European Travel Insurance
With so much to see and do across Europe, it’s no wonder it’s the biggest travel destination for UK tourists.
And despite many of Europe’s most-loved tourist attractions being just a short flight or train ride from home the UK, the unexpected can still happen, so it pays to have the right cover in place should you need it.
And don’t just take it from us, the Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recommends you buy travel insurance for every trip you take abroad, including any within Europe.
So, what do you get for your money?
European travel insurance covers you in the event of the unexpected, for things like:
- Having to cancel or cut your trip short
- Your personal belongings being stolen
- The airline losing your luggage
It also protects you and your family if you need medical help – more on European travel health insurance and the EHIC/GHIC below.
Covid-19 - what our travel insurance covers
Our travel insurance now covers you for certain events related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), provided you have proof of a positive Covid-19 test and your cover is active at the time of the event.
What we cover
- Emergency medical and repatriation costs if you become ill with COVID-19 while abroad and must self-isolate
- Trip cancellation if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 14 days of your trip departure
- Cutting short your trip because you're denied boarding on your pre-booked outbound travel due to symptoms of COVID-19
- Trip cancellation because of the hospitalisation or death of a close relative due to Covid-19 within the 14 days prior to your trip departure
- You can't continue with a pre-booked because you contracted Covid-19 while on your trip
- Cutting short your trip due to your death or the death of a close relative from Covid-19
What we don’t cover
- If you had reason to believe your trip may be cancelled, postponed or cut short when you booked it, purchased your policy or started your trip.
- Cancelling, cutting short your trip or being unable to continue with a trip or pre-booked excursion because you're required to self-isolate due to the potential exposure to Covid-19 except for reasons specified
- If you travel against Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice. You will need to check the travel advice for all countries you visit or will transit through
- Cancelling or cutting short your trip due to the FCDO changing its advice regarding your destination or countries you will transit through due to COVID-19
- Costs incurred as a result of a local outbreak of COVID-19 that meant you couldn't stay in your pre-booked accommodation or vessel
- Due to travel restrictions or quarantine imposed by any government or public authority, including local lockdowns, being denied entry and compulsory entry requirements
For more information about how Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects your travel cover, see our FAQ page. And remember to check the policy booklet carefully before you buy to make sure our cover meets your needs.
Choose from three levels of cover
Admiral |
Admiral |
Admiral |
|
---|---|---|---|
Excess |
£100 | £75 | £50 |
Emergency medical treatment & repatriation (Limits up to) |
10M | 15M | 20M |
Cancellation or cutting short your trip (Limits up to) |
£1.5K | £3K | £5K |
Personal belongings (Limits up to) |
£1K | £2K | £2.5K |
Money & documents (Limits up to) |
£300 | £400 | £500 |
Read the full list of benefits in the policy summary booklet.
Do I need travel insurance if I’m holidaying in Europe?
Unlike car insurance, travel insurance isn’t compulsory, and being so close to home you may be tempted to skip the cover. But you’ll want it in place if things don’t quite go to plan – luggage can get lost and people do get ill abroad.
Take France, for example, a favourite for us Brits, with 17 million of us visiting each year. It’s not just the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the yachts on St Tropez people flock to, snow-lovers flock to France for the hundreds of ski resorts on offer.
And if you were unlucky enough to break an arm while on the slopes of one of the many French ski resorts, you could be looking at costs of up to £1,000 for:
- First responder treatment
- Ambulance, Xrays and cast
If it’s a severe break you may need to be taken to the public hospital where you’ll be treated under the European or Global Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC), which covers 80% of costs. If you've taken out the Admiral Winter Sports Travel Insurance optional upgrade, that’ll cover the rest, otherwise you’ll have to pay out of your own pocket.
Take a look at the true costs of getting ill abroad including how much hospital treatments cost across Europe and worldwide.
Do I need European Travel Insurance if I have an EHIC/GHIC?
Carrying the EHIC – sometimes called the European travel insurance card - means you can get state-level medical cover in the country you’re travelling in – if it's still in date and they accept the card. The same applies for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
Each country’s healthcare system is different and might not include the things you’d expect at home, or even cover you at all.
In Cyprus, for example, the GHIC and EHIC are only valid in southern Cyprus. They aren’t accepted in the Republic of Cyprus (north) where the government doesn’t have effective control; it’s run by Turkey.
The GHIC and EHIC aren’t valid in Turkey at all.
In the countries where it is valid, they only cover medical emergencies. They won’t cover all medical or repatriation costs if you need to be brought home for treatment, which is why travel insurance is so important.
It’s free to get a GHIC from the NHS online so get one before setting off on your next holiday and carry it at all times.
Where does European Travel Insurance cover?
Different insurers define ‘Europe’ in different ways, which can make buying the right cover for your holiday confusing.
In Admiral’s case, we cover 50 European countries, and our policies stretch the boundaries of Europe to include places like:
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Turkey
Some insurers may have a smaller definition of Europe, while others may describe their policy as covering ‘Schengen’ countries. The Schengen Area is made up of 26 countries that have abolished border controls at their mutual borders.
For other providers who don’t define Europe in this way, or if you’re planning multiple holidays spanning Europe and further afield then worldwide travel insurance could be better suited to your needs.
Admiral Travel Insurance breaks down travel into three zones:
- Europe
- Worldwide excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean and Mexico
- Worldwide
Then three tiers of cover with increasing coverage and product benefits are available. You can choose between Admiral, Admiral Gold or Admiral Platinum to suit your needs best.
Do I need single or annual European Travel Insurance?
Whether you’re planning one European jaunt in a year or multiple holidays to the continent, we have the cover you need.
Our single trip insurance is best for those who are not frequent holidaymakers, and covers you for one trip for up to 365 days.
If you plan on travelling more than once throughout a year, annual European travel insurance is for you.
You’ll be covered no matter how many times you choose to travel (up to 31 days at a time, but this may be extended upon request), and could be perfect for people with a house-share across the channel or those who frequently travel.
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
A pre-existing medical condition is a short or long term illness or injury you have or have had before you buy travel insurance. This includes having symptoms, tests, diagnosis or medical treatment for a condition.
You can declare your pre-existing medical conditions during the quote process to see if we can offer cover. If you’re unsure what needs to be declared or if you're unable to find your condition on the medical conditions list, please contact us on 0333 234 9913.
Your pre-existing medical conditions won’t be covered unless you’ve:
- Declared them all on your policy
- Received written confirmation that we’ll cover your medical condition
- Paid any additional premium in full
Policy terms and conditions apply. Please note, if you’ve had a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 and been prescribed medication, received treatment, or had a consultation with a doctor or hospital specialist for any medical condition in the past two years, this needs to be declared on your policy.
If you don’t tell us about your pre-existing medical conditions or give us incorrect information, your policy may be invalid, and we may refuse all or part of any claim you submit.
For a quote with us, click the green button above.
The MoneyHelper directory
If you require cover for more serious medical conditions, MoneyHelper may be able to help you find specialist travel insurance through their medical directory.
If you wish to get in touch with them you can call them on 0800 138 7777 or find them online. (Monday to Friday 8:00-18:00, closed on Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.)

Your questions answered
Can I travel anywhere in Europe?
You won’t be covered if you travel to a country which the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised ‘against all travel’ or ‘against all but essential travel’.
Can I buy travel insurance to Europe from the UK?
Yes - you must buy travel insurance while you're still in the UK; you can’t take out Admiral cover one you’ve gone through Customs.
Will my travel insurance cover skiing or snowboarding in Europe?
If you’re planning a ski or snowboarding trip to any of Europe’s spectacular mountain resorts, you’ll need to add our Winter Sports upgrade onto your policy to be covered for the trip. Without it, your policy won’t be valid.
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Getting the most out of your trip
Going anywhere nice?
Off to one of the destinations below? Take a look at our guides for some hints and tips on what you need to remember.
Travel insurance that suits you
Whether you're travelling solo, with your family, or with a little one on the way, read our guides to make sure our cover is right for you.
Travel Insurance upgrades
Whether you want the adrenaline rush of a skiing holiday, or fancy taking to the seas on a cruise, you'll need to add extra cover to your policy.