The UK’s favourite travel insurancebased on more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider
Talk to an English-speaking GP via video call with Travel Doctor***
Up to £15,000 cancellation cover per personon Signature policies
Excellent 4.7 | 541,098 reviews
We've got more 5-Star reviews on Trustpilot than any other UK travel insurance provider
“An excellent product with a comprehensive range of features and benefits" - Defaqto
Awarded Best Company for Travel Insurance at the British Travel Awards 2016-2025
Travel insurance for Europe at a glance
Staysure’s travel insurance for Europe will keep you protected while you explore holiday destinations like Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Our award-winning cover includes emergency hospitalisation, cancellation costs up to £15,000 per person (on Signature policy levels), repatriation, travel disruptions and delays, lost baggage, and more. We offer policies for pre-existing medical conditions and all ages. Getting a quote is simple online or over the phone.
Staysure has specialised in travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions since 2004. 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us. We hold a Defaqto 5-star rating for our Comprehensive and Signature policies, and have more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other UK travel insurance provider.
Travel insurance for Europe may not be at the top of your list when dreaming of castles, croissants, and cobblestoned streets, but it can certainly help you have a more care-free holiday. And although it’s not a legal requirement when travelling through Europe, it can be a lifeline when something goes wrong.
A GHIC can pick up emergency treatment in a state hospital, but it won’t cover mountain rescue, repatriation or the cost of a companion staying on if you end up in hospital. That’s where Staysure steps in. Our travel insurance for Europe covers emergency medical bills up to unlimited on Signature policies, pays out if you need to cancel before you go (up to £15,000 per person), and even offers protection for your baggage.
We’re the UK’s favourite travel insurance provider based on more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other insurer. We cover over 1,300 medical conditions and any age.** Add in free access to our 24/7 Travel Doctor service for English-speaking medical advice abroad*, and you’ve got support from booking to safe return.
Does my EHIC/GHIC cover me for travel to Europe?
You might still need travel insurance for Europe even if you have a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). While your GHIC provides state-funded healthcare in European Economic Area (EEA) countries at a lower cost or for free, it doesn’t include trip cancellations, baggage loss, repatriation, ambulance callouts, daily hospital fees, prescriptions or personal liability. These are things a travel insurance policy can cover.
For example, you can get free emergency state healthcare in Montenegro with your GHIC card should you fall ill or get injured. But if your health deteriorates and you need to be repatriated back home, your GHIC won’t cover the costs. With Staysure and an EHIC or GHIC card, you can enjoy complete cover for both medical and travel-related hiccups.
Enjoy complete cover with travel insurance and GHIC
What our expert says…
“Your GHIC covers care at local rates, including ongoing medical support for dialysis or oxygen therapy while you’re in Europe, if you arrange it in advance. But should something go wrong, it won’t cover medical repatriation – the costs of which can be huge. According to our underwriter, the bill for a recent air ambulance case from Spain came to £99,608.78. This is where travel insurance truly shines. With the right policy, you can rest assured that your flight back home will be covered, along with ambulance callouts, upfront medical costs, and prescriptions.
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Our European travel insurance also covers UK holidays and staycations. If you want to start your holiday in the UK before heading to Europe, you can be covered for up to £10,000 on our Signature policy if you need to cancel or cut your trip short.
emergency medical treatment abroad – including hospital care, ambulance transport and overnight stays if you fall seriously ill or are injured while away.
getting you home safely – repatriation cover if you’re too unwell to travel as planned, including specialist medical transport if needed.
cancellations due to illness or injury – including if you're too unwell to travel, or experience a bereavement.
cutting your trip short – cover if something serious happens mid-holiday and you need to return early.
lost, stolen or damaged belongings – including your baggage, passport and personal money.
pre-existing conditions – if you’ve told us about them and we’ve accepted them, they can be included in your policy.
Example: You’re dining at a Michelin-star restaurant in Venice and savouring a delectably meaty dish, when a wishbone lodges itself firmly in your throat. A real pain in the neck, but not for long, because we’ll cover the ambulance costs and emergency medical treatment you’ll need to dislodge the bony intruder and recover in full.
What isn’t covered?
cancelling because you’ve changed your mind – cover only applies to unexpected and insured reasons.
missed flights – unless it’s due to a strike* severe weather, or mechanical breakdowns.
undeclared medical conditions – always let us know about any health issues when you get a quote.
unattended items – valuables left alone may not be covered.
activities not listed on your policy – like extreme sports, unless you’ve added them.
travelling against advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – policies won’t cover destinations where the UK government advises against all travel.
incidents involving alcohol or drugs – claims related to excessive alcohol or controlled substances won’t be accepted.
going against medical advice – for example, flying too soon after an operation or illness.
travelling for the purpose of receiving medical treatment – including consultations, tests, or planned procedures abroad.
Example: You broke your leg a few weeks ago, and your doctor advised you not to travel. You decided to book a dream trip to the Netherlands anyway. When your leg starts to hurt before departure, you cancel your trip. Because you booked and planned to travel against medical advice, unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to cover you.
Europe travel insurance for medical conditions
We believe that a pre-existing medical condition shouldn’t come between you and your holiday dreams. As a medical travel insurance specialist, we cover over 1,300 medical conditions,** and all ages.
To get the right cover in place, you’ll need to take us through your medical history. Being honest about your health during our quick and simple screening process means you will be fully covered should the worst happen. If you forgot to mention something while buying your cover, you can simply log into your My Staysure account or get in touch with our team to fill us in.
For people who have trouble finding travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has a directory of specialist insurers, like us!
To find out more, or if on the odd occasion we are unable to provide the cover you need, contact BIBA on 0370 950 1790. You can also search BIBA's medical directory online.
Free English-speaking medical help abroad
Travel Doctor, our new online service, connects you with an English-speaking doctor if you need medical support while you are abroad.* It lets you book a video-based consultation to discuss your health needs with a doctor right from your sun lounger.
You can choose a slot that works for you, go through your symptoms, get your prescription and even use Travel Doctor to find your nearest pharmacy, so you can get your meds and get on with enjoying your holiday.
Pick a travel insurance policy and tailor it to you
Shout bon voyage to a one-size-fits-all policy and give a warm welcome to holiday insurance that's all about you. Join over 12 million people who've trusted us with their travel insurance since 2005.
Buying travel insurance for Europe has never been easier. Simply give us a call or get a quick quote online to start the process.
1. Tell us where you want to go
To get started on your quote, we’ll go over your travel plans. We need to know who’s coming along, where you’re heading, how long your trip will be, and whether you need insurance for a single trip or annual multi-trip cover.
For cruises, it’s important to include every destination on your itinerary, as well as any flights to and from your port.
2. Share your medical history with us
Next on the list, we’ll go over some health questions with you so we can make sure you get the best medical cover while travelling. Now is the time to tell us about any health concerns that needed medication, medical advice, or treatment during the last two years.
3. Get a tailored quote
Once we have everything we need, we’ll give you your personalised quote, either online or by reading it out loud over the phone.
You’ll be able to choose your level of cover and add any optional extras that suit your trip, like Cruise Plus if you’d like more cover while you’re at sea.
If you’d like more time to think it over, we can also send your quote by email so you can go through it in your own time.
Many experts agree that buying travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday is the best way to go. By doing this, you’ll be covered during the run-up to your holiday and while you’re abroad.
Despite the benefits of buying early, lots of people leave it to the last minute. Our sales data from July 2025 to January 2026 shows that the majority of travellers purchased their policy within 30 days of leaving, with a significant proportion doing so within just a few days of departure.
Travel insurance can’t be backdated, so it’s best to get it locked in before you are on holiday. If you still have to get your policy in place for future travels, it’s not too late. Simply get in touch with our friendly team to get a quote.
How much is travel insurance for Europe?
European policies are often kinder on the wallet than worldwide cover because treatment costs tend to be lower and your GHIC can pay a share of eligible state-hospital bills. That said, your policy price will also reflect your particular trip.
Destination – a long-weekend in Barcelona is usually less to insure than trekking in Svalbard or skiing in the Swiss Alps, where medical facilities are remote and air evacuation sits on standby.
Trip length – a short city break to Barcelona will often cost less to cover than a long stint in the Canaries, as there’s more time for something to go off-track.
Add-ons – add-ons like winter sports and Cruise Plus offer more protection, but will often nudge the cost of your policy up.
Age and health – the older we get, the more likely we are to need medical help abroad. Declaring pre-existing conditions lets us make sure you’re fully protected.
Policy level – Basic, Comprehensive or Signature – each of our policy levels raises the limits and the level of cover. Basics is usually the most cost-effective choice, while Signature offers the most protection for a higher price.
How to get cheaper European travel insurance
Want to shrink the costs of your travel insurance while still getting the most out of your policy? Keep these tips and tricks in mind before you buy:
get covered early – if you buy your cover as soon as you book your trip, you will have all the protection you need should you need to cancel because of a policy-approved reason.
go for a higher excess – one of the best ways to lower your premium is to increase your excess. Just be sure to settle on an excess you are comfortable paying should you need to.
consider another policy – if you are going to travel more than twice per year, an annual multi-trip policy might be cheaper than multiple single-trip policies.
leave the add-ons – only get add-ons, like gadget cover, that you need.
get group cover – our group travel insurance lets you save on costs by covering everyone under one policy.
find a discount – make sure you drop by our discounts page before buying so you can save on your policy.
Beth Craig
Travel insurance expert
Travel beyond Europe for less
What our expert says…
“Fancy venturing a bit further? Egypt, Morocco and Turkey aren't technically part of the European continent, but they're popular holiday spots with similar levels of risk - so we include them in our European travel insurance policies. It’s best to double-check which regions are covered by your policy, so you know which countries you can travel to.
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The big-ticket costs travel insurance can help with
From October 2024 to October 2025, emergency medical expenses were our most common claim, and for good reason. Hospitalisation for a stomach bug in the USA with medical repatriation back to the UK could set you back £150,000+, according to the UK government.
In reality, the biggest claims are often more costly. While the average emergency medical claim on our worldwide policies was about £3000, the highest we paid was closer to an eye-watering £350,000.^
Over the same period, our second most common claim on worldwide policies was cancellation. If you need to pull the plug on your holiday, we can help you recover the prepaid costs – with the average cancellation claim on our worldwide policies coming in at around £2000, and the highest reaching more than £50,000.
Voted Best Travel Insurance 9 years running
The British Travel Awards have recognised us as the Best Company for Travel Insurance nine years in a row (2016-2025). This achievement is based on the votes of real customers, showing the trust travellers place in us.
This award is only given to travel companies that provide stellar service to their customers. It shows that we prioritise customer service, round-the-clock support when you need it most, and a reliable and speedy claims process.
Excellent 4.7 | 541,098 reviews
The UK’s favourite travel insurance provider
with more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider.†
Good information about type of policy…
Good information about type of policy we needed
Nick Hamilton,
clear and concise
clear and concise, pleasant representative.
Wanda Higley,
Service provided was excellent
How pleasant to talk to a lovely lady (unfortunately I did’t get her name)who was very helpful, polite and friendly she helped and guided me in making the changes to my policy. Good price for policy with all my previous medical issues. Service provided by the staff member was excellent well done Staysure!
Douglas Atkinson,
Other Europe travellers often ask...
Our EU travel insurance covers some overseas territories, like the Balearic and Canary Islands, Northern Cyprus, Malta, and the Greek Islands.
But overseas French territories, like Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, and French Polynesia, require a Worldwide travel insurance policy because they are located in far-off regions. By letting us know where exactly you plan on going, we can make sure each destination you visit is covered.
You don’t need travel insurance to enter Europe, even with the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). But border officials may still ask you questions about your holiday and your travel insurance. This hasn’t stopped anyone from entering Europe as far as we know. But for total reassurance, it may be worth buying cover as soon as you book.
If you have a single-trip policy or Cruise cover, you have to tell us about all the countries you’re visiting to make sure you are fully covered. If you have an annual multi-trip policy, you don’t need to tell us about every trip, but your holiday destinations should fall within the geographical areas listed on your policy to be fully covered.
Europe is in high demand when it comes to holiday homes. As of August 2025, 2.1 million households own a second property, with 40% located overseas. Popular destinations include Spain, France, Portugal and Cyprus. We can cover your travels to your holiday home in Europe, because it still counts as a holiday away from your main residence.
Our cover usually includes things like medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage during your stay. However, our Europe holiday insurance policies won’t cover your holiday home in and of itself.
How long you can travel while being covered by our single-trip travel insurance depends on your age and all the regions you’ll be visiting. Most trips to Europe for someone between 0 - 65 years old can be covered up to 550 days at a time. Our annual multi-trip policies can cover you up to 183 days in total, with different maximum trip durations depending on your age.
Which? says that cheaper is not always better when it comes to travel insurance. Experts generally recommend that your policy provides £5 million in medical cover as a bare minimum.
If you have a lot of pre-existing medical conditions, or you are planning on doing activities which could increase the risk of an injury, it’s best to choose a policy that makes it easy to travel with confidence.
Both our Comprehensive and Signature policies cover unlimited medical and repatriation expenses for policy-approved claims.
Yes. If a doctor abroad confirms you’re not well enough to stay but stable enough to fly, Staysure’s emergency assistance team will arrange a dedicated air ambulance or a medically staffed seat-upgrade home. Comprehensive and Signature policies include up to unlimited cover for these costs, so money never delays the journey.
Behind the scenes we source a pressurised aircraft, specialist crew, ground ambulances at both ends and crucially, an NHS bed ready for when you land. It is a complex, time-critical puzzle: our underwriter’s data shows an air-ambulance flight back from Spain averages at £45,000.
Our travel insurance to Europe from the UK covers more than 100 adventurous activities as standard, including catamaran sailing, snorkelling, ice skating, jet skiing, volleyball, swimming, water parks, surfing, Pilates, boogie boarding, rowing, skateboarding and cycling, with some exceptions when it comes to liability and personal accident cover.
Golf cover comes standard on all our policies, but we also provide extra golf cover, which covers things like golf equipment and your non-refundable golfing fees.
For a full list of the activities our European travel insurance can cover, and what’s excluded, take a look at our policy documents.
If you tell us about your sea voyage when buying your policy, we will be able to cover your cruise under a Europe travel insurance policy. This usually includes cover for cruise cancellation, medical emergencies and baggage cover. You will also need to tell us about every country you'll be porting at during your cruise holiday.
If you want more protection, our Cruise Plus add-on covers things like cabin confinement and any resulting unused excursions, missed port departures, cruise interruptions and itinerary changes. This add-on is available on our Comprehensive and Signature policies and also covers river cruises.
You can make changes to your policy, online and in your own time with My Staysure.
It's quick and easy to make changes to your policy online, such as updating traveller details or renewing a policy where the details are staying the same. Just visit your My Staysure account.
The UK’s favourite travel insurancebased on more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider
