Do I Need Travel Insurance for Europe?

Introduction

Every year, millions of UK residents travel to European destinations for holidays, business, and family visits. If you're planning a trip to France, Spain, Italy, Greece, or anywhere else on the continent, one of the most common questions you'll face is: do I actually need travel insurance for Europe?

The short answer is: yes, you absolutely should have it. While travel insurance is not a strict legal requirement for entering most European countries, travelling without it is a significant financial risk. Since Brexit transformed the UK's relationship with the EU, the safety nets that British travellers once relied upon have changed considerably. Medical bills in European countries can run into tens of thousands of pounds, and without insurance, you would be personally liable for every penny.

In this guide, we'll explain exactly what's changed since the UK left the EU, how the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) works, what it doesn't cover, and why a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential for any European trip in 2026.

What Changed After Brexit?

Before the UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020, British citizens enjoyed extensive reciprocal healthcare arrangements across the EU through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card entitled holders to state-provided medical treatment in any EU or EEA country on the same terms as residents of that country.

Since Brexit, several key things have changed for UK travellers heading to Europe:

• The EHIC has been replaced by the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for most UK residents
• Some existing EHICs remained valid until their expiry date, but new applicants receive a GHIC
• The GHIC covers state-provided medical treatment in EU countries — but not in non-EU European countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (unless separate bilateral agreements apply)
• The GHIC does not cover repatriation (medical flights home), which can cost £10,000–£50,000 or more
• UK travellers are no longer automatically covered by certain consumer protection regulations when booking travel through EU-based providers
• Mobile phone roaming charges have returned for many networks, and travel disruption rights have changed

These changes mean that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is now more important than ever for UK travellers visiting Europe. For a deeper look at how Brexit has affected travel cover, see our dedicated guide on travel insurance after Brexit.

GHIC vs Travel Insurance: What's the Difference?

There's a common misconception that the GHIC (or old EHIC) is a substitute for travel insurance. It is not. While the GHIC is a valuable card to carry — and you should apply for one if you haven't already — it has significant limitations compared to a proper travel insurance policy.

What the GHIC Covers

• Access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries
• Treatment on the same terms and at the same cost as residents of that country (which may still involve a co-payment)
• Medically necessary treatment during your stay — not treatment that could wait until you return home

What the GHIC Does NOT Cover

• Private medical treatment — many tourist areas primarily offer private hospitals
• Medical repatriation (flights home if you're too ill to travel commercially)
• Mountain rescue or helicopter evacuation
• Trip cancellation or curtailment
• Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal belongings
• Travel delays and missed departures
• Personal liability (if you accidentally injure someone or damage property)
• Legal expenses
• Non-EU European countries (Switzerland, Turkey, etc.)

In practical terms, this means that if you fall seriously ill in Spain and need an air ambulance home, the GHIC will not cover the repatriation cost — which can easily exceed £20,000. Similarly, if your holiday in Italy is cancelled due to illness, you'll lose your entire investment without insurance. A comprehensive travel insurance policy fills all of these gaps and more.

What Travel Insurance Covers That the GHIC Doesn't

A quality travel insurance policy provides far broader protection than the GHIC alone. Here is what you gain with proper insurance:

Medical Emergencies & Repatriation

Comprehensive policies typically provide medical cover of £5,000,000 to £15,000,000, including emergency repatriation. This means that if you suffer a serious injury while skiing in Austria or a medical emergency on a Greek island, your insurer covers the full cost of treatment and arranges your transport home if clinically necessary.

Trip Cancellation & Curtailment

Life is unpredictable. If you need to cancel your European holiday due to illness, injury, bereavement, jury service, or other covered reasons, your insurance will reimburse your non-recoverable travel and accommodation costs — typically up to £1,000–£5,000 depending on your plan level.

Baggage & Personal Belongings

Lost luggage at a busy European airport? Passport stolen in Barcelona? Travel insurance covers the cost of replacing essential items, with baggage cover typically ranging from £1,000 to £2,500.

Travel Delays & Missed Departures

Flight delays and cancellations are an unfortunate reality of modern travel. Insurance provides compensation for extended delays and covers additional accommodation and travel costs if you miss a connection due to circumstances beyond your control.

Personal Liability & Legal Expenses

If you accidentally injure someone or damage property while abroad, personal liability cover protects you against compensation claims — typically up to £2,000,000. Legal expenses cover assists with legal costs if you need to pursue or defend a claim overseas.

Popular European Destinations & Their Risks

Different European destinations present different risks. Understanding these can help you choose the right level of cover:

Spain & the Balearic Islands

Spain remains the UK's most popular holiday destination. Common claims include gastric illness, injuries from falls (particularly among older travellers), and theft in busy tourist areas such as Barcelona and Madrid. Emergency hospital treatment in Spain can cost hundreds of pounds per day even in state hospitals, while private facility bills can quickly reach thousands.

France

France is hugely popular for both city breaks and winter sports holidays in the Alps. Skiing and snowboarding injuries are a major source of claims — a helicopter rescue from the slopes alone can cost upwards of €5,000. Standard policies typically exclude winter sports, so make sure to add this cover if you're hitting the pistes.

Greece & the Greek Islands

Remote Greek islands often have limited medical facilities, meaning patients may need to be airlifted to Athens for treatment. Without insurance, this transfer alone could cost thousands. Water sports injuries and sunstroke are also common claims.

Italy

From the canals of Venice to the ruins of Rome, Italy presents risks including pickpocketing, road traffic accidents on mopeds, and gastric illness. Italy's healthcare system requires co-payments even for state treatment, meaning bills can mount even with a GHIC.

Turkey

Turkey is not an EU member and is therefore not covered by the GHIC. Medical treatment in Turkish resorts is almost exclusively private and can be very expensive. Travel insurance is absolutely essential for any trip to Turkey.

Switzerland, Norway & Iceland

These non-EU countries have some of the highest medical costs in Europe. A night in a Swiss hospital can easily cost CHF 3,000 (approximately £2,700). The GHIC has limited or no validity here depending on bilateral agreements, making comprehensive insurance vital.

How Much Does European Travel Insurance Cost?

The good news is that European travel insurance is among the most affordable cover available. Because Europe is relatively close to the UK and medical costs are generally lower than destinations such as the USA or Canada, premiums are very reasonable.

Here's a general guide to what you might expect to pay:

Single Trip Policies

Single trip European policies are among the most affordable insurance products available. Cover levels typically range from basic essential protection through to comprehensive plans with higher medical, cancellation and baggage limits, plus extras like gadget cover. The price varies based on your age, destination, trip length and cover level.

Annual Multi-Trip Policies

If you travel to Europe more than twice a year, an annual multi-trip policy is usually far better value. Annual European cover provides unlimited trips throughout the year (subject to maximum trip duration limits, typically 31 or 45 days per trip). Compare quotes to see how much you could save versus buying individual trip policies.

Factors That Affect Cost

• Your age: Premiums generally increase with age, particularly for over 50s
• Pre-existing medical conditions: Declaring conditions adds to the cost but is essential for valid cover
• Trip duration: Longer trips cost more to insure
• Cover level: Higher medical, cancellation, and baggage limits increase premiums
• Activities: Adding winter sports or adventure activities increases the premium
• Excess: Choosing a higher voluntary excess can reduce your premium

To compare quotes from trusted providers, visit our comparison page — it takes just a few minutes to find the right cover for your trip.