The world is reopening up after more than two years of Covid-19 restrictions. It’s undoubtedly welcome news for anyone who has ever enjoyed going abroad on holiday. What isn’t welcome, however, is the risk of suffering sickness or injury in a different country. It can be a really tough time to get treatment, get home, and get better. So, what if you find yourself in that position?

Seek medical attention as soon as possible

The first thing to do seems obvious – and that’s to receive medical attention for your injury or illness. But why say it “seems” obvious? Well, it’s perhaps understandable that you might feel uncertain about finding the care and treatment you need. The cost and standard of care could be a concern – as an overcoming potential language barrier.

Not getting an injury or illness dealt with at the earliest opportunity can have a huge effect on your life. It could make a full recovery less likely in the most serious cases.

Check to see what your travel insurance covers

Few other countries have a healthcare system like the UK’s National Health Service. So, you’ll likely face a bill for whatever treatment you receive.

But it doesn’t necessarily have to come out of your own pocket.

Traveling in Europe? UK citizens can receive urgent healthcare at either a reduced cost or free of charge while in the European Union (EU) with a Global Health Insurance Card. Having said that, you should always take out dedicated travel insurance whenever you travel abroad.

As you shop around for travel insurance, make sure you find a policy that’s right for you. Some policies might not cover certain activities, accidents, or countries.

See what your rights are when you return home

All being well, the care and treatment you get while abroad will ensure that you’re at least in a fit state to return home. And hopefully, your travel insurance coverage means you aren’t left out of pocket for the medical attention and medication you need.

One thing you can also do when back home is to check your legal rights. If someone else is at fault for your injury or illness, you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim.

If you are and you win your case, the amount you receive can be so helpful. It could cover any outstanding healthcare costs. Or it can go towards any ongoing rehabilitation you may require.

An accident can happen at any time when you’re abroad – not least when you’re on an activity holiday or traveling to a far-flung destination. While it can cause immense distress and anxiety, it doesn’t have to leave a lasting impact. By knowing what to do and where you stand, any injury or illness you suffer on holiday needn’t be anything more than an unfortunate memory.