Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

Even if you’re only hopping across the Channel, travel insurance is definitely worth considering. As with any holiday, things can go wrong, from lost baggage to cancelled flights or stolen valuables. Insurance can help to cover unexpected costs or problems even if you’re still close to home.

It’s also important protection against medical costs should you fall ill or get injured while you’re abroad, as these can become very expensive.

 

Do I still need travel insurance with an EHIC or GHIC card?

 

A European Health Insurance Card covers you for emergency medical care in the local health service of the EU country you’re visiting (not private hospitals), but it’s not a replacement for travel insurance.

For UK travellers, EHIC cards issued before the end of 2020 will be valid until their expiry date (on the front of your card), entitling you to reduced cost or Free State healthcare within the EU countries that you visit.

In 2021, the EHIC replaced the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). Visit gov.uk for the most up-to-date information on the EHIC.

An EHIC or GHIC only covers you for certain essential medical treatment, but bills can become very expensive for certain procedures or extra help such as air ambulances. Travel insurance (Europe) provides more comprehensive medical cover for travelling in Europe, as well as covering things like your belongings and travel disruption, depending on your policy.

 

What should my European Travel Insurance cover?

 

A standard European travel insurance policy should cover you for things like flight delays and cancellations, as well as provide cover for lost or stolen items, such as luggage, passports, and travel documents.

Travel insurance for Europe should also cover you for any emergency medical or hospital expenses and repatriation to the UK. You may also want to consider a policy that includes personal liability cover to help pay towards legal fees should you accidentally injure someone else or someone’s property while on holiday.

If you’re going to be undertaking any extreme sports while you’re in Europe, such as skiing, you may also want to check that you’re covered for these activities.

 

Which European countries are covered by travel insurance?

 

The countries covered by your travel insurance depends on your provider. You should always check your policy covers your EU destination.

Our Asda travel insurance policies cover all the countries of Europe, as well as a few adjacent destinations, such as Egypt and Morocco. See below the full list of countries our European Travel Insurance covers:

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balearics, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

 

Do I need a visa to travel to Europe?

 

If you’re travelling as a tourist, then UK passport holders can visit the EU visa-free and stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. At the border, you may need to show an onward ticket and demonstrate that you have enough money for your stay.

From November 2023, UK travellers to Europe will also need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver. Once authorised, the waiver will be valid for three years and will allow for an unlimited number of entries in and out of Europe.

You should always check the latest advice before you travel – visit gov.uk for the most up-to-date information on travelling in the EU.

 

Is European travel cover more expensive since Brexit?

 

Although the UK is no longer a member of the EU, you should still be able to find cheap European travel insurance.

The amount you pay for European travel insurance depends on a range of factors, such as your age, pre-existing medical conditions, the level of cover you choose and the length of your trip.

To help keep costs down, Asda offers three different levels of cover, Value, Premium, and Superior – so you can choose a policy that’s right for you. Depending on your circumstances, Asda also offers Single Trip European Travel Insurance as well as Annual European Travel Insurance, to help keep costs down.

 

How long can I spend in Europe on holiday?

 

You can holiday in Europe for up to 90 days in any consecutive 180-day period. However, if your trip extends beyond 90 days, you will need to apply for a visa.

From November 2023, UK travellers to Europe will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) visa waiver. This document shows that you are eligible to travel in Europe for up to 90 days without a visa. The waiver will be valid for three years and will allow you unlimited entry in and out of Europe.

 

 

Can I get European cover with a pre-existing medical condition?

 

You can get travel insurance to Europe if you have pre-existing medical conditions, however, you will need to declare these illnesses or injuries to your provider at the time you take out your policy as failure to do so can invalidate your insurance.

Certain medical conditions may increase the cost of your insurance, and some providers may not cover you for certain illnesses, so it’s always worth checking with your provider before taking out a policy to make sure you are getting the best European travel insurance for you.

 

 

European Travel Insurance FAQs

 

Are EHIC cards still valid?

For UK travellers, EHIC cards issued before the end of 2020 will be valid until their expiry date (on the front of your card). In 2021, the EHIC was replaced by the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). Visit gov.uk for the most up-to-date information on the EHIC.

 

Do I need travel insurance to go to the EU?

Although it’s not a legal requirement for you to have travel insurance for Europe, it is strongly recommended to make sure you’re covered for any unexpected events, such as flight delays, cancellations, lost baggage, and medical treatment while on holiday.

 

What countries count as Europe for travel insurance?

Each insurance provider may have their own list of countries they count as Europe. With Asda, our insurance policies cover all European countries, as well as a few adjacent destinations, such as Egypt and Morocco.

 

Here is the full list of countries our European Travel Insurance covers:

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balearics, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madeira, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

 

How much does a GHIC card cost?

A GHIC card is free to apply for via the NHS website.

 

What does a GHIC card cover?

A GHIC gives you access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare when you’re visiting an EU country or Switzerland. This may include emergency treatment or routine medical care for a pre-existing condition that cannot wait until you return to the UK.

A GHIC card does not cover all health costs, though, so you will still need to take out European travel insurance to ensure you are appropriately covered.