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European travel insurance

Compare quotes for European holiday insurance.

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Compare travel insurance quotes

Compare holiday insurance quotes from 55^ trusted UK providers

Find tailored travel cover at the right price by comparing deals from the UK’s leading travel insurers.

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Do I need travel insurance for Europe? 

Travel insurance helps cover the cost of a whole range of unexpected events while you’re travelling - from sudden illness and accidents to transport delays and crime.  

European holiday insurance isn’t a legal requirement. But it’s worth considering if you’re travelling on the continent because the right cover can offer you a financial safety net if you suddenly face: 

  • Medical costs due to accident or illness 

  • Repatriation back to the UK 

  • Delay, cancellation or trip curtailment 

  • Theft or loss of your baggage, belongings or travel documents 

What countries fall under European travel insurance? 

European travel insurance usually covers all 27 EU member states, including popular destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Germany.

Many policies also extend to non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Türkiye (Turkey), Monaco, San Marino and Andorra. 

However, different insurers define ‘Europe’ differently. Always check your destination is covered by your insurer before buying European travel insurance. 


➡️ If you are planning to travel outside of Europe, you need worldwide cover

➡️ If you are planning to be away for over 30 days you may need backpackers insurance

Am I covered by my GHIC card? 

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers you for emergency healthcare in the European Union (EU) – but only in state-run medical facilities. 

You still need insurance to cover things like repatriation, as well as other risks like cancellation and loss or theft of belongings. Travel insurance would also cover private treatment if necessary.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) recommends holidaymakers take out a travel insurance policy even if they have a GHIC.

💡 Top tips:

Some travel insurers will insist you have a GHIC to cover you for medical costs in Europe, and may not fully cover your claims if you do not.

If you are a UK resident, you can apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website.

You can also still use your European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), which the GHIC replaced, until it expires.

How much is travel insurance to Europe?

You can take out single-trip travel insurance or multi-trip travel insurance. In general, if you take more than two trips per year, an annual policy works out cheaper. 

What's the average cost of European travel insurance?
£25
.46^
What's the cheapest price I could pay?
£9
.84^

10% of our customers paid this price or less for European cover. You may be able to find cheaper single-trip insurance for specific countries.

The cost of travel insurance is impacted by:

  • Length of your trip 

If you choose a single trip policy, the length of your holiday will affect the cost of your travel insurance.  

  • Destination 

Insurers charge more for travel to certain destinations, usually due to higher healthcare costs or greater risks. 

  • Your age 

The cost of travel insurance increases as you get older due to the higher risk of claims, although it's still possible to find affordable travel cover for over 70s

  • Your health 

You might pay more for travel insurance if you have a pre-existing health condition. This is because there is a higher risk of you making a claim. 

Destination

Average price

Price from

Spain

£14.30^

£1.34^

France

£14.18^

£0.73^

Italy

£10.01^

£1.08^

Portugal

£11.79^

£1.11^

Germany

£7.45^

£1.05^

Turkey

£18.71^

£3.16^

What's covered by European holiday insurance?

🚩 What’s covered can vary depending on your provider and policy. Always check your insurance documents. 

  • Covered

    • Emergency medical cover: emergency medical treatment and emergency transport home if needed 

    • Stolen or damaged baggage: reimbursement for your belongings if they are stolen or damaged 

    • Holiday cancellation: protection for cancelling your holiday if you are no longer able to travel 

    • Personal liability: cover if your actions injure a third party or damage their possessions 

  • Not covered

    • Pre-existing conditions: Common conditions are covered as standard, others are excluded or increase premiums 

    • Drugs and alcohol: Any incidents involving drugs or alcohol are unlikely to be covered by your insurance  

    • Missed departure: You'll only be covered for missed departure in an emergency 

    • High-risk activities: Adventurous activities can often be covered by optional adventure sports cover – check your policy before taking part

Our expert says…

It can be tempting to leave out travel insurance when travelling in Europe, especially if you have a GHIC card. But it can’t help if your wallet is stolen or you have to cancel your trip due to a sudden emergency before you’ve even set off.  

It’s always worth considering how you’ll cover the cost of unexpected events - especially for things like repatriation that can result in huge bills - if you don’t take out travel insurance. Suddenly a few pounds spent on a travel policy can seem a cheap price to pay.

Jake Edmonds Travel & Commercial Insurance Expert

What policy add-ons can I include?

Travel insurance providers offer a range of different options to suit your circumstances and holiday plans.

Common add-ons for European travel insurance policies include: 

  • ship icon

    Cruise cover

    Tailored to specific risks such as multiple destinations, cabin confinement, missed departure, unused excursions and emergency airlift. 

  • rosette icon

    Golf cover

    Protection from risks unique to golf holidays such as theft of golf clubs, replacement club hire, non-refundable green fees, personal liability and damage to a third party. 

  • briefcase icon

    Business travel cover

    Includes business equipment, company money, and alternative travel or accommodation for schedule changes.

  • broken phone icon

    Gadget cover

    Extra protection for expensive individual gadgets and electronics, such as phones or laptops. 

  • coin icon

    Excess waiver

    Standard travel insurance includes an initial excess. An excess waiver means you receive 100% of any claim amount. 

Why compare travel insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?

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Here's what our travel insurance customers say:

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  • Easy and with a reward too. Will update once travelled!

  • Best offer by far. Gave all the requirements i needed swiftly and easily. Thankyou.

  • I used money supermarket for a quote for travel insurance for my forthcoming holiday. They found me a good deal which was acceptable to me, with a competitive premium and adequate cover.

  • Good price. Easy to setup.

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Do I need different travel insurance for Europe following Brexit?

No, travel insurance hasn't changed very much for UK residents holidaying in Europe post-Brexit.

UK citizens are also still able to access state-funded healthcare in most EU countries with a GHIC card (or a valid EHIC) although there are limitations to the level of cover they will provide. 

What documents do I need to travel to Europe?

The rules for travelling to Europe have changed for UK citizens. There are now limits on how long you can remain in the EU, and you may need a visa if you're planning a longer trip or travelling for purposes other than leisure.

You can check GOV.uk for further information. 

If you plan to drive, you will need to bring a valid UK driving licence with you. You typically don't need an international driving permit to drive in EU countries. 

It's always worth taking a copy of your travel insurance documents with you, including the contact information for your provider. This will help you make a claim if you need to and remind you of what your policy will cover. 

When should I start my European travel insurance policy?

You can take out a last-minute travel insurance policy right up until the day you leave on holiday to Europe.

But with a policy in place as soon as you book your trip, you may be covered for part or all the cost of cancelling your holiday before you leave if you have to due to illness, job loss or bereavement, for example. 

Check the wording of the travel policy before you buy as not all insurers cover cancellation – and where cancellation is covered, the terms and conditions can vary widely between providers. 

How long can I stay in Europe on holiday?

You can travel into and around the Schengen Area, which includes most EU countries, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa, regardless of how many countries you visit during that time.  

You may need a visa or permit to stay in Europe for longer or to work or study, or for business travel. Check the GOV.UK website for more information. 

Travelling to a specific destination? You can compare travel insurance for the location you're travelling to.

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No, not every company can be included in our service. This is because some companies don’t want their products included on comparison sites, and some decide that they would rather not pay a fee. There are also a few smaller providers who can struggle to cope with the volume of customers that can find their products if they appear on MoneySuperMarket.

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Is travel insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?

Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.

This includes:

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Is travel insurance eligible for Price Promise?

Yes, travel insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.

If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:

  • refund the difference

  • give you a gift card worth up to £20

Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.

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Based on 1 visit per month – average ticket value £15.30 (Oct 24)

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Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Spain in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Spain in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to France in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to France in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Italy in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Italy in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Portugal in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Portugal in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Germany in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Germany in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

Data based on the average price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Turkey in November 2025.

Data based on the minimum price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Turkey in November 2025. Prices vary based on your personal details & circumstances.

The number of providers for travel insurance in December 2025

Data based on the median price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Europe in December 2025.

T&Cs and restrictions apply, see here for more information

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The number of providers for travel insurance in August 2025

Data based on the 10th percentile price of travel insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket to Europe in December 2025.