by We all hope it never happens, but what do you do if you or a companion get seriously ill or have an accident on vacation? What kind of treatment can you expect, how do you make sure you get you and how do you pay for it? And what happens if they have to be flown home in a flight car? Your questions are answered here and a practical checklist.
1. Dealing with a medical emergency
Our following table shows the emergency numbers to call an ambulance in 35 different countries.
It is likely that you will be able to at least reach someone who speaks English, but you can do well to ask, help or call you so that you have no uncertainty about the type of problem or the place of the patient. The emergency numbers for all countries are located on the target pages of the FCDO website.
2. Contact your insurer
The advantage of travel insurance is not only that you pay for your treatment – most guidelines offer cover of at least £ 5 million, much more than you will ever need – and also offers you a lot of support when it comes to organizing you. As soon as you or your travel companion are not immediately at risk, call the emergency aid for your directive. You will come to an “auxiliary company” who trained English -speaking employees and usually trained on Call for a compulsory doctor to assess the situation. Depending on the help you need, contact a local representative who then ensures that you receive the care you are entitled to.
The auxiliary company has obliged them to ensure proper medical care, but it also has an obligation to their insurer to keep the costs low. Usually the rule is that they are looked after in the next hospital that is medically suitable for treating their condition. Note that the auxiliary company has taken over the case, usually dealing with invoices directly so that you do not have to worry about payment. However, if you only initiate a small claim to drugs or a doctor’s appointment, you may have to pay later and get the money back.
If you have no insurance and no GHIC card (see below) or the goal you are on, you have no choice but to cover the costs of your treatment and probably pay for at least part of it from your own resources. The local British message or the local consulate may give you help, especially if you have to contact family or friends (see below), but nothing is paid for.
3 .. Contact your tour operator
If you have a package vacation, you should contact the representative of the tour event next. You have the obligation to take care of you and ensure that you are treated properly and usually helps work with your insurers.
4. Get a GHIC
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) has replaced the former EHIC program and offers British citizens access to free or inexpensive medical treatment in the European Union and some other countries, including Australia. It is not a substitute for proper travel insurance, but useful under certain circumstances. In our guide you will find complete details, including the application for your GHIC card.
5. The documents you need in an emergency
You will probably need your passport, the certificate issued by your insurer or the card as proof that you have medical cover and, if necessary, your GHIC card is relevant. Having you on your phone at any time or photos would be a reasonable approach for belt and brands.
6. If you have to stay in the hospital
Assuming that you have adequate travel insurance, your policy covers the direct costs of it. Usually you also pay a small daily amount and for additional costs of your return trip if necessary. If you have a travel companion and you are also insured, this insurance usually reimburses additional accommodations and transport costs, which you will incur due to your medical emergency. However, the guidelines and individual situations vary, so that you have to come to an agreement that is based on the specific circumstances such as the expected length of your stay in the hospital, for example.
The GHIC agreements cover only the standard medical costs (see above). Note that some countries require you to pay your food during the hospital.
7. If you need a flight car
In some parts of the world you may be in a hospital that is not very well compared to what you could expect from the NHS, and may not be the most convenient or soothing place where you need to be treated. But do not expect that you will automatically become “meditations” home with the flight car. First, an insurer will obviously only bring you out of aviation or fly home early if you are in a suitable and safe condition to be moved. Secondly, you will only approve such an expensive option if there are strong medical reasons for it.
8. Contact contact with the British message
According to FCDO, a British message or a consulate can offer support if they have a medical emergency or are hospitalized abroad. It will do things how to contact your family or friends in Great Britain to tell you that you are in the hospital if you cannot do this yourself. Help medical staff abroad to contact the British medical staff or your insurance company. Help find an English -language interpreter and get information about local medical facilities. But it will not return to the UK for your medication or treatment or for you or intervene in medical decisions. You can find more information in GOV.UK.
9. And for minor problems …
It can be easier and faster to go to a local pharmacy than to a hospital or a doctor. Of course, standards vary from country to country, but it is definitely an option that is worth pursuing for minor complaints.
This article was first published and revised and updated in July 2024.
