Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is highly recommended for overseas travel. A comprehensive plan should include coverage for trip interruption, delay and cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical transportation, loss and damage to baggage, and a toll-free 24-hour travel assistance hotline. Comprehensive travel insurance usually costs 5 to 12 percent of your trip cost. Before purchasing, check your existing insurance policies.

Your Possessions

Traveling in Europe is generally very safe, but take a few precautions to protect your valuables and travel documents. Pickpockets are common in high-traffic tourist areas across the globe. Keep possessions close and use a money belt to carry documents inside your clothing. Keep money in more than one place. Make a photocopy of your tickets, passport, traveler’s checks, credit cards and IDs and keep them separate from your valuables. In hotels, use the in-room safes or those at the front desk to truly secure your valuables.

Health Tips

Generally, visitors to Europe do not need vaccinations. In any case. prior to departure, consult your doctor to determine if you need any immunizations. Check your health insurance policy to confirm you are covered while traveling abroad. Bring a copy of your health coverage ID card with you. Carry prescription medicine in its original packaging in your carry-on luggage. Bring a copy of your prescription in case you need to replenish your supply. Pharmacies are common in any European town or city, but bring enough medication for the length of your stay. If you must order medication, a prescription issued by a doctor in the country you are visiting may be required. Pharmacies are indicated by an illuminated green cross, but this varies between countries. However, the word for pharmacy has only a few language variations such as Chemist, Pharmacie, Pharmacia, or Apotheek.

For more information on travel advice regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, please refer to our COVID-19 Information Page.

Emergency Numbers

European Union countries share a single European emergency call number – 112. When dialing 112, the operator speaks in both the language of the country you are calling from as well as in English. In addition, all countries have an emergency number should you need the attention of the police, fire or medical/ambulance services.