UK legislation, depending on the purpose of the trip and length of stay, obliges or recommends foreigners entering the country to have an insurance policy. At the same time, various requirements may be imposed on the policy. Find out in which cases and exactly what insurance is required to enter the UK

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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According to the legislation of the United Kingdom, traveling to the country requires compliance with the requirements for the visa procedure and the issuance of an appropriate health insurance policy. When planning your trip to the country, find out what type of visa you need to get to enter the country and what the insurance requirements are.

By following these rules, you can easily visit Great Britain.

What are the requirements for an insurance policy to enter Great Britain?

Insurance requirements in the UK vary depending on the intended activity in the country and length of stay.

● Tourist visas

From the bright lights of bustling London to the beautiful scenery of Scotland, the UK has a lot to see. You can visit Liverpool, the birthplace of The Beatles, watch Manchester's two famous football teams or go back in time and visit Stonehenge, medieval castles or Sherwood Forest - home of the legendary British outlaw Robin Hood.

However, before planning a trip here, carefully study the insurance requirements. Despite Brexit, the rules for tourists in Great Britain have not changed:

EU and EEA citizens

Representatives of these countries are entitled to free healthcare if they have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Temporary Replacement Certificate (PRC) or S2 form. However, we additionally advise you to take out travel insurance, in case of other unexpected expenses and incidents that may occur during your visit, such as repatriation costs or lost or stolen property.

Citizens of the rest of the world

If you are planning to visit the United Kingdom for a trip of less than 6 months, we recommend that you take out valid travel insurance for the entire period of your stay, because in the event of illness, the traveler pays for medical expenses at his own expense.

● Student visas

Great Britain, like many other European countries, divides its foreign students into several separate categories depending on their duration of study in the country.

The visa you plan to obtain will determine which aspects of the UK visa insurance requirements apply to you.

Certification training

Students who undergo a short course of study in Great Britain (advancement of qualifications, certification) issue a student guest visa, on the basis of which you can stay in Great Britain for up to 6 months. However, holders of this visa category are not entitled to benefits from the NHS (National Health Service). Therefore, students planning to take part in short-term study programs in the UK are advised to purchase private health insurance before travelling.

International education at one of the universities of Great Britain

If you get a higher education at one of the universities in Britain, you automatically get the right to receive free treatment at an NHS hospital in the country. The medical benefit also applies to the student's spouse and dependent children. However, it is better to have a travel insurance policy for the period of moving and processing all documents, so that in case of illness you do not have to lose a considerable amount of money.

● Work visa

The UK has a large labor market with a variety of career opportunities. By getting a job here, you can get access to high-paying positions and professional growth. However, it is important to obtain a work visa before planning to move. One of the requirements for issuing a permit is the availability of an insurance policy.

Insurance in the UK to obtain a work visa must meet the following requirements:

- Insurance must be issued only by an accredited company.

- Insurance coverage of at least €30,000.

- The coverage area is the entire EU and countries that are not part of the EU, but are signatories of the Schengen Agreement.

- The deductible should not exceed €150.

Also, if you plan to work in the UK for more than 6 months, you will need to pay an NHS fee to access the national health insurance scheme.

● Refugees under the Homes for Ukraine program

Ukrainians moving to Great Britain under the temporary protection program are not required to have insurance to enter the country. However, this document is highly desirable.

Of course, refugees who have arrived in Britain receive medical care within the framework of protection, which will give you the opportunity to visit doctors for free. However, the first time after arrival, in particular during the registration of documents and medical insurance, it is better to be sure that in the event of an emergency or illness, you will be able to receive guaranteed assistance in a language you understand. Also, considering the high cost of medical services in Great Britain, an insurance policy can save you a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, we advise you to purchase a travel insurance policy before your trip.

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Health care system in Great Britain: 6 facts you should know before you travel

  1. The UK health care system, known as the National Health Service or NHS for short, is funded by taxpayers and provides free care to all patients, regardless of income level.

  2. Residents of Great Britain receive free treatment on the National Health Service (NHS), so private health insurance is required if you do not wish to wait for treatment on the NHS.

3. The first person you should contact if you are ill is a general practitioner (GP). According to statistics, there are 76 general practitioners per 100,000 inhabitants in Britain.

4. NHS patients receive the following services: general practitioner consultations, emergency medical care, childbirth, sexual health and contraception, and upon referral by a general practitioner, consultation and treatment by a specialist.

5. Patients pay extra for: prescription medicines (a flat cost of £9.65 per unit, regardless of the type or quantity of medicine), dental, optometrist and spectacles.

6. One of the disadvantages of the NHS system is the length of waiting - it is quite rare to get an appointment with a general practitioner on the same day. Even an ambulance worker sometimes has to wait for hours.

Where to buy health insurance policy for travel to Great Britain?

For the safest trips, you should buy insurance policies only from verified agents. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can purchase reliable insurance that has many advantages: packages for entry to any country in the world, guarantee of payments, online payment. A reliable policy in your mail in just a few minutes.

Just choose the most suitable options for the specifics of your trip, travel safely and save money at the same time.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

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Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

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