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Travel health advice and getting medical help abroad
Written by Precision Health | Medically reviewed by a Doctor of Medicine (MD) specialising in Pharmaceutical Medicine
25 February 2026
Travelling is about enjoying new experiences and exploring new places, and for most people, trips pass without any health issues. However, having a basic understanding of healthcare abroad can be reassuring. This travel health advice is here to help you prepare beforehand and know what to do if you need medical support while travelling – so you can focus on your trip, not the ‘what ifs’.
Why planning ahead matters
Healthcare can work a little differently depending on where you’re travelling. In some destinations, care is provided through public services, while in others it’s delivered privately, which can influence how you access treatment and what to expect if you need care.
You may also come across language differences, unfamiliar prescribing practices, or medications that are packaged or named differently. Having a general awareness of this before you travel can help things feel clearer and less daunting if you do need medical support.
What to prepare before you travel
Travel insurance and health insurance are often mentioned together, but they serve different purposes when you’re travelling.
Travel insurance is something you arrange before you go and is an essential part of any trip, usually covering a specific journey or period of travel. Depending on the policy, it can help with a range of travel-related situations, such as medical treatment and emergency care if you become unwell or injured abroad, as well as issues like trip cancellations, delays, or lost or stolen belongings1. As policies can vary, it’s worth taking a moment to understand how your cover works in practice.
In particular, you should check:
- Whether any pre-existing conditions are covered
- If certain activities (such as hiking, water sports, or skiing) are excluded
- Whether you may need to pay medical costs upfront and claim them back later
Health insurance or healthcare access, on the other hand, is usually more relevant for longer stays abroad, such as extended travel, work placements, or living overseas. It relates to whether you can access healthcare through a country’s public or private health system, rather than short-term travel cover1.
For UK travellers, official guidance on NHS healthcare abroad2 explains which countries offer access to state-provided healthcare, what level of care may be available, and whether you need to take any steps before travelling.
Explore healthcare access by destination:
If you’re travelling internationally with prescription medication, having these details to hand5 can make it easier to explain your needs and access advice if required while abroad.
Before you go:
- Make sure you have enough medication for your trip, with a small buffer
- Keep medicines in their original packaging
- Know the generic (drug) names as well as brand names
- Carry a copy of your prescription or supporting documentation
Health considerations can vary depending on where you’re travelling, the time of year, and the type of trip you’re taking.
For example, some destinations may recommend specific vaccinations, precautions for insect bites, or advice around food and water. Checking destination-specific guidance6 before you go can help you understand what you need to consider ahead of travel.
If you’re travelling to areas where malaria is present, further preparation may be advised.
Travelling to malaria-risk areas
If you’re travelling to regions where malaria is present, advance preparation is important.
Travel health advice for malaria-risk areas will always include bite-avoidance measures and, depending on your destination and itinerary, anti-malaria tablets. Following a travel health consultation with a medical professional, any medication should be taken exactly as directed, including completing the full course.
Malaria risk can vary within the same country, so destination-specific guidance is essential. Keeping a simple record of where you’ve travelled can also be helpful if you need medical advice later.
If you experience symptoms during your trip or after returning home, it’s important to mention any recent travel when speaking to a healthcare professional, even if preventive medication was taken.
Who to contact if you need medical help while abroad
If you become unwell while travelling, where to seek help will usually depend on how severe your symptoms are and where you’re staying7.
For urgent or serious symptoms, it’s best to contact local emergency services or go directly to the nearest hospital or emergency department.
For less urgent medical advice, you may find it helpful to contact:
- A local doctor or medical clinic
- A pharmacist, who can often offer advice for minor illnesses and treatments
- A medical advice or assistance service provided by your travel insurance provider
If you’re unsure which option is most appropriate, your travel insurance provider can often guide you to suitable local healthcare facilities and advise on next steps.
When speaking to a healthcare professional, it can be helpful to:
- Explain where you’ve travelled, including any recent stopovers
- Mention any medications you’re taking, using generic names where possible
- Have key documents such as your passport and healthcare card (if applicable) with you
- Keep any paperwork or receipts provided, in case they’re needed later
If you need help navigating local healthcare systems, require consular support, or need assistance contacting family or arranging travel back home, you can contact the nearest British Embassy or consulate. Guidance for British nationals abroad is available on the UK Government website8.
After treatment and returning home
If you receive medical treatment while abroad, it’s helpful to keep a record of the care you received and any medication prescribed. This information may be needed for insurance purposes or for follow-up conversations with a healthcare professional once you’re home7.
If you continue to feel unwell after returning, or notice symptoms later on, let your GP or healthcare professional know about your recent travel so they have the full context when offering advice.
Travelling with confidence
Most trips run smoothly, but having clear information to hand can be reassuring. This travel health advice is here to help you feel prepared and know where to turn for medical advice if you need it while travelling. With that taken care of, you can focus on enjoying your journey – wherever it takes you.
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References
1. Allianz Care (2025) The difference between international health and travel insurance.
Available at: https://www.allianzcare.com/en/about-us/blog/the-difference-between-international-health
-and-travel-insurance.html
2. National Health Service (NHS) (2021) Healthcare abroad. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad
3. National Health Service (NHS) (2023) Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC.
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health
-insurance-card-ghic
4. UK Government (GOV.UK) (2025) UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-reciprocal-healthcare-agreements-with-non-eu-countries
5. TravelHealthPro (2025) Medicines and travel. Available at: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/43/medicines-and-travel
6. TravelHealthPro (2026) Country information. Available at: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
7. UK Government (GOV.UK) (2024) Medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/in-hospital-abroad
8. UK Government (GOV.UK) (2022) Support for British nationals abroad. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/support-for-british-nationals-abroad
PP-UK-MLF-0469 February 2026