health insurance

Following this advice could ensure your trip is as safe and stress-free as possible

A major UK airport has issued an alert to all passengers. Heathrow airport told people to “make sure to check” travel advice ahead of a planned trip.

While many of us head abroad as a way to relax and take a break from our day-to-day lives, holidays can prove stressful if they don’t go smoothly. For this reason, it is important to stay up-to-date with any travel warnings and advice for your chosen destination. In a on X, the official Heathrow Airport account said: “Looking to book your next trip from Heathrow?

“Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or engaging in extreme sports, make sure to check the latest FCDO travel advice for your destination and sign up to http://GOV.UK email alerts.”

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides a comprehensive travel guide for each country on its website here. You can use this to get the latest information on your destination.

As part of a more general travel checklist, the FCDO says before your trip you should:

• Research your destination
• Get insured
• Check your documents
• Consider your health

Research your destination

Before heading off you should make sure you are up-to-date on all the latest travel advice for your destination. The FCDO said: “Get up-to-date advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences by checking foreign travel advice for the country you’re visiting.”

You can do this via the FCDO website, here.

Get insured

You should not leave this important step until the last minute. “Get appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book,” the FCDO said.

“Check that it covers the places you will visit, the duration of your visit and any planned activities such as adventure sports. Tell your insurance company about any medical conditions, including undiagnosed conditions which are being investigated, and check that your policy will cover these.”

Check your documents for travel

This includes doing the following:

• Sign your passport and complete the emergency contacts page
• Ensure that your passport meets the entry requirements for the country you are visiting (for example, it may need to be valid for a set period after your trip ends)
• Get the correct visa for your destination
• Take an extra form of photo ID with you, other than your passport
• If you are travelling with children check whether you need extra documentation
• If you plan to drive abroad check whether you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)

Consider your health

As standard, you should check the healthcare advice for all countries you’re visiting. It is also vital to check what vaccinations you need and what health precautions you should take at least eight weeks before you travel.

Information on this is available on the NHS website. You should also check the rules on taking your medicine abroad.

More specifically, if you are travelling to an EU country or Switzerland, you should apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), if your GHIC (or EHIC) has expired. The FCDO said: “An EHIC or GHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.”

If you are planning on drinking while away you should also “be alert” to the risk of spiked and contaminated drinks, including methanol poisoning. You can check the Travel Aware website for more details.

Getting help from the FCDO

You can stay up to date before and during travel by following FCDO Travel Advice on Facebook and X. You can sign up for email alerts on GOV.UK

You can contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate, or the FCDO in London 24 hours a day on 020 7008 5000 for advice.

The country tops the list for travellers looking for top-quality healthcare abroad, with an overall healthcare score of 78.72. The UK didn’t make the top 10 and ranked 27th out of 110.

Almost half of Brits are planning a winter getaway, with one in six jetting off to Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, according to Scott Dunn Travel. However, health concerns while abroad are a worry for some holidaymakers.

New research from 1st Move International Removals has delved into healthcare options overseas. The study evaluated factors such as medicine availability and cost, government readiness, and medical infrastructure and professionals.

Shockingly, the UK didn’t even make it into the top 10, coming in at 27th out of 110 countries. The UK scored 47.15 out of 100 on the Healthcare Index, but did best in the Medical Infrastructure and Professionals category with 78.03, reports the Express.

So, which country offers the best healthcare for travellers?

Taiwan takes the top spot for those seeking high-quality healthcare abroad, boasting an overall score of 78.72.

With an impressive infrastructure rating of 87.16, Taiwan’s efficient medical system ensures easy access to top professionals and facilities. Its highly praised National Health Insurance (NHI) system caters to both nationals and expats, making Taiwan an ideal destination for health-conscious travellers.

South Korea takes the second spot, providing peace of mind for tourists with a robust healthcare score of 77.7. Renowned for its state-of-the-art hospitals and skilled staff, South Korea’s infrastructure scores 79.05, ensuring dependable care for visitors.

The nation’s healthcare system, which operates on a national health insurance model, also benefits expats who are eligible to enrol after six months.

Australia ranks third, offering reliable healthcare to tourists with an overall score of 74.11. With an infrastructure rating of 90.75, the country boasts some of the world’s top hospitals and professionals.

Australia offers comprehensive medical coverage for its residents through Medicare, including GP appointments and hospital visits. For expats, a two percent Medicare Levy is applicable.

Here are the top 10 countries offering the best healthcare for travellers:

1. Taiwan – 78.72

2. South Korea – 77.7

3. Australia – 74.11

4. Canada- 71.32

5. Sweden – 70.73

6. Ireland – 67.99

7. Netherlands – 65.38

8. Germany – 64.66

9. Norway – 64.63

10. Israel – 61.73

The UK government is urging Brits planning trips to Spain to ensure they have a copy of this document to hand, or they could face a large fine

British holidaymakers plotting a Spanish holiday could face massive fines of up to €6,900 (£5,900) if caught without the proper paperwork in a post-Brexit travel clampdown. Spain’s Ministry of the Interior alongside the Ministry of Health have laid down the law with a new regulation that Brit tourists heading for some sunshine need to know.

UK travellers to Spain now need to provide evidence of comprehensive travel insurance upon arrival. And a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), will not be enough to cover your stay.

Private health insurance, complete with full coverage, will now be required for all holidaymakers. According to Travel and Tour World, it’s mandatory for British visitors to offer up proof of health insurance which covers emergencies, hospital stays, and repatriation, and your policy should not have hefty excesses or exclude existing health conditions.

Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias said: “The health of our visitors is a priority. We are committed to ensuring that all travellers, including British nationals, have the necessary coverage to protect themselves and the local healthcare system.”

If tourists arrive without the right health insurance , they could even find themselves turned away at Spanish borders. Worse still, those on holiday without insurance may get hit with fines climbing up to £5,900, reports Bristol Live.

The UK government has stepped in with key advice for holidaymakers, emphasising the importance of obtaining proper travel insurance before jetting off to Spain, and recommending that travellers carry evidence of their coverage.

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In a statement issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), they advised: “If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.”

They also pressed on the significance of getting travel insurance before departure, saying: “If you travel internationally you should buy appropriate travel insurance before you go, covering you for existing physical or mental health conditions (including those currently under investigation) and any activities you will be doing whilst you are away.”

Official guidance concludes: “If you do not have appropriate insurance before you travel, you could be liable for emergency expenses, including medical treatment, which may cost thousands of pounds.”

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The change comes among a raft of amendments to rules for Brits visiting Spain, with UK tourists urged to check documents such as their passport before they jet off.

Spain has also created a new national register for tourist accommodation in a bid to cut down on unlicensed short-term rentals.

Emma Hickey and her partner Stephen Brougham took their two kids to Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain when the 42-year-old mum fell badly ill, prompting a trip to hospital

A mum is fighting for her life after plummeting down hotel stairs and hitting her head.

Emma Hickey and her partner Stephen Brougham took their two kids to Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain, on June 13 for a sun-soaked 12-day getaway. Just 10 days into the trip, the mum-of-two woke up with a ‘really bad case’ of mosquito bites, so went to hospital and was prescribed injections

Despite feeling unwell for the next few days, the 42-year-old carer ‘soldiered through the holiday‘ for the sake of her kids. But as they walked down the hotel staircase on their way to a pharmacy on June 23, Emma complained of feeling dizzy before suddenly collapsing and falling head-first onto a concrete step.

Stephen, 44, says it was ‘horrific’ to watch his partner convulsing on the concrete steps after passing out. She was immediately rushed to hospital. A hospital CT scan revealed the mum-of-two had a brain bleed and neck fractures, so she was put in an induced coma.

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A friend of the family has set up a GoFundMe page to support plasterer Stephen and his two kids, while they are stranded in Tenerife waiting for Emma to recover. The dad-of-two says it could be ‘a very long time’ until his partner is well enough to fly home and he is unsure if the travel insurance will cover the soaring medical costs.

Stephen, from Dublin, Ireland, said: “We came away for a lovely family holiday and it’s been a living nightmare. She woke up with a really bad case of mosquito bites so we went to the local doctor and the doctors didn’t know what it was so they sent her to hospital

“The doctor there said they’d never seen a case of this mosquito bite in Spain before. She got a prescription and sent her away. For the next few days she wasn’t feeling well but was soldiering through the holiday for the sake of the kids trying to do what she could but she wasn’t herself.

Stephen said that his wife went for a nap on the 23rd, leaving him to take the kids out to lunch.

“She was up having a good sleep and she looked and seemed a lot better. She said she wouldn’t go to the hospital but would walk out to a pharmacy and see what they thought,” he continued.

“We walked out the back entrance of the hotel as there’s a shop and a pharmacy there. Street level is probably about four or five storeys up. She was feeling a bit dizzy and she collapsed and fell from the second last step of the upper staircase down below onto the other set of stairs head-first without raising her arm to protect herself.

“She passed out on the steps and started convulsing, she was in a terrible state. It’s been horrific because I actually witnessed the fall and how bad the fall was. That’s a mental scar that I’ll never forget. Words can’t describe how bad it is.”

Stephen called an ambulance, which rushed his partner to hospital. A CT scan showed she had suffered a brain bleed and needed an operation. Doctors discovered some fractures in her neck. She was then put in an induced coma and will remain in intensive care until she wakes up.

Stephen said: “They did an operation and there were blood clots on the brain that had been putting some pressure on the brain. They’re not saying what impact the pressure on the brain of the blood clot will have after she comes round. “There could be secondary issues there so in the meantime she’s just been on the machine. She hasn’t felt well all week so we can only presume that the mosquito bites, the medication, the heat and the fact she tried to soldier through the holiday just for the sake of the kids [caused it].

“They were draining the life out of her and they’re all over her body, dozens and dozens. They looked uncomfortable and you could see that they were sore. They turned into bruises. I can only connect the two.”

Stephen, who is self-employed, and is searching for alternative accommodation for him and children Sophie Hickey, 13, and Bobby Hickey, 7, while they wait for Emma to recover. He is hoping the travel insurance will help the rising medical costs after reviewing her medical records.

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“We know that hospital is $1,400 (£1,022) a day so we’re going to have a significant medical bill. The hotel we’re staying in at the moment is an expensive hotel. Then just feeding the kids and keeping them occupied. I’m not working now because I’m over here,” he said.

He’s now encouraging others to ensure they get travel insurance and to be aware of the dangers of insects abroad.

The card allows you to access state healthcare services in most European nations. Here’s all you need to know about the free travel document

Brits eager for a sun-soaked European trip this summer are being reminded to snag an indispensable card at least a fortnight before they jet off. This cost-free card opens doors to complimentary or discounted medical care while gallivanting abroad.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), succeeding the erstwhile European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is an essential bit of kit for voyagers. Although hearty encouragement still goes towards nabbing travel insurance, the GHIC lets globetrotters tap into state healthcare services across most European countries.

The NHS spells it out: “The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.”

For those clasping a still-in-date EHIC, it’s good until its last breath. Once it’s kicked the bucket, a fresh GHIC needs picking up.

Remember, getting your hands on a GHIC through the mail could take a fortnight, so it’s savvy to apply with bags of time before your planned departure, reports the Liverpool Echo.

How to get one sorted

If you’re living in the UK, then you’re in the running for a GHIC, and you can include family members on your application. When you’re signing up, be ready to provide:

• Your full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Health and Care number (for Northern Ireland residents)

Each member of the brood needs their own card. You’ve got the chance to throw in your partner and littluns when you’re filling out the form.

Kick-start your journey by registering your personal details, then follow the prompts to request extra cards. If there’s a need to add more family members later, just reach out to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services with your reference number, full name, date of birth, and address ready.

Upon application submission, expect a confirmation email from the NHS within a day confirming your approval status; don’t forget to check your spam just in case!

They may need more information or documents before giving the nod.

If a trip is looming and you’re cardless but in need of urgent healthcare abroad, worry not – simply ask for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to tide you over.

Using Your Card Abroad

Flaunt your shiny card for all necessary state-provided healthcare while overseas, which can’t be delayed until you’re back on British soil – known as “medically necessary healthcare”. This includes:

• Emergencies and A&E admissions
• Management or standard care for ongoing or pre-existing conditions
• Routine maternity care, as long as you’re not going abroad to give birth

Routine maternity care – provided you’re not jetting off specifically to have your baby elsewhere.

For treatments like dialysis or chemotherapy, give the health service in your destination country a heads-up to ensure they’ve got space for you. Local capacity can be an issue, after all.

The call on whether treatment is medically necessary is made by the healthcare provider in the country you’re visiting.

Healthcare provided by the state isn’t always free outside of the UK. You might have to fork out for treatments that are free on the NHS if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you’re visiting.

Before jetting off, it’s wise to research the state-provided healthcare services in the country you’re visiting and any potential charges you might face.

You can find information on how to access treatment in the country you’re visiting by checking the relevant country guide on GOV.UK.

However, a GHIC (or EHIC) card does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

• Medical repatriation (being flown back to the UK)
• Treatment in a private medical facility
• Ski or mountain rescue

For this reason, the NHS recommends that you also have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip. A UK GHIC can be used when visiting:

• A country in the European Economic Area (EEA)
• Montenegro
• Australia
• Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
• St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

If you’re one of the following, you can use a UK GHIC:

• A British national
• A Swiss national
• An EU citizen
• A refugee
• A stateless person
• A family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

The UK government is in talks with various countries to broaden the applicability of the UK GHIC, so it’s always wise to verify coverage prior to your journey. For further details, visit the NHS website here.

The advice comes from a Financial Crime Manager, who explained how scammers are targeting holidaymakers

An expert is urging Brits to research deals before booking vacations after over £11 million was lost to holiday fraud in 2024. Siobhan Blagbrough, Financial Crime Manager at Ocean Finance, explained: “Everyone’s looking for a bargain break, and that makes us more likely to rush into things without checking the details properly.

“Fraudsters take advantage of the seasonal demand by posting fake listings, posing as landlords or travel agents, and demanding upfront payments for holidays that don’t exist.” She also warned against a Global Health Insurance Card scam, adding: “We’re also seeing people being tricked into paying for Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs), which are free through the NHS.”

As per the NHS website, “The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country (…) A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply.”

Unfortunately, it’s not the only scam aimed at UK holidaymakers. Siobhan said: “The most common trick is to pile on the pressure, scammers love using urgency to force quick decisions. If a deal seems too good to be true, take a step back and research before you book.”

Below, the expert shared five of the biggest holiday scams to watch out for.

Fake accommodation listings

Siobhan warned: “Fraudsters will post holiday homes that don’t exist or aren’t available for rent, taking payments upfront before disappearing. These listings often appear on social media or lesser-known websites. Always double-check the listing by running a reverse image search and booking through trusted platforms.”

Clone comparison sites

“Some scammers go to great lengths to build fake versions of well-known holiday comparison or airline sites. They look almost identical but are set up purely to steal your payment details. Double-check the web URL and look out for subtle misspellings or unusual domain names,” the expert warned.

Bogus travel agents

“You might get a message from a ‘travel expert’ offering a last-minute deal that feels too good to ignore. They may even send what looks like a real booking confirmation,” the pro explained. “But behind the scenes, there’s no flight or hotel reservation. If they insist on a bank transfer or pressure you to book fast, walk away.”

Social media bargains

Siobhan said: “Many scammers use Facebook or Instagram to post holiday deals, but clicking through often leads to fake booking pages or demands for advance payments. They might say ‘only two spots left’ or ‘another family is interested’, but this urgency is all part of the scam.”

Fake GHIC websites

“Applying for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) through the NHS website is free, but scam websites sometimes charge a £30 – £40 fee to ‘process’ your application. These fake sites look professional and often rank high on search results, so it’s easy to be fooled,” the expert said.

How to protect your money

Siobhan suggested sticking to trusted sites and companies, paying by credit card for extra protection, and not ignoring warning signs. “If a deal looks unusually cheap for the time of year or destination, slow down and look a bit closer. Check whether the company is part of a recognised travel association like ABTA or ATOL. Even searching the company name with the word ‘scam’ can bring up useful results,” she said.

The expert added: “If you think you’ve been scammed, act fast. Contact your bank straight away – if the payment hasn’t gone through yet, they might be able to stop it. If it has, they can talk you through what to do next. It’s also important to report the scam to Action Fraud and Citizens Advice, and if the scam came via email, forward it to [email protected].”