Travel abroad advice & consumer issues

Travel abroad advice: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access state-provided travel health care in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge.

Which is a travel abroad consumer issue you should be aware of.

Apply for your European Health insurance card now.

Travel abroad advice: However The EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical health care or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property.

For these reasons and others, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Some insurers now insist you hold an EHIC and many will waive the excess if you have one.

Visas

You will need visas to travel to certain countries.
Goa for example you need the Visa before you fly, go to the Indian high commision .

Goa Visa application centres
• High Commission of India
India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA
Queue numbers are issued between 8.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon Mondays to Fridays
Tel: 0207 6323149 / 0207 632 3152.

• Consulate General of India, Birmingham
20 Augusta Street, Jewellery Quarter, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 6JL.
Tel: 0121 212 2782

• Consulate General of India, Edinburgh
17 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, EH1 2BB.
Tel: 0131 229 2144
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Check before travelling. A tour operator, national tourist board or embassy can advise on the visa requirements of a particular country.

Allow plenty of time for the visa to arrive as sometimes the application is dealt with in the country being visited.

To get a visa, you will usually have to complete a form and send off your passport. You may also have to send passport photographs, air tickets, and evidence that you can support yourself while abroad. A fee may be charged for the visa.

Travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide useful information for anyone planning a trip abroad. Their website provides up to date advice about your destination country and information on what to do before you leave. The website is at: www.fco.gov.uk/travel.

Health precautions

Before travelling abroad, check whether you will need any vaccinations or other health precautions.

For more information, see Health advice for Travellers.