What is travel insurance for Europe?
Europe travel insurance covers you for the unexpected while visiting European countries. You can travel knowing you’re protected. It’s that simple.
Get cover for emergency medical costs, trip cancellation, travel delays, lost bags and more.
We include both EU and non-EU destinations across Europe, so you can explore knowing we’re here if plans change.
Is travel insurance necessary for Europe?
Yes, if you're heading to Europe, travel insurance is a smart safety net. While trips across the EU may feel lower risk, unexpected hiccups can still catch you off guard.
Flight disruptions can ruin plans. Lost luggage can be expensive to replace. Medical emergencies can lead to high treatment costs. Our Europe travel insurance means you’re covered for unexpected events.
Here are a few other reasons you should consider travel insurance for Europe:
- In 2024, there were just under 29,000 claims for Spain alone, with a value of €41.7 million.
- Missed connections, theft or cancellations can cost hundreds and are common in busy hubs like Paris, Rome or Barcelona. In fact, news reports in 2024 showed as many as 100 muggings a day in Rome.
- Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) won't cover everything. You won’t be covered for private medical care, repatriation or lost belongings. And costs can spiral. Emergency medical treatment for a kidney infection in Spain cost one holidaymaker €15,000.
- The ABI found that a traveller in the Canary Islands with a GHIC card still ended up with a medical bill of €67,000.
Whatever your plans, having the right policy makes all the difference.
What does JustCover’s Europe trip insurance cover?
This type of policy is designed to protect you as soon as you book your trip to Europe. We'll help you keep your trip on track if you fall ill, lose luggage or miss a flight.
Find out what is and isn’t covered below.
What's covered
Medical expenses and repatriation - We cover a wide range of medical conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes. We can also arrange to fly you home if medically necessary.
Cancellation - Cover for flight and accommodation costs if an unexpected event means you have to cancel your trip before you go.
Curtailment - Cover if you need to return home early following an emergency.
Travel delays - If your flight is delayed, we’ll give you compensation to help with the disruption.
Personal belongings - You’ll be covered if your baggage or its contents are lost or stolen.
Personal liability - Cover for your legal expenses and any liability due if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you’re away on holiday.
Legal protection cover - Provides cover for your legal expenses if you have to claim compensation or damages due to something that happened while you were away on holiday.
What's not covered
Claims below the value of the excess - Your policy excess is the minimum amount a claim must exceed before you’re eligible for a payout
Trips outside the region of cover - Make sure your policy includes Turkey in your chosen region (usually Europe).
Known events or circumstances - Claims won’t be covered for issues you were already aware of when you booked or bought your insurance.
Medical conditions you don’t declare - You’ll need to let us know about any pre-existing conditions to ensure you're properly covered.
Choosing not to travel - Plans change, but cancellations are only covered when the reason meets the terms set out in your policy.
Not sure if you’re covered for something? Be sure to check our Policy Wording for more information.
Choose the right level of cover
We offer different levels of cover to make your Travel Insurance as cost-effective as possible.
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How much does European travel insurance cost?
The cost of travel insurance for Europe varies depending on several factors. In general, it’s more affordable than worldwide cover, but prices still reflect your personal needs and plans.
What affects the price of European travel insurance?
- Length of your trip. Longer trips increase your risk exposure, which can lead to higher premiums.
- Age of the travellers. Older travellers may face higher premiums. This is due to a greater risk of needing medical care.
- Pre-existing medical conditions. Declaring a medical condition may increase your premium. But it ensures proper cover.
- Level of cover chosen. Basic policies are cheaper. However, they may offer lower cover limits or fewer benefits.
- Extras or upgrades. Planning on winter sports, golfing or setting sail on a cruise? Adding cover for these types of activities will increase the cost.
- Single vs annual cover. Do you take several holidays a year? Annual multi-trip insurance might be better value for money.
Do you need travel insurance for Europe if you have an EHIC?
Even with a valid EHIC, you still need travel insurance.
The EHIC scheme allows you to access public healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as local residents. It's helpful in emergencies, but it’s not a substitute for European travel insurance.
What the EHIC doesn’t cover:
- Private medical treatment
- Emergency repatriation back to Ireland
- Lost or stolen baggage
- Trip cancellations or curtailment
- Personal liability or legal assistance
If you're admitted to hospital or miss your flight due to illness, costs can add up. And without travel insurance, you're on your own.
This is why it’s important you double up with European travel insurance. You can apply for or renew your EHIC via the HSE website.
Find the best travel insurance for Europe
Perfect for one-off holidays, city breaks or quick getaways within Europe. This policy gives you tailored cover just for the days you’re away. It can help you save money on short trips.
Annual multi-trip travel insurance
Planning more than one European trip in a 12-month period? This will cover you for every trip. It could work out cheaper than separate single policies.
Why choose JustCover for your Europe holiday insurance?
We offer reliable, flexible cover for your trip to Europe. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with family, we keep you protected from the unexpected.
- 98% of customers rate us as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Great’1
- Unlimited medical expenses and repatriation cover in Europe
- Up to €10,000 for trip cancellations
- 24/7 medical emergency helpline
- Cover for 1,300+ medical conditions, including terminal diagnoses
- Optional extras like gadget, cruise and winter sports cover
When to buy Europe holiday insurance
The best time to buy travel insurance is as soon as you book your trip. You’ll be covered straight away if you need to cancel before you go. That includes illness, injury, or another reason listed in your policy wording.
You can buy cover right up to the day before you travel. But if you leave it too late, you could miss out on cancellation protection. Do you travel often? Annual European travel insurance may be better value than booking single trip cover each time.
Specialist travel insurance for Europe
Every trip is different. That’s why we offer specialist cover for travellers with unique needs:
Tailored protection for older travellers with no upper age limit.
Travel insurance with medical conditions
Get cover for over 1,300 declared medical conditions. The quote process is quick and easy.
One policy to cover the whole family. Easier and more affordable.
Essential cover for European river or ocean cruises. Covers missed ports, cabin confinement, and itinerary changes.
Destinations covered by Europe travel insurance
Our European travel insurance includes both EU and non-EU countries. From popular hotspots to those hidden gem destinations. Here's a full list of countries we cover.
EU countries covered by Europe trip insurance
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Non-EU countries covered by Europe trip insurance
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Channel Islands
- Georgia
- Gibraltar
- Iceland
- Isle of Man
- Kosovo
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Vatican City
Europe travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions
Travelling with a medical condition shouldn’t hold you back from exploring Europe. We cover over 1,300 medical conditions, including those that are terminal. Just be sure you declare them during your quote process. If you don’t, you may not be covered if something relating to your condition happens. This can become very expensive. One ABI member paid €25,000 in repatriation and medical costs for a customer who was injured in a forest fire.
Some common conditions we cover include:
- Heart conditions
- Atrial fibrillation
- COPD
- Asthma
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- High cholesterol
- Disabilities
- Mental health conditions
Always make sure you read our Policy Wording to understand all the details.
A simple 3-step process to book your single trip travel insurance
Step One
Get your quote online or by phone. Our travel experts are happy to take your call if you want a little support during the booking process.
Step Two
Complete our simple medical screening. You need to declare any medical conditions you have. If you don’t disclose all of them, this could affect any claims you need to make later.
Step Three
Get your quote.
Ireland's Most Trusted Travel Insurance Provider†
Expert travel insurance guidance from our team
“Medical emergencies. Lost luggage. Flight cancellations. Even within Europe, unexpected issues can quickly turn a holiday into a headache. We provide the right cover for travel hiccups. This helps you get back to exploring or relaxing your way around Europe.
It’s a small investment for what could be a very big safety net.”
What our customers say
Travel insurance the easy way!
“I found the whole process of purchasing travel insurance on your site very easy. The important benefits needed when travelling in Europe were made very clear in a step-by-step guide. Thanks very much!”
Brendan O’Connell, April, 2025
Europe travel insurance tips and recommendations
You may feel that travelling within Europe is familiar. But unexpected things still happen. That's why having the right cover in place makes all the difference. These tips will help you get the most value and protection from your policy:
- Buy early. Your cancellation cover begins the day you take out the policy. Don’t wait until the week before departure.
- Check your destination. Make sure your chosen country is included in your policy’s geographical area. For example, some policies exclude non-EU countries like Turkey.
- Declare all medical conditions. Failing to mention a condition can invalidate your cover. Declare all conditions, even if they seem minor.
- Compare policy limits. Look at medical cover amounts, cancellation limits and baggage cover to ensure they meet your needs.
- Watch out for exclusions. Activities like skiing, hiking over 2,000m, or hiring mopeds may not be covered as standard. You can add these as extras.
- Use your EHIC where valid. These cards can give access to public healthcare in many countries, but they’re not a substitute for insurance.
- Consider annual cover if travelling more than twice a year. An annual Europe policy can be more cost-effective for frequent travellers.
Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Europe
Can you get travel insurance for Europe if you have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance for Europe even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. But you must declare all conditions when buying your policy. We offer specialist medical cover for over 1,300 conditions. From asthma and high cholesterol to more serious or chronic illnesses, we'll keep you covered.
Failing to declare conditions could result in a denied claim. That’s why honesty is the best policy. You can learn more on our travel insurance with medical conditions page.
Does travel insurance for Europe cover multiple countries in one trip?
Yes, most European travel insurance policies will cover multiple countries in the region. Just make sure all your destinations are listed in your policy area. This works well for anyone planning a multi-stop trip across Europe.
If you’re not sure whether a destination is included, check your Policy Wording, or please ask the JustCover customer service team.
Does European travel insurance include cruise cover automatically?
No, standard European travel insurance doesn’t include cruise-specific cover. Planning to cruise the Med or visit multiple European ports? You’ll need to add cruise travel insurance to your policy.
This add-on can include cover for missed port departures, cabin confinement, itinerary changes and more.
Is Bulgaria in Europe for travel insurance?
Yes, Bulgaria is considered part of Europe for travel insurance purposes. It’s an EU country and is included in our European cover zone.
Is Croatia in Europe for travel insurance?
Yes, Croatia is included in most Europe travel insurance policies. That includes ours. It became a full member of the EU in 2013 and joined the Schengen Area in 2023. This makes it an increasingly popular destination for Irish travellers.
Planning a Croatia adventure? Check your policy includes cover for island-hopping, water sports, or hiking in the national parks.
Is Lapland in Europe for travel insurance?
Yes, Lapland, which spans parts of Finland, Sweden and Norway, is covered by European travel insurance.
If you're planning a winter ski break, consider adding winter sports cover to your policy. This protects against winter sports-related injuries. It also covers lost ski passes, equipment hire and piste closures.
Which non-EU countries are covered?
European travel insurance isn’t just for EU countries. It also covers several non-EU countries in Europe, or popular on travel routes.
Covered non-EU countries may include:
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Iceland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- Vatican City
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Always check the full list of covered destinations to confirm.
Do you need a visa for Europe?
Irish citizens don’t need a visa to visit the EU or Schengen Area for under 90 days. From mid-2025, you’ll need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before most EU trips.
You can find up-to-date entry requirements on the DFA’s travel advice section.
Do Irish citizens get free healthcare in Europe?
Irish citizens can access public healthcare in other EU countries using a valid EHIC. However, the EHIC only covers necessary medical treatment in public hospitals. That’s why Europe travel insurance is essential.
When should your Europe travel insurance policy start?
Your Europe travel insurance policy should begin from the day you book your trip, not the day you travel. This ensures you’re covered for cancellation risks and other issues that could arise before departure.
Leaving it too late could mean losing out on cover for unexpected illness, job loss or flight cancellations.
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♱ Based on Trustpilot reviews of all companies in Ireland within the Travel Insurance Company category - January 2025.
* Discount applies to the base price only and does not apply to any premium generated to cover medical conditions or optional extras. This discount is automatically applied and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Discount tiers of 5% for premiums between €0-49, 10% for €50-249, & 20% for €250+ apply. Offer ends at 23:59 on 30/09/25. T&C's apply.