Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
UK travellers made around 134 million trips to Europe in 2024. With that many holidays in play, it’s best to be protected from the unexpected: bags in Lisbon while you land in Lyon, a chest infection mid-cruise, or a sudden rail strike that strands you in Paris.
Travel insurance isn’t legally required for most European destinations, but it’s fast becoming a practical essential. Under the new Entry/Exit System (EES), border officers can ask for evidence that you can meet medical costs. Having your Avanti policy on hand satisfies that check in seconds and frees you to get on with your break.
Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers state healthcare, yet it won’t refund a missed villa stay or fund an air-ambulance from the Alps. Avanti can. Choose Essentials, Classic or Deluxe and get repatriation and emergency medical cover (unlimited on Deluxe), cancellation protection (up to £7,500 on Deluxe) and 24/7 help that’s there when you need it most.
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Top tip: travel insurance vs GHIC cards
A GHIC unlocks state healthcare at local prices – perfect for a quick clinic visit. But it stops there. It won’t refund pre-paid costs if you have to cancel your trip, or get you back to the UK in a medical emergency. An Avanti policy can do both* – and we can even pay hospitals direct, so you’re not left juggling bills while you recover. Keep both your GHIC and Avanti emergency number in your phone so you’re covered whichever door you walk through.
What does European travel insurance cover?
Here’s a quick look at when your policy will and won’t apply. If you’re not sure how any of these points might affect you, our friendly team can talk them through over the phone and help you understand what your cover includes.
We can usually help if you…
- have to cancel your trip or come home early
If illness, injury or bereavement means you can’t travel or need to cut your holiday short, we’ll help with the costs you can’t get back.
- need emergency medical treatment abroad
If you fall ill or get injured overseas, we’ll cover hospital treatment, ambulance transport and – if needed – medical repatriation, with help from our 24-hour assistance team.
- lose your bags or passport
If your baggage, valuables or travel documents are lost or stolen, we’ll help you replace essentials so you can carry on with your trip.
- are disrupted by bad weather or strikes
If your flight or connection is delayed because of unexpected bad weather, strike action or a vehicle breakdown, we’ll help cover reasonable travel or accommodation costs to get you where you need to be. (This doesn’t apply if the strike or disruption was already public knowledge when you booked your trip).
- are delayed on your journey (Classic and Deluxe)
If your flight or ferry is delayed for 12 hours or more, you’ll get a fixed payment to help with the inconvenience.
- can’t stay in your accommodation (Classic and Deluxe)
If a fire, flood or major power cut means you can’t stay in your hotel or apartment, we’ll help arrange and pay for somewhere else.
- are admitted to hospital while abroad (Classic and Deluxe)
If you’re kept in hospital overnight, we’ll pay a daily benefit to help with small personal costs while you recover. (If you’re injured in a mugging, an extra payment may also apply).
- are delayed by volcanic ash (Deluxe only)
If a volcanic ash cloud grounds your flight for more than 12 hours, you’ll receive a fixed payment to help with the delay.
- accidentally cause injury or damage
If you unintentionally injure someone or damage their belongings, your policy includes personal liability protection.
- are injured in an accident abroad
If you need legal help after being injured overseas, we’ll cover your legal costs, so you’re not left to manage it alone.
Cover won’t apply if you…
- haven’t told us about a medical condition
If you don’t declare a pre-existing condition, or if your health changes before you travel and you don’t update your policy, we won’t be able to cover related claims.
- travel against UK Government or medical advice
There’s no cover if you travel somewhere the UK Foreign Office has advised against, or if your doctor says you shouldn’t travel for medical reasons.
- have an accident because of alcohol or drugs
We can’t cover claims if alcohol or drugs directly or indirectly contribute to an accident, injury or loss.
- miss a flight because of personal delays
If you don’t leave enough time to reach the airport or check-in, we can’t pay for missed flights or connections.
- leave belongings unattended
There’s no cover if something is lost or stolen after being left unattended – for example, on a sunbed, in an unlocked car or in a public place.
- are travelling for arranged medical treatment abroad
Travel insurance is designed for unexpected illness or injury, not for medical procedures, tests or check-ups arranged before you go.
- booked during a known strike or disruption
If strike action or travel problems were already public knowledge when you booked, your policy won’t apply to those delays or cancellations.
- take part in an activity that isn’t covered
Some higher-risk activities – such as certain winter sports – aren’t automatically included unless you’ve added the right optional cover.
- are waiting for a medical procedure
If you’re awaiting an operation or follow-up test, cancellation and curtailment claims won’t be covered unless it’s an accepted procedure shown on your validation certificate.
Which countries count as Europe for travel insurance?
You might be surprised to learn that an Avanti travel insurance policy can cover the continent and beyond.
| European country |
Single Trip / Long Stay Region |
Annual Region |
| Albania |
2 |
1 |
| Andorra |
2 |
1 |
| Armenia |
2 |
1 |
| Austria |
2 |
1 |
| Azerbaijan |
2 |
1 |
| Belarus |
2 |
1 |
| Belgium |
2 |
1 |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina |
2 |
1 |
| Bulgaria |
2 |
1 |
| Channel Islands |
1 |
1 |
| Croatia |
2 |
1 |
| Cyprus |
2 |
2 |
| Czech Republic |
2 |
1 |
| Denmark |
2 |
1 |
Heading further south? We treat Turkey’s coastal resorts, the Greek Islands, Cyprus and Malta as European, and we extend the same cover to three North African favourites – Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt – because, for insurance purposes, they’re no more complex to underwrite than wider European destinations.
For a full list of which European countries are covered under what policy, take a look at our policy documents.
Travelling with a medical condition?
97% of customers who declare a condition are offered cover with us. In fact, since 2014, we’ve helped more than 1.3 million travellers arrange cover for over 1,300 medical conditions (subject to screening) – from high blood pressure and diabetes to cancer and heart disease.
In the rare event we can’t offer you travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, we’ll always try to point you in the right direction. We’re proud to be listed in the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) directory – a trusted source for specialist insurers who understand complex health needs. You can also contact them directly on 0370 950 1790 or visit biba.org.uk for free, independent guidance.
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Medical conditions we regularly cover
Heart and circulatory conditions
Travelling with a circulatory or heart condition like heart disease, high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation? You’re not alone.
Cancer
Our travel insurance policies can include cover for a wide range of cancers – including some of the most common, such as breast, prostate, bowel, lung and skin cancer.
Breathing and lung conditions
We regularly help travellers with a wide range of breathing conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, COPD and lung fibrosis.
Digestive conditions
Many Avanti travellers live with stomach and bowel conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and acid reflux.
Neurodegenerative diseases
Our policies can include protection for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease, as well as rarer conditions such as Huntington’s disease, Batten’s disease, spinocerebellar ataxia and spinal muscular atrophy.
Mental health conditions
Travel can do wonders for mental wellbeing. If you’re managing a condition like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we’d love to help you see the world.
Autoimmune conditions
The Avanti team regularly arrange cover for travellers with autoimmune conditions such as arthritis, lupus, Addison’s disease and multiple sclerosis. This can include conditions managed with long-term medication or those that cause occasional flare-ups.
Kidney conditions
We often help kidney patients with conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney stones, renal failure, nephritis and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Back and chronic pain
Chronic pain can have many causes – including autoimmune, neurological and digestive disorders – and we understand how differently it can affect each person day to day. We often cover those with conditions such as chronic back pain, slipped discs, sciatica, fibromyalgia and other long-term pain conditions.
Allergies
Allergies shouldn’t stop travel in its tracks. Whether it’s a common sensitivity or something more specific like allergic rhinitis or aspergillosis, we’ll do our best to find the right protection for your trip.
How to buy holiday insurance for Europe
Step 1
You can get a quote online or over the phone. We’ll start by asking a few quick questions – like whether it’s single trip or annual cover, your travel dates, destination and if you’re going on a cruise.
It’s easy to cover an individual, couple, family or group of up to nine travellers online (or up to 30 by phone).
Step 2
Next, we’ll go through a few details about your health over the past two years – including any diagnoses, symptoms, tests or treatment.
Step 3
Once you’ve shared your details, we’ll talk you through your quote, whether online or over the phone. You can choose your level of cover, add any extras and confirm your policy there and then.
You’ll get instant access to your policy documents in My Avanti, where you can view, download or update your details any time.
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Planning a cruise this year?
Our Classic or Deluxe cruise cover can protect your nautical adventures against missed port departures, cabin confinement, itinerary changes, and more. And because nobody wants to be underdressed at the captain’s table, we’ll even pay up to £100 for emergency evening wear, if yours don’t make it on board. Just let us know you’re going on a cruise when you get a quote.
When to buy travel insurance for Europe
You only get the full benefit of cancellation cover once your policy is live. That’s why plenty of travellers set theirs up the same day they pay a deposit.
Personal-finance gurus such as Martin Lewis point out that most pre-departure claims – illness, airline insolvency, strike disruption – happen weeks or months before lift-off, not at the airport gate. Having a policy in place early means any non-refundable costs are already protected while you count down the days to your departure.
How much is European travel insurance?
Our prices for European holiday insurance are influenced by five big factors:
- Destinations – we split our European destinations into two categories: Region 1, the United Kingdom and Europe Excluding: Cyprus, Egypt, Greece (including the Greek Islands), Malta, Morocco, Spain (including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands), Turkey and Tunisia, and Region 2, which includes the destinations above. Region 1 countries are usually the more affordable to cover.
- Trip length – a 48-hour city break is cheaper than a month-long road trip.
- Age – premiums rise gradually, but remember Avanti covers travellers of any age.
- Pre-existing medical conditions – we’re specialists here, yet some conditions may add a little.
- Cover level – Essentials is lighter on extras; Deluxe has nil excess and unlimited medical cover.
How to get cheaper travel insurance for Europe
European countries are usually some of the most affordable holiday destinations to insure. They’re short-haul, meaning emergency repatriation costs are lower than, for example, the USA or Australia. Their healthcare systems are usually well-developed, which keeps treatment costs predictable – and your GHIC card entitles you to state healthcare at local rates in most places.
All of this means a better premium for you, however, there are a few more ways you might be able to shrink the cost of your policy.
- Trip duration – shorter trips usually cost less to insure because there’s less time for something to go wrong.
- Destination – some places are more expensive to insure than others. The USA, Canada and the Caribbean have some of the world’s highest medical costs, while Europe and the UK are often cheaper to cover.
- Policy level – Avanti offers three levels of cover – Essentials, Classic and Deluxe. Essentials is the most cost-effective option for travellers looking to keep things simple.
- Luggage cover – think about what you really need to take with you. Packing lighter and setting a lower luggage limit on your policy can bring the cost down.
- Excess – a higher voluntary excess means a lower premium. Just make sure it’s an amount you’d be comfortable paying if you claim.
- Discounts – it’s also worth checking our current offers before you buy. You can find the latest Avanti discount codes on our discounts page.
Avanti pays when it matters most
We know how important it is to feel confident that your claim will be handled quickly and fairly.
Between February 2024 and July 2025, our customers received more than £31 million, with over 18,000 claims settled.
You can expect to hear from our claims team within five working days of submitting your claim, and in most cases, Avanti strives to make a decision within five days of receiving your documents.
That’s one of the reasons Avanti has been awarded Best Insurance Customer Service by the Personal Finance Awards (2025).
Winner 7 years running: Best Travel Insurance
Our Best Travel Insurance award (Personal Finance Awards, 2018-2025) is based on the experiences of real people who travel with us. They’ve trusted us to help when plans change, flights are cancelled or medical emergencies happen abroad.
From updating policies to arranging hospital care or getting someone home safely, we do what good travel insurance should do – put things right.
Does travel insurance for Europe cover travelling to my holiday home?
Europe remains a firm favourite among Brits looking to buy a holiday home. Second home hotspots include France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece. Because visiting your holiday home counts as a holiday, we’ll be able to cover your trip.
Things like cancellations or cutting your trip short, medical emergencies, repatriation, and personal luggage are included in all our policies; however, we won’t be able to cover any claims relating to your holiday home.
Does travel insurance for Europe cover theft or pickpocketing?
Europe is generally safe for holidaymakers, but it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on your belongings abroad. According to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), there is a risk of street crime in popular destinations such as Spain, where thieves can work in teams to steal money, passports and other personal belongings.
With Avanti, you can rest easy knowing we cover luggage (up to £3,000 on Deluxe policies) and passports and personal money (up to £600 on Deluxe policies) should the worst happen. This includes cancellation fees should your passport be stolen up to seven days before your departure date, and extra travel and accommodation costs you might have to pay abroad to get a replacement.
Just make sure your passport is never left unattended or kept in a hotel safe, so you can make a valid claim.
Does travel insurance for Europe cover winter sports?
Planning on braving the slopes in Europe? Our winter sports cover can protect you from the unexpected while skiing or snowboarding, ski touring, sledging, snowshoeing, snow cat skiing, tobogganing and more.
Our cover includes:
- Loss, theft or damage of your own winter sports equipment
- Loss, theft or damage of ski pass
- Piste closure
- Avalanches or landslides
- Search and rescue
- Physiotherapy
If you have a medical emergency while skiing, we can cover your air evacuation, medical expenses, and repatriation back home if needed (up to policy limits). Our winter sports cover can be added to all our single-trip policies and is already included in our Classic or Deluxe annual multi-trip policies, covering you for a total of 17 fun-filled days on the slopes.
Hear it from our happy travellers…
“Unbeatable offer. I purchased a travel insurance last year 2025, which covered worldwide travels including cruise, still in place but close to its end, and I decided to continue with Avanti.
I got now the best offer for travel insurance covering all we need when traveling in Europe. Avanti included also North Africa countries in the same price. It covers everything. The price is amazing. The process to buy the new insurance took only a few minutes. Need to add that during our holidays we had felt the permanent care Avanti shown to us by reminding from time to time what we need to do in case we need assistance. I am happy to recommend Avanti Travel Insurance to anyone who need a travel insurance.”
Bio, 12 March 2026
“After my normal travel insurance let me down at the last minute, I contacted BIBA Brokers who put me through to Avanti Travel Insurance who quickly and efficiently covered all the medical questions and my outstanding surgery and arranged travel cover for my one week European holiday at a very reasonable price.”
Roland, 16 September 2024
“I chose Avanti Travel Insurance as I have pre-existing medical conditions and found it difficult getting cover. I have just renewed a multi trip policy for Europe. Avanti are excellent communicators and provide lots of info, useful hints and updates for travel. I have not had to make a claim so cannot comment on that process. I have recommended Avanti to friends.”
Mrs Draycott, 28 October 2025
