Health, insurance & medication

That is a medical question, so we will not answer it as a travel one. Check your destination on the NHS Fit for Travel site, and speak to your GP or a travel clinic at least six to eight weeks before departure, because some courses need time. What we will do is flag it early for destinations where it matters, and tell you if a country requires proof of a specific vaccination for entry. Read more

Usually yes, with sensible precautions: keep it in original packaging, in your hand luggage, with a copy of your prescription. Some countries restrict medicines that are routine in the UK, including some painkillers and ADHD medication, so check the rules for your destination on gov.uk well before you travel. Tell us about anything that needs refrigeration or airline approval and we will help you arrange it. Read more

No, but it is worth having alongside insurance. A GHIC (the successor to the EHIC) gives you state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as a local, which can mean paying what a local pays rather than getting it free. It does not cover mountain rescue, private clinics, or getting you home, which is the expensive part. Carry the GHIC, and hold proper travel insurance too. The card is free from the official NHS site; never pay a website to get one. Read more