Health insurance required for EU entry

[Moped]

When the new EU entry requirements are introduced in October health insurance will be one of the mandatory requirements to permit EU entry.

As a senior never had this before as considered EHIC and more recently GHIC covers the needs if medical attention is required. OK maybe payment up front to be recovered later but this was an acceptable risk.

So the question is, to those seniors who take out medical insurance, which will be compulsory on our next winter trip, who are the best providers and what are the typical costs?

In addition once you hit 70 how much more complicated does this issue get?

Presumably you can agree an excess to bring the premium down, and assume no existing preconditions.

 

[jann]

Saga are good if you don't have too many medical problems.
We've changed to Caravan club, buying a combined travel and recovery insurance.

 

[Fisherman]

When the new EU entry requirements are introduced in October health insurance will be one of the mandatory requirements to permit EU entry.

As a senior never had this before as considered EHIC and more recently GHIC covers the needs if medical attention is required. OK maybe payment up front to be recovered later but this was an acceptable risk.

So the question is, to those seniors who take out medical insurance, which will be compulsory on our next winter trip, who are the best providers and what are the typical costs?

In addition once you hit 70 how much more complicated does this issue get?

Presumably you can agree an excess to bring the premium down, and assume no existing preconditions.

This is not the case, Apparently started by Nigel Farage.
There is no requirement to hold health insurance to enter the EU now or in future.
But personally speaking I would always carry insurance when travelling abroad.
I pay £22 a month to my bank (Bank of Scotland ) for this my wife and I get worldwide travel, breakdown recovery for my car and van, and I get phone insurance. Obviously we don’t have any health issues to report, we’re fortunate. But if you do have any declarations to make this will probably increase your premium. Your covered up till age 80.

Farage’s EU-entry myth busted after red-tape claims

Exclusive: Nigel Farage warning that holidaymakers going to Europe must ‘prove medical insurance’ is false

www.independent.co.uk

 

[marchie]

When the new EU entry requirements are introduced in October health insurance will be one of the mandatory requirements to permit EU entry.

As a senior never had this before as considered EHIC and more recently GHIC covers the needs if medical attention is required. OK maybe payment up front to be recovered later but this was an acceptable risk.

So the question is, to those seniors who take out medical insurance, which will be compulsory on our next winter trip, who are the best providers and what are the typical costs?

In addition once you hit 70 how much more complicated does this issue get?

Presumably you can agree an excess to bring the premium down, and assume no existing preconditions.

GHIC will cover the mandatory element of health insurance [emergency care], but Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice is to arrange private travel insurance for non-emergency events, including repatriation after death, payment of expenses if one's spouse is required to stay in EU whilst you recover etc. We are 71 & 70 and have cover through LV at £372.67 for me with heart attack, mini-stroke and 2 x pulmonary embolisms, and Elaine with hypertension

Steve

 

[Robmac]

GHIC will cover the mandatory element of health insurance [emergency care], but Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice is to arrange private travel insurance for non-emergency events, including repatriation after death, payment of expenses if one's spouse is required to stay in EU whilst you recover etc. We are 71 & 70 and have cover through LV at £372.67 for me with heart attack, mini-stroke and 2 x pulmonary embolisms, and Elaine with hypertension

Steve

That's just downright greedy Steve!

 

[YeoBlade]

This is not the case, Apparently started by Nigel Farage.
There is no requirement to hold health insurance to enter the EU now or in future.
But personally speaking I would always carry insurance when travelling abroad.
I pay £22 a month to my bank (Bank of Scotland ) for this my wife and I get worldwide travel, breakdown recovery for my car and van, and I get phone insurance. Obviously we don’t have any health issues to report, we’re fortunate. But if you do have any declarations to make this will probably increase your premium. Your covered up till age 80.

Farage’s EU-entry myth busted after red-tape claims

Exclusive: Nigel Farage warning that holidaymakers going to Europe must ‘prove medical insurance’ is false

www.independent.co.uk

We have the same or similar but with Nationwide, I've yet to find a cheaper option that covers so much,including EU breakdown cover for over 3.5tonne

 

[r4dent]

When the new EU entry requirements are introduced in October health insurance will be one of the mandatory requirements to permit EU entry.

As a senior never had this before as considered EHIC and more recently GHIC covers the needs if medical attention is required. OK maybe payment up front to be recovered later but this was an acceptable risk.

So the question is, to those seniors who take out medical insurance, which will be compulsory on our next winter trip, who are the best providers and what are the typical costs?

In addition once you hit 70 how much more complicated does this issue get?

Presumably you can agree an excess to bring the premium down, and assume no existing preconditions.

This is an "how long is a piece of string?" question . Too many variables.

SWMBO and I are both nearer to 80 than 70. are both type 2 (i inject daily); I've had a heart attack; we require 12 month world wide insurance including cruise; have made a few claims (she was hospitalised in Spain and we were broken inti in France on a MoHo trips and we have just cancelled a transatlantic cruise on medical advice); so I think we pay more than most. I'm budgeting £2k for the next year.

Only solution is to get lots of quotes (our last years quotes varied from £1.5k to £7k!) and see which best meets your needs.

Remember a good company for someone else could be terrible for you.

 

[Kisa]

I’m in a similar situation as a senior planning EU travel. From what I’ve researched, many mainstream providers like Allianz, AXA, or Aviva offer travel health insurance for older travelers. Costs vary depending on age and trip length, but for someone around 70, expect anywhere from €30–€100 per week for basic coverage. Premiums rise with age, but agreeing to an excess can reduce costs. Policies usually cover emergency medical treatment even without preexisting conditions. It’s worth comparing providers carefully, as coverage limits and exclusions can differ significantly for seniors.

 

[Boris7]

Why not just carry an EU citizen health card?

 

[alcam]

Not necessarily fault of OP but these scaremongering headlines piss me off .
Won't mention any party leaders as that would be 'political' but DM often guilty of this kind of drivel .

 

[marchie]

I’m in a similar situation as a senior planning EU travel. From what I’ve researched, many mainstream providers like Allianz, AXA, or Aviva offer travel health insurance for older travelers. Costs vary depending on age and trip length, but for someone around 70, expect anywhere from €30–€100 per week for basic coverage. Premiums rise with age, but agreeing to an excess can reduce costs. Policies usually cover emergency medical treatment even without preexisting conditions. It’s worth comparing providers carefully, as coverage limits and exclusions can differ significantly for seniors.

Less than £400 per annum for unlimited European Travel for 71 yr old with heart attack, mini-stroke & 2 pulmonary embolisms, and 70 year old with hypertension. Used for 2 x 60 day trips, so less than £25pw

Steve

 

[barryd]

This is not the case, Apparently started by Nigel Farage.
There is no requirement to hold health insurance to enter the EU now or in future.
But personally speaking I would always carry insurance when travelling abroad.
I pay £22 a month to my bank (Bank of Scotland ) for this my wife and I get worldwide travel, breakdown recovery for my car and van, and I get phone insurance. Obviously we don’t have any health issues to report, we’re fortunate. But if you do have any declarations to make this will probably increase your premium. Your covered up till age 80.

Farage’s EU-entry myth busted after red-tape claims

Exclusive: Nigel Farage warning that holidaymakers going to Europe must ‘prove medical insurance’ is false

www.independent.co.uk

Never bothered but this fake news from Fuhrage does not surprise me. We just always relied on the EHIC card and whatever its called now. GHIC Card I think.

 

[Fisherman]

Never bothered but this fake news from Fuhrage does not surprise me. We just always relied on the EHIC card and whatever its called now. GHIC Card I think.

That’s fine Barry but I would never travel without insurance, the card can be useful, but it does not cover you for many other things that can happen during a trip abroad. Hope you are still enjoying your trip, keep sending the photos, and we’re of to Arran this October.

Not necessarily fault of OP but these scaremongering headlines piss me off .
Won't mention any party leaders as that would be 'political' but DM often guilty of this kind of drivel .

its not the OPs fault absolutely not their fault.
Sadly there are unscrupulous people out there right now, who will lie, cheat, do anything they can to get what they want, and sadly some people understandably believe what they say.
The days of accepting what we hear or read are over in today’s world with so much misinformation and blatant lies out there.

 

[barryd]

That’s fine Barry but I would never travel without insurance, the card can be useful, but it does not cover you for many other things that can happen during a trip abroad. Hope you are still enjoying your trip, keep sending the photos, and we’re of to Arran this October.

its not the OPs fault absolutely not their fault.
Sadly there are unscrupulous people out there right now, who will lie, cheat, do anything they can to get what they want, and sadly some people understandably believe what they say.
The days of accepting what we hear or read are over in today’s world with so much misinformation and blatant lies out there.

Given our track record of accidents etc we probably should have it but its served us well over the years. The only thing I can think of that it wouldnt cover would be repatriation if one of us croaks but if its me I just said to bury me up an Alp and leave me there Maybe a Viking long boat set on fire and pushed out into Lake Annecy. That would probably make the news. No!! Lake Geneva!! That would be fitting as thats what smoke on the Water was written about.

 

[Fisherman]

Given our track record of accidents etc we probably should have it but its served us well over the years. The only thing I can think of that it wouldnt cover would be repatriation if one of us croaks but if its me I just said to bury me up an Alp and leave me there Maybe a Viking long boat set on fire and pushed out into Lake Annecy. That would probably make the news. No!! Lake Geneva!! That would be fitting as thats what smoke on the Water was written about.

It would not cover the cost of the Viking boat Barry.

Seriously Barry think about insurance mate.

 

[TeamRienza]

Repatriation is easy if you have died. Get yourself cremated and you will even fit into a Ryan air sized carry on bag.

Seriously though, if you have a stroke, or something as simple as you dropping the scooter and breaking legs of both you and Michelle, getting back could become more problematic.

The papers are full of people having medical issues whilst abroad and setting up funding requests to pay for treatment and specialised repatriation.

It does smack of personal irresponsibility in many cases. Take a gamble and let someone else sort it out.

Davy

 

[Winterskp]

Don't blame Farage for starting this. Simon Calder, and the Grauniad have both gone public with the same story. EU immigration staff have always had the right to ask for proof of adequate insurance which includes repatriation, medical expenses, and also proof of a return ticket, and of sufficient funds for the period stayed. In practice, only people who look like they might be a problem get asked. Only time will tell if this will change.

If it proves necessary for all in October and you don't have the wish (or funds) for this, you might try AXA Schengen Insurance. I asked them about pre-existing conditions and got a reply today: they don't cover them, but they'll still insure you.

Nationwide Flex plus is the only bundled travel insurance that'll cover for the over 80s, but trip extension to 90 days comes in at about £660 for 2, and then there's the age extension, and pre-existing conditions. It ain't cheap, but having had a mild stroke in Portugal some years ago we'll hopefully find the money.

For the crossed fingers and hope travellers, the UK gov website gives the examples attached.

 

[r4dent]

Only solution is to get lots of quotes (our last years quotes varied from £1.5k to £7k!) and see which best meets your needs.

Remember a good company for someone else could be terrible for you.

I've just requested a quote for this year. The prices range from £2,500 to £19,006.38

 

[r4dent]

For the crossed fingers and hope travellers, the UK gov website gives the examples attached.

Many insurance policies class quad biking as an "Extreme Sport" and only cover it if you pay a heft premium.

 

[alcam]

Don't blame Farage for starting this. Simon Calder, and the Grauniad have both gone public with the same story. EU immigration staff have always had the right to ask for proof of adequate insurance which includes repatriation, medical expenses, and also proof of a return ticket, and of sufficient funds for the period stayed. In practice, only people who look like they might be a problem get asked. Only time will tell if this will change.

If it proves necessary for all in October and you don't have the wish (or funds) for this, you might try AXA Schengen Insurance. I asked them about pre-existing conditions and got a reply today: they don't cover them, but they'll still insure you.

Nationwide Flex plus is the only bundled travel insurance that'll cover for the over 80s, but trip extension to 90 days comes in at about £660 for 2, and then there's the age extension, and pre-existing conditions. It ain't cheap, but having had a mild stroke in Portugal some years ago we'll hopefully find the money.

For the crossed fingers and hope travellers, the UK gov website gives the examples attached.View attachment 145684

Never saw it anywhere in grauniad (Guardian) ?
Watched Simon Calder recently talking about this . Again no scaremongering from him