What should I do before going abroad?

Preparing before you travel abroad

Good preparation reduces the things that can go wrong, even if it cannot remove every uncertainty. A simple before travelling abroad checklist covers a handful of essentials: suitable travel insurance, healthcare cover such as a GHIC, a passport that meets the rules for where you are going, an understanding of any entry requirements, and a quick look at official guidance for your destination. The sections below take each of these in turn.

Package holidays and independent travel explained

How you book affects the protection you have if something goes wrong. A package holiday, where flights and accommodation or other services are bought together from one organiser, usually comes with stronger consumer protection than booking each part separately. Independent travel, where you arrange flights, accommodation and transfers yourself, offers flexibility and often a wider choice, but the combined protections that come with a package generally do not apply, so each provider’s own terms matter more.

Consumer protections explained simply

Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, the organiser of a package holiday is responsible for the trip as a whole and must help if significant parts of it are not provided as promised. Flight-inclusive packages are also financially protected under the ATOL scheme, which is designed to get you home or refund you if the company fails. With independent bookings, you generally rely on each company’s terms and on any protection offered by your payment method, so it is worth knowing what each booking includes.

Travel insurance and what it usually covers

Travel insurance is one of the most useful things to arrange early. Travel insurance explained simply: a typical policy covers emergency medical treatment abroad, cancellation or cutting a trip short, lost or delayed baggage, and personal liability. Cover and limits vary between policies, so it is worth reading what is included rather than assuming. Buying insurance when you book, rather than just before you fly, means cancellation cover applies from the outset.

Activities and exclusions to be aware of

Most policies contain exclusions, and it helps to know them before you travel. Common ones include undeclared pre-existing medical conditions, and certain activities such as skiing, scuba diving, water sports or riding a moped, which often need to be added to the policy. Claims linked to alcohol may also be excluded. Declaring any health conditions and adding cover for planned activities helps make sure you are protected, and it is worth checking the excess, which is the amount you pay towards any claim.

Healthcare access when travelling abroad

For travel within Europe, a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is worth having. The card is free from the NHS, lasts up to five years, and should only be applied for through the official NHS website, as some copycat sites charge a fee for what is otherwise free. A UK GHIC card abroad gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare in the European Union and Switzerland on the same basis as a resident of that country, which may mean treatment is free or provided at a reduced cost.

What the GHIC does and does not cover

The GHIC covers state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you return home, and it can include treatment for some pre-existing conditions. It does not cover private treatment, and importantly it never covers the cost of being flown home, known as repatriation. It also does not cover non-medical costs such as cancellation or lost baggage. Because of these gaps, the GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, and the two are designed to be used together rather than as alternatives.

Checking your passport and entry requirements

It is easy to overlook your passport until close to departure, but passport validity affects travel to many destinations. For travel to the European Union, your passport usually needs to have been issued less than ten years before the day you enter, and to be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave. Some countries outside the EU ask for six months’ validity. Because renewing a passport takes time, it is sensible to check the dates well before you travel, along with any visa or entry requirements for your destination.

Country-specific entry rules

Entry rules differ from one country to the next, so it is worth checking the specific requirements for where you are going. For the European Union, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in operation, which means that on arrival, travellers from outside the EU, including UK passport holders, register details such as a photograph and fingerprints instead of having a passport stamped, so it is wise to allow extra time at the border. A separate EU travel authorisation, known as ETIAS, is expected to begin later in 2026. It is not required yet, and when it does launch, applications will be made through the official EU website only.

Staying aware while travelling

A few simple habits help once you are away. Keeping copies of important documents, such as your passport, insurance details and booking confirmations, along with your insurer’s emergency number, makes problems easier to deal with. It is also worth being aware of local laws and customs, and keeping an eye on conditions at your destination. Our winter travel tips cover some of this in more detail for colder trips. As ever, preparation reduces risk, though it cannot remove every uncertainty.

Where to find official travel guidance

The most reliable information comes from official sources rather than assumptions or unofficial websites. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes country-by-country foreign travel advice on GOV.UK, covering safety, entry rules and health. The NHS website is the place to apply for a GHIC and to check healthcare arrangements abroad, and GOV.UK sets out the current passport rules. Checking these before you travel, and again closer to departure, is the simplest way to stay up to date.

A little preparation goes a long way, and the vast majority of trips pass without a hitch. If something does go wrong and you are injured in an accident abroad that was not your fault, our team can advise on holiday accident claims, and our holiday claim guide explains how the process works.

All information was correct at the time of publication.