How Travel Insurance UK works

What is UK travel insurance?

UK travel insurance refers to both travel insurance for anyone visiting the UK from abroad and travel insurance for UK citizens planning a trip outside the United Kingdom. There are various types of UK travel insurance, including single-trip for one journey, multi-trip for regular travelers, or long stay for those spending an extended period abroad. You can also purchase annual insurance which will cover you for unlimited travel throughout the year if you’re a frequent flier.

What’s the difference between travel insurance for UK visitors and travel insurance for UK citizens?

Travel insurance for UK visitors and travel insurance for UK citizens traveling abroad both provide the same types of coverage, including emergency medical treatment and medical repatriation, as well as a range of other travel related benefits, whilst traveling abroad. The difference between the two is that one is for visitors coming to the United Kingdom, and the other is for citizens of the UK traveling abroad. If you are a UK citizen, Mutuaide Universal travel insurance will cover you whilst outside the UK, no matter which country you’re traveling to. If you’re from elsewhere, traveling to the UK, Mutuaide Universal worldwide cover is a great option. It can be used to insure travelers from any nationality traveling to any country in the world (aside from warzones or other dangerous regions). For UK citizens visiting the Schengen area, there are various travel insurance policies available.

Do you need travel insurance for visiting the UK?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for travelers visiting the UK, but it is strongly recommended by the British government, so it’s a good idea nonetheless. Whether you're strolling through the historic city of Oxford, hiking the green coast of Northern Ireland, or simply relishing the charm of a quintessential British afternoon tea, you’ll want to know you’re fully protected in case of an emergency. While the United Kingdom is known as a safe destination, unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the most meticulously planned trips. The fees for urgent medical treatment, for example, can be costly. No traveler wants to be liable to pay this in full, especially amid an emergency!

Do you need travel insurance for a UK visa?

Purchase of travel insurance is not a legal requirement for UK visa applications. With that being said, it is highly recommended to take out insurance in case you require emergency medical coverage whilst in Britain. However, you may be required to pay a mandatory IHS fee as part of your visa application. In this instance, purchasing private travel insurance may provide unnecessary healthcare coverage, since an IHS payment allows you to use certain NHS services free of charge in the UK. The IHS is not refundable should you decide to take out additional travel insurance. Therefore, if you’re applying for a visa, make sure you check the requirements of your visa application regarding IHS before purchasing your travel insurance policy, so you don’t end up paying for something you do not need Aside from emergency medical coverage, travel insurance still offers additional benefits such as repatriation, lost baggage or papers, and could remain a good option even if you don’t use it to contribute towards medical costs.

What type of travel insurance is needed for a UK visa?

There is a lot to understand when applying for a UK visa, particularly around medical coverage in the UK. The type of travel insurance you need for the United Kingdom will depend on your immigration or visa status, and whether you’re required to pay an IHS payment to cover your NHS costs whilst in the UK.

If I'm exempt from needing a visa, do I still need insurance in Australia?

Even if your entry to Australia doesn’t require proof of travel insurance, you’d be wise to take out travel insurance for Australia before your trip. Healthcare expenses can be very high in Australia, and as a non-resident, you will be treated as a private healthcare patient when accessing treatment. The last thing you want when you are abroad is to be faced with a bill for urgent medical care that was unexpected.

Do Australian citizens need travel insurance for Schengen, Europe or worldwide trips?

What are IHS Fees?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee for certain visitors to the UK that grants you access to the NHS, in case you need medical attention whilst you’re visiting the country. You typically need to pay the IHS if you’re applying for a visa or immigration application:

• for more than 6 months, if you’re applying outside the UK; or
• for any length of time, if you’re applying inside the UK.

However, you won’t need to pay the IHS if:

• you’re applying for a visitor visa;
• you plan to remain in the UK permanently; or
• you are visiting the UK for less than 6 months and are exempt from needing a visa.

The IHS is paid online at the point of or before making your visa application. Once paid, you’ll have a code to prove your eligibility status, which you can declare when accessing medical treatment from the NHS.

What is the NHS?

The NHS, or the National Health Service, is the publicly funded healthcare system in the United Kingdom. The NHS offers accessible and comprehensive healthcare that is free at the point of use, so UK residents do not pay fees for most medical treatments, consultations, and hospital stays. It covers general practitioner (GP) and hospital care, as well as a range of other services such as physiotherapy and antenatal care. Some services - including dental care, routine eye care, or cosmetic procedures - are not fully covered and patients need to pay for these services. Patients also pay a fixed rate for any prescriptions.

What is UKVI?

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the body responsible for granting visas and immigration rights. All British visa or citizenship applications pass through the UKVI and they define the rules around visa exemptions and leave to remain (how long you can stay in the UK and what you’re allowed to do while there).

What is leave to remain in the UK?

Your visa or immigration status in the UK is known as “leave to remain”. This refers to the permission you have to live in the UK, like how long you can stay, and what you can do whilst living there. It may be limited leave to remain - typically up to 2 ½ years - or you may be granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR), allowing you to live permanently in the UK with no fixed time limit.

If I'm exempt from needing a UK visa, do I still need travel insurance?

Taking out travel insurance before visiting Britain is always worthwhile, even if you don’t require a visa to enter the country. Healthcare costs can be very high for foreigners so you’ll want to have coverage to avoid having to pay very expensive fees if something unexpected happens during your trip.

Who is exempt from needing a UK visa?

Not all visitors to the UK need one. The following are exempt from requiring a visa to go to the UK:

• Since Brexit, EU, EEA or Swiss citizens can visit the UK without applying for a visa and can typically stay for up to six months, provided they are not working in the UK or accessing public funds.
• Nationals of countries such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand, who have a visa waiver agreement with the UK, are also exempt from needing a visa, so long as you’re traveling for tourism or another permitted activity.
• Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates can apply for an electronic visa waiver (EVW). If approved, individuals from these countries won’t need to apply for a UK visa. An important note - from November 15th, 2023onward, citizens from Qatar will need to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), instead of an EVW.
• Diplomats, government officials, heads of state or members of Commonwealth or Overseas Territories armed forces, whether posted or training in the UK, do not need a visa (because you’re exempt from immigration control) and can apply for an exempt vignette.

You can double check if you require a visa on the UK government check visa tool.

What's the difference between Schengen travel insurance & travel insurance for the UK?

Schengen travel insurance covers travelers for their time in any country within the Schengen area. The Schengen area consists of 29 countries within Europe who have a shared agreement of free movement between their borders. Since leaving the EU after Brexit, the UK is no longer part of the Schengen area and is therefore not covered by Schengen travel insurance. To visit the UK you’ll need specific travel insurance that includes the UK, such as a European travel insurance policy which covers both the Schengen area and the UK.

Do UK citizens need travel insurance for Schengen, Europe, or worldwide travel?

Depending on your visa requirements, UK citizens may sometimes require travel insurance for staying in Schengen, Europe or further afield. British citizens have a right to enter the Schengen area for up to 90 days within an 180 day period without the need for a Schengen visa. However, if your trip extends beyond the 90 day limit, you will need a Schengen visa, and therefore be required to show proof of travel medical emergency coverage of at least €30,000. Before you book your travel, be sure to check the specific requirements of the countries you’re visiting. Even in the case you are not required to have travel insurance for your visa application, it is always highly recommended to purchase coverage for your time abroad to reduce the risk of unexpected costs during your stay.

Does my GHIC card cover me for emergency medical costs abroad?

If you are a British citizen, you can apply for a GHIC, which allows you access to emergency state-provided medical care within the EU and Switzerland, as well as in a number of other countries who have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Since not all healthcare is free in these countries, you may still have to pay for services that you would usually get for free on the NHS.

What is EHIC/GHIC?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides access to emergency healthcare for EU and Swiss citizens whilst visiting the UK. Since Brexit, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the EHIC for most UK citizens, aside from those with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement The GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance as it does not cover any repatriation or additional costs.

As a foreigner, am I covered by my private health insurance or my state-funded healthcare system when I travel?

Some, but not all private health insurance policies will cover you for healthcare in the UK. Before you travel, be sure to check the terms and conditions of your policy or contact your insurance provider to confirm if you require additional coverage. Similarly for your state-funded healthcare system, each country’s policy will be different, so you will need to research the terms of your country’s public healthcare allowance or reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK.

What are the UK government’s recommendations for travel insurance?

The British government has published advice concerning travel insurance for both UK travelers and visitors to the UK from abroad. We’ve conveniently listed those current recommendations here

United Kingdom government recommendations for UK citizens abroad

When traveling abroad, British citizens are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any emergency medical treatment needed whilst outside the UK. This is to avoid the risk of being liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which could cost thousands of pounds.

Table source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance

UK government recommendations for visitors coming to the UK

Similarly, the British government recommends travel insurance for all foreign visitors to the UK, including EU citizens. Out of pocket costs for non-UK citizens or residents can be very high, so it’s better to make sure you’re protected in case you experience an unfortunate accident or illness during your trip to the United Kingdom

How to find the best travel insurance, UK

When making travel plans, the range of travel insurance options can feel intimidating. Each traveler's needs and travel plans are unique, so you’ll want to find the plan that best fits your requirements. The best way to find UK travel insurance is to use an online insurance comparison tool so you can compare the different plans side by side. A comparison tool will allow you to enter all your travel details and find the best travel insurance for your trip to the UK by filtering the options to suit your needs.

Where can I find the cheapest travel insurance, UK

To find the cheapest travel insurance for the UK, it’s worth doing some research and comparing multiple policies before you purchase. Here are a couple of tips for finding the lowest cost policies:

• Look for plans with deductibles (also known as “excess”), as this will typically bring down the premium of your insurance, although it does increase the risk of needing to pay unexpected out of pocket fees during your trip.
• If you know you’re going to be making more than one trip abroad during the year, an annual policy might prove more cost effective than taking out separate policies for each trip.

Where can I find comprehensive travel insurance, UK

To find comprehensive travel insurance for the UK, you can filter your search in the online comparison tool according to specific coverage options, such as Covid-19 coverage. Read carefully through the guarantees listed under each policy, and take a note of what isn’t covered. Consider what coverage is important for your trip, and which is non-essential. It is different for everybody! If you want to reduce your risk as much as possible, opt for insurance without deductibles (or, excess). This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you’re fully covered in advance should any emergency arise.

How much does travel insurance (UK) cost?

The cost of UK travel insurance can vary significantly depending on the provider and the extent of coverage you select. Here are some of the factors that may affect the cost of your policy:

• the duration of your stay;
• single trip vs multi-trip
• worldwide vs regional cover;
• deductible vs no deductible;
• the number of travelers covered in your policy;
• additional benefits you opt for will alter the cost, such as Covid-19 cover.

UK Travel Insurance FAQS

Is travel insurance mandatory for the UK?

Is the UK covered in Schengen travel insurance?

Can I insure my travel to or from the UK if I’m 65 years old, 75 years old or over 80 years old?

Can I insure my trip to or from the UK if I’m traveling more than 90/120 days?

Can I buy my UK insurance online?

Am I limited to buying my travel insurance to the UK according to my country of departure?

Does my nationality affect my eligibility for travel insurance to or from the UK?

Can I get a refund on my UK travel insurance?

What regions are included in the UK?

Can I be covered by my travel insurance in the UK if I'm traveling to Scotland or Wales?

Does my UK insurance cover me for all Commonwealth countries?

Can I be covered by my UK travel insurance for British Overseas Territories (BOT)/UKOT?

Do foreign students living in the UK need travel insurance?

Traveling to Australia is on the bucket list of travelers around the globe, and it’s no surprise. Whether you’re planning to hit the waves on Bondi Beach, enjoy delicious food in Melbourne, or taste the famous wines of the Barossa Valley, making sure you have the right travel insurance will help you rest-assured that you’re protected, no matter where the Outback takes you.