Travel Insurance for Europe
Travelling to Europe offers a myriad of exciting choices such as arts, culture, food, and sporting events. The possibilities are endless!
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Brits looking to travel overseas will be setting their sights on Europe and a variety of cultures and tourist attractions.
You could be off to San Sebastian for Tapas, on your honeymoon to check out the Santorini Calderas, or just wanting to relax and sip craft beers and fancy cocktails in Berlin... the possibilities are endless. But there’s always the chance that the unexpected could derail your holiday, which is why having travel insurance is crucial.
With World Nomads you can buy travel insurance as soon as your trip is locked in and you're ready to go, or while you're on the road travelling around Europe.
- Why should I get insurance cover for Europe?
- What to look out for when travelling around Europe
- Brexit has arrived, will I need a Schengen Visa to go to Europe?
- What other tips for safe travel do you offer?
No matter how short or long your trip is and what your budget is, you should consider purchasing travel insurance as it may assist you if something goes wrong. World Nomads has two plans which cover an array of activities ranging from mountain biking to skiing, hiking, kayaking, surfing, scuba diving and more. We also offer cover for other key events such as:
- Medical evacuation and repatriation back to the UK
- Cancellation and curtailment
- Delays or missed flights
- Lost, stolen or damaged baggage
Why should I get insurance cover for Europe?
Planning a trip around Europe is always a big undertaking as it involves many countries and many possibilities - this means making a lot of bookings for hotels, flights, trains, and tours.
World Nomads has two travel insurance plans to choose from, which may be able to help if you suddenly need to cancel your trip, or if you have to cut your trip short and return to the UK. A worst-case scenario is if you fall ill or are badly injured and need to be repatriated back home as this can be very costly.
What to look out for when travelling around Europe
Beware petty theft and pickpockets in key hotspots: While most countries in Europe are amongst the safest to travel to there is always the chance that you might end up being pickpocketed or being the victim of a scam in many top tourist hotspots. When in crowded areas in any European country always maintain a sense of awareness of your surroundings.
Keep an eye on your gear 24/7: It’s very important that you always be careful NEVER to leave your valuables out of sight. You can find out more about travel cover for valuables and gadgets and other high value items here. Make copies of all key documents you’ll be travelling with—passport, ID, travel insurance, receipts, vouchers, addresses, transportation tickets—and keep them separate from the originals so you’ll have proof of purchase if anything happens. Exercise caution in hostels and on trains; padlocking your bags to the luggage rack if you’re on an overnight train or bus is always a good idea.
Hold your cards (ID and cash) close to your chest: When in Europe you’ll need to have your passport, ID, credit cards and cash on you for all that great shopping! Always ensure you carry copies of your passport and any other form of ID with you. Also, a good idea is to have a money belt or neck wallet to protect your credit cards and cash when you’re out and about.
Have fun but don’t overdo it: We always advocate for enjoying yourself as much as you can while travelling but it’s also important to be aware of your surroundings and who you trust when travelling, especially if you are travelling solo around Europe and don’t know the local lingo. With a large number of festivals and enticing nightlife around Europe all year round we suggest not to overdo it when it comes to drinking and partying.
Traveller tip 1: Always make sure you’ve done your research on each of the European countries you’re planning to visit as there may be UK government imposed travel bans or restrictions in place. If you decide to travel to a country on a ‘Do Not Travel’ list be aware there is no cover as this is a section exclusion.
Will I need a Schengen Visa to go to Europe?
Since January 1, 2021, British citizens (still) do not need to apply for a visa in advance for short-term visits to the EU. According to the Schengen Borders Code, they can stay within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. To learn more about entry requirements for countries in the Schengen are check the UK Government website.
Travel insurance may be able to bridge the gap for some of these benefits for UK travellers – check out our Brexit article that may help clear any queries you have.
Traveller tip 2: UK residents should have their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) when travelling in the EU. This will give you free, or reduced cost, medical treatment. However, it's always a good idea to have travel insurance as a GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. With World Nomads travel insurance at your side, you may be covered for private medical healthcare costs, costs associated with mountain rescue in ski resorts or being repatriated back to the UK, or with lost or stolen property.
What other tips for safe travel do you offer?
We have compiled this general information and handy tips on tourist visas and passports, and we have you covered if you’re looking for more Europe travel inspiration. We also have information on which countries are accepting travellers in our safety travel alerts section.
About World Nomads
World Nomads polices are designed by travelers for travelers to provide simple and flexible travel insurance – and it’s often cheaper than you might think! Featuring coverage for more than 150 activities, quotes are fast, free and you can do it all online at www.worldnomads.com. All of the information we provide about travel insurance is a brief summary only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all countries, states or provinces. Please carefully read your policy wording for a full description of coverage.
Did you know travel insurance covers...
- Trip cancellation
- Emergency medical
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Lost or damaged gear
- Delayed baggage
- Death overseas
- Terrorism
- And more...
You can also buy away from home or buy more cover if you extend your trip. Plus, you can claim online anytime, anywhere in the world.
True Claims Stories
Never travel without travel insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain, and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
U.S resident in Spain
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: £5,000
- Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Been made redundant?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses
Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.
- Explorer Plan: £10 million
- Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transport
Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medivac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.
- Explorer Plan: £3,000
- Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
- Luggage lost?
- Passport pilfered?
- Tech trashed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Baggage & Personal Belongings
- Cancellation
- Trip Curtailment
- Personal Accident
- Loss of Passport or travel documents
- Personal Liability
- Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.
For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.
24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?
For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)
For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)