Overseas travel

Planning is the key to any safe trip. Get advice about your destination from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and find out about vaccinations and health care while you are abroad.

Travel information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website offers lots of travel information including:

• official Foreign Office travel advice for over 200 countries, country-specific travellers' tips, and links to travel advice of foreign governments
• what to do before you depart, passports and visas, travel insurance, money matters, health matters, dangers of drugs and keeping your home safe
• travellers' checklists to make sure you are well prepared and have a safe holiday
• precautions while you're away: security and general tips on customs, laws and even driving abroad
• what to do if something goes wrong during your trip
• answers to the most frequently asked questions

• The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website

Vaccinations and health

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) website has advice on:

• avoiding health risks, including advice on vaccinations for different countries
• planning for healthy travel
• getting emergency medical treatment
• getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles you to free or reduced-cost emergency treatment in some European countries.

• Claim health treatment in Europe (European Health Insurance Card, formerly E111) (do it online section)  
• More health advice for travellers from The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) Traveller Advice website
• DHSSPS website

Medical treatment in many countries is very expensive so consider taking out  travel insurance that covers you and your family. Over exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, heatstroke and sunburn.

• Health abroad (health and well-being section)
• Planning a trip (people with disabilities section)