Compare travel insurance - Italy
Whether you’re planning a city break in Florence or Rome, a spell in the Tuscan countryside or a sunshine holiday on the Amalfi Coast, it’s important to get the right travel insurance for your trip.
Whether you’re planning a city break in Florence or Rome, a spell in the Tuscan countryside or a sunshine holiday on the Amalfi Coast, it’s important to get the right travel insurance for your trip.
Do I need travel insurance for Italy?
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, welcoming millions of Brits every year.
So you can relax and enjoy your holiday, finding the right travel insurance is a good idea. Italy travel insurance can help make sure you’re not out of pocket if you have a medical emergency, your belongings are stolen or your trip is cancelled or delayed.
And if you’re planning on taking part in adventure activities – cycling or skiing in Italy, for example – it can give you the cover you need.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, always declare any medical conditions and never lie to an insurance provider, because this could mean your claim is rejected. When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers who will cover them, with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call MoneyHelper on 0800 138 7777.
How much is travel insurance for Italy?
If you’re travelling to Italy, you’ll need travel insurance for Europe. You can find a policy for as little as £5.97 for a week’s stay[1].
But the amount you’ll pay for your policy depends on:
- What activities you plan to do – you may need extra cover for certain sports
- Whether you want insurance for a one-off trip or an annual policy if you holiday more than once a year
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Costs and levels of cover can vary between providers. That’s why it’s a good idea to shop around and compare a few policies to help you find cheap travel insurance for Italy that meets your needs and your budget.
[1] Based on Compare the Market data for a single trip travel policy for a 20 year old with no pre-existing medical conditions travelling in Europe for 1 week. Prices correct as of June 2024.
What will Italy travel insurance cover?
Policies can vary between providers, so always check the terms and conditions before committing to one. Italy travel insurance should include:
- Medical care – Italy’s not far away, but without insurance private treatment would be expensive if you were to fall ill or have an accident. And medical escorted repatriation back to the UK could cost you thousands of pounds.
- Flight cancellations and missed connections your travel insurance could protect you against any extra costs you have to pay because of cancellations and delays. Cover for a missed connection isn’t included in all policies, so if you want this, make sure you check the policy T&Cs.
- Damage, loss or theft of your luggage – your travel insurance should cover you for replacing clothes, medicine and toiletries if your luggage is damaged, lost or stolen. Remember to take note of the excess you need to pay towards a claim, as well as the overall possessions and single item limit – the maximum your insurance provider will pay out for one item.
- Holiday cancellation cover – different insurance providers will cover varying reasons for cancellation, so pay particular attention to these.
- COVID-19 cover – if Coronavirus means you have to cancel your trip or stay on longer, COVID-19 insurance can cover the costs. When you get a travel insurance quote with us, you can filter your results for the level of COVID-19 cover you want.
What won’t travel insurance for Italy cover?
Most standard policies for Italy will typically exclude:
- Any injuries or accidents that happened while you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Extreme sports or activities that aren’t covered in your policy – you’ll typically have to pay extra to cover skiing, water sports or rock climbing.
- Pre-existing medical conditions – conditions your insurance provider won’t cover will be listed in the policy details. You’ll need to tell them about any pre-existing conditions when you apply for travel insurance. If you don’t your policy could be invalidated.
- Natural disasters – you may have some cover if a natural disaster impacts your trip, but check your policy carefully to be sure. Italy has its fair share of seismic activity – usually mild tremors – but the earthquake risk in some regions can be medium to high.
- Terrorism – again, you may have some cover, but check your policy carefully.
Always check the policy details before you buy, so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not.
How to choose the best travel insurance for Italy
Think about what you’re planning to do in Italy, as you might need to pay for additional or specialist cover for certain activities to make sure you’re fully insured for your trip. For example:
- Winter sports cover – if you’re planning a family ski holiday in the Dolomites or Alps, this cover offers protection both on and off the slopes.
- Extreme sports cover – from hiking in the Aosta Valley to horse riding in Chianti, this cover will give you the extra protection you need.
- Water sports insurance – if you fancy, for example, a scuba diving or kayaking adventure in the crystalline waters off the Sardinian coast, a standard policy might not be enough to cover you.
- Cycling – Italy is a popular destination for cycling holidays. If you’re planning on touring by bike, you may well need to add on extra cover or get specialist insurance.
- Cruise cover – if you’re booking a cruise around the Italian coastline, you’ll need to take out dedicated insurance that offers cover for missed port stops and being confined to your cabin if you fall ill.
Did you know?Italy boasts the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world – 58, including the magnificent Colosseum in Rome, the city of Pompeii and the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. |
Does the EHIC card still cover travel to Italy?
The EHIC has been replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), although if you already have an EHIC you can use it until it expires. You can apply for a GHIC on the NHS website. It offers the same cover as the EHIC did in EU countries.
While the GHIC gives you the right to state medical treatment on the same terms as Italian nationals, it’s not a substitute for travel insurance. It won’t cover baggage loss or flight issues. And it won’t cover the costs of private medical care or repatriation back to the UK.
Do I need a visa to visit Italy?
You can visit Italy and other countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. You’ll also need to make sure your passport is less than 10 years old and has at least three months left on it before you leave Italy to return to the UK.
Details on COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for Italy can be found on the GOV.UK website.
What do I need to know about driving in Italy?
You can drive in Italy if you have a full, valid UK driving licence and insurance. You don’t need an International Driving Permit or Green Card. Italians like to drive fast, so if you’re hiring a car, take extra care on roads. You might also want to look into getting European breakdown cover to get you back on the road if your car breaks down.
Any other tips for trips to Italy?
Here are a few more travel facts about Italy to help you stay safe and enjoy your trip.
- Pickpockets – Italy is usually a safe country to stay and travel in, but pickpockets can be a problem in crowded tourist hotspots, especially in larger cities like Rome and Naples and on public transport. As with anywhere in the world, common sense should be used. Be careful in public places and don’t leave your valuables on display.
- Train travel – you can be fined up to €200 for travelling without a ticket on the train. Don't board a train without a ticket and ensure it gets validated.
- ID – by law, you need to carry some kind of ID. A photocopy of your passport should be enough.
- Tipping – this isn’t usually expected in restaurants, but a 10-15% service charge may be added to your bill. Italians rarely tip taxi drivers, but a little on top is always appreciated.
- Siestas – some shops will close for a couple of hours during the day while most restaurants and bars will stay open.
- Visiting churches – make sure you dress modestly. Avoid shorts and vests so as not to cause offence.
Where can I compare travel insurance quotes?
Travel insurance is a very competitive market, so it’s always worth shopping around.
Whether you want a single trip to Italy covered or are buying travel insurance to cover you and your family for a year, we can help keep things simple.
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