Travel insurance for the United Kingdom
The European Health Insurance Card is valid in the United Kingdom, but it covers only necessary care in state-run facilities. It does not cover repatriation, private medical treatment, luggage, or trip cancellation.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when traveling to the United Kingdom?
Contrary to popular belief, the EHIC remains valid in the United Kingdom following Brexit. The National Health Insurance Fund states that the card confirms the right to receive necessary medical care while temporarily staying in EU and EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. However, the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.
What the EHIC covers
- Necessary medical care at state-run NHS facilities
- On the same terms as local residents
- Only what cannot wait until the return to Lithuania.
The EHIC is free and worth having—but it only addresses part of the issue.
What the EHIC does not cover
- Medical repatriation to Lithuania
- Private clinic treatment when the NHS waiting list is too long
- Medicines and services that local residents also pay for
- Trip cancellation or curtailment
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Civil liability to third parties
What kind of protection is worth choosing for a trip to the United Kingdom?
Since essential medical care is partially covered by the EHIC, other areas of protection—particularly repatriation and travel disruptions—become the most important for a trip to the United Kingdom.
Essential
- Medical expenses — what the EHIC does not cover
- Repatriation — the ESDK does not cover it at all.
- 24-hour assistance service
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment — flight cancellations and strikes affecting travel to the UK occur frequently.
- Baggage — especially when flying with low-cost airlines
- Civil liability
- Active pursuits — if you are planning hikes in Scotland or Wales
Important things to know before traveling to the United Kingdom
Five things that often go unnoticed when planning a trip to the United Kingdom.
- The EHIC is valid, but it is not insurance. It only covers essential assistance in state institutions and does not cover repatriation.
- The GHIC is a British card. You need a Lithuanian EHIC issued by the Lithuanian State Patient Fund—check its expiry date.
- Territory. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the United Kingdom—the EEA and certain insurance policies are not valid there. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are included.
- Flight disruptions. Cancellations and strikes are frequent at UK airports, making travel disruption cover more valuable here than for many other destinations.
- Left-hand traffic. If you plan to drive, check how your insurance covers the use of a rental car.
You are visiting relatives or friends working in the United Kingdom.
This is one of the most common reasons for Lithuanians traveling to the UK. Staying with relatives saves on accommodation costs but does nothing to reduce medical risks—and that is precisely the most expensive aspect.
What is often misunderstood
- The idea that British insurance or NHS registration held by relatives also applies to a guest is incorrect—it does not.
- That a longer stay automatically means broader coverage.
- That a trip to visit family or friends is less risky than a tourist trip.
What to pay attention to
- For longer stays, choose the appropriate policy duration.
- Check the validity date of your EHIC before departure.
- Repatriation remains relevant regardless of where one is staying.
- If you plan to work or study, this may be a separate clause in the policy
The most common mistake. People often assume that visiting relatives is safer, so they decide against getting insurance. However, the cost of medical repatriation to Lithuania is the same whether you traveled as a tourist or were visiting loved ones—and the EHIC does not cover it.
What determines the cost of insurance for travel to the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom is viewed similarly to other Western European countries, so the price depends more on the trip’s parameters than on the destination itself.
- Duration of the trip.
- Age and number of travelers.
- Selected medical expense limit.
- Trip cancellation protection. On routes to the UK, it often pays off due to flight disruptions.
- Baggage and civil liability coverage.
- Planned activities. Hiking, cycling routes, water activities.
- Insurer’s rate. Differences between insurers persist even within the same segment.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to the United Kingdom?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, traveler ages, and number of travelers. The destination “United Kingdom” has already been selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Select guards
Add coverage for baggage, civil liability, or active pursuits if needed.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance policy must be purchased while still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. Insurance cannot be purchased once you have already left.
What to do in the event of an incident in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, the NHS system operates primarily, so the order of steps matters: you use the EHIC to access state-run facilities, while the insurer’s assistance service steps in where the EHIC does not apply.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Follow the instructions.
The assistance service will specify which medical facility to contact and will often communicate with it directly.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Bills, prescriptions, doctor’s reports, receipts. Without them, it will not be possible to reimburse the costs.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer. If you need assistance, contact “Man ramu”.
Important for the United Kingdom. Carry your EHIC with you and present it when visiting an NHS facility. If you require private treatment or repatriation, or if the NHS charges a fee, contact your insurer’s assistance service immediately—these are the specific costs covered by travel insurance.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the chosen insurer’s terms and conditions—they specify the exact scope of coverage and the events that are excluded from coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EHIC valid in the United Kingdom after Brexit?
If the EHIC is valid, why is travel insurance still needed?
What is the difference between the EHIC and the GHIC?
Is the insurance valid in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Is a cancelled or delayed flight covered?
Can I insure the whole family under a single policy?
Is the insurance valid if I am visiting relatives for an extended period?
Can I purchase insurance while already in the United Kingdom?
Calculate insurance for the United Kingdom
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