Insurance for entering the UK: who needs it, the rules for different categories of visas and where to buy?

Depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay, UK law requires or recommends that foreigners entering the country have an insurance policy. However, the policy may have different requirements. Find out when and what kind of 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 UK law, travelling to the country requires compliance with the requirements for obtaining a visa and taking out the appropriate health insurance policy. When planning your trip to the country, find out what type of visa you need to enter the country and what insurance requirements apply.

What are the insurance requirements for travelling to the UK?

Insurance requirements in the UK vary depending on your planned activities in the country and the length of your stay.

Tourist visa

Before planning your trip to the UK, please check the insurance requirements carefully. Despite Brexit, the rules for visiting tourists have not changed:

EU and EEA citizens

Representatives of these countries are entitled to free medical care if they have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), a temporary replacement certificate (PRC) or an S2 form. However, we advise you to take out travel insurance to cover 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 UK for up to 6 months, we recommend taking out travel insurance for the entire period of your stay, as in case of illness, the traveller will be responsible for the cost of treatment.

Student visa

The UK, like many other European countries, divides its international students into several separate categories depending on the duration of their studies in the country. The visa you plan to obtain will determine which aspects of the insurance requirements apply to you.

Further education

Students taking a short course of study in the UK (advanced training, certification) apply for a student visitor visa, which allows them to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. However, holders of this category of visa are not entitled to receive benefits from the NHS (National Health Service). Therefore, students planning to participate in short-term study programmes in the UK are advised to purchase private health insurance before travelling.

International education at a UK university

If you are studying at a UK university, you are automatically entitled to free medical treatment in the NHS. The healthcare benefit also applies to your spouse and dependent children. However, it is better to have a travel insurance policy for the period of relocation and paperwork so that you do not have to lose a considerable amount of money in case of illness.

Employment visa

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

Requirements for an employment visa to the UK

An insurance policy for an employment visa must meet the following requirements:

- The insurance must be issued only by an accredited company.

- The insurance coverage must be at least €30,000.

- The coverage area is the entire EU and non-EU countries that are signatories to 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 the NHS fee to gain access to the national health insurance system.

Refugees under the Homes for Ukraine programme

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

Of course, refugees who arrive in the UK receive medical care as part of their protection, which will give you the opportunity to visit doctors for free. However, at first, when you arrive in the UK, in particular when you are applying for documents and health insurance, it is better to be sure that in case of an emergency or illness you will be able to receive guaranteed assistance in a language you understand. Also, given the high cost of medical services in the UK, an insurance policy can save you a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy before travelling.

Please note! In November 2024, it was decided to extend visas for refugees from Ukraine for 18 months. You can apply for an extension from 4 February 2025.

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Where can I buy health insurance for travelling to the UK?

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

Just choose the most suitable options for your trip, travel safely and save money.

Why is it profitable to take out a policy from Ukrainian insurers?

There are a number of advantages to taking out a health or travel insurance policy from Ukrainian insurers:

1. Ukrainian insurance companies offer a wide range of insurance products that can be easily arranged online.

2. Ukrainian insurers have a good understanding of the needs of Ukrainian citizens and offer policies that take into account the specifics of travel and medical risks.

3. The cost of insurance policies from Ukrainian insurers is often more affordable than that of foreign companies.

4. Taking out a policy with a Ukrainian insurance company contributes to the development of the national insurance market and supports the country's economy.

5. Ukrainian insurers have experience in settling insurance claims with Ukrainian citizens, which can simplify the process of receiving insurance payments.

Medical insurance

Travel insurance

Insurance prices for Ukrainians

On the Visit Ukraine portal you can choose a policy for travelling to any country in the world!

How to buy insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal?

To apply for an insurance policy on the Visit Ukraine portal, you need a foreign passport and an identification number (TIN):

1. Prepare your passport and TIN;

2. Select an insurance package (that meets your needs).

3. Select the period of insurance validity

4. Enter your date of birth.

5. Fill in the form with the data of the insured person (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence).

6. Sign the insurance contract (a special code will be sent to the specified e-mail).

7. Pay for the insurance policy.

The finished policy will be sent to the specified e-mail. You do not need to print it out, because the electronic version has the same legal force as the paper one.

Benefits of insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal

What are the benefits of a health insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A basic medical policy will cover the following risks:

- medical consultation and diagnosis

- treatment;

- emergency medical care, including hospitalisation;

- reimbursement for medicines prescribed by a doctor;

- transport costs for evacuation to the nearest medical facility;

- emergency dental care.

Extended health insurance can additionally cover expenses (vaccinations, emergency surgeries, repatriation of the body to the home country in case of death of the insured person, etc.) The policy also covers other travel-related risks:

- flight delay/cancellation

- loss of baggage;

- telephone communication costs;

- damage to personal transport in the event of an accident.

Take out a health insurance policy at Visit Ukraine and travel comfortably and safely!

What are the benefits of a travel insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A travel insurance policy provides coverage for the following risks

- medical expenses (inpatient or outpatient care);

- dental care in case of emergency;

- evacuation and transport;

- repatriation of the body or burial;

- Flight cancellation or delay;

- loss of baggage due to the fault of the carrier;

- legal advice;

- protection in case of an accident.

Take out a travel insurance policy at Visit Ukraine and protect yourself from unpleasant situations while travelling!

Healthcare system in the UK: 6 facts you should know before travelling

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

2. UK residents receive free treatment in the National Health Service (NHS), so private health insurance is required if you do not want to wait for treatment in the NHS.

3. The first person you should see if you are ill is your general practitioner (GP). According to statistics, there are 76 GPs per 100,000 people in Britain.

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

5. Additionally, patients pay for: prescription drugs (fixed cost of £9.65 per unit, regardless of the type or quantity of drugs), dentistry, ophthalmology and glasses.

6. One of the disadvantages of the NHS system is the length of waiting times - 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.

Photo: Freepik

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