British travellers face financial challenges as repatriation costs soar

When you book a holiday abroad, you’re more likely to focus on the excitement of the adventure – whether you’ll be sightseeing, packing in lots of activities, or just looking forward to pure relaxation. You might not automatically think about falling ill while you’re away, or what will happen if you do. But it’s something to bear in mind. Our latest data shows that having to return home due to a medical emergency can lead to financial setbacks without travel insurance.

What is repatriation?

Repatriation involves arranging for someone to return home after experiencing a serious illness, injury or even death abroad. The type of transport will depend on the urgency and complexity of the situation, which could require a specialised air ambulance (AA), a medical escort, or a standard flight fitted with extra medical equipment. Repatriating a British traveller from somewhere as relatively close as Spain via air ambulance can be extremely expensive, depending on medical requirements. 

Organising repatriation can be a complex process and is very different to booking a commercial flight. It involves sourcing a small plane with a medical escort, as well as ensuring the patient is fit to fly and, in a condition stable enough to endure a long flight, often at low altitude. Most travel insurance would cover the cost of repatriation in the majority of cases. The arrangements will be handled by the insurance provider which would include securing an NHS hospital bed in the UK for a smooth patient transition. 

How much does repatriation cost?

Repatriation costs can vary depending on the destination, medical needs, and level of care required.  

For example, in the last two years, the average cost of an air ambulance from the popular short-haul holiday destination Spain is £42,327.52. The average cost of repatriation from longer-haul destinations such as the USA, Thailand, and India significantly increases to an eye-watering £137,649.  

Repatriation costs have fluctuated across different regions, based on real Staysure customer repatriations in 2023 and 2024. This is influenced by factors such as the availability of air ambulance providers and the location within a country.   

Air Ambulance (AA) repatriation costs

Repatriation from Spain up 18% in two years

Spain remains a travel hotspot for British travellers, but there’s also a sharp rise in medical repatriation cases. Repatriations from Spain have risen by 18%, with 33 air ambulance flights arranged in 2024 alone, going from an average cost of £39k in 2023, to £45k in 2024. 

The rising cost of repatriation from long-haul destinations

While European repatriation costs are high, the cost of medical repatriation for those travelling to far-off destinations is even higher, involving transport costs, longer flight times, and increased logistical challenges. For example, a recent case from India came to £177,929, with similar cases from the USA reaching an average of £159,675 and Thailand close behind at £152,895. The overall cost of a medical incident abroad can be significantly higher than the quoted repatriation costs, especially if hospital stays, and additional medical treatments are required before transport home. 

Millions of Brits are travelling uninsured

A concerning number of British travellers continue to forego travel insurance despite the risks. According to a recent study: 

• 28% of travellers with pre-existing medical conditions have no travel insurance in place for their upcoming trips.  

• 20% mistakenly believed they didn’t need it.  

• Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) of people over the age of 75 cite affordability as their reason for skipping cover. 

But as you can see, not purchasing travel insurance to save money can be a dangerous false economy, as the cost of a single repatriation flight can massively outweigh the price of an insurance policy.  

The cost of travelling without cover: repatriation case studies

To put the financial risk into perspective, here are some real-life examples of how travel insurance saved British travellers from eye-watering costs.  

• A 79-year-old traveller paid £280 for travel insurance, a fraction of the £44,853 repatriation cost from Lanzarote they narrowly avoided. 

• A 76-year-old paid £436 for their policy, avoiding a catastrophic £84,372 repatriation cost from Florida. 

Without travel insurance, these travellers and their families would have needed to shoulder the cost themselves or rely on financial support from others too. 

Our travel insurance expert urges: don’t take the risk

Simon McCulloch, Chief Growth Officer at Staysure, warns that far too many holidaymakers are underestimating the risks: 

“The sheer number of holidaymakers risking six-figure repatriation costs is alarming. Many underestimate the complexity of an emergency medical repatriation – which isn’t just booking a standard flight home. Air ambulances require specialist medical teams, a scheduled stop to refuel, and they operate under strict safety protocols. The costs can spiral rapidly. 

“Travel insurance might seem like an unnecessary expense at the time, but the financial protection it provides far outweighs the devastating risks of going without it. Every year, we see customers facing medical emergencies abroad, and they’re overwhelmingly relieved they had cover in place.” 

Protecting yourself with travel insurance for repatriation

To protect yourself against unexpected financial difficulty, you should consider buying a travel insurance policy that includes medical expenses and repatriation cover. When choosing a policy, make sure it covers:  

• emergency medical expenses and hospital stays 

• air ambulance or medical repatriation costs 

• pre-existing medical conditions 

• 24/7 emergency assistance services 

Travel insurance safeguards you from unexpected financial burdens, ensuring your holiday is about memories, not worries – so make it a non-negotiable part of your plans before your next trip.