Travel Insurance for Europe
Whether you’re chasing sunshine, scenery or culture, Europe has it all. With Holiday Extras European travel insurance, we’ve got your back if plans change or things don’t go quite to plan. Pick the cover that works for you and enjoy a smoother, more relaxed trip.
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
Travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement for trips around Europe, but it’s a great way to travel with confidence. Our European travel insurance helps cover the important stuff if plans change or something unexpected happens. This includes cancellations, lost belongings and emergency medical care.
Whether you’re planning a short break or a longer journey, we’re here to help find a policy to suit your needs. That way, you can relax and enjoy your European adventure with greater confidence. Cover is subject to terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, for full details view our policy documents.
Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets UK travellers access state-provided healthcare in participating European countries. You’ll receive treatment on the same basis as a local resident, which can be really helpful while you’re away.
That said, a GHIC doesn’t cover everything. The level of care you receive can vary by country, and you may still need to pay towards treatment. It also won’t cover repatriation if you need to be flown home for medical care, which can be costly.
A GHIC focuses on healthcare only. It won’t help with things like lost luggage, missed flights, or cover for your gadgets and tech. That’s where European travel insurance comes in, giving you wider cover and extra peace of mind for your trip.
Which countries are included in our Europe Travel Insurance?
Europe destinations are split into two groups. This is because some destinations have higher medical costs than others. Not all destinations are classed as you might expect, so here’s a quick guide.
Europe (Excluding Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus & Turkey)
- Albania
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Vatican City
- Belarus
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Channel Islands
- Isle of Man
- The Azores
Europe (Including Spain, Greece, Malta, Cyprus & Turkey)
Including all destinations listed above
- Balearic Islands
- Canary Islands
- Corfu
- Crete
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Greek Islands
- Kos (Greek Island)
- Lanzarote
- Majorca
- Malta
- Minorca
- Rhodes
- Spain
- Tenerife
- Turkey
Find the best travel insurance for Europe
We offer a range of travel insurance options, with three levels of cover to choose from. That means you can pick the protection that suits your trip and travel plans.
Single trip travel insurance for Europe
Great if you’re heading off on one European holiday, whether it’s a short break to the Canary Islands or a longer adventure lasting several months.
Annual travel insurance for Europe
Ideal for frequent travellers, or if you’ve got more than one trip planned. All your European trips are covered under one simple policy.
Winter sports travel insurance for Europe
Planning a snowy escape? From the Alps to the Dolomites, add winter sports cover to protect you while you enjoy your time on the slopes.
Family travel insurance for Europe
Travelling together? You can cover up to two adults and five children on one family policy.
Cruise travel insurance for Europe
If your European trip includes a cruise, it’s worth having cover that’s designed for life at sea.
Compare travel insurance cover levels
Choose from three different levels of cover, each with its own cover limits. Ranging from a simpler 'Bronze' plan to a higher level 'Gold' plan, you can tailor your policy to suit your needs. Browse the key benefits below, or see the full breakdown in our cover-level table and Policy Documents.
Bronze
| £15,000,000 | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £1,000 | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £2,000 | Personal belongings |
| £500 | Personal money |
| £500 | Gadget Cover |
Silver
| £20,000,000 | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £2,500 | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £3,000 | Personal belongings |
| £750 | Personal money |
| £500 | Gadget Cover |
Gold
| Unlimited | Emergency medical and repatriation expenses |
| £5,000* | Cancellation & Cutting your trip short |
| £5,000 | Personal belongings |
| £1,000 | Personal money |
| £750 | Gadget Cover |
*Or as specified on your schedule
What Does European Travel Insurance Cover?
European travel insurance helps protect you if things don’t go to plan while you’re travelling abroad. Depending on your policy, cover may include:
Emergency medical treatment and repatriation
Cover for urgent medical care if you become ill or are injured while travelling in Europe. This can include hospital treatment and, if medically necessary, the cost of returning you safely to the UK.
Cancellation and curtailment
If you have to cancel your trip before you travel, or cut it short while you’re away, your insurance can help cover unused travel and accommodation costs due to unexpected circumstances.
Gadget and personal belongings cover
Protection against loss, theft or damage to personal items, such as mobile phones, tablets and other gadgets, depending on your level of cover.
Flight delay cover
If your flight is delayed by two hours or more, you can receive a benefit of your choice. Relax in comfort with airport lounge access, or choose a £25 cash payout per person.
24/7 emergency assistance
Round-the-clock support while you’re travelling in Europe, so help is always available if something goes wrong.
For full inclusions and exclusions, please refer to your policy wording.
Can I get European travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can obtain European travel insurance even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. We cover the majority of pre-existing medical conditions, and all medical conditions will be considered.
When applying for travel insurance, it's essential to declare any pre-existing medical conditions during the medical screening process. This ensures your policy provides appropriate coverage tailored to your health needs. Our policies are designed to offer comprehensive protection, including coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other unforeseen events.
To find some more great travel tips, visit our Holiday Extras travel guides where you can also discover a host of European travel destinations, including Spain, Italy and France.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of policy do I need?
If you travel once or twice a year, a Single Trip policy is a great option. You can book it up to 18 months in advance, and your cover starts from the day you buy it. This means you’re protected before you travel, including for things like cancellations. Your policy then runs until the return date you choose when booking.
If you travel more often, Annual travel insurance may suit you better. You can buy it up to 90 days in advance and choose when your cover starts. For full pre-departure cover, it’s best to start your policy on the day you book it or when you buy your flights. Annual policies last for 12 months from your chosen start date.
How much does European travel insurance cost?
The cost of European travel insurance will vary depending on a number of factors. Your trip length & destination, your age and any pre-existing conditions can all affect the price of a policy.
How many days will I be covered for with European travel insurance?
The length of cover you get with European travel insurance depends on the policy you choose. We offer two options, so you can pick what works best for your travel plans.
- Annual Travel Insurance - this covers unlimited trips over a 12-month period, as long as each trip includes at least one overnight stay and stays within the maximum trip length set out in your policy.
- Single Trip Insurance - provides cover for one-off holidays for the entire duration of your trip, whether it’s a two-week getaway or a longer holiday of several months
Please remember that all trips must begin and end in the UK.
Is European travel cover more expensive?
The cost of European travel insurance depends on a few different things. Your destination, how long you’re travelling for, and any pre-existing conditions can all play a part.
What is Europe 1 and 2?
Europe 1 and Europe 2 are destination zones used for European travel insurance. Different insurers may use different names, but the idea is the same.
European countries are split into these groups because medical costs can vary from place to place. Some destinations are more expensive for treatment, which is why they sit in a different zone.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.
Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Our flight delay cover is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited and serviced by Collinson Insurance Services Limited.