UK/Northern Ireland international medical insurance and visa guide

January 04, 2019

Ready for a proper holiday? The UK awaits

Globetrotters love the challenge and adventure of immersing themselves in a new culture and traveling to the United Kingdom (UK) is a treat: the four distinct nations offer markedly different experiences that are unique yet interconnected as well. Whether you are planning to travel across the countries or just visit the cities, make sure to always have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Our travel medical insurance and trip protection will help you enjoy your travel knowing you are covered when needed. 

Visiting the UK: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

The four nations that make up the United Kingdom — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — each have their own unique culture, history and identity. UK travel can provide any kind of traveler with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, from city lovers to outdoorsy types to history buffs. Here is some insight into why travelers choose a particular UK destination, and the most popular spots within them:

England: The largest and most populous of the UK nation, it’s home to the capital city of London and global landmarks such as Windsor Castle

• London is home to world-class museums (The British Museum and the Tate are just two on the must-see list), theater (Shakespeare’s Globe still stages productions), architecture (walking tours always include the Gherkin, the Millennium Footbridge, and St. Paul’s Cathedral), and historical sites (the Tower of London is a can’t-miss for first-time visitors).
• St. Ives, Cornwall is a picturesque fishing village with a rich artistic heritage and a rugged coastal path to explore breathtaking views of the rugged Cornish coastline. 

Scotland: sought out for its rich history and culture as well as stunning landscapes.

• Edinburgh Castle was home to countless generations of Scots on a site believed to have been occupied by humans since the Iron Age; also part of the famed annual Edinburgh Festival.
• The Scottish Highlands are home to traditional towns as well as mountains, glens, and lakes (lochs), including the legendary Loch Ness. 

Wales: known for its rugged coastlines and Celtic culture, plus the lyrical Welsh language.

• Cardiff is the capital city, with fascinating historical museums, sites, and parks.
• Snowdonia National Park is the pride of the country, with nine mountain ranges plus steep river gorges, magnificent waterfalls, and lush valleys. 

Northern Ireland: the smallest of the UK nations, located on the glorious Emerald Isle.

• The Giant’s Causeway is a geographic marvel caused by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, with the tops of geometrically fascinating columns creating stepping stones for exploring the north coast.
• Dunluce Castle features ruins from the 16^th and 17^th centuries on a picturesque cliff and offers a sense of what it was like when the McQuillan and MacDonnell clans were in power.

Travel tips if you’re heading to the UK

The UK can be an expensive trip, with accommodations and food prices being high compared to other parts of the world. Budgeting accordingly is recommended, although there are ways to travel on a budget, such as booking train journeys ahead of time for cheaper fares and identifying free attractions such as national parks or museums to fill your itinerary, especially in the countryside and on the many islands.

Planning ahead

When traveling through the UK, it is always good to have a backup plan. Here are some tips to prepare for your trip:

• Be prepared for any kind of weather, particularly rain. Bring a raincoat, especially when visiting Scotland, and pack wisely to be ready for unexpected changes in temperature.
• English is the primary language,owever 17% of the population of Wales speaks Welsh while some Scots speak Scottish, so you may want to learn a few key phrases when visiting those countries.
• Look to the right! Traffic in the UK drives on the left side of the road, so it’s crucial to look both ways at all crosswalks, obey traffic signals and proceed carefully.
• Restaurant and taxi tipping is customarily 10–15%. In pubs, bartenders generally do not expect to be tipped.
• Dress for the occasion. Business attire varies in formality depending on the industry, but black and muted colors are the norm. Athletic shoes are only worn for exercising, and in many upscale restaurants, you will not be admitted if wearing sneakers and/or denim jeans.

Passport and visas

Passports are required upon entry into the United Kingdom except for those who hold identity cards that exempt them from this requirement. Visas are required upon arrival. However, several exceptions are in place that are dependent on the nationality of the entrant, which should be verified with the appropriate British consular office. For example, nationals of the United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada do not require a visa for stays of a maximum of six months.

Safety

Petty crimes, such as pickpocketing and purse or phone snatching, occur most frequently in larger cities, particularly in crowded areas including bars, restaurants, tourist attractions, and public transportation hubs.

Street demonstrations occur frequently in the United Kingdom and can disrupt traffic or result in violence. Therefore, we advise you to keep an eye on the local news for any strikes that may affect public services, such as public transportation 

The threat of domestic and international terrorism remains a significant concern in the United Kingdom.

Health care

Be prepared for an emergency by knowing the nationwide emergency numbers: 999 or 112. Both numbers are used for ambulance and medical emergency services, fire, and police.

Although medical services are readily available in the UK, non-resident tourists and foreign visitors can only receive emergency treatment through the National Health System (NHS). Any other medical services required will need to be paid for, with payment expected at the time of service.

London is home to some of the world's most skilled medical specialists, and the UK's private health care sector is ranked among the best globally. Public hospitals offer quality care across all specialties, including small-scale community hospitals, district general hospitals, and tertiary care hospitals that provide specialized services. Access to these facilities requires a referral from a general practitioner.

Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are available at pharmacies, also commonly called chemists, located throughout the UK. However, it's important to note that only prescriptions written by a UK doctor can be filled. In addition to dispensing medication, pharmacies often provide advice on a range of common conditions and minor injuries.

Travel protection plans*

Whether you’re jetting directly in and out of a major British city or spending time exploring its highways and byways, it’s important to protect your travel investment, as well as your health. In the UK, tourists and short-term visitors are eligible for free emergency treatment at NHS hospitals but will have to pay fees for any other medical services rendered. A plan such as the SafeTrip International Travel Medical provides medical insurance, for an illness or an unfortunate accident. 

Want to be totally protected? Our International Travel Medical Plus plan includes medical insurance as well as travel protection in case your vacation is interrupted or canceled due to health, emergency or other reasons—key as you consider the many variables as you cross the borders between the four nations of the UK. The many trip coverage options of UnitedHealthcare Global can help you enjoy your trip more knowing that you’re ready for unexpected costs or interruptions in your itinerary.

*Policy availability varies