Forty Four Countries. One Continent. Endless Reasons to Go.

Europe has a unique way of feeling both familiar and endlessly exciting at the same time. It's close enough for a long weekend but vast enough to fill a lifetime of travel. With short flight times from Ireland, Europe remains one of the easiest and most rewarding continents to explore.

Winter brings skiing and snowboarding across the Alps, Pyrenees, and Dolomites, while spring and summer are perfect for coastal escapes in Spain, Greece, Portugal and the south of France. And no matter how many times you travel across Europe, there’s always somewhere new waiting to be discovered.

Of course, even the best planned holidays can come with unexpected problems. Flights may be delayed; baggage can go missing and medical emergencies can happen when you least expect them. That’s where Switched On Travel Insurance helps, giving you the confidence to explore Europe knowing that support is there if something doesn’t go to plan.

Skier carving down an Alpine slope

Something for Every Type of Traveller

The cities alone could keep you busy for decades. Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik. Each one has its own unique character, food scene and towns to explore. History lovers can walk in the footsteps of ancient Greeks and Romans, of medieval merchants and Renaissance artists, often within a single afternoon. Foodies can spend entire trips eating their way through regional specialities refined over centuries. Enjoy pintxos in San Sebastián, fresh pasta in Bologna, moules frites in Brussels or grilled fish on a harbour wall in Dubrovnik. Some destinations are worth visiting for the food alone.

Beyond the cities, Europe’s landscapes are just as unforgettable. The Norwegian fjords deliver dramatic scenery unlike anywhere else in the world, while the Scottish Highlands feel rugged and remote. Iceland’s volcanic terrain, Croatia’s turquoise lakes and the vineyard covered valleys of the Douro and Rhine reveal just how diverse and breathtaking Europe can be.

With Switched On Travel Insurance, you can explore Europe knowing you have cover designed to support you throughout your journey. Trip disruption, lost belongings or needing urgent medical treatment abroad can quickly turn a relaxing holiday into a stressful experience. Having the right cover in place helps protect you against the unexpected, giving you greater peace of mind while you travel. Get a quick quote today!

What's Covered with Switched On Travel Insurance?

Whether you’re heading off on a weekend city break, a beach holiday, a ski trip or a multi country European adventure, our travel insurance policies are designed to help protect you throughout your journey. From medical emergencies and cancellations to baggage issues and travel disruption, Switched On Travel Insurance provides cover for the things that matter most while you’re away.

Our policy benefits include:

Please note: All cover limits shown are per person, per trip. Sub-limits apply to specific items such as single articles, valuables and cash. Please read the full Switched On Policy Wording for full terms, conditions and exclusions.

Add Ons to Tailor Your European Cover

Skier carving down an Alpine slope

Winter Sports

Heading to the Alps, the Dolomites or the Pyrenees? Add Winter Sports cover to protect yourself on the slopes of Europe's world class resorts, from Chamonix and Val d'Isère in France to Zermatt in Switzerland, Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy and St. Anton in Austria. You'll be covered for ski equipment, piste closure, ski hire and off-piste skiing within resort boundaries and in line with our policy terms. You can add Winter Sports protection to your policy for a small additional premium.

Airport departure board showing flight times

Travel Disruption

Protect yourself against extreme events that could disrupt your plans across Europe, including terrorism, natural catastrophe and air traffic control failures, all of which can affect even the most carefully planned itinerary. You can add the Travel Disruption cover to your policy for an additional premium.

Phone, tablet, smartwatch and tech accessories laid out flat

Enhanced Gadget Cover

Travelling with valuable tech? If you choose our Standard cover level, gadgets such as phones, laptops, tablets and smartwatches won't automatically be covered for loss, theft or accidental damage. By adding Enhanced Gadget Cover to your Standard policy, you can protect your devices wherever your European adventure takes you. Premium and Ultimate policies include gadget cover automatically. This includes €750 on Premium and €1,000 on Ultimate, with the option to increase this up to €3,000 for an additional premium.

Cruise ship sailing in the Caribbean Sea

Cruise Cover

Europe's coastlines and waterways are home to some of the world's most popular cruise routes. From Mediterranean sailings visiting Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Dubrovnik, to river cruises winding along the Rhine, Danube and Douro. Adding Cruise Cover increases your baggage cover to €3,500 and includes protection for missed excursions, cabin confinement and unexpected itinerary changes, and can be added to your policy for a small additional premium.

Golf flag on a putting green

Golf Cover

From the fairways of the Algarve and the Costa del Sol to the clifftop links of Scotland's coast, Europe is a golfer's paradise. Our Golf Cover protects your equipment against loss, theft, damage or delay. It also covers lost green fees if illness or injury prevents you from playing. You can add Golf Cover to your policy for a small additional premium.

What's Not Covered

As with all insurance products, some things fall outside our standard policy. Common exclusions include:

  • Travel against Foreign Affairs advice at the time of travel
  • Pre-existing medical conditions not declared at the time of purchase
  • Incidents arising from alcohol or drug misuse
  • Extreme sports and hazardous activities not listed in your policy
  • Unattended baggage in public areas
  • Losses not reported to local police within 48 hours
  • Business equipment and samples

This is not a full list of exclusions, so it's important to read the full Policy Wording before travelling to ensure you have the right level of cover for your trip to Europe.

If you're travelling against the advice of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, your policy will not be valid. Always check ireland.ie before departure.

Planning Your Trip – European Essentials

Currency Across Europe

Many European countries use the Euro, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands, making travel from Ireland much more straightforward with no currency exchange needed. However, several popular destinations still use their own currencies, including Pound Sterling in the UK, Swiss Francs in Switzerland and Krone in countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Prague uses the Czech Koruna, while some Balkan countries also operate with local currencies. Card payments are widely accepted across most of Europe, particularly in cities and tourist areas, but it's still a good idea to carry some local cash for markets, rural areas, smaller cafés and independent shops where card payments may not always be available.

One of the best things about travelling around Europe is how easy it is to move between countries, cities and regions. High speed rail networks connect major destinations such as Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels and Milan in just a few hours. Budget airlines make short breaks and multi-country trips more accessible. For travellers who enjoy road trips, Europe also offers some of the world's most scenic driving routes, from coastal roads in Croatia and Spain to mountain passes through Switzerland, Austria and northern Italy.

Europe is home to dozens of different languages and cultures. English is widely spoken in many tourist areas, hotels and major cities, though this can vary in smaller towns and rural regions. Downloading an offline translation app before you travel is always useful. Locals usually appreciate visitors making an effort with a few basic phrases.

Most mainland European countries use a 230V supply with Type C or Type F plugs, which are not compatible with Irish sockets — a travel adapter is essential. The UK and Ireland use the same Type G plug, so no adapter is needed there.

Cover Built Around How You Travel Europe

City Breaks & Weekend Escapes

Whether it's a long weekend in Rome, a cultural trip to Prague, a few days exploring Copenhagen or a late summer visit to Dubrovnik, short European city breaks are among the most popular choices for Irish travellers. Travel insurance protects against flight cancellations, lost baggage and unexpected medical costs so your city exploration stays stress free from start to finish.

Europe's mountain resorts attract thousands of Irish skiers and snowboarders every winter, with resorts in France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy consistently ranking among the world's finest. Add Winter Sports cover to protect your equipment, cover piste closures and ensure you enjoy your trip with peace of mind while on the slopes.

From the Algarve and the Canary Islands to the Greek islands, the Balearics and the Croatian coast, European beach holidays are a staple for all, including families. Whether you're on an all-inclusive package or self-catering by the sea, travel insurance gives you the peace of mind to switch off fully.

Europe is the world's most popular cruising destination, offering routes through the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Norwegian fjords and the great rivers of Central Europe. Adding Cruise Cover gives you additional baggage protection and cover for missed excursions, cabin confinement and itinerary changes.

Planning to travel across several countries in one go? Our European travel insurance covers you across all European destinations on a single policy, including popular holiday spots such as Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Iceland, Malta, Cyprus and many more across mainland Europe and surrounding islands. You can hop between countries by train, plane or ferry without ever wondering whether you're still covered. Just ensure all your destinations are listed when getting your quote to ensure you have the right cover in place for your trip!

For frequent travellers, our Annual Multi-Trip policies provide year-round cover. Our policies have maximum trip durations of up to 60 days available under our Ultimate cover level — ideal for longer European adventures, Interrail trips and regular getaways across the continent.

Phone, tablet, smartwatch and tech accessories laid out flat

Medical Care When Travelling in Europe

Healthcare standards vary across Europe, but most EU countries offer good public and private medical facilities. Irish travellers should always carry a valid Irish-issued EHIC card alongside their Switched On Insurance policy documents when travelling within the EU.

Your EHIC gives you access to medically necessary state healthcare on the same basis as local residents. However, healthcare systems and costs can vary between countries. In some destinations you may still need to pay upfront for treatment before claiming reimbursement later.

It's important to remember that an EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover private treatment, repatriation to Ireland, travel disruption or lost belongings. It's important to note when travelling outside the EU, including destinations such as Turkey or parts of the Balkans, the EHIC cover may not apply.

With your Switched On Insurance policy, you'll also have access to Air Doctor, giving you fast and convenient medical support while abroad. Through the Air Doctor app, you can find trusted local doctors, arrange appointments and access treatment for minor illnesses and injuries during your trip. For more information, visit our dedicated Air Doctor page.

Cruise ship sailing in the Caribbean Sea

Emergency Numbers in Europe

No matter where you're travelling in Europe, 112 is the emergency number to remember. It's the universal European emergency number and will connect you to ambulance, police or fire services across EU member states and many other European countries. The number works from both mobile and landline phones, and in many destinations operators can assist in English.

If you require emergency medical assistance during your trip, Switched On Insurance customers should contact our 24/7 Emergency Medical Helpline. Our team can help guide you through the next steps. They'll help ensure you receive the right medical care wherever you are in Europe.

Ready to explore? Get a quick quote online today and find the right level of cover to protect your next European adventure.