Written By Nathan
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When travelling abroad you need to consider several factors to ensure you stay safe in other countries. Other countries have different laws than the UK and have different cultural aspects which you need to be aware of. You should also consider whether you need any vaccinations and/or travel insurance before you travel.
When travelling within Europe, you should ensure you have applied and are carrying an European Health Insurance Card, which will entitle you to health care should an accident or illness occur.
Travel Tips
Here are just a few essential tips which we hope may help to make your trip an enjoyable one:
- •Ensure that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining after the end date of your trip.
- •Ensure that you take your EHIC with you at all time when travelling in an EU member state or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and put it somewhere safe.
- •Ensure that you are fully insured (the EHIC is NOT a substitute for adequate travel insurance) and take all covering documents with you.
- •Ensure that you take precautions to keep money & important documents safe.
- •Never leave personal possessions in your hire car.
- •Ensure that when you are checking in for your flight you arrive at the airport early.
- •Ensure that someone knows where you are and how long you are away for.
- •Make copies of all your important documents and leave your copies with a friend or relative.
- •Please check whether you are advised/required to have any immunisations for the Country you are visiting.
- •For up-to-the-minute travel advice, please visit the FCO website at fco.gov.uk.
Travel Checklist
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has put together this travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. We’ve got more advice for specific types of travelers in Your trip.
Before you go:
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•Check our travel advice pages for the country you are visiting. Sign up for email alerts and you’ll get the latest updates for that country
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•Find out where the nearest embassy will be – check their website to find out what services they offer and their opening times
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•Don’t travel without insurance – make sure it covers you for any activities you are likely to undertake such as extreme or water sports
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•Traveling within the European Economic Area? Then get a free European Health Insurance Card for free or reduced emergency care - you still need full travel insurance though! Also remember, you can call 112 to contact the emergency services in any EU country
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•Check with your doctor as soon as possible to find out if you need any vaccinations before you travel. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, make sure you take enough medical supplies for the duration of your visit and any unexpected delays. Medical supplies may be subject to supply constraints in some countries and in remote areas
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•Make sure you’ve got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid
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•All first time adult passport applicants must now attend an interview to verify their identity. It now takes up to six weeks to get a first passport. For more information please visit DirectGov
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•For certain countries your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date you travel – check the entry requirements before you go
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•Make a note of the passport number and consider taking a photocopy with you and/or store online using a secure data storage site
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•Make sure you fill in the emergency contact details in your passport. This will make it much easier for us to contact someone if necessary
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•Tell family and friends where you are going and leave them your contact details, insurance policy details and your itinerary and/or store them online using a secure date storage
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•Make sure you have enough money to cover emergencies and any unexpected delays. Consider taking more than one means of payment with you (cash, debit card, credit card)
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•Find out if travelers cheques are appropriate for your destination and keep a separate record of their numbers
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•Invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip
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•Driving abroad? Make sure your license is current and valid. Make sure you are aware of the driving laws in the country you are visiting
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•Check HM Revenue & Customs Travel website for information on duty-free allowances, banned goods etc.
When you are away:
- think about what you are doing at all times and trust your instincts - don’t take risks that you wouldn’t at home!
- don’t openly display valuables such as mobile phones or digital cameras and consider using a padlock on suitcases or backpacks
- find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws - there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
- be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. Such activities may be misunderstood, especially near military installations
- consider taking your mobile with you or renting one whilst you’re away. Store useful numbers such as the local police and the nearest Embassy or Consulate
- check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad
- check whether it’s safe to drink local tap water- if not, stick to bottled water and avoid salads, non-peeling fruit and ice in drinks
- use your judgement when buying and eating food you’ve not prepared yourself
- respect the environment – don’t buy wildlife souvenirs, conserve resources like water and don’t drop litter
- check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK
You can find more advice about staying safe abroad from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office by clicking here.
Find our more and apply for a European Health Insurance Card by clicking here.
Source: The Foreign & Commonwealth Office
