WHICH COUNTRIES ARE COVERED BY EUROPEAN TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Planning a trip around Europe? Travel insurance can give you peace of mind by covering a wide range of destinations, from Spain to France, Portugal and Italy.
But it’s not always clear which countries are included. Some places outside mainland Europe – like Cyprus or Turkey – might still be covered by European travel insurance.
Here, we’ll explain which countries are included in European travel insurance. We'll also look at what’s typically covered and how to choose the right policy for your trip.
Do you need travel insurance when travelling in Europe?
Getting European travel insurance is a smart move – even if it’s not required by law. It can protect you from unexpected costs like medical emergencies, cancelled flights or problems with pre-existing health conditions. Without it, you might end up with large bills.
At Saga, we offer two types of European travel insurance:
- Single-trip cover – Great for one-off holidays or short breaks to Europe.
- Annual multi-trip cover – Ideal if you travel often or own a holiday home in Europe.
How much does travel insurance to Europe cost?
Many factors can affect the cost of travel insurance for a trip to Europe, including:
- Activities. Planning to ski or try winter sports? You’ll need extra cover, which may cost more.
- Destination. Some countries may carry more risk, which can raise your premium.
- Trip length. The length of your trip can influence the cost of your cover.
- Pre-existing medical conditions. You’ll need to tell us about any health issues. These may affect the price, especially if there’s a higher chance of needing treatment abroad.
The level of cover you choose also plays a role. At Saga, we offer three options: Saga Essential, Saga Standard and Saga Plus. Each has different cover limits to suit your needs.
Get a quote today to see how much your travel insurance to Europe could cost with Saga.
Who underwrites Saga Travel Insurance?
Which countries are included in European travel insurance?
At Saga, our European travel insurance covers all the most popular destinations for UK travellers. This includes Spain, France and Italy.
Our European travel insurance covers:
- Åland Islands
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azores
- Balearic Islands
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canary Islands
- Channel Islands
- Corsica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Éire (Republic of Ireland)
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greek Islands
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Isle Of Man
- Italy
- Lapland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Madeira
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway (doesn’t include Svalbard and Jan Mayen)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia (European)
- San Marino
- Sardinia
- Scilly Isles
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
Non-European countries that are included in European travel insurance
Some countries aren’t in mainland Europe but may still be covered by European travel insurance. This depends on the provider.
Countries that are sometimes classed as part of Europe for travel insurance include:
- Cyprus
- Egypt
- Iceland
- Morocco
- Tunisia
Saga’s European travel insurance includes Cyprus and Iceland.
Is Turkey included in European travel insurance?
It depends on the provider. Turkey is a transcontinental country – part in Europe, part in Asia. Some insurers include it in their European cover, while others treat it as a worldwide destination.
Always check how your insurer defines their travel zones before you book.
At Saga, we include Turkey in our European cover for both single-trip and annual multi-trip travel insurance for over 50s.
Get a Saga Travel Insurance quote
What should my European travel insurance cover?
European travel insurance can cover you for a range of things. What’s covered and for how much can depend on the policy. But many policies will include:
- Emergency medical costs. If you need treatment at a private hospital.
- Repatriation. If you need to be brought back to the UK for medical reasons.
- Cancellations. If you have to cancel your trip for an insured reason, or if your airline cancels your flight and doesn’t compensate you.
- Delays. If your airline delays your flight and can’t compensate you. The length of a delay before a payout varies between lenders – there is no standard, fixed period. You may also be covered for delayed baggage.
- Lost or stolen luggage. You’re usually covered up to a set limit. At Saga, this limit depends on the level of cover you choose.
Do I need European travel insurance if I have a GHIC card?
Even if you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), it’s still a good idea to get European travel insurance.
Your GHIC lets you access state healthcare in European Economic Area (EEA) countries. You’ll pay the same as locals for emergency care or routine treatment for pre-existing conditions.
But GHICs have limits. They don’t cover:
- Repatriation (being flown back to the UK)
- Private medical treatment
- Ski or mountain rescue.
So, it’s best to cover all bases by travelling to Europe with both a GHIC and valid travel insurance.
European travel insurance with Saga
Whether you're planning a sunny beach break or a tour across Europe, Saga Travel Insurance helps you travel with confidence. Our single-trip and annual multi-trip policies are made for people over 50, offering protection and peace of mind wherever you go.
Heading to the slopes? Add our Winter Sports cover for extra protection while skiing or enjoying other snow activities.
With three levels of cover to choose from, you can find the right option to suit your trip. Explore your options and get a quote today.
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