Travelling to the UK, you might assume your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has you covered through the NHS, but that card does not extend to private healthcare, medical repatriation, or trip cancellation. A private specialist appointment costs between 150 and 250 £, and a medically-assisted flight back home can run to several thousand euros. The right travel insurance fills those gaps from day one.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance compulsory for the UK?
Travel insurance is not required at the UK border. Your EHIC gives you access to NHS care for essential treatment, but it does not cover private healthcare, medical repatriation, or trip cancellation. Yupwego recommends 500 000 € of cover to close these gaps effectively.
Why take out UK travel insurance?
- Private medical costs: The NHS is accessible with your EHIC, but waiting times can push you towards a private specialist: expect to pay between 150 and 250 £ per appointment. Without insurance, those costs are yours to bear.
- Medical repatriation not covered: Neither the NHS nor your EHIC will fund a medically-assisted transfer back home if your condition requires it. Repatriation can cost several thousand euros.
- Cancellation and pre-departure mishaps: A last-minute illness, a strike, a bereavement: your EHIC will not refund a single non-refundable travel cost. Cancellation cover picks up flights and accommodation as set out in your policy.
- Theft and lost luggage: Pickpocketing is common in major British cities. If your belongings are stolen or lost, your baggage cover reimburses the essentials as set out in your policy.
What your Yupwego UK travel insurance covers
For a trip to the UK, Yupwego recommends a minimum of 500 000 € in medical expenses cover, keeping you protected against private healthcare costs and the possibility of medical repatriation.
- Medical costs & hospitalisation: Yupwego settles directly with the healthcare provider: you pay nothing upfront, whether you are treated at a private clinic or a hospital outside the EHIC network.
- Medical repatriation: If your condition requires a return home, Yupwego arranges and funds your medically-assisted transfer at no cost to you.
- Cancellation & trip interruption: Illness, the death of a close relative, or a strike: non-refundable trip costs are covered as set out in your policy.
- Luggage & personal belongings: Theft, loss, or damage to your bags during your trip: Yupwego reimburses the essentials as set out in your policy.
- Third-party liability: If you cause damage to a third party during your stay, your policy covers the costs incurred as set out in its terms.
Health and medical care in the UK
There are no particular health risks for travellers visiting the UK, and no vaccinations are required to enter the country. The NHS covers essential care for holders of a valid EHIC, but waiting times can be long and private healthcare is expensive: between 150 and 250 £ for a specialist appointment and more than 500 £ per day in a private hospital. A travel insurance policy with a high medical expenses limit means you will not face large out-of-pocket bills outside the public system.
Entry requirements for the UK
Since Brexit, only a valid biometric passport is accepted at the UK border (the national identity card has not been valid since 1 October 2021). Since 2 April 2025, French nationals must also hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): apply online or through the official “UK ETA” app, it costs 20 £ and remains valid for 2 years for stays of up to 6 months. For an extended stay beyond tourism, a long-stay travel insurance or an expat insurance policy is better suited than a standard tourist plan.
Car hire and road safety in the UK
In the UK, traffic drives on the left: if you are hiring a vehicle, factor in some adjustment time before tackling city traffic. Check the car carefully when you collect it and read the excess terms: if there is a claim, the hire company may hold several hundred to more than 2 000 £ on your payment card. Yupwego travel insurance does not cover physical damage to a hire car: that falls under the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) offered by the rental company, with an optional excess waiver on top. That said, if you are injured in an accident, your medical costs and repatriation are covered under your Yupwego policy; third-party liability is also included as set out in your policy.
