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Companies that Provide Cheap Travel Insurance to Ireland
Find Cheap Travel Insurance to Ireland
Protect your holiday today. Quick quotes from 20 insurers.
Travel insurance for a trip to Ireland from the UK is among the cheapest available for any international destination — but that doesn't mean you can skip it. Even with access to state healthcare as a UK resident, there are real gaps that only travel insurance covers: repatriation, cancellation, lost baggage, and medical costs not covered by your GHIC. Read on to find out what you should expect to pay, what cover levels to look for, and some Ireland-specific things worth knowing before you book.
And check out our article Do I need travel insurance for Ireland if you're still deciding whether you actually need cover.
How Much is Travel Insurance to Ireland?
Ireland falls under European travel insurance, which is the cheapest category of travel insurance available from the UK. Budget single-trip cover for a short break starts from around £8 to £10 for a healthy adult in their 30s, with average market prices in the low-to-mid teens for a one or two-week trip. Annual multi-trip European cover — which includes Ireland plus every other European destination — can cost as little as £10 to £15 for a budget policy, making it worth comparing against single-trip cover even for just one or two trips a year.
Average Cost of Cheap Travel Insurance to Ireland
| Trip Length | Approx. cheapest premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Single Trip | 1 week | ~£8–10 |
| 2 weeks | ~£10–13 | |
| 3 weeks | ~£12–16 | |
| 4 weeks | ~£14–18 | |
| Annual, Multi-trip (European) | variable | ~£10–15 |
Note: figures above are approximate indicative ranges for a healthy adult aged around 30 with no pre-existing conditions. Your actual quote will vary by age, health, insurer and travel dates. Premiums rise with age, particularly from 65 onwards.
These prices reflect a trip for which cover is purchased in advance — it's important to buy travel insurance as soon as you book, so that your Cancellation cover is in force from day one.
Consider an Annual Policy
If you travel to Europe at all more than once in a year — including other destinations like Spain, France or Portugal — an annual European multi-trip policy is almost always better value than buying separate single-trip policies each time. Annual European cover can be found for around the same price as a single two-week trip to Ireland, meaning any second European trip in the year is effectively covered for free.
Before committing to an annual policy, check the maximum trip length per journey — this is as short as 17 or 21 days on some plans, which may not be sufficient for longer stays. A family of four will typically pay around twice what a single adult pays, as children are generally covered free on a parent's policy.
What Cover Do You Get with Cheap Travel Insurance to Ireland?
The main cover features to look for on any Ireland travel insurance policy are Emergency Medical (including repatriation), Cancellation/Curtailment and Baggage. Budget policies offer all three, but at lower limits than mid-market plans — particularly on Cancellation and Baggage. Emergency Medical limits are broadly similar across the market at £10 million or more, which is more than sufficient for Ireland.
As a rough guide based on our research into cheaper and average policies for Ireland:
| Premium | Emergency Medical | Cancellation | Baggage | Excess | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Trip (2 weeks, age ~30) | ||||||
| Average of cheapest plans | ~£10–13 | ~£10–15m | ~£1,000–1,500 | ~£750–1,250 | ~£150–200 | |
| Market average overall | ~£15–20 | ~£13m | ~£2,500–3,000 | ~£1,500–2,000 | ~£90–120 | |
| Annual Multi-Trip (European) | ||||||
| Average of cheapest plans | ~£10–15 | ~£10–15m | ~£1,000–1,500 | ~£750–1,250 | ~£125–175 | |
| Market average overall | ~£18–25 | ~£13m | ~£2,000–2,500 | ~£1,250–1,750 | ~£100–130 | |
Note: figures above are approximate based on NimbleFins pricing research and should be used as general guidance only.
The main trade-offs when choosing a cheaper plan:
- Emergency Medical cover is broadly the same regardless of price — budget and mid-market policies both typically offer £10 million or more. For Ireland, where the cost of medical treatment is modest compared to the USA or further afield, even lower limits would be sufficient in most scenarios. The bigger risk is repatriation (see below), which is covered separately.
- Cancellation cover is significantly lower on budget policies — typically £1,000 to £1,500 on the cheapest plans versus £2,500 to £3,000 on average-priced ones. If your total non-refundable trip costs (flights, hotels, pre-booked experiences) exceed your policy's cancellation limit, you're underinsured on the element most likely to generate a claim.
- Baggage limits are lower — typically £750 to £1,250 on budget plans, with per-item sub-limits of around £150 to £300. This is unlikely to cover a smartphone, laptop or camera if stolen. If you're travelling with expensive electronics, consider adding Gadget cover as an optional extra.
- Excess is higher on cheaper policies — meaning a larger out-of-pocket contribution towards any claim you make.
What to Look For in Travel Insurance to Ireland
Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland — Different Policies Apply
This is the most important practical distinction for UK travellers and one that catches people out. The type of insurance you need depends on which part of Ireland you're visiting:
- Northern Ireland is part of the UK. You have full NHS access as a UK resident and do not need European travel insurance for medical purposes. A standard UK domestic travel insurance policy applies — or no specialist travel insurance at all for purely medical cover. You would still benefit from cover for cancellation, baggage and travel disruption.
- Republic of Ireland is an EU country and requires European travel insurance. You have access to medically necessary state healthcare as a UK resident under the Common Travel Area arrangement, either with your GHIC card or by showing proof of UK residency (a driving licence plus photo ID is sufficient — a GHIC is helpful but not strictly required in the Republic, unlike most other EU countries).
If your trip includes both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, you'll need European cover (which will cover both parts of the island).
The GHIC Is Not Enough on Its Own
Your GHIC (or existing EHIC, which remains valid until its expiry date) entitles you to the same state-provided healthcare as Irish nationals when in the Republic of Ireland. This is a useful safety net — but it has meaningful gaps that only travel insurance fills:
- Repatriation — the cost of returning you to the UK in a medically supervised capacity is not covered by the GHIC. An air ambulance from Ireland to the UK typically costs around £3,500. This alone is a strong reason to buy travel insurance even for a short break.
- Private healthcare — not covered by the GHIC. Private hospitals and clinics are common in Ireland's cities and may be the most accessible option in some circumstances.
- GP consultations — even with a GHIC, a standard GP visit in the Republic of Ireland typically costs €45 to €65, which you pay as a patient (the GHIC covers only the portion that would be free or subsidised for an Irish resident).
- Non-medical losses — cancellation, delayed or lost baggage, travel disruption and personal liability are not covered by the GHIC at all.
Some insurers also require you to carry a valid GHIC (or EHIC) as a condition of your European travel insurance policy, and may waive your excess on a medical claim if you used your card. Check your policy wording.
Key Cover Features to Look For
- Cancellation/Curtailment at least equal to your total non-refundable trip costs — flights, accommodation and any pre-booked experiences. Budget plans typically start at around £1,000 to £1,500; if your trip is worth more than this, pay a little more for a plan with a higher limit.
- Repatriation — explicitly covered. Emergency medical repatriation from Ireland back to the UK is not expensive by international standards, but it is far more than the cost of a standard flight and is not covered by the GHIC.
- Baggage / Personal Belongings with a per-item limit sufficient for your most valuable items. Budget policies often cap single items at £150 to £300 — insufficient for a modern smartphone.
- Travel Delay — useful for ferry and flight connections to Ireland, which can be disrupted by Atlantic weather.
- Personal Liability — standard on most plans; worth confirming if you're hiring a car or engaging in any activities where third-party liability could arise.
Driving in Ireland
If you're planning to drive in the Republic of Ireland — either in your own car or a hire car — check your motor insurance policy before you travel. Most UK car insurance policies extend to the Republic of Ireland, but it's worth confirming. Hire car insurance in Ireland is typically handled separately; your travel insurance personal liability cover does not usually substitute for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) on a rental.
Outdoor Activities
Ireland is a popular destination for outdoor pursuits — coastal walking, cycling, surfing on the west coast and golf. Standard travel insurance covers most low-risk leisure activities, but check your policy if you plan to do anything more adventurous (cliff walking, sea kayaking, equestrian activities). Golf cover for your clubs is available as an optional add-on if you're travelling with equipment.
Find Cheap Travel Insurance to Ireland
Protect your holiday today. Quick quotes from 20 insurers.
Insurance prices vary from day to day and depending on your personal details (age, health, trip length, etc.). Please use the figures in this article as general guidance — your quotes may differ.
If you're interested in comparing the cost of travel insurance to other countries, see our other country-specific guides: