European Travel Insurance

Cover for a trip within Europe can cost less than a worldwide policy, because the area is smaller. Take a UK GHIC as well: it gives you state healthcare in the EEA, but the NHS is clear that it is not a replacement for insurance.

Do you need travel insurance for Europe if you have a GHIC?

Yes. A GHIC and a travel policy do different jobs, and the gaps in the card are where the big bills sit (NHS guidance on the UK GHIC).

The FCDO gives an idea of the stakes. It estimates that breaking a leg in Spain could cost £25,000 or more without insurance. That allows for hospital treatment and possibly getting you home (FCDO foreign travel insurance guidance, updated August 2024).

Choosing a European cover area for your trip

Insurers draw the edge of Europe in different places, so the country list matters more than the policy name. Whether a policy is sold as EU travel insurance or Europe cover, check which countries it names. Use the table as a starting point:

Travel insurance for France and Italy

France and Italy are both in the EEA, so a UK GHIC gets you state healthcare in each. You still need travel insurance for the costs the card leaves behind.

Travel insurance for France

You need a GHIC or a valid EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare in France. It is not always free, because you are treated on the same basis as French citizens (FCDO France health page).

• The FCDO says the card is not an alternative to travel insurance.
• It will not pay for medical repatriation to the UK, private clinics or changes to your travel bookings.
• In mountainous areas, the FCDO advises checking that your insurance covers mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation.

Travel insurance for Italy

A GHIC or EHIC covers medically necessary state healthcare in Italy. The FCDO is clear that the card is not an alternative to travel insurance (FCDO Italy health page). Skiers face extra rules there (FCDO Italy safety page):

• From 1 November 2025, skiers and snowboarders must wear a CE-certified helmet at all Italian ski resorts.
• Third-party liability insurance is a legal requirement on the slopes, and you can buy it locally with a ski pass.
• If you go off-piste, you must carry tracking equipment, a snow probe and a shovel.
• For off-piste skiing and other high-risk sports, the FCDO says your insurance should include mountain rescue, helicopter costs and repatriation.

Planning a week on the snow? Our ski insurance page covers the winter sports side.

European entry rules that affect your trip

Entry checks for the Schengen area have tightened, and a passport problem can end a trip before it starts. The FCDO page for France sets out the rules (FCDO France entry requirements):

• Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive.
• It must expire at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
• You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
• The EU Entry/Exit System may ask for your fingerprints and photo at the border, so allow extra time.

Our guide to passport checks before you travel runs through the rest.

Driving and hiring a car in Europe

Travel insurance usually leaves motoring cover to other policies. The FCDO suggests checking what the hire company covers if you rent a car, and checking your own motor policy if you drive your car abroad.

• Car hire excess insurance can pay back the excess if a rental car is damaged.
• Breakdown cover can help if your own car lets you down on the road.

Single trip or annual cover for Europe?

If you take one trip a year, single trip European holiday insurance is usually the simpler choice. If you take a summer holiday plus a city break or two, an annual European policy can work out better value, so price both.

Check the trip length limit on annual cover, as a long summer in a second home could run past it. The FCDO also notes that many policies cap the total time you can spend outside the UK each year.

What you need for a European quote

• Every country you will visit, including any outside the EEA.
• Your travel dates, or how many trips you expect this year.
• Planned activities, such as skiing, hiking or water sports.
• Medical conditions for everyone travelling.

Tiger.co.uk compares quotes from up to 15 travel insurance providers. Before you pick one, check the list of countries in each policy’s Europe area.

Can I be asked for proof of travel insurance at a European border?

Yes. The FCDO says border officers in France may ask you to show proof of travel insurance, along with proof of money for your stay and a return ticket.

Is Switzerland covered by European travel insurance?

Insurers usually include Switzerland in their Europe area, but check the country list. The NHS says British nationals can also use a UK GHIC there for necessary state healthcare.

Compare European travel insurance quotes with Tiger.co.uk and check the country list before you buy. You can also look at family travel insurance, ski insurance or the main travel insurance hub. Policies vary, so check the wording or ask the insurer.