Health insurance abroad
If you’re injured or ill on holiday, it’s important to know how you can access treatment.
Edited by:
Darren Siddle,
health insurance expert at Bupa
Last updated 30 October 2024
3 minute read
What health insurance do I get on holiday?
If you have a UK-based health insurance policy, you usually won’t be covered for care overseas.
If you’re on holiday in the UK, your UK health insurance will usually still cover you. The price of health care varies across the UK. So, some policies won’t cover treatment in private hospitals in London.
Check the details of your policy before you travel.
If your health insurance doesn’t cover you while you’re on holiday, you could choose to buy travel insurance. Just in case you fall ill or injure yourself.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is the most common way to get cover for medical treatment while you’re away.
You can get travel insurance by sharing your age, your destination, and the dates you’re away. You'll also need to tell the provider about any pre-existing conditions.
In most countries, a UK citizen will have to pay for any medical treatment they need while they are there. Travel insurance can help with these costs.
You can also get a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This can give you healthcare for the same rate as a local person.
What’s the difference between travel insurance and health insurance?
Travel insurance covers you for a short period while you’re out of the country. Health insurance provides on-going care for various symptoms and conditions.
If you’re planning on moving abroad, you could look at international health insurance for expats.
International health insurance
This type of health insurance can cover you for general and emergency treatment while living abroad.
The UK has the NHS but not all countries have a healthcare service like this. This might mean you have to pay for any healthcare you need. Even if you’re living in the country at the time you need it.
International health insurance can cover the cost of healthcare and treatment while you’re living abroad.
Bupa international health insurance
If you're planning on living overseas, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to cover healthcare costs.
Learn more about our premium international health insurance.
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Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
