Travel checklist – how to prepare for holidays abroad ¶
Whilst preparing for a holiday abroad is an exciting time, ensuring you're fully covered from a health perspective can often feel overwhelming.
To make life easier, Grant Winter, compliance officer at specialist travel insurance provider Good to go, shares an easy-to-follow guide to streamline your health preparations before you jet off on your next adventure.
From crucial travel documents to emergency information, Grant details everything you need to be covered for a safe and stress-free holiday.
International health insurance ¶
Grant explains: “Domestic health insurance will not cover you while you’re abroad, leaving you exposed to high medical costs. International health insurance ensures that you have access to medical treatment, whether it’s travel insurance for medical conditions or for minor illnesses or serious emergencies."
“British nationals travelling to Schengen countries in Europe (e.g. France, Germany, Italy) must ensure they have adequate travel insurance, as post-Brexit, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides limited coverage."
“Some countries outside Europe, such as Turkey, Thailand, and Cuba, may also require proof of travel insurance as part of their entry requirements, especially if applying for long-term visas.”
Grant’s travel essentials:
- A copy of your health insurance policy.
- Emergency contact numbers for your insurer.
- Details about coverage, especially if you need treatment at specific hospitals or clinics abroad.
Vaccinations ¶
Grant shares: “Many countries require proof of certain vaccinations before entry to prevent the spread of diseases. Failure to provide these certificates could result in being denied entry or facing quarantine."
“British travellers visiting certain countries in Africa (e.g. Ghana, Kenya) or South America (e.g. Brazil, Ecuador) must provide proof of yellow fever vaccination and the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is used as proof."
“Many other countries, including Canada and Japan, may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test (though these requirements are evolving). Always check the latest entry requirements through the UK government travel advice or the destination country’s embassy."
“Regardless of the rules your destination has in place, it is always strongly recommended to fully research your destination and which vaccinations you may need, to ensure you are protected from tropical diseases.”
Grant’s travel essentials:
- An up-to-date International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), often called the “Yellow Card,” which lists vaccinations for diseases like yellow fever, typhoid, or hepatitis A/B.
- Digital or hard copies of your COVID-19 vaccination status if required.
- Any additional immunisation documentation specific to the destination (e.g. proof of polio vaccination for certain countries like Madagascar).
Prescription medications ¶
Grant comments: “If you’re travelling with prescription medication, you may need proof that it’s legally prescribed to you, particularly if the medication is controlled in the destination country.
“Destinations like Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strict regulations regarding certain medications, particularly narcotics and psychotropic drugs. Additionally, you may need to apply for an import permit if the medication is controlled.
“In other countries, like Singapore, there are further restrictions on bringing in some prescription drugs, especially strong painkillers or medications that contain codeine.”
Grant’s travel essentials:
- A doctor’s letter outlining your prescriptions, dosage, and the reason for taking them.
- Copies of your prescriptions in case you need to refill them while abroad.
- Information on any restrictions for travelling with medications at your destination.
Emergency contacts ¶
Grant says: “In the event of an emergency, having your emergency contacts readily accessible can ensure quicker treatment and better communication, particularly if they possess essential information you will need for your insurance or medical history.”
Grant’s travel essentials:
- A written list of emergency contacts, including family members, your GP, and your health insurer.
- Local emergency numbers for medical services in the destination country.
Medical History ¶
Grant states: “If you have ongoing health issues, carrying a summary of your medical history can provide critical information to healthcare providers if you need treatment abroad.
“In countries like Thailand, India and Vietnam, where access to advanced healthcare can be limited in rural areas, having a medical history summary can be helpful in the event of an emergency. Local healthcare providers may not always have access to a patient’s comprehensive health record, so carrying this information is highly recommended.”
Grant’s travel essentials:
- A short document outlining your medical history, including any conditions, allergies, and medications.
For more information about travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions, with no upper age limit, please visit: https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/pre-existing-medical-conditions
Travel Checklists ¶
Before you leave home:¶
- Visit Gov.uk for the latest advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They publish accurate, up-to-date information on a country-by-country basis.
- You can also sign up for email alerts to get the latest updates for the countries you are visiting, follow the FCO on Twitter: @FCDOtravelGovUK,Facebook, Get the latest travel advice >>
- Locate the nearest embassy in case you need to contact them in an emergency. Find the nearest embassy >>
- Get travel insurance that provides appropriate cover to meet your needs, including cover for any medical conditions you have and cover for any sports or activities you will be taking part in. Goodtogoinsurance.com can cover travellers of any age, with most medical conditions.
- Remember 112: This is the number to call to reach the emergency services in any EU country.
- If you take regular medication for a pre-existing medical condition, make sure that you take enough with you, including some extra in case you lose some or are delayed and have to stay a couple of extra days.
- Find out if you need vaccinations from your doctor or travel clinic well in advance.
- Allow plenty of time to arrange visas and check that your passport is still valid- it can take up to 6 weeks to get a first passport. In some countries, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.
- Fill in the emergency contact details section of your passport so that your family can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
- Make a note of your passport number and take photocopies of your passport and travel documents with you. Stash them separately from the originals, or store copies in a secure online storage site.
- Leave details of your holiday destination with a friend or relative so that they can contact you in an emergency.
- Take several methods of payment with you, including plenty of the local currency, credit and debit cards, so that you are able to cover any unexpected costs.
- If you intend to drive abroad, make yourself aware of the rules of the road before you get behind the wheel. Find out more about driving abroad.
- Check the UK Government website for information on what you can and can't bring back with you, including information on duty-free limits and banned goods.
Staying safe whilst you are away: ¶
Once you've set foot on foreign soil, it's important to keep your wits about you. Here are a few things you'll need to bear in mind:
- Don't take unnecessary risks - if you wouldn't do it at home, why do it while you're away?
- Keep valuables hidden and only carry small amounts of cash.
- Adhere to local laws and customs, including dress codes, to avoid offence or penalties.
- Keep cameras and binoculars out of sight at borders or military posts.
- Find out if the local drinking water is potable and stick to bottled water if it isn't.
- Don't buy wildlife souvenirs- if they are made from an endangered species, you will be breaking the law if you bring them back to the UK.
- Familiarise yourself with your surroundings before you venture further afield so that you know how to return to your accommodation.
- Take your mobile phone with you and store useful numbers on it, such as the emergency contact number for your travel insurance provider and the nearest British Embassy.