Travel Insurance and prostate cancer
Planning a trip when you have or have had prostate cancer can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to travel insurance. Getting the right cover can help you feel more confident, avoid unexpected costs, and enjoy your holiday.
This page explains what you need to know about the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and arranging travel insurance before you travel.
Find more information about traveling with prostate cancer, including traveling with medication and practical tips. Or download or order our free fact sheet.
UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
If you’re travelling to a country in the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, make sure you have a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC replaces the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC, you can use it until the date runs out. You will then have to apply for a GHIC instead.
The GHIC is free, so beware of scam websites that ask you to pay for it. To apply or find out more about the GHIC visit the NHS website or call 0300 330 1350.
Top travel tip
Don’t confuse the UK GHIC with the UK EHIC which is a new form of the EHIC for EU nationals living in the UK and some British pensioners and students who live in Europe
It replaces the old E111 form and EHIC.
Each person travelling, including children, should have their own GHIC.
It only covers the cost of state healthcare. Some parts of Europe don’t have state healthcare, so you may not be covered in those areas.
It allows you to have medical treatment in most European countries for free, or at a lower cost.
It covers the cost of necessary medical treatment because of either an illness or an accident during your trip. It allows you to receive treatment for your cancer and other conditions you already have, as long as you didn’t go abroad specifically for that treatment.
Each country’s healthcare system is different so your GHIC might not cover everything that would be free on the NHS. But you should get the same treatment as a resident of the country you're visiting.
Some countries may ask you to pay for the cost upfront but you can claim the money back later. You will only be refunded for anything covered by your GHIC.
In some countries, patients are asked to pay a patient contribution called a co-payment. Your GHIC does not cover this, but your insurance policy may.
It won’t cover the cost of bringing you or your travelling companions back to the UK.
Travel insurance
If you’re travelling abroad, it’s important to buy travel insurance before your trip. The GHIC does not replace travel insurance. Travel insurance covers the cost of things that go wrong while you’re away, such as losing your suitcase or cancelling your holiday. If you’re travelling in Europe, it can also cover the cost of any medical treatment that isn’t covered by the GHIC. So it’s important to get travel insurance even if you’re staying in Europe. Some insurance companies will only cover you if you have an GHIC.
Getting travel insurance can be confusing, stressful and expensive. The following questions and answers may help you find the right insurance.
Will having prostate cancer make it harder to get travel insurance?
Yes, it might do. Some companies might not insure you if you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. But many will, and some even offer specialist travel insurance for people with cancer. Most men find insurance after shopping around. You may be asked for a letter from your doctor saying you’re fit to travel. Your doctor may charge you for this.
Some insurers may offer a policy that doesn’t cover anything related to your cancer. This kind of cover could cost you a lot of money if your cancer causes you any problems while you’re away. For example, if your cancer has weakened your bones and you fall and break one, the insurer may refuse to cover it.
Top travel tip - Shop around to get the best deal. You don’t have to take the insurance offered by the holiday company.
Where can I get travel insurance?
You can get travel insurance from the following places.
General travel insurance providers - are often the cheapest but sometimes only insure you for certain things or if you meet certain criteria. For example, your insurance may not cover medical treatment or emergencies related to your cancer. Or they might have time limits on how soon they will insure you after treatment. Check the policy details to make sure you’re completely covered for your trip.
Specialist travel insurance providers - offer travel insurance for people with medical problems, including cancer. Their prices vary a lot and some policies can be very expensive. Check if the policy includes treatment related to your cancer before you buy it.
Insurance brokers - can give advice, compare options, and sometimes find better prices, but they do charge a fee. You can find lists of qualified insurance brokers on the British Insurance Brokers’ Association website.
Top travel tip - Check if you already have travel insurance under a different policy. Some banks include cover with your bank account. It may not cover you for everything or there may be an age restriction, so check the policy details to find out if you need extra cover.
Getting travel insurance online
You can look for insurance companies or brokers and buy travel insurance online. Some companies are only available online, so you may have more choice and can compare prices easily. You’ll usually need to fill in an online medical form, or sometimes speak to someone on the phone, so the insurer can understand your medical history and current health.
You can also arrange travel insurance by visiting a travel insurance provider in person, for example your bank, or by telephone.
Look up the cost of insurance before booking your trip and check if your quotes include cover for your cancer. Some destinations are more expensive than others.
Arrange your insurance as soon as possible after you book your holiday, so that you’re covered if you need to cancel your trip.
Get quotes from both general and specialist companies.
Use online comparison websites to compare quotes from different insurers. The cheapest may not cover all your needs, so always check the details of the policy.
Check the small print. Make sure you know exactly what you are and aren’t covered for.
If you attend a local cancer support group, ask around to see if anyone can recommend an insurance company.
Have all the information and dates you might need to hand to help you answer questions from insurance providers.
What policy is right for me?
There are many different policies so it’s important to pick the right one for you. Lots of things might affect the cover you need, including:
where you’re going
how long you’re staying
what you’ll be doing
how often you travel.
For example, a single trip policy is best if you’re only planning one trip that year. If you’re travelling outside of Europe, you’ll need worldwide cover which can be more expensive than European cover. This is because medical treatment usually costs more in non-EU countries.
Different insurers have different rules about what countries are covered under European cover, so always check if your destination is included. Some policies don’t include cover for cruises or certain activities, so you may need to buy extra cover for those.
What questions will the insurance company ask me?
They will ask about your age, marital status and occupation. They may also ask for information about your trip, medical history and prostate cancer, such as:
when you were diagnosed
the stage and grade of your cancer
what treatment you’re having or have had
any follow-up care you’re receiving
any side effects you’re having
any recent planned or unplanned hospital stays
other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol
any other medical treatments you’re having.
Some insurers use medical advisors to work out the cost of your insurance. They may want a doctor’s letter or ask you to fill in a questionnaire about your health. You can ask your doctor for a letter but there may be a charge.
Top travel tip - Be honest about your medical history or you may not be fully covered. Tell your insurer about any changes to your health before you travel, even small ones. This includes annual policies. If you don’t update them, your policy may not be valid.
What should I ask the insurance company?
Make sure you fully understand your policy and what it covers. Ask your insurance company if you’re unsure about anything. Think about asking these questions.
What does the policy include and exclude?
Does it cover treatment related to my cancer?
Does it cover me if I have to come home early because of my cancer?
How much is the excess?
Do other people travelling with me need to be covered under the same policy?
Does my doctor need to provide a letter?
Will my travel insurance be expensive?
The price of insurance varies a lot. The amount you pay for your policy (the premium) and the amount you pay when you make a claim (the excess) are likely to be higher if you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Your stage of cancer and treatment will affect how much it costs and it could be expensive if you have advanced or recurrent cancer. The type of holiday might also affect the price. For example, cover for cruise holidays is more expensive because it can be harder to get medical treatment. In general, prices go down the longer your cancer has been under control.
Policies that don’t cover treatment related to your cancer may be cheaper. Some men consider doing this if they feel their cancer is unlikely to cause any problems while they’re away. But this is a risk and could cost a lot of money if you do need treatment for any problems related to your cancer.
Top travel tip - Some companies will ask that all members of your party are covered under the same policy. This can be a good idea because it means all your companions are covered if they need to come home early with you.
What if I can’t find suitable travel insurance?
If you’re struggling to find insurance, give yourself more time to shop around and find quotes. Most men are able to find suitable cover, but you may need to try several different companies. Look for insurers who specialise in providing cover for people with cancer. They know every case is different and will look at you as an individual. It can be difficult to answer the same questions lots of times so you may want a friend or relative there to help. If you still can’t find insurance, you could try changing your travel plans. For example, you may find cheaper cover for a different country where medical treatment may cost less.
References and reviewers
Updated: April 2026 | Due for review: April 2026
GOV.UK [Internet]. [cited 2022 Feb 23]. Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
NHS Website [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2026 Feb 24]. Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).
Dr Jon Rees, Tyntesfield Medical Group, North Somerset
our Specialist Nurses
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