewable).
• Certificate adapted to the formats usually required by host universities.
• Extended civil-liability cover (mandatory for many universities).
• Cover for curricular internships linked to the degree.
• Guaranteed repatriation.
• 24h assistance in Spanish + other languages.
• Cover for usual university sports.
• Interruption of studies for serious causes (illness, family bereavement).

Typical profiles who contract it:

• Erasmus (semester or full year).
• Academic year at a foreign university (non-Erasmus).
• International double degree.
• Curricular internships at a foreign company.
• Language studies abroad (minimum 1 month).
• Master's or doctorate outside Spain.

3. Critical cover of Erasmus insurance

Medical assistance and hospitalisation

The cover par excellence. Check that the capital covers the destination well: 30,000-100,000€ is usually enough in Europe, but USA/Canada/Japan require much more (500,000€+).

Civil liability

Mandatory at almost all host universities. Covers damage to third parties (breakage of lab equipment, damage in residence, accident caused to another student). Usual capital 300,000€ - 1,000,000€.

Repatriation

Always included in IATI Estudios. Covers repatriation due to serious illness or death (own or first-degree relative).

Cancellation / interruption of studies

Reimbursement of enrolment and expenses if you have to cancel studies due to a serious documented cause (illness, family bereavement). Amounts covered vary by product.

Luggage and personal items

Basic luggage cover. Watch out for laptop / mobile (valuables with a sub-limit). For students with expensive materials (architecture, fine arts, engineering) consider supplementing.

University sports

Non-professional federated: usually included. Check the exact sports in the particular conditions before signing for the university rugby team.

4. What to review with special care

Specific requirements of your host university

Each university may require its own certificate format, specific sums, minimum CL cover, exclusion of deductibles, etc. Ask the university for the exact list BEFORE signing and check that IATI Estudios meets them.

Paid internships: the fine print

Curricular internships with symbolic pay → usually covered. Internships with a formal employment contract from the destination country → may fall outside. Check before signing.

Pre-existing conditions

As with any travel policy, medical conditions known before signing are usually excluded (except sudden worsening). If you have chronic conditions, consider specific extensions.

Mental health

Common blind spot in student policies. Psychiatric emergencies are covered, but scheduled psychological therapy or ongoing treatment is usually outside. Watch out especially during a tough academic year.

Accommodation with host family or residence

Standard usual cover. Check room damage cover (CL).

5. Considerations by destination

6. Common scenarios

Hospital admission for appendicitis during Erasmus in Germany

Usually direct cover. Contact the 24h helpline before admission unless vital emergency. The EHIC would cover the public part, but IATI additionally covers transport, translation and add-ons.

Laptop theft in a university residence in Milan

Police report essential + original laptop invoice. Cover based on the valuables sub-limit (usually insufficient for a 2,500€ MacBook).

Cancellation of the Erasmus year due to serious family illness before travelling

Cancellation cover if contracted. Provide medical proof of the relative (first-degree kinship is usually the requirement) + non-refundable invoices.

Injury playing rugby in the university team in the UK

Check that rugby is included in the policy (sometimes it requires an extension). If not, probable exclusion of the injury.

Curricular internship at a French company

Usually covered. Watch out: if the company hires you formally after the internship, activate local labour insurance.

7. Before signing: Erasmus checklist

• Ask your university for the list of minimum cover required in writing.
• Check that IATI Estudios meets ALL those requirements (CL, medical capital, certificate format).
• Check that the scope covers YOUR specific destination.
• Confirm cover for your sports (if applicable).
• Download and keep a digital copy of the certificate before travelling.
• Translate the certificate into the country's language if the university asks for it.
• Keep the 24h helpline number on your mobile + paper.
• If it's your first year away, share the insurance details with family in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

Notice: this guide is indicative and reflects public information as of September 2026. Exact cover, exclusions and requirements per university and country may vary. Always check the current particular conditions on IATI's official website and your host university's requirements before signing. This content does not constitute academic, migration or commercial advice.