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Long stay travel insurance

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  • Get cover for trips lasting up to 18 months

  • Compare policies from up to 431 trusted UK providers

  • Get a free eSIM with up to 2GB of roaming data when you buy travel insurance2

1Correct as of February 2025
2eSIM comes with pre-funded credit and the amount of data received in exchange will vary based on the specific country you select. Compatible devices only. T&Cs apply.

What is long stay travel insurance?

Long-stay travel insurance covers trips lasting between 1 and 18 months. Policies can cover you for a long stay in a single destination, or for a trip with multiple stops.

So, whether you're planning a backpacking trip and need travel insurance for 6 months, or you want to spend winter in the sun, a long-stay travel insurance policy should provide the cover you need.

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Let us know how long you're travelling for and where you're going. We'll also need to know your age and details of any medical conditions you have.

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We'll compare your details to the 431 insurers we work with. Then, we'll show you a list of policies that should suit your needs.

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All you have to do is compare the policy details and choose the one that's best for you.

What our travel insurance expert says:

"A lot of people forget that when you're travelling for an extended period of time, it puts you at greater risk of falling ill or getting injured. By taking out a long stay policy, you'll protect yourself against any emergency medical costs and potentially save yourself £1000s in medical bills."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

What does long-stay travel insurance cover?

This will depend on your insurer and the policy you choose. But, let's take a look at what's typically included or excluded on travel insurance.

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What's normally covered?

  • Cancellation cover: You’re covered if you need to cancel your trip due to an insured reason.
  • Medical cover: Your travel insurance can cover the cost of medical bills if you need emergency treatment.
  • Repatriation cover: If you need to be flown home in an emergency, travel insurance can cover the costs.
  • Baggage cover: You’ll be covered for replacement items if your belongings are stolen, lost or accidentally damaged.
  • Third-party liability: This can cover you if you accidentally injure a third party or damage their property and they take legal action.
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Common exclusions:

  • Travelling against FCDO advice: If the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has issued a travel warning for a country and you go anyway, travel insurance won’t cover you.
  • Undeclared medical conditions: If you don't tell your insurer about a medical condition it can invalidate your insurance.
  • Known events and natural disasters: Any events that are known when you buy your insurance won’t be covered.
  • Incidents that occur under the influence: Anything that happens while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol won’t be covered.
  • High-risk activities: If you’re planning activities like skiing or rock climbing during your long term trip, you might need additional cover.

Long-stay travel insurance for medical conditions

Having a pre-existing condition can make travel insurance more expensive. Especially if you're travelling for a long period of time. This is because your risk of needing medical care during your trip is increased if you have a more serious condition.

It's important to declare any medical conditions you have when getting long-stay travel insurance. If you don't, any medical assistance you might need during your trip won't be covered by your insurance. When you compare quotes with us, we'll ask about any medical conditions you have. Providing accurate information means we can find you policies that suit your needs.

If you're struggling to find suitable medical travel insurance, the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of insurers that offer cover for customers with medical conditions. You can also get financial advice by calling MaPS on 0800 138 7777.

What optional extras can you add to my long-stay travel insurance?

It's important that your travel insurance policy offers you the right amount of cover. But, there are some things that are typically excluded from travel cover. If this is the case, you could consider adding policy extras. These come at an added cost, but could offer the cover you need.

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Gadget insurance

This provides a set amount of cover for gadgets you're travelling with, like your mobile phone or laptop.

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Winter sports cover

This covers things like piste closure or lost ski passes if you're planning activities like skiing or snowboarding.

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Cruise cover

If you're going on a cruise, this can cover things like missed ports, unused excursions or cabin confinement.

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Business cover

If you're travelling for business, this can cover things like your company laptop or phone, or even company cash.

We compare 43 trusted travel insurance companies1 to find you our best deals

Why compare travel insurance with Confused.com?

  • You can claim a free eSIM with up to 2GB of roaming data2 when you buy travel insurance with us.
  • Our customers rate us 4.7/5 stars on Reviews.io.
  • We're 100% independent and not owned by an insurance company. So, the prices you see are based on your information, not who they're from.

Free eSIM with up to 2GB of roaming data when you buy travel insurance**

With roaming charges making an unwelcome return, eSIMs are a convenient option when travelling. eSIMs are non-physical and are embedded into most newer smartphones; meaning you won’t have to put anything physical into your device, it should already be there.

How does it work?

Simply buy your travel insurance, claim your free eSIM, and install it onto your device at the tap of a button. Your eSIM with 2GB of roaming data will kick in on a local mobile network when you get to your destination.

Find out more about eSIMs
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**eSIM comes with pre-funded credit and the amount of data received in exchange will vary based on the specific country you select. Compatible devices only. T&Cs apply.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between annual and long-stay travel insurance?

Here are the main differences:

  • Long-stay travel insurance covers you for a single extended trip, while annual travel insurance covers multiple trips in a 12-month period.
  • Long-stay insurance generally provides cover for longer trips lasting up to 18 months. Annual insurance normally covers shorter trips, for example up to 1 month per trip.

If you're a frequent traveller, buying annual travel insurance to cover all your trips might be cheaper than buying single-trip insurance for each. But, if you're planning a longer trip, check whether your annual travel insurance covers the length of your stay. If not, long-stay travel insurance is a good alternative.

Do I need to tell my home insurer if I'm travelling for an extended period?

Yes - home insurance policies generally stipulate that you can't leave your property unattended for more than 30 days at a time. In some cases, you might have to take out unoccupied home insurance. Before you leave for your long-term trip, check your home insurance policy documents and call your home insurer to let them know you're going away.

Will long-stay travel insurance cover me to volunteer abroad?

It's common for people to work or volunteer abroad while they're on extended trips. But, whether you're covered for this will depend on your travel insurance policy. If you're planning to take up work while you're travelling, check your policy documents to see whether you're covered. If not, you might want to consider volunteer travel insurance.

Some insurers might let you add volunteer cover onto your long-stay travel insurance policy. The best way to find out is to contact them directly.

Can I visit multiple countries with long-stay travel insurance?

Yes, as long as you declare all of the places you'll be going. Check your policy documents to see which destinations are covered.

Can I extend my travel insurance while I'm away?

This will depend on your insurer. It's best to contact them to ask, ideally before your existing policy expires.

If you wait until your policy expires, you'll have to buy a new one if you want to be covered for the rest of your trip. This can be expensive if you're already travelling, and it might leave you uncovered for a period of time.

Expert tips and guides

Explore other types of travel insurance

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