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Get healthcare cover for travelling abroad

There is no deadline to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card or a UK European Health Insurance Card. If you have an existing European Health Insurance Card, you can continue to use it until it expires.

Use this service to:

• check if you're eligible and apply for cover
• replace a lost, stolen, or damaged card

If you're eligible, you'll receive a card that can be used to get cover for emergency treatment abroad. This will be either a:

• UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• UK European Health Insurance Card (new UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

We'll let you know what you're entitled to during your application.

What these cover

Both cards give you access to state-provided healthcare abroad for things like:

• emergency treatment
• visits to A&E
• routine maternity care, unless you're going abroad to give birth (opens in a new tab)

Both cards provide the same cover but the countries they are valid in can change. Check our website to see where you can use each card (opens in a new tab) .

A UK EHIC or UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. You should make sure that you have travel insurance as well as a UK EHIC or UK GHIC.

Applying for cover

Most people can apply for cover using our online service, but you may need to contact us depending on your circumstances. Find out who can apply for cover (opens in a new tab) .

Your card will remain valid until its expiry date. When your current card expires, you'll need to apply for a new one.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

If you do not have a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and need emergency treatment abroad, you can still get help with paying for your treatment.

A Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will entitle you to the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC, even if you do not have your card with you. This also covers you if you applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

You can only apply for a PRC from the time you need treatment. A PRC can provide cover for treatment that has already taken place, but one cannot be issued in advance.

Check our website for more information and how to apply for a PRC (opens in a new tab) .

Before you start

You'll need:

• your National Insurance number
• the National Insurance numbers of any other people, including your partner, you're applying for who are 16 years old or over

Depending on your circumstances we may also ask for your NHS number, if you have one.

Important: Timeout warning

Your session will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity.

To process your application, we may share your information (where appropriate) with:

• Indesser, Equifax, and LexisNexis, who are third party data providers acting on our behalf who will make a UK residency check
• NHS Digital to validate EU Settlement Scheme status

For more information about how we use your information, read our privacy notice (opens in a new tab) .

Get healthcare cover for travelling abroad

You can get help for paying for healthcare costs while you’re travelling abroad. Depending on your circumstances, you’ll be able to apply for either:

• a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) 
• a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

For most people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

What these cover

Both cards give you access to state-provided healthcare abroad for things like:

• emergency treatment
• visits to A&E
• routine maternity care, unless you're going abroad to give birth

Both cards provide the same cover but are valid in different countries. Before you plan to go abroad, check where you can use your card .

Your UK EHIC or UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Make sure you have travel insurance as well as a UK EHIC or UK GHIC.

Apply for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Apply for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC  It’s free to apply for both cards. Beware of unofficial websites which may charge you a fee to apply. These are not necessary, and you do not need to use them.

There is no deadline to apply for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC. If you have an existing EHIC, you can continue to use it until it expires.

Before going abroad, make sure you check the latest COVID-19 travel guidance on GOV.UK .

Temporary cover for emergency treatment abroad

If you do not have a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and need emergency treatment abroad, you can still get help with paying for your treatment. 

A Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will entitle you to the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC, even if you do not have your card with you. This also covers you if you’ve applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

To get more information, including how to apply, visit our Temporary cover for emergency treatment abroad page .

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC, it will remain valid until the expiry date on the card. Once your current card expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC.

Eligibility for a UK EHIC If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet one of the following criteria:

• you're living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
• you're living in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
• you're a national of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement (you may not be covered if you’re also a UK national or if you were born in the UK)
• you're a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed
• you're a Chen or Ibrahim/Teixeira carer

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Healthcare abroad

Advice about healthcare if you're planning to visit or move to another country.

Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Find out if you’re eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Going abroad for treatment

Things to consider if you want or need medical treatment in Europe

Moving abroad

Advice about planning your healthcare if you're going to move or study abroad

Government advice about healthcare abroad

• GOV.UK: Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
• GOV.UK: Healthcare agreements with non-EU countries

EHIC expiring soon? Apply for your UK GHIC now

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) following the UK’s exit from the EU.

More than 600,000 EHICs will expire between now and the end of 2022.

You can continue to use your EHIC until its expiry date. However, if your EHIC expires in the next six months, apply for your UK GHIC now and have it ready for your next holiday.

Whilst the government advises that you should always get travel insurance too, it’s worth having a UK GHIC. You can use your card to access medically necessary state-provided healthcare during your trip. Medically necessary healthcare includes things like:

• emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• treatment for a long-term or pre-existing medical condition
• routine medical care for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring
• routine maternity care, as long as you're not  going abroad to give birth
• oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis

You can use your UK GHIC, and your existing EHIC if it’s still in date, while visiting:

• a European Union (EU) country
• Switzerland

A UK GHIC may also become valid in more countries in the future so make sure you check www.nhs.uk/ghic before you travel.

Remember that the card may not cover all healthcare costs and you may have to pay for some services that you would get free on the NHS at home. Cards never cover repatriation costs.

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How to apply for GHIC: Global Health Insurance Card application explained and where the EHIC replacement works

Uk residents can use a ghic card to get 'necessary healthcare' from state services when visiting a country in the eu.

People living in the UK can now apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will allow travellers to continue to get emergency treatment in the EU, now that the UK has left the bloc .

The GHIC will eventually replace the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) , which is currently being phased out.

Minister for Health Edward Argar said: “Our deal with the EU ensures the right for our citizens to access necessary healthcare on their holidays and travels to countries in the EU will continue.

“The GHIC is a key element of the UK’s future relationship with the EU and will provide certainty and security for all UK residents.”

Here’s what you need about the new GHIC scheme, how to apply and the list of countries it covers.

What is a UK Global Health Insurance Card ?

Under Britain’s new agreement with the EU, the GHIC will allow UK residents’ rights to emergency and medically necessary healthcare when they are in the bloc on a temporary stay. This includes holiday, study and business travel.

Just like its predecessor, GHIC covers pre-existing medical conditions, emergencies and routine maternity care and allows you to be treated in the same way as a resident of the country you’re in, either at a reduced cost or for free by the state healthcare system.

It is a reciprocal agreement, and costs are covered by the NHS. It is also particularly important for travellers who require dialysis, since it allows them to travel and continue vital treatment.

It is not a replacement for travel insurance, and it will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, such as mountain rescue in ski resorts or being flown back to the UK.

When do I need to apply?

Current EHIC cards are valid as long as they are in date and people can continue to use these when travelling within the bloc.

The public only needs to apply for a new GHIC when their current EHIC card expires.

Travel after Brexit: Everything you need to know about passports, health insurance, pets and EU roaming rates

However, travellers who need a new card will need to apply at least two weeks before they plan to go abroad to ensure it arrives on time.

You can apply for a GHIC online through the Government’s website – although some might need to do it by post.

Since the launch of the GHIC programme, UK residents have also been told to beware of fraudsters who have tried to persuade people to pay for the card via official-looking websites, even though it is available for free.

Entitlement to a GHIC is not based on your nationality, but you must be a UK resident to apply.

If you’re ordinarily a resident in the UK and not insured by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you’re likely to be considered insured by the UK and will be entitled to a GHIC.

If you’re applying from Northern Ireland, from March 2021 you’ll have the choice of a standard GHICwith a union flag or one with a plain background

Some individuals, such as those receiving a UK State Pension and living in the EU, will be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC which will be valid for visits to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. 

Which countries does a UK Global Health Insurance Card cover?

The GHIC will provide UK residents with access to state healthcare in all the 27 member states of the EU.

However, unlike the EHIC scheme, it will no longer cover those travelling in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

A separate agreement has been reached with Norway.

If you were already on a visit to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021, your EHIC entitlements will continue until you leave that country.

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Searching Money Mentor . . .

‘i have an ehic card, do i still need travel insurance’.

| Columnist

Updated January 11, 2024

In this guide

If you’ve not travelled in a while then prepare yourself, because a lot has changed . From EHIC cards to travel insurance, here’s what you need to know.

Post-Brexit, a number of benefits we took for granted as part of the European Union have gone. For the average tourist , most of these changes will be minor grumbles but you may have been left wondering if your European Health Insurance Card or EHIC card is still valid.

Saving the impact of Brexit for a heated debate at the pub, let’s look at the things you’ll need to consider if you’re heading to Europe this summer. From EHIC cards to GHIC cards and travel insurance, I explain how it all works.

Read more: Best travel insurance providers

Are EHIC cards still valid ?

You may still be in possession of an EHIC card. EHIC gave UK travellers access to limited cover for health issues when visiting the EU. It also gave access to limited health cover in a few other countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

I never went on holiday without my EHIC card. Aside from being free (always a good thing) the card let you qualify for a range of hospital treatments in the EU in most non-private facilities. What precisely the card covered you for varied from country to country though as a (very) general rule, you qualified for some state healthcare free or at a reduced cost.

Often, an EHIC card meant that minor treatments could go ahead sometimes without the need to make an insurance claim. You could easily prove you were entitled to treatment if you had your card with you.

Now that we’ve left the EU, the EHIC card will eventually cease to exist. Check the expiry date on the card – yours will be valid until that date. It’s all rather complicated, but if you renewed your EHIC before the end of 2020 the British government negotiated an agreement where the card would still be valid. However, if you’re travelling to Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, it isn’t.  

If you’ve got an E111 card, you need to clean out your drawers more! This is a predecessor to the EHIC and is long gone.

Read more: UK passport renewal times and costs

What if my EHIC card has expired?

If your EHIC has gone past its use-by date, you can take out its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card.

This operates in a similar way to the EHIC – but there are a number of variations depending on the country you are visiting. Find out more on the government’s website.

Don’t be fooled by that “global” in the title, though. There is not much information about non-EU countries in the government guidance and you’d have to be bonkers to go to somewhere like America without a fully comprehensive insurance policy.

How do I apply for a GHIC?

A GHIC card is free and relatively easy to apply for. The current timescale for delivery is about 20 days, so it may not be quite the ten weeks that the Passport Office has been telling its customers.

However, you can put in an application for a GHIC if your old card has less than six months on it – and it’s worth doing as soon as you can; there is a warning on the website that delays may occur due to “exceptional demand”.

You can apply for free on the NHS website – you’ll need your national insurance number to hand.

Each member of the family needs to have their own card, though you need to be over 16 to apply personally. You can pop in applications for younger children as dependants when sorting out your own GHIC, though you’ll get a card for each person (so take them all). 

Your GHIC will last for five years, so stick a diary reminder in for a few months before the renewal date on the card.

Read more: What are my flight refund rights?

My GHIC card hasn’t arrived

A lot of readers have contacted me to say that their new GHIC hasn’t arrived on time and they are about to go on holiday.

If your EHIC is still valid and the country you are going to accepts it, then you should be fine. But once again – and I cannot emphasise this enough – you must consider taking out travel insurance regardless, as even the best EHIC/GHIC cover is not nearly enough to fully pay for many medical emergencies or treatment.

Beware of the scammers

Depressingly, where there’s a chance to make a quick buck, there are scammers. Some websites are outright fakes, designed just to pinch your details. However, others are “legitimate” businesses – meaning only that they aren’t breaking any specific laws – that masquerade as the official site for processing GHIC applications. And instead of being full-on scams, they charge a fee – a fee for something that is supposed to be free.

If you look at the wording on these sites, they are actually charging you for “proofreading the application” or “reminding you of your renewal date”. If you are asked to enter in bank details, you know you are not on the right website.

Fake websites also operate in areas like passport or driving licence applications and for things like US visas.

I’m going to get on my soapbox here once again and question why on earth this is allowed to happen. Search engines often allow these businesses to climb up the online rankings or in the past have allowed them to pay for advertisements that make them look like the real deal. These firms are immoral and manipulative. But they are being enabled by the big tech firms who despite numerous warnings have not cracked down on them. It’s time they were forced to do so. But for now, be wary.

EHIC and GHIC cards v travel insurance

It’s important to note that the EHIC and GHIC cards have never been intended as a replacement for a travel insurance policy, which can be invaluable if you are going on holiday as costs for many treatments can be astronomical.

Your health insurance card provides only limited protection – as the NHS website points out: “It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs.” So just think about what you might be looking at if you break your leg on a ski run. It’s not only the medical costs you may need to consider but those for transporting you back home.

Travel insurance policies have been through considerable upheaval in recent years. The industry has had to adapt to mass claims for holidays that couldn’t be taken because of the pandemic.

Standard travel policies might have changed a lot since you last bought one. So, you should familiarise yourself with the key facts and what you’re paying for.

Don’t forget to take the documents with you when you travel – and keep the emergency claim number and your policy number on your phone or email so you can locate it quickly if you need it. I’d photograph the details too so you have them to hand.

If you are buying a policy, you may want to ensure that it starts from the moment of purchase. A lot can go wrong in the run up to the holiday so if you can’t travel for any reasons, you’ll want to at least have a sporting chance of getting your money back through a claim.

While some insurance is better than no insurance, beware policies bought at the airport. These tend to have significant limitations in comparison to comprehensive ones. 

Important information

Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, we cannot review every product on the market.

The best travel insurance providers

If you’re looking to escape the UK winter, or if you’re saving your holiday for the height of summer, you may wish to consider travel insurance. We explain what travel insurance is and some of the best policies on the market for your holiday. In 2022, UK residents made 71 million visits abroad. This was […]

Do I still need a PCR test to travel?

International travel may have opened back up, but Covid-19 restrictions are still in place around the world. Each country and airline will set their own testing and vaccination requirements so it is important to know what you have to do before you head abroad and where you can go to get cheap, reliable tests. Remember, […]

Is credit card travel insurance any good?

We explain how travel insurance on credit card works and look at the pros and cons of using it. Some rewards credit cards offer travel insurance. However, your credit card is unlikely to give you all the cover you need as full medical insurance is not included. This article will cover: Related content: What are […]

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• Knowledge Base - Home

Can I get a replacement UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC)?

If your UK GHIC is lost or stolen,  you can request a replacement using the online portal .

If you have an existing EHIC or applied for a UK GHIC before 29 June 2021,  you must apply for a new card .

Your card can take up to 15 working days to arrive. 

If you've not received your card after 15 working days,  contact us .

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• Travel Insurance

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First , we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.

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Travel Insurance With Covid Cover (2024)

Updated: Apr 25, 2024, 11:53am

Reviewed By

Important Disclosure: The content provided does not consider your particular circumstances and does not constitute personal advice. Some of the products promoted are from our affiliate partners from whom we receive compensation. Read More

If you require any personal advice, please seek such advice from an independently qualified financial advisor. While we aim to feature some of the best products available, this does not include all available products from across the market. Although the information provided is believed to be accurate at the date of publication, you should always check with the product provider to ensure that information provided is the most up to date. Read Less

The Covid pandemic is behind us and the past few years has seen ‘business as usual’ resume for UK holidaymakers. But people still fall ill with the virus which can affect their travel plans, and those of their travelling companions.

The good news is, t ravel insurers have largely adjusted their offerings so that Covid is treated like any other illness. This means you’ll get emergency medical treatment for the virus while away, as well as cover cancellation of the trip if you’re diagnosed with Covid usually up to 14 days before you travel. However, always check the terms of each policy.

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor’s ratings

Our top covid travel insurance policies, cover for you, yourtravelcover.com gold.

• Coverwise Select Silver Plus

Cedar Tree Travel Insurance

Explorer travel insurance, what's our methodology, what covid cover is provided with travel insurance, what won't be covered in relation to covid, what are the rules on international travel, which countries can i visit, tips for a covid-proof holiday, what else can travel insurance cover, frequently asked questions (faqs).

• Compare Travel Insurance
• Best Annual Multi-Trip Insurance
• Best Travel Insurance For The USA
• Best Travel Insurance For Europe
• Best Cruise Insurance
• Best Backpacker Travel Insurance

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate product providers, so all companies are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the methodology for the ratings below.

• Market-wide survey of leading travel insurance companies
• Rigorous assessment of policy features and cover options
• Thorough analysis of pros and cons

Compare Travel Insurance Quotes

Compare from our range of over 100 policies

With this in mind, it comes down to picking the best travel cover at the right price. We’ve rounded up our top picks below – along with the answers to the most common Covid-related travel questions. For more details on how our providers are ranked, refer to our methodology section.

Cancellation cover

Cover For You has high levels of cover for a competitive premium. This policy offers £15 million medical and repatriation cover, up to £3,000 for cancellations and £2,000 for baggage. It also has a low excess at £50 per person per section on all claims.

Hospital benefit cover is generous at up to £2,000, legal expenses cover is up to £30,000 and personal liability cover is £1.5 million.

• Up to £3,000 cancellation cover
• Low excess on claims
• Higher premium than some competitors

This policy was the cheapest we found based on our search parameters (see our methodology below).

This family policy offers cover up to £3,000 per person for trip cancellation, plus £1,500 per person for baggage cover. Medical and repatriation cover is £10 million and the excess on claims is £95 (the cancellation and baggage excess is £75 per person). Excesses will be applied per person, per section of each claim.

The cover also offers £500 cover for hospital benefit, £15,000 legal expenses cover and up to £2 million for personal liability cover.

• Low premium for cover levels
• £3,000 cancellation cover
• Relatively low excess (£75 for cancellation and baggage claims)
• No sports or gadget cover (can be included at extra cost)

Coverwise Select Silver

This cover has a competitive price and offers £20 million medical and repatriation cover, £2,000 for cancellation and £1,750 for baggage. There is a low per person excess of £50 per section per claim.

Hospital benefit cover is up to £2,000 and legal expenses cover is £50,000. Personal liability cover is up to £2 million.

• Competitive price
• £2,000 hospital benefit cover
• low £50 excess
• £20 million medical cover
• Relatively higher premium

This policy is competitively priced and includes £15 million medical and repatriation cover, £1,500 cover for baggage and £500 for a missed departure (on either leg of the journey). The £95 excess applies on all types of claim and is per person per section.

There is £200 cover for hospital benefit and £5,000 for legal expenses. Personal liability cover is £2 million.

• Low premium
• £15 million medical cover
• Higher excess than some competitors
• £200 hospital benefit cover (competitors offer more)

This is a great value policy offering £5,000 in cancellation cover, £2 million medical and repatriation cover, and £2,000 for baggage. The excess is reasonable at £75 per person per section for claims, although some policies have a lower excess. The policy premium is slightly more expensive than some competitors.

There is legal expenses cover of £25,000 and personal liability cover up to £2 million, but there is no hospital benefit included. Gadget cover is also included as standard.

• £5,000 cancellation cover
• £2,000 cover for baggage
• Gadget cover included
• No excess waiver
• No hospital benefit

We used data from our quotation journey to review single trip travel insurance policies for a family of four (two adults, both aged in their 40s, and two teenagers) travelling to Spain for seven nights in June 2024.

We identified the least expensive policies that met these credentials. Where premium prices are similar, we’ve factored in coverage limits and excesses. On this basis, we awarded each a Forbes Advisor star rating out of five.

All policies include at least £2 million in medical and repatriation cover, £2,000 in cancellation cover, and £1,500 in baggage and belongings cover. The excess listed applies to each person on the policy and to each accepted claim, unless otherwise stated.

We’ve assumed no members of the family have any pre-existing medical conditions.

While most of the insurers we work with offer cover for Covid-related medical costs, cancellation and curtailment of your trip, check with each provider to ensure you know exactly what you’re getting.

Most travel insurers have retained the cover they began offering for Covid-related issues during the pandemic (although many now refer in more general terms to ‘pandemics’ rather than specifically to ‘Covid’).

A comprehensive travel policy is likely to cover you for some or all of the following Covid scenarios:

• Emergency medical treatment, and repatriation (the cost of getting home to the UK) if you are ill due to Covid
• Cancellation cover, if you or a close relative contracts Covid or you or someone you’re due to travel with needs to isolate due to Covid
• Curtailment , which means cutting your trip short due to specific circumstances relating to Covid, such as government advice to evacuate an area of country and return home.

However, terms and conditions around the cancellation element relating to Covid can vary between insurers so, as with any insurance, check the policy wording carefully to find out what is both included and excluded from cover.

Anna-Marie Duthie, travel insurance expert at financial data company Defaqto, explained: “M edical costs will be covered in relation to Covid, as they would be in any other circumstance or illness.

“However, when it comes to cover for cancellation that is specifically due to Covid, rules will vary by insurer. For example, cancellation may be covered only with a medical note from a medical practitioner advising you not to travel, for example, rather than just a positive Covid test being enough evidence for an insurance claim.

“This is because Covid tests are no longer mandatory and – while there may be a moral argument – there are no legal restrictions regarding travelling with Covid.”

Defaqto data shows that 99% of annual travel insurance policies cover medical expenses in relation to Covid-19, and 95% cover cancellation due to a positive Covid test. 

If you are concerned about the cover you may have in relation to Covid, check with your insurer before you travel.

There are a number of Covid-related scenarios where you’re unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance. These might include:

• Travelling against government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) advice
• Cancelling or returning home early to avoid quarantine
• Being unable to travel due to a government lockdown or other restriction
• Being unable to travel due to changes in vaccination or other covid-related requirements in your destination country.

Almost every country in the world has now dropped all Covid-related entry restrictions regardless of whether you are vaccinated against the virus or not.

In terms of returning to the UK, all Covid-related restrictions were dropped in 2022. The latest information and guidance on all aspects of travel can be found at our travel blog, and any official updates via the Government website .

Even unvaccinated travellers can now enter almost every country in the world without the requirement to produce a negative Covid test.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) issues advice on which destinations are safe to visit based on a range of factors, including those related to Covid. So, Covid aside, it’s important to check the FCDO’s advice for changes before purchasing a holiday and travel insurance, and again before departing.

Travelling against FCDO advice can render a travel insurance policy invalid unless it was bought from a specialist insurer which specified that cover would be provided in the chosen destination.

Take out travel insurance when booking the trip

It’s good practice to buy travel insurance at the same time as booking a holiday. This will ensure that cancellation cover starts straight away. In Covid terms, this might include:

• cancellation cover for testing positive within 14 days of  departure date
• cancellation cover if a loved one becomes seriously unwell or dies of Covid ahead of the departure date.

However, the ‘key features’ section of a policy document usually lists cover for specific Covid-related risks.

Check the FCDO’s travel guidelines

A travel insurer is unlikely to cover trip cancellation if the FCDO changes its advice on travel to the holiday destination, if an airline or travel company postpones the trip without offering a refund, or if a local or national lockdown prevents the holiday from going ahead.

And it won’t be possible to claim for cancellation if you simply don’t want to travel (known as ‘disinclination to travel’).

If a flight is cancelled the airline should offer a full refund or an alternative departure date. If it offers vouchers instead of a refund, some travel insurers will not pay out.

In addition to cover for medical treatment and Covid-related risks, there’s also the standard offerings under travel insurance.

• Baggage and possessions: Covers lost, stolen or damaged baggage or any other possessions
• Personal liability: Covers compensation claims made against the policyholder if they are found responsible for causing injury, death or damage
• Personal accident: If the policyholder is permanently disabled or killed in an accident, the policy will make a payment to them or to their estate
• Legal expenses: The insurer will help cover legal costs to pursue compensation or damages following personal injury or other disputed loss while abroad
• Excess: Most insurance policies require a contribution of a certain amount towards any claim made. This is known as the excess. This sum will be deducted from the claim pay-out.

What protection does cover for Covid-related risks offer?

Protection for Covid-related risks covers the cost of medical treatment and repatriation as a minimum.

Some policies also cover cancellation under certain circumstances, such as if you or a close relative are unwell with Covid or you’re required to self-isolate (subject to a positive test result or confirmation from a doctor, for example).

Others extend to cover if you’re denied boarding a flight or ferry, for example, due to displaying Covid symptoms. Or cover if someone you were due to travel with or stay with on your trip needs to self-isolate.

Does my current travel insurance policy cover Covid related risks?

There are no guarantees that an existing insurance policy will cover Covid-related risks. Check the details of the policy or contact the insurer for confirmation of the extent of cover provided.

Do I need to be vaccinated for Covid for my insurance to be valid?

Over all, travel insurance policies do not require policyholders to be vaccinated.

However, according to Defaqto, around 20% of annual multi-trip policies still require proof of vaccination under certain elements of the cover, most notably claiming on emergency Covid-related medical costs.

In insurance terms, ‘vaccination’ means all recommended doses that were offered, which includes any booster jabs. If you’ve refused any doses of the vaccine or any booster jab in the past, then you may not be covered for Covid-related claims, so be sure to read the small print of the policy wording.

You’ll still be covered if you couldn’t have the vaccine due to a medical exemption, however. 

Am I covered if I have to cut short my trip due to Covid?

Some policies cover cutting a trip short because of Covid. This is known as a ‘curtailment’. Terms and conditions around curtailment cover vary, so check the policy wording.

What happens if I contract Covid overseas?

All the insurers available through our travel insurance comparison tool offer emergency medical and repatriation cover for Covid-related claims as standard. However, as outlined above, some may require the policyholder to have the recommended vaccinations. Again, check the policy.

Can I get cover for my pre-existing medical conditions?

Some policies will cover claims related to pre-existing medical conditions , but they tend to come with higher premiums because of the greater risk of a claim being made.

All pre-existing medical conditions must be declared as part of the application process. Not doing so could invalidate any claim made.

How do I claim on my travel insurance?

If the claim is related to cancellation or delay, the first point to note is that insurers will only consider a claim after the policyholder has applied to the holiday provider for a refund.

If the policyholder accepts a refund (or vouchers or a credit note) from the holiday provider they will not also be able to claim from the insurer (known as a ‘double claim’).

If a refund from the holiday provider has been refused, the policyholder can contact the insurer to claim for all non-refundable costs.

This may include flights and accommodation but also transfer and excursion costs, for example. Deadlines for claims should be stated in the policy.

I am passionate about personal finance issues and helping consumers navigate the world of insurance, credit, savings and pensions. I have been a money journalist for almost two decades, including ten years on the award-winning personal finance desk at the Mail on Sunday.

I've been involved in personal finance and property journalism for the past 20 years, editing websites and writing for national newspapers. My objective has always been to offer no-nonsense information to readers that either saves or earns them cash.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

For more information, read guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe .

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

• the latest information on health risks and what vaccinations you need in TravelHealthPro’s France guide
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

There have been cases of the mosquito-borne disease, dengue fever, in France. You should take appropriate precautions to  avoid being bitten by mosquitoes .

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

TravelHealthPro explains best practice when travelling with medicines .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in France

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in France .

COVID-19 healthcare in France

The French government advises people with possible COVID-19 symptoms to take a COVID-19 test. You can buy PCR and self-administered rapid antigen tests from pharmacies. For more information on how to get COVID-19 tests, see the French government’s COVID-19 website .

If you test positive, the French authorities recommend you contact your doctor, follow basic hygiene rules, alert your direct contacts, work from home if possible and avoid contact with vulnerable people.

Health insurance cards

Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have an EHIC, it will still be valid as long as it remains in date.

The GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as French nationals. If you do not have your EHIC with you or you’ve lost it, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team .

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. An EHIC or GHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover .

EHIC and GHIC cover state healthcare only, not private treatment. You will be responsible for the cost of any treatment provided by a private doctor or private clinic.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro .

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