British holidaymakers are being warned they face medical bills of up to £1,555 if they fall ill in popular European destinations without adequate travel insurance. New figures from Post Office Travel Insurance reveal that nearly a quarter of UK tourists (24%) continue to travel completely uninsured.
Average claim reaches £563
While many travellers rely on the free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for state medical care, many opt for private healthcare abroad to avoid lengthy wait times or language barriers. However, private clinics and hospitals across Europe often require immediate payment. According to research, the average medical insurance claim was £563 in 2025, but severe emergencies in tourist hotspots like Spain and Greece routinely drive claim values to £1,000 or more.
The highest travel medical claim in 2025 came in at £92,552. The Post Office reported paying out over £7.4 million in travel medical claims in 2025 alone.
5 most expensive places to get sick on holiday
Adam Edinburgh, Head of Post Office Travel and New Products, warned that many holidaymakers underestimate both the likelihood of falling ill and the huge costs involved. "Many travellers underestimate both how likely they are to need medical treatment abroad and how expensive it can be," he said. "Our findings show that a doctor’s visit and an overnight hospital stay can cost thousands of pounds in some destinations."
Spain - A standard hospital stay reaches up to £346, but costs skyrocket to £1,555 per day if intensive care (ICU) is required, alongside diagnostic tests like CT scans costing around £173 and surgery pushing past £1,728.
Greece - Private consultations run up to £104 for a GP or £173 for a specialist, while emergency clinic visits reach £518, meaning a simple respiratory illness requiring emergency care can easily cost over £620.
Italy - Bypassing public wait times for English-speaking private care will cost up to £130 for a standard doctor's visit, while essential diagnostic tests and MRI scans quickly climb up to £260.
Turkey - Known for high private healthcare standards, a basic GP visit costs up to £70, CT scans reach £346 and spending a single night in a hospital bed can set travellers back up to £432.
Cyprus - Private clinics demand immediate payment for high-end facilities, with general doctor visits priced up to £87, specialist consultations at £130 and overnight hospital stays reaching £864.
Experts urge comprehensive cover
Before jetting off, experts strongly recommend securing comprehensive travel insurance that covers emergency medical care and repatriation, declaring all pre-existing medical conditions and carrying policy details at all times while travelling.
