Our Pick Of The Best Travel Insurance For Europe
Whether you’re island hopping in Greece, visiting ancient ruins in Rome, or lounging about on the Spanish Costas, a holiday is not a holiday without peace of mind.
And that’s where having comprehensive travel insurance for Europe comes into play.
European destinations are the most popular among UK holidaymakers, with Spain accounting for 21% of the 86 million total visits abroad in 2023 – the highest of any country – according to government figures from the Office for National Statistics.
This is followed by France, which accounted for 11% of all overseas trips, and Italy, accounting for 6%.
Our pick of the best European travel insurance
We’ve analysed the market to find our pick of the best providers of travel insurance for European trips (January 2025).
We looked at single trip cover for a family of four travelling to Spain for a week’s holiday. The insurance cover levels and the excess applied (the first part of any successful insurance claim which the policyholder must pay) are all per person, unless otherwise stated. There is more information in our methodology section below.
Best for Premium
Puffin Gold
Price
£37.27
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£75
Price
£37.27
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£75
This was the cheapest premium we found based on our search criteria (see more in our methodology section). The policy includes up to £10 million in cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, £3,000 of cover for cancellation and £2,000 of cover for baggage. There is also up to £1,000 in hospital benefit cover.
The excess is £75 per person per section of a claim, which is slightly higher than some competitors.
Puffin has a customer experience score of 57% from Fairer Finance, which is solid, but lower than many competitors in the market. Its Trustpilot rating is high at 4.6 out of 5.
Read more in our review of Puffin Insurance.
- £3,000 cancellation cover
- £1,000 gadget cover
- No excess waiver
Best for customer service
Cover for you
Price
£40.50
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£50
Price
£40.50
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£50
This policy offers high levels of coverage for a competitive premium, and it has a low excess at just £50 per person per section of a claim.
With this deal you’ll get up to £15 million of cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, £3,000 cover for cancellation and £2,000 for baggage. There is also £2,000 in total cover for hospital benefit per person and there is £1.5 million in personal liability cover.
Cover for You has a 55% customer experience rating from Fairer Finance, which is lower than many competitors. But its Trustpilot rating is strong at 4.8 out of 5.
Read more in our full review of Cover for You Insurance.
- £15m medical cover
- £2,000 hospital benefit
- £3,000 cancellation cover
- £50 excess only
- No excess waiver
- Gadget cover costs extra
Best for excess waiver
Admiral Gold
Price
£39.92
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£95
Price
£39.92
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£95
With this European single trip policy from Admiral you’ll get up to £15 million in medical and repatriation cover. There is also £3,000 cover for holiday cancellation and £2,000 for lost, stolen or damaged bags.
The excess on this policy is relatively high at £95 per person per section of a claim. Admiral offers an excess waiver option, but this will be expensive and will bump up the overall premium price.
Admiral has a strong customer experience score from Fairer Finance at 60% and a Trustpilot review rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Read our full review of Admiral Insurance.
- £15m medical cover
- £3,000 cancellation cover
- Excess waiver available
- £95 excess
- Gadget cover costs extra
Best for gadget cover
Saver Travel Insurance (Silver)
Price
£43.29
Cancellation
£2,500
Excess
£50
Price
£43.29
Cancellation
£2,500
Excess
£50
While this policy is slightly more expensive than some on our list and has lower cover levels – £10 million for emergency medical and repatriation and £2,500 for cancellation – it has a low excess at just £50 per person per section of a claim.
The policy offers up to £1,500 in total for hospital benefit cover and £2 million in personal liability cover.
There is no Fairer Finance customer satisfaction data on Saver Travel, but the insurer has a high Trustpilot review rating of 4.8 out of 5.
- £10m medical cover
- £1,000 gadget cover included
- £50 excess only
- No excess waiver
Esure Classic
Price
£37.54
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£95
Price
£37.54
Cancellation
£3,000
Excess
£95
Cover levels are decent with this single trip policy from esure. There is up to £12 million in emergency medical and repatriation cover, £3,000 per person for cancellation cover and £1,500 cover for baggage.
But the compulsory excess is high at £95 per person per section of a claim and there is no excess waiver option.
There is no data from Fairer Finance about esure’s travel insurance. The company has a strong 4.3 out of 5 rating on the consumer review website Trustpilot.
- £3,000 cancellation cover
- £1,000 hospital benefit
- No excess waiver
- Gadget cover costs extra
Summary of our top European travel cover providers
What is travel insurance for Europe?
When you buy travel insurance one of the first questions the insurer will ask is where you’re planning to go. For single trip cover you’ll need to specify the country, or countries (if you’ll be visiting more than one), where you’ll be staying while you are away.
Shopping around using our comparison service will unearth the most competitively-priced travel policies, but always ensure you’re getting the protection you need.
Check the cover limits and exclusions, and answer every question accurately and in full. That way you know you’re getting maximum value – and you’re fully covered
– Kevin Pratt, editor Forbes Advisor
But for annual multi-trip cover (which covers you for multiple trips during a 12-month cover period), you’ll have three options:
- European cover
- Worldwide cover
- Worldwide cover, excluding the United States, Canada, the Caribbean region (and sometimes also Mexico).
If you choose a European annual multi-trip policy this means you’re only covered for trips within this region. And don’t forget to read the small print of the cover, because the definition of ‘Europe’ will vary between insurers.
European-only annual cover will always include all European Union countries, but many policies also extend to Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye.
In addition, some annual multi-trip European cover will also include Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. But this is not always the case. If in doubt, always speak to the insurer before you buy an annual policy, particularly if you know you’ll need cover for one or more of these countries.
Travel statistics show that British holidaymakers in Spain had the most insurance claims (20,000) for medical expenses in 2023 (latest data from the Association of British Insurers). This was followed by 10,520 claims for those visiting the United States, 8,492 for Greece and 7,480 for France.
How to find the right European travel insurance for you
Step one: think about the policy type
Consider if a single trip policy or annual multi-trip cover will be most cost effective based on your annual travel and holiday plans. If you think an annual policy will work best, ensure European-only cover will include all the places you plan to visit. Check the small print of policy wording or speak to the insurer for peace of mind.
Step two: will you need cruise or winter sports cover?
Will you be skiing, snowboarding or doing other sports or activities which may require specialist, additional cover? When comparing policies online you’ll be asked if you need winter sports cover, for example. You may also be asked if you plan on taking a cruise or if you want cover for golf equipment.
Step three: review cover levels
When comparing policies online, review the cover levels on offer. Experts recommend at least £1 million of cover for medical emergencies and repatriation for travel to Europe, for example.
If you want cancellation cover, ensure the amount of cover offered would be sufficient for the cost of your trip. Similarly, with total cover and single item limits on baggage and belongings cover, it is important to find a policy that offers adequate cover for your needs.
While some European annual multi-trip policies include cover for Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, many do not. Check the policy wording carefully to avoid travelling without cover.
Step four: check the excess and other T&Cs
Look at the excess that would be applied to claims as this can vary widely between policies. While a higher excess typically means you’ll pay a lower premium for cover, this effectively means you’re taking on more of the risk.
That’s because you’ll pay more in the event of a claim. The policy excess is the amount the insurer will deduct from any successful insurance claim.
Don’t forget to read the terms and conditions and look at any exclusions on the cover before you buy.
Step five: purchase cover online
Once you have selected the policy that meets your needs and covers the places you’ll be visiting (plus any activities you’ll want to do), you can complete the application form online.
You will need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions, including chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. If you have more complex medical issues you may need to speak to a professional, independent insurance broker to get advice.
Otherwise, if your application is fairly straightforward you’ll be able to buy the cover online.
Should I buy European or worldwide annual travel insurance?
If you know you won’t be travelling further afield than Europe then a European-only annual policy will fit the bill. This will also be cheaper than worldwide cover.
But if you want to keep your options open and there is a chance you’ll want to travel more widely over the year then you may want to opt for worldwide cover.
If you make several claims under different sections of a policy, for example, one for loss of luggage and another for medical expenses, you’ll be charged an excess for each section.
Worldwide cover that excludes Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and Mexico (if you’re not travelling to these countries) will be cheaper than a fully worldwide annual policy.
What’s included in European travel insurance?
Single trip and annual multi-trip European travel insurance policies usually include the following cover as standard:
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Medical expenses:
If you have an accident or become unwell while on holiday you’ll have cover for any medical bills, including hospital treatment and medication. The recommended minimum cover is £1 million for Europe. Travel statistics show that British holidaymakers in Spain had the most insurance claims (20,000) for medical expenses in 2023 (latest data from the Association of British Insurers). This was followed by 10,520 claims for those visiting the United States, 8,492 for Greece and 7,480 for France. |
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Repatriation:
This cover will foot the bill if you need to be brought home due to an accident or illness. |
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Cancellation and curtailment:
Cover in the event you need to cancel or cut short your holiday. Typically the insurer will only pay out in certain specific circumstances, which might include serious illness, bereavement (usually loss of a partner or close family member) or job loss. Not all scenarios will be covered, so check your policy wording. You’ll want to have sufficient cover to compensate you for the total cost of your holiday. |
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Missed departure:
This would cover any out of pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodation or alternative travel arrangements, if you missed your flight or any other mode of transport to your holiday. The insurer is likely to ask to see evidence of the reason for your missed departure, and the reason would have to be included within the policy wording. |
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Baggage and belongings:
It is recommended for holidaymakers to have at least £1,500 in cover for their bags, to cover the cost of replacing items if they are lost, damaged or stolen during a trip. With this cover in place your bags and belongings are covered while in transit and for the duration of your stay, plus the return journey. Check the single item limits included in the policy wording, and also any valuable item limits, which could be different. |
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Personal liability:
This covers you if you injure someone, or cause damage to someone else’s property, and they take legal action against you to recover costs. It is recommended to get at least £2 million in personal liability cover. |
How much will travel cover for Europe cost?
How much you’ll pay for travel insurance to Europe will depend on a range of factors, including the following:
- age: as a general rule, the older you are the more you’ll pay for travel insurance. This is because insurers view you as being at a higher risk of claiming for medical reasons
- where you’re going: travel insurance will cost more for some destinations in Europe, usually due to higher healthcare costs in those places (which would mean medical claims would cost more)
- level of cover: the type of travel insurance policy you buy, single trip or annual multi-trip, for example, and also the levels of cover on offer, will dictate how much you pay. More comprehensive policies, sometimes called Gold or Platinum cover, will have higher levels of coverage (and may have a lower excess) for a higher premium, compared to ‘essentials’ or ‘standard’ type cover
- length of trip: the longer your trip or holiday the more you’ll pay for insurance
- any health conditions: if you have pre-existing medical conditions you should expect to pay more for travel insurance. In many cases your pre-existing condition won’t be covered, so if this is important you’ll need to find specialist cover.
Insurance premium tax, at 20%, is added to all travel insurance policies. But this tax is automatically included in the quoted premiums when you search and compare policies online.
What are the pros and cons of annual European travel insurance?
Pros
- annual cover could work out cheaper than buying separate single trip policies, if you travel at least twice a year
- Europe-only annual cover is cheaper than worldwide cover
- some annual European policies cover additional countries that are outside Europe, such as Egypt and Morocco.
Cons
- smaller number of countries covered compared to worldwide cover
- you’ll need to know that you’ll only be travelling within Europe during the year
- you would need to buy another travel policy if you decide to travel outside Europe.
How do I choose the right level of travel insurance?
Before you buy European travel insurance, think about the level of coverage you might need.
While high levels of cover, as offered on Gold and Platinum-style policies, offer you greater security, and will usually have a lower excess, you’ll pay a higher premium for these packages.
The excess is the part of any claim which you, the policyholder, will have to pay. It is deducted from an insurance claim payout, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the deductible.
Weigh up what level of travel insurance plan best suits your requirements. While you never want to be underinsured, you don’t want to pay for cover levels you don’t need either.
But if you don’t need particularly high levels of cover or the add-ons that tend to come with Gold and Platinum policies, such as gadget cover, and you’re willing to accept the risk of a slightly higher excess, then a lower-cost policy, such as a Standard or Bronze-style plan should be sufficient.
What additional cover can I buy with European travel insurance?
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Travel delay:
This takes the form of compensation paid if your flight, ferry or train, for example, is delayed. This could be due to bad weather, industrial action or a natural disaster, for example. |
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The cover usually applies for both your outward and return journey and normally pays out after a delay of at least 12 hours. Typically the amount paid is fixed, such as £20 per person, for every 12 hours your journey is delayed, usually up to a total maximum, such as £300.
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Winter sports:
You’ll usually have the option to add cover for winter sports activities, such as skiing and snowboarding |
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Scheduled airline failure:
Covers the cost of your flights if the airline you booked with goes out of business. Many insurers don’t offer this cover, even as an add-on, but you can often buy standalone cover for this risk. |
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End supplier failure:
Pays compensation for any financial loss you incur if a travel company or hotel, for example, goes bust, affecting your travel plans. |
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Loss of passport:
Cover towards costs incurred trying to get a replacement passport if yours is lost or stolen. |
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Personal money:
Cover for the loss or theft of cash or currency. There will typically be a maximum cover limit, such as £500, and you’ll usually need to provide evidence, such as a police report of the theft. |
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Personal accident:
A lump sum payout to compensate you (or loved ones) following significant injury or death as a result of an accident. |
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Legal expenses:
Covers legal costs if you need to claim compensation from a third party for an incident that wasn’t your fault. |
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Hospital benefit:
A fixed cash sum, such as £20, paid if you spend at least 24 hours in hospital during your holiday, due to an accident or emergency illness. The benefit is typically paid for every 24 hours you must spend in hospital, up to a total maximum payout. The money is designed to cover necessities you may need, such as food, drinks and toiletries, while in hospital. |
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Gadget cover:
Cover for the loss, theft or damage to electronics, such as phones, laptops, digital cameras, music players and headphones. There will usually be a single item limit and maximum cover under this part of a policy. |
Methodology
We searched for competitively priced premiums for European cover with our travel insurance partner (January 2025). We looked at single trip cover for a family of four (two adults in their 40s and two teenagers) going to Spain for seven nights. We assumed no one in the family had any pre-existing health conditions.
We only included policies with at least £2 million cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, at least £2,000 in cancellation cover and at least £1,500 for baggage.
We scored each policy based on the following:
- price: we awarded points on a scale of one to five. Those offering more competitive prices scored more points
- policy excess: (a set amount that the policyholder must pay on each claim): we awarded points on a scale of one to five. Policies with a lower excess earned more points
- excess waiver: we awarded policies five points if they offered an excess waiver option (albeit this will lead to a higher premium).
We converted our points scores into Forbes Advisor star ratings out of a potential five stars.
