Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Last updatedDecember 5 2025
12 min read
Off to the Emerald Isle? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure. From the buzzing streets of Belfast to the scenic wilds of County Kerry, Ireland is packed with stories, scenery, and soul. Whether you’re chasing live music in Dublin’s Temple Bar, exploring ancient castles, or taking a windswept walk along the Cliffs of Moher, there’s magic around every corner. With our Ireland travel insurance, you’re protected from the moment your trip begins, covering everything from medical emergencies and cancellations to lost belongings. So all you have to worry about is where to explore next.
What is Ireland travel insurance, and do you need it?
With its dramatic landscapes, Ireland offers adventures for every traveller. No wonder nearly 200,000 UK visitors take the short hop over the Irish Sea each month.
Repatriation cover: Ireland and Britain are just 12 miles apart at the Irish Sea’s narrowest point. But medical repatriation from Ireland to the UK could still set you back around £3,500. Our Ireland travel insurance will cover your travel home.
Delays or cancellations: Rough seas and unpredictable weather can make travel to Ireland tricky. Having travel insurance in Ireland can help cover the costs of flight or ferry delays.
Protect your valuables: The Irish Tourist Assistance Service has reported a 10% increase in the number of tourists seeking help after being victims of crime. Travel insurance to Ireland covers damaged, lost or stolen belongings. Want to bring something particularly valuable? Take a look at our additional gadgets and valuables cover.
Covers pre-existing medical conditions: We’ll consider all medical conditions, including diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer. And with no upper age limit, everyone can enjoy a holiday to Ireland with InsureandGo.
Covers personal accident, liability and legal expenses: No one wants to think about having an accident while they’re on holiday. Travel insurance can help minimise legal costs for those unexpected issues.
Plus, our annual European holiday insurance even includes some countries outside of Europe! You’ll be covered for countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira, the Azores and more. See below for the full list
What’s not covered?
We strive to provide as much cover as possible. However, there are some situations that no travel insurance will cover. For example:
You cannot cover events or reasons to claim that took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip, but there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions, find out more about medical travel insurance. The excess and the amount of cover available will vary depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. To check the policy exclusions and what is and isn’t included, take a look at our policy wording.
The best travel insurance for Ireland
Soak up the atmosphere in a cosy Cork pub. Explore the rugged beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. Your trip to Ireland can be every bit as laid-back or as action-packed as you choose. Tailor your travel insurance policy to your holiday with our optional extras.
Ireland travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
Securing travel insurance for medical conditions can be a concern, but there’s no need to worry. We’ll consider any medical condition and do our best to provide the best possible cover. Just follow our simple online screening process when you buy your policy, either over the phone or online.
Examples of medical conditions we can cover include:
We’ll show you your quote, then all you have to do is decide if you want to buy it now or save it for later.
Our experts say…
“Ireland’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes make it a captivating travel destination. But unexpected situations can crop up. Unpredictable weather can cause flight or ferry delays. You could lose your wallet in a busy Dublin street. As the GHIC card won’t cover these types of events, travel insurance is a must.”
Travel insurance isn’t required to visit Ireland. However, the UK government, FCDO and ABTA all recommend that you take out insurance for any holiday.
Ireland travel insurance means you’re covered for a range of issues that could arise on your trip, including:
Medical expenses not covered by the GHIC card (or by the NHS in Northern Ireland)
Personal accident and liability
Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
Abandoning your trip
Delayed departure
Accommodation cover
Personal belongings and baggage
Personal money, passport and travel documents
Legal expenses
Make sure your policy includes enough cancellation cover for your trip. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you’ll need to declare it.
Like any destination, you should arrange quality travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to Ireland.
Do UK citizens get free healthcare in Ireland?
It depends on where in Ireland you’ll be travelling to. For UK citizens visiting Northern Ireland, the NHS functions as it does in Scotland, England or Wales.
The Republic of Ireland is within the European Union. To get the same medical care as you enjoy in the UK, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. However, it doesn’t cover repatriation or private healthcare, so it’s important to still get travel insurance for Ireland.
Do I need health or medical insurance to travel to Ireland?
Medical insurance is not a mandatory entry requirement for Ireland. And if you have a GHIC card, you’re entitled to the same healthcare as Irish nationals.
But while a GHIC card offers valuable healthcare cover in Ireland, it doesn’t include all health-related costs.
A GHIC card covers:
Medically necessary state-provided healthcare on the same terms as local residents
Any healthcare that can’t wait until you return to the UK
Emergency treatment, hospital stays, and doctor consultations
A GHIC card doesn’t cover:
Treatment in a private hospital or clinic
Ongoing or non-urgent treatment
Non-medical expenses like lost luggage, trip cancellation, or travel delays
No one likes to think of the worst-case scenario. But securing the best travel insurance to Ireland lets you relax and enjoy your holiday.
Is there a difference between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in travel insurance?
Yes, there is. The travel insurance you need will depend on where you’re visiting on the island of Ireland.
Travel insurance for Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is part of the UK. It comes under our UK travel insurance policy.
Travel insurance for Southern Ireland: The Republic of Ireland (ROI) is an EU country. It comes under our European travel insurance policy.
How much does travel insurance for Ireland cost?
Ireland travel insurance tends to be cheaper than insurance for trips to, for example, the USA. Ireland is closer to the UK in distance, so repatriation costs are lower. And the GHIC card covers some medical expenses.
If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales, policies tend to be cheaper still. As Northern Ireland is also part of the UK, British nationals can get the same NHS medical treatment.
However, several factors could impact how much you pay for your travel insurance to Ireland:
The level of cover you choose: At InsureandGo, we offer four levels of cover. With Budget, Silver, Gold and Black, we’re sure to have a policy to suit you.
Any policy add-ons you need: Are you planning on doing any of Ireland’s famous adventurous activities? If so, you might need additional coverage.
Any pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions can impact how much your travel insurance to Ireland costs. Existing health factors can increase your chance of needing repatriation, for example.
Your age: Generally, travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older.
The length of your trip: In general, the longer you’re away from home, the more you’ll pay for your policy.
Can I get assistance if I fall ill or injure myself while in Ireland?
Yes. If you need emergency medical treatment in Ireland, our 24-hour assistance team are always on hand to help you. All our travel insurance policyholders can contact our specialised team.
No. Ireland and the UK are members of the Common Travel Area. You don’t need a passport to travel between the two countries. You will still need an approved photo ID, which officials will check.
There are several forms of accepted ID. The UK government advises using a valid UK passport. Some airlines or ferry companies will only accept passports, so check with them before you leave.
Who can buy an InsureandGo Ireland travel insurance policy?
Our Ireland travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:
Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
They must be in the UK at the time of purchase
All trips must start and end in the UK
Unfortunately, we can’t provide cover to anyone who doesn’t fit this description.
