Northern Ireland has made it compulsory for international visitors to obtain travel insurance while visiting the country. Traveling outside of one’s native nation is dangerous, especially in light of the Covid 19 pandemic, which has caused global healthcare expenditures to rise. Foreign visitors to Northern Ireland must have proper medical coverage to cover medical expenditures. Due to the high expense of health care in Northern Ireland, it is advisable to purchase the best Northern Ireland travel insurance.
Do I need travel insurance for Northern Ireland from England?
Throughout the year, travelers flock to the Emerald Isle for weekend city breaks and all-season retreats, and it packs a lot of action and culture into such a little country. Do you, however, require travel insurance in order to visit?
To begin, some terminology must be clarified. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are referred to as the United Kingdom, whereas Great Britain exclusively refers to England, Scotland, and Wales. So someone who resides in Belfast is a member of the United Kingdom, but not of the United Kingdom.
So, do visitors from the United Kingdom require travel insurance to visit Northern Ireland? Is a holiday insurance policy required for visitors from the United Kingdom to visit the Republic of Ireland?
It may appear difficult, but it is actually rather simple. They do, in fact. In fact, it’s beneficial for UK residents to get insurance even if they’re vacationing within their own nation – see why you need travel insurance for UK vacations.
It’s even more important if you’re traveling internationally, which includes anywhere in Ireland for British people. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or business, travel insurance can protect you from losses, theft, cancellations, and delays that may occur while on the road.
The Euro is the currency of the Republic of Ireland. Euros are one of the numerous currencies available on the Post Office Travel Money Card, which you may use to access your vacation funds while you’re away.
Healthcare for Brits in Ireland
What you’ll need will vary depending on where you’re going on Ireland’s island.
The NHS in Northern Ireland operates in the same way that it does in Scotland, England, and Wales. If you’re visiting the Republic of Ireland, however, you’ll require a valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) or a valid European Health Insurance Card (Ehic). These provide you access to the same medical care as Irish citizens.
If you’ve misplaced your Ghic or Ehic, being able to demonstrate that you live in the UK can help. To obtain a Provisional Replacement, contact the Health Overseas Healthcare Team (+44 191 218 1999).
There are several essential topics Ghic and Ehic will not discuss. Medical repatriation and some of the more expensive aspects of emergency medical assistance, such as airlifts, are not covered. As a result, it’s critical to get adequate holiday insurance in case the worst happens.
Travel risks in Ireland
Ireland is regarded as a safe destination. Visitors are encouraged to take the same precautions they would in London against pickpocketing and bag theft when visiting big cities like Dublin. Anyone who has been a victim of crime in Ireland can call the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, which is designed to assist travellers in this situation.
Irish culture
Ireland has a long and illustrious history. Garda (police), Mná (women), and Fir (fire) are a few words to keep an eye out for (men). So be cautious: the word “Mná” on the toilet is not a misspelling of “men.”
Ireland has a lot of live music, especially in major nightlife places like Dublin, and it’s usually high-quality folk music. There’s nothing like music to make you feel like you’ve immersed yourself in a culture, and thankfully, it’s practically inevitable on a night out in Dublin.
Galway will be the European Capital of Culture in 2020, and the county – and Ireland as a whole – will be inundated in cultural activities of all kinds. The year promises a fascinating assortment of activities for visitors, from travelling theatre to installations, concerts to events that defy description.
Major cities in the Republic of Ireland are often more expensive than those in the United Kingdom, with prices equivalent to and occasionally exceeding those in London. A pint of beer might cost anything from 7-8. Shop prices, on the other hand, tend to be similar. Dublin is around £40 more expensive for a weekend visit than London, according to the Post Office City Costs Barometer.
Getting around
Ireland’s public transportation is quite comparable to that of the United Kingdom, including bus and train systems that are very similar.
Driving in Ireland is likewise extremely comparable to driving in the United Kingdom. Make sure you have your driver’s license, as well as your VC5 (logbook) and information about your auto insurance and road tax, with you at all times. In 2011, the drinking and driving limit was lowered to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for fully certified drivers (20mg/100ml for new, trainee, and professional drivers), which is lower than the English standard of 80mg per 100ml.
However, determining how much you’ve drunk and how it relates to drink-drive regulations is never easy. As a result, even if you’ve only had a tiny amount of alcohol, it’s never a good idea to drive after drinking. In Ireland, the penalties for exceeding the legal limit are harsh, and Gardai conduct random testing.
Travel insurance for Ireland
While it may be tempting to believe that the Republic of Ireland is the same as the rest of the United Kingdom, keep in mind that it is not, and that it is more like a European country in terms of vacationing.
Because the Republic of Ireland is a member of the European Union, your EHIC card will be useful if you become ill; nevertheless, as previously said, this is no substitute for excellent travel insurance. Travel insurance is an important element of travelling abroad, whether it’s for medical repatriation, your hotel canceling your reservation, or your airline losing your bags.
Is travel insurance required for Northern Ireland?
Several of our visitors from the United Kingdom are unsure whether or not they require travel insurance for their trip to Ireland. The quick answer is that trip insurance isn’t necessary, but each visitor’s coverage requirements are different. The UK and Irish governments have reached an agreement that allows UK people to travel to Ireland for short visits without having to show their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The United Kingdom’s plan to leave the European Union is still being worked out, and this could affect the EHIC need in the future. Foreign visitors to Southern Ireland who prefer to have a medical policy to assist fill in any gaps in coverage might consider purchasing a medical travel insurance package.
Do I need travel insurance for UK holidays?
Medical treatment is provided free of charge by the NHS, so you won’t require UK travel insurance. However, it may be able to reimburse you for other issues that arise during your vacation, such as:
Consider what you’ll be bringing with you, what activities you’ll be performing, and how much you’ve already spent on flight and lodging to help you decide whether you need travel insurance for a UK trip.
It might not be worth it if you’re driving to stay with a relative and bringing nothing of great value.
However, if you’re going to Scotland with your snowboard, iPad, and camera, it’s something you should think about.
Do I already have cover with other insurance policies?
If you only require coverage for your luggage and belongings, your house insurance may be sufficient.
Check to see if your home contents insurance coverage covers personal belongings while you’re away from home. It’s usually an optional bonus that you have to pay for.
You should also double-check which belongings are covered and that the coverage limit is sufficient for whatever you’re bringing with you.
If you have a breakdown policy, it may cover the cost of transporting you home or to your destination if you’re driving. Make sure your policy covers national travel as well as onward travel.
If something goes wrong during your trip to the UK, home insurance and breakdown coverage can be helpful, but neither will cover as many scenarios as a travel insurance policy.
Is travel insurance mandatory to travel to UK?
Uncertainties abound in life, threatening to disrupt even the best-laid plans. As a result, you should think about purchasing travel health insurance for your trip to the United Kingdom. Having valid medical travel insurance to the UK can prove to be quite advantageous if you encounter any unplanned circumstances before to or during your stay in the UK. For example, if you get sick before or during your vacation, or if you lose your luggage at any of the airports you pass through on your journey, your UK travel insurance coverage can help you avoid financial ruin.
As a result, non-UK citizens should purchase travel insurance to ensure that their trip is financially safe, especially in the event of unforeseen circumstances. We have a variety of travel insurance UK plans to pick from at Tata AIG.
Some of the advantages of our UK travel insurance plan are outlined below.
Flight delays and cancellations, hotel booking cancellations, and passport loss are all covered.
a.Covid-19 insurance to cover the costs of testing positive for COVID-19 during the trip.
b.Travel Health Insurance to the United Kingdom, which will cover you financially if you become ill or are involved in an accident while on your trip.
a.Cheap travel insurance policies in the UK with premiums as low as £40.82 per day
b.Immediate online purchase of UK travel insurance without the necessity for rigorous medical examinations
Check out our Student Travel Insurance if you’re a student traveling to the UK for school.
Check out our International Travel Insurance if you’re going on a vacation or a business trip.
Are EHIC cards still valid after Brexit?
Yes, you can continue to use an EHIC issued in the United Kingdom after Brexit. If you currently have an EHIC and are traveling on a temporary visit to an EU country for example, for a holiday, education, or job you can use it to receive state healthcare until your EHIC expires. On the front of the card, in the lower right corner, is the expiration date.
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is the post-Brexit alternative for the EHIC, while new EHICs are still being granted for a few groups. If you live in the UK and are not covered by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you should apply for a GHIC when your EHIC expires.
Do British citizens get free healthcare in Ireland?
If you can’t receive a PRC because you’re getting healthcare outside of business hours, for example, you’ll have to pay in full for your treatment. If your treatment fits the criterion for ‘necessary healthcare,’ you can claim for reimbursement through the NHS Business Services Authority.
What you’re entitled to
If you are normally living in the United Kingdom, you have the same access to medically necessary state health services as an Irish resident. Some services may still require payment, just as they would for an Irish person.
Hospitalization, including A&E and inpatient treatment, will be free of charge.
Do I have to quarantine if I go to Ireland?
Before boarding a flight or taking a boat to Ireland, everyone arriving must fill out a Passenger Locator Form.
- An EUDigital COVID Certificate (DCC) demonstrating that you have been fully immunized with an EMA-approved vaccine, or that you have recovered from COVID-19, or that you have been fully vaccinated with an EMA-approved vaccine.
- Other acceptable documentation that you have been fully immunized with an approved vaccine, or that you have recovered from COVID-19, or that you have been fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine
- Proof of a negative RT-PCR test performed within 72 hours of your arrival.
Children under the age of 11 are excluded from the testing requirements, and there are a few minor exceptions.
Vaccination certificates for primary vaccination series will no longer be accepted for travel after 270 days (9 months) have passed since the last dose in the primary vaccine series. Vaccine certificates for booster and subsequent doses have no expiration date.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms or are in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, you should seek medical care.
Can you go on holiday without insurance?
Tired of having to pay an insurance premium before you travel? You are not obligated to do so. Without travel insurance, you can travel anywhere in the world. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t. If something goes wrong and you don’t have travel insurance, you might be out of money for anything from a few pounds if you lose your passport to hundreds of thousands of pounds if you need medical treatment on foreign soil. Oh, and your bank account’s travel policy is probably not as watertight as you thought.
It is not illegal to travel without insurance. You won’t get kicked out of your tavern because of it. However, it may be pricey. It all relies on whether you’re willing to risk your savings and how much you can afford to lose. Here’s everything you need to know about it.