Compare travel insurance for Europe

Having the right travel insurance for Europe means you can make the most of your journey, even if plans change unexpectedly. Policies vary between providers, so it’s always worth checking the details before you buy.

When you compare quotes with PayingTooMuch, you’ll see cover options designed around your European trip. Depending on the provider and level of cover, this might include:   

 

• pre-existing medical conditions – many travel insurance providers offer cover for existing medical conditions if you declare them when you buy 

 

• trip cancellation or cutting your holiday short– claim back the cost of your holiday if you can’t travel due to illness, injury, or an emergency 

 

• emergency medical treatment– cover for medical bills abroad, plus medical repatriation back to the UK if needed 

 

• travel delays and disruptions– protection against costs caused by delays, missed departures, or travel interruptions

 

• lost, stolen, or damaged belongings – cover for baggage, valuables, and important travel documents 

 

• cash and personal possessions– some policies also include cover for lost or stolen money while you’re away 

Most of the time, you won’t be covered for: 

 

• alcohol or drug-related incidents – most insurers won’t cover claims that happen while under the influence 

 

• undeclared medical conditions – if you don’t tell your insurer about a pre-existing condition, you might not be covered if something goes wrong 

 

• travelling against medical advice – if your doctor recommends you don’t travel and you go anyway, your cover could be invalid 

 

• cancellations for personal reasons – if you choose not to travel or cancel for something that’s not listed in your policy, you’re unlikely to be covered

 

• planned medical treatment abroad – travel insurance is for unexpected emergencies – not care you’ve arranged in advance 

 

Different insurance providers may have different policies for anything you’re not covered for, so make sure you read your policy documents in detail. This means that you’ll know exactly what your travel insurance covers you for. 

Even though many European countries have excellent healthcare systems, medical treatment can still be very expensive – especially if you need private care, specialist treatment, or repatriation back to the UK.

 

For example: 

 

• an overnight hospital stay abroad could cost thousands of pounds, depending on the country and type of treatment you needed

 

• emergency transport back to the UK can be very expensive 

 

• lost baggage may mean replacing clothing, tech, and essentials out of pocket

 

Without travel insurance, you would need to pay these costs yourself. Insurance means you’re protected, so a medical emergency or travel mishap doesn’t ruin your holiday – or your finances. 

 

 

This is one of the most common questions travellers ask. The answer is: it depends on your travel insurance provider. 

 

For annual multi-trips most providers split travel insurance into regional categories:

 

• UK travel insurance (for domestic trips)  

 

• European travel insurance

 

• Worldwide excluding USA, Canada and the Caribbean

 

• Worldwide including USA, Canada and the Caribbean

 

But what counts as ‘Europe’ can vary depending on the policy. 

 

Countries usually included in European cover:

 

• all EU member states

 

• popular holiday destinations like Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and Portugal

 

• EEA countries such as Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

 

• Switzerland  

 

Sometimes included:

 

• Turkey

 

• Canary Islands

 

• Madeira  

 

• Channel Islands

 

Always check your insurer’s policy wording to be sure. With PayingTooMuch, you’ll enter your destination when getting a quote, so you’ll only see policies that cover the country you’re travelling to.

 

For single trip policies, we’ll ask you which countries you’re travelling to, so you can be sure that you’ve got the right cover for all the countries you’ll be visiting.

Travelling with a medical condition can still be straightforward. The right travel insurance gives you protection if the unexpected happens.

 

When you compare with PayingTooMuch, we’ll show you policies designed around your individual health needs – so you can get the right cover and travel knowing you’re protected. We’ll just ask a few simple questions about your medical history to make sure your policy works for you.

 

This helps ensure that: 

 

• you’re covered for treatment linked to your condition while in Europe 

 

• your policy stays valid if something unexpected happens during your trip 

 

• you won’t face unexpected medical bills that could otherwise be excluded 

 

 

Remember, a GHIC can help with some state healthcare costs in Europe, but travel insurance goes much further – covering things like private treatment, repatriation and trip disruption.

 

We work with trusted providers who specialise in covering a wide range of conditions, so you can find affordable cover designed around both your trip and your health – helping you travel with confidence.

 

The amount you can claim depends on your policy and the type of cover you choose. For example:

 

• cancellations – some policies cover up to £10,000 if you can’t travel due to illness, injury or an emergency 

 

• emergency medical treatment – policies offer extensive cover to take care of unexpected hospital bills, ambulance costs, or repatriation back to the UK 

 

• lost luggage or belongings – you’ll usually be able to claim valuables, luggage, or personal items, up to your policy’s limit 

 

Each travel insurance provider sets different claim limits, so always check your policy documents carefully before you buy to make sure the level of cover suits your trip.

• Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Ghana, Cape Verde 

 

• Asia: India, Sri Lanka, UAE, Malaysia, Japan, Bali, Thailand  

 

• North America & Caribbean: USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica 

 

• South America: Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Chile

 

• Australia & Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Samoa  

 

Travel insurance for some destinations may depend on travel advice from the FCDO or the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

With PayingTooMuch, you’ll enter your destination when getting a quote, so you’ll only see policies covering the countries you’re travelling to.

 

Travelling with a medical condition can still be straightforward. The right travel insurance gives you protection if the unexpected happens. 

 

When you compare with PayingTooMuch, we’ll show you policies designed around your individual health needs – so you can get the right cover and travel knowing you’re protected. We’ll just ask a few simple questions about your medical history to make sure your policy works for you.

 

This helps ensure that: 

 

• you’re covered for treatment linked to your condition while abroad 

 

• your policy stays valid if something unexpected happens during your trip 

 

• you won’t face unexpected medical bills that could otherwise be excluded

 

We work with trusted providers who specialise in covering a wide range of conditions, so you can find affordable cover designed around both your trip and your health – helping you travel with confidence. 

The amount you can claim depends on your policy and the type of cover you choose. For example: 

 

• cancellations – some policies cover up to £10,000 if you can’t travel due to illness, injury or an emergency 

 

• emergency medical treatment – policies offer extensive cover to take care of unexpected hospital bills, ambulance costs, or repatriation back to the UK

 

• lost luggage or belongings – you’ll usually be able to claim valuables, luggage, or personal items, up to your policy’s limit 

 

Each travel insurance provider sets different claim limits, so always check your policy documents carefully before you buy to make sure the level of cover suits your trip.

Yes. The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or older European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to state-provided healthcare in certain European countries. But they don’t cover: 

 

• medical repatriation to the UK 
• trip cancellations or delays 
• lost or stolen belongings

 

European travel insurance provides all of these protections, making it essential even if you have a GHIC/EHIC.

Depending on the type of holiday you’re taking, you may want to add extra cover to your European travel insurance, like:

 

• winter sports insurance – if you’re going skiing or snowboarding

 

• cruise cover – for European river cruises or Mediterranean cruises 

 

Just let us know when you’re telling us about your trip and the cover will be included in the options we share with you to compare. 

1. Get started 

 

Click ‘Get a quote’ to begin. Answer a few questions and we'll help you find the right cover for your Europe trip.

 

2. Choose your cover and extras

 

For a single trip, select the countries you’re travelling to. For an annual multi-trip policy, choose the region you want cover for, such as Europe. Then, add your personal details and any medical conditions to make sure you’re fully covered

 

3. Compare quotes

 

Once you've entered your details, we’ll show you all the quotes from trusted insurers, from cheapest to most expensive. Compare the options to choose the right cover at a great price.