Up to £15,000 cancellation cover per person on Signature policies
Unlimited medical cover and emergency expenseson Comprehensive and Signature policies
The UK’s favourite travel insurancebased on more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other provider
Our Signature and Comprehensive policies are Which? Best Buys
Excellent 4.7 | 550,691 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 Portugal at a glance
Staysure’s travel insurance for Portuguese holidays offers cancellation cover, unlimited medical and repatriation expenses on Comprehensive and Signature policies and up to £5,000 baggage cover on Signature policies. We can cover more than 1,300 pre-existing medical conditions, and all ages. With more 5-star Trustpilot reviews than any other UK travel insurance provider, we’ve won the Best Company for Travel Insurance for 9 years in a row (2016-2025). Get a quick quote online or call our friendly team to set yours up today.
Planning your dream trip to Portugal? Whether you want to wander through Lisbon's historic streets, tee off on a world-class golf course in the Algarve, or soak up the sun in Madeira, you’ll be in good company. It’s one of Britain’s most-loved holiday destinations.
With so much to look forward to, the last thing you want is for an unexpected holiday hiccup to put your travels on hold.
We can cover unlimited costs for medical bills on Comprehensive and Signature policies, hotel room deposits if you have to cancel or leave earlier than planned because of an illness or accident (up to your policy limits), and flexible protection up to £5,000 on Signature policies for when your bag checks in but never checks out.
Does my EHIC or GHIC cover me for travel to Portugal?
Your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is your ticket to free or discounted state-provided healthcare in Portugal. It’s a handy thing to have in your wallet, but only goes so far, and isn’t a replacement for travel insurance.
Say a fall on the cobbled streets of Lisbon lands you in hospital and you’re not fit to fly home on a regular airline – a GHIC won’t cover the eye-watering cost of a medical flight home. And it won’t refund your Algarve villa if illness means you can’t travel, replace your bags if they go missing at Faro, or cover you if you lose your passport.
Travel insurance can help cover those big, trip-ending events that a GHIC or EHIC simply isn't designed for.
Beth Craig
Travel insurance expert
Does Portugal travel insurance cover Madeira and the Azores?
What our expert says…
“For travel insurance purposes, Portugal, Madeira and the Azores fall within our European cover area. If you're buying a single-trip policy, select Portugal as your destination, and let us know if you’ll be travelling to Madeira or the Azores to be covered. For annual multi-trip policies, you can protect all your travels to Portugal, Madeira or the Azores by selecting Europe as your destination.
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Why choose Staysure?
Up to unlimited medical emergency expenses
Generous cancellation cover up to £15,000
We’ve given over 13m people peace of mind
Most pre-existing medical conditions covered
Easy to access and amend your policy online
What does Portugal travel insurance cover?
What’s covered?
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.
cruise 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 packed like a sardine on Lisbon's famous Tram 28, barely noticing the slight jostle from the crowd. It’s only when you step off to buy a Ginjinha that you realise a light-fingered local has swiped your wallet. Not to worry – while you cancel your cards and report the incident to the police, we’ll step in to cover the replacements costs of cash, travel tickets and personal debit or credit cards that were stolen up to your policy limit.
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 or all but essential 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: After spending a fantastic day surfing in Peniche, you leave your new camera on the beach while you go for a celebratory drink. When you return, it’s gone. Unfortunately, because you left your belongings unattended, your policy can't cover the loss.
Portugal travel insurance for medical conditions
Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition shouldn't stop you from exploring the beautiful coastlines and cities of Portugal. As a medical travel insurance specialist, we cover over 1,300 medical conditions, and all ages.
We’ve put years into making our screening process as simple as possible, our underwriters have lots of experience with complex cases, and the claims team understand the realities of travelling with a health condition. In fact, 97% of customers are able to get medical cover with us.
Medical conditions we regularly cover
We cover a vast number of medical conditions, including:
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.
“If you’re bringing the little ones along, a family travel insurance policy can cover two parents and their dependent children (under 18, or under 21 if in full-time education) under one convenient plan, which is easier to manage than buying individual policies for each family member and often more cost-effective. If your break includes grandparents, cousins or best friends, a group policy is the way to go. You can buy cover for up to nine people online, or up to 30 over the phone, even if you don’t all live at the same address.
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How to buy travel insurance for Portugal
Whether you prefer getting a quick online quote or speaking to a real human over the phone, we make buying travel insurance both easy and effortless.
1. Run us through your travel plans
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. Tell us about your medical history
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 your personalised 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, such as cruise travel insurance or winter sports cover. 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 Portugal?
The price of your holiday insurance for Portugal isn't a one-size-fits-all figure. It’s personalised based on your specific trip and circumstances. These factors often hold the most weight when it comes to what you’ll pay:
Age and health - As a travel insurance specialist, we cover pre-existing medical conditions, and all ages. However, if you’re travelling with a condition, we have to be ready to step in if a health hiccup leads to unexpected bills. That extra layer of protection can add a little, but it makes sure you’re covered when you need it most.
Trip length - A fun-filled weekend in Lisbon will usually cost less than a three-week adventure across the country. Longer trips mean your policy has more to cover.
Policy level and add-ons - Optional add-ons like Cruise Plus (available on Comprehensive and Signature policies), golf cover, or gadget cover give you more protection to fall back on, but will add to your premium.
Pro tip: If you’re planning multiple trips to Portugal per year, annual multi-trip travel insurance could provide better value than buying separate single-trip policies each time you visit.
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 £3,000, 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 £2,000, 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 | 550,691 reviews
The UK’s favourite travel insurance provider
with more 5-star reviews than any other provider.†
The caller Mini explained everything…
The caller Mini explained everything clearly to me.
Thank you.
Mrs Patricia Musgrove,
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Was very easy to fill-in the on line form and a good price
With the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) in place, border officials could ask if you have a policy in place to cover any unexpected costs during your visit.
While you can likely still enter without it, having your insurance documents on hand is the quickest way to prove you're covered for medical emergencies or other mishaps, ensuring your Portuguese adventure starts without any delays.
Our policies cover over 100 fun-filled activities as standard, so you can make the most of your next adventure. From beach volleyball, whale and dolphin watching, and other water sports like snorkelling, paddleboarding, jet skiing, boogie boarding, surfing, windsurfing, swimming, rowing, catamaran cruising and waterpark adventures.
We also cover hiking below altitudes of 2,500 metres, tree canopy walking, cycling, Pilates, roller blading, and ziplining, with some exceptions when it comes to personal accident and liability cover. Golf is included in all our policies, but we also provide extra golf cover, which can help protect your equipment and non-refundable golfing fees.
You can find the full list of included activities in our policy documents.
SCUBA diving enthusiasts can explore the incredible underwater world of Portugal with our award-winning cover in tow. From the sunken warships of the Algarve's Ocean Revival Park to the volcanic archways of the Azores, the ocean really is your oyster. Just be sure to follow the guidelines of your training organisation and to dive with a qualified buddy.
Depth limits are based on your certification; PADI Open Water divers are covered up to 18 metres, while those with a BSAC Sport Diver qualification or equivalent can explore down to 30 metres. Not a qualified diver yet? You can still dive in, as long as you’re accompanied by a licensed instructor and don’t go deeper than 18 metres.
Lastly, don't forget the golden rule of diving safety: no flying for at least 24 hours after your last dive. We won’t be able to cover you if you do.
To see exactly what we cover when it comes to SCUBA diving, please see our policy documents.
To make sure your cover holds up wherever you go, it’s best to tell us about your full holiday itinerary. If you’re hopping between islands all belonging to the same country on a single-trip policy, selecting 'Portugal' as your destination will cover your entire trip. However, if you’re planning a day trip across the border, you’ll need to let us know so we can include it in your policy.
If you have an annual multi-trip policy for Europe, you are free to travel to any European island because they all fall within the covered geographical area. If you’re planning on visiting countries outside of Europe, it might be best to buy a worldwide policy – give us a quick call or compare quotes online so we can help you get the best value for your cover.
In an emergency, contact the local emergency services first, and then call our 24-hour emergency helpline. Our team will help arrange your care and find the most appropriate place for treatment and follow-up care.
Our helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year:
Calling from outside the UK: +44 1403 288 414
Calling from USA or Canada: +1 844 780 0639
Calling from Mexico: +1 819 780 0639
Calling from the UK: 01403 288 414
If you or someone on your policy is admitted to hospital or your outpatient treatment is likely to cost more than £350, contact us as soon as possible.
Where you have a valid claim and your medical expenses exceed £350, we will look to settle the bill directly with the medical provider where possible.
If you have a non-urgent medical concern, such as sickness, headaches, or mild pain, contact our helpline first for advice on where to go for assistance.
At Staysure, we believe that age shouldn't be a barrier to adventure, which is why we specialise in travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, and all ages. Our policies are designed to provide the tailored protection you need to travel with confidence at any stage of life, whether you are in your 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, or beyond.
Simply get in touch with our friendly team over the phone, or get a quick online quote, so you can make the most of your trip.
If you let us know about your sea voyage when buying your policy, we’ll be able to cover your ocean adventures under a Europe or worldwide travel insurance policy.
Just tell us which destinations your cruise will include, and we’ll make sure all the standard benefits you normally get on land follow you out to sea, like cover for cancellations, medical emergencies and lost or stolen baggage.
For more protection, our Cruise Plus add-on can cover cabin confinement and any resulting unused excursions, missed port departures, itinerary changes, and more. This add-on is available with our Comprehensive and Signature policies and also covers river cruises.
The incredible levada walks of Madeira are a bucket-list dream for many travellers, including a significant number of older adventurers, and our travel insurance for Portugal is built to keep up. Whether you’re wandering through the lush Laurisilva forests or taking in breathtaking mountain views, you can do it knowing you're protected.
We cover hiking and trekking up to 2,500 metres as a standard part of your policy. Since Madeira's most beloved trails fall well within this limit, you can focus on the incredible scenery and let us worry about the 'what ifs'.
You can find the full list of included activities in our policy documents.
While mainland Portugal is generally calm, the Azores sit in a seismically active zone. In fact, a total of 39 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above took place within 300 km of the Azores in the past 10 years.
Our Travel Disruption Extension was built to protect you from the unexpected. It comes standard on Signature policies and is available as an add-on for Basic and Comprehensive, and can cover you for:
trip curtailments or cancellations if official government advice tells you not to travel or to come back home.
pre-booked activities.
scheduled transport delays.
extra travel and accommodation costs so you can continue with your journey (either to reach your destination or to return home) if your original pre-booked plans were disrupted.
extra travel and accommodation costs if you have to stay somewhere else or go home early because of unexpected events, like a fire, flood, explosion, earthquake, tsunami, landslide, food poisoning outbreak at your hotel, terrorist event, hurricane, war or conflict situations.
Just remember that our Travel Disruption Extension covers you for unforeseen events.
Stay in control of your account with My Staysure
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. If you need to make simple changes such as updating traveller details or renewing a policy that's details are staying the same, just visit your My Staysure account.
Up to £15,000 cancellation cover per person on Signature policies
