Travel insurance after a stroke

Key takeaways

• You can still get travel insurance after a stroke, but you must declare your stroke and any related conditions

• Specialist medical travel insurance can cover stroke-related problems, including emergency treatment and repatriation, as well as cancellation, curtailment and other standard travel insurance benefits

• Check with your doctor before travelling and tell your insurer about your medical history. Travelling against medical advice or failing to disclose a previous stroke could leave you without cover if you need to make a claim

Can I get travel insurance after a stroke?

Yes — you can get travel insurance after a stroke, but the key is that you’ll need to declare the stroke as a pre‑existing medical condition when you apply. Insurers won’t automatically refuse cover, but they will assess:

• When the stroke happened

• How many strokes you have had

• How fully you’ve recovered

• Whether you have ongoing symptoms or follow‑up treatment

• Any related conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation)

Do I have to declare a stroke to my travel insurance provider?

Yes — you must declare a stroke to your travel‑insurance provider.

Insurers treat strokes as a pre-existing medical condition, even if the stroke happened years ago and you’ve fully recovered. That means:

• You’re required to disclose the stroke when you buy the policy

• The insurer will ask a few medical‑screening questions (when it happened, any lasting symptoms, medication, follow‑up care)

• If you don’t declare it, any related claim can be refused, and in some cases the insurer can void the entire policy

The rule is simple: if it’s in your medical history, declare it. It’s the only way to make sure you’re properly covered if anything happens while you’re away.

Does travel insurance cover treatment for strokes?

If you suffer a stroke while abroad, most UK travel‑insurance policies include:

• Emergency medical treatment

• Hospital stays and specialist care

• Repatriation to the UK if you need to be brought home

• Support from the insurer and local medical teams to coordinate care

• Medical cover limits are usually high (£5m+), because overseas treatment can be extremely expensive

A claim can be refused if:

• You didn’t declare your previous stroke or related conditions (e.g. High blood pressure)

• You’re awaiting tests or treatment at the time you buy the policy

• You travel against medical advice

What else does stroke travel insurance cover?

Specialist stroke travel insurance should include all the same cover as a standard insurance policy, plus stroke-related medical problems. You should therefore be covered for:

• Lost, stolen or damaged belongings

• Emergency medical treatment and repatriation (even when linked to your stroke)

• Cancellation or curtailment of your holiday

• Personal liability (accidental damage to another person or their property)

Some policies will also include extra cover such as compensation for travel delays.

How soon can I travel after a stroke?

The Stroke Association recommends not flying for at least two weeks after a stroke, although how long you have to wait will depend on the severity of your stroke.

If you have a mini-stroke or TIA, medical guidance is to avoid flying for 10 days. If you have a bigger stroke, you should not fly for at least 21 days.

Flying too soon after a stroke can increase the risk of complications such as blood‑clot formation, blood‑pressure spikes, or neurological symptoms worsening. Insurers also won’t cover you if you travel against medical advice.

So if you have a stroke abroad you might need to extend your stay while you recover and until it is safe for you to fly.

Where can I travel after a stroke?

You will not be denied travel to any country after your stroke. In some cases, you may be required to get a fit to fly letter from your GP to ensure that you are healthy enough to travel on a plane.

Will a GHIC help if I am travelling after a stroke?

Yes — a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can help, but only in a limited way, and it’s not a substitute for travel insurance if you’ve had a stroke.

A GHIC (or the old version, the EHIC) allows you to access state-provided healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as a local resident. This may mean a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

If you need treatment, head to a state medical facility first and then tell your insurance provider. You’ll then be advised on what additional private treatment might be covered by your policy.

Travel cover with pre-existing medical conditions

Travel insurance lets you explore the world with confidence, even with a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or cancer – as long as you tell your insurer about it. We can show you prices from a panel of specialist insurers that offer medical travel insurance covering a wide range of medical conditions to ensure you’ll be covered should a condition flare up while you’re away.

If you're still struggling to find suitable cover, the MoneyHelper website provides a list of specialist insurers to help you get adequate cover, or you can call the British Insurance Brokers Association on 0370 950 1790.

Which specialist insurers cover strokes?

Insurers that cover strokes include:

• AllClear Travel Insurance

• Staysure

• Medical Travel Compared

• Get Going

• Goodtogoinsurance

Compare travel insurance quotes

Comparing travel insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find affordable cover for your holiday. All you need to do is tell us a little about yourself and your travel plans, and we’ll search the market for a list of quotes tailored to your requirements.

You’ll be able to compare policies by the overall cost of cover, the level of protection you’ll get and the excess you’ll need to pay to make a claim. Once you’ve found the deal you want, just click through to the provider to finalise your purchase.

As with any kind of insurance, the cheapest deal isn’t always the best available. We recommend aiming for a balance between cost and cover, so you know you have the protection you’ll need for the most affordable price.