Farage Causes Insurance Stir
Recently, British politician Nigel Farage claimed that British travelers must show proof of medical insurance when traveling to the EU.
Specifically, he hinted about the new requirement following the launch of the new EU Entry/Exit System in October 2025. Moreover, he warned Britons about the lengthy and expensive process for Britons.
“How on earth we managed to negotiate a deal as bad as this, I do not know,” Farage told Daily Mail in an August 10 article.
“For all the travelers who go to France, to have to prove medical insurance will be a very lengthy process,” he also noted, accusing UK PM Keir Starmer of having “gaslit the public”.
Consequently, his remarks caused anxiety and triggered debate about British travelers planning autumn trips in the EU.
Farage’s EU Insurance Myth Busted
However, EU officials swiftly rejected his statement. In fact, a European Commission spokesperson told The Independent, “There is no requirement for proof of travel insurance.”
Meanwhile, fact-checkers at Left Foot Forward also concluded the claim was false, noting no EU directive or regulation demands such proof. Importantly, the Entry/Exit System will require biometric data, but insurance is not part of the rules.
What the EES Actually Changes
The EES is scheduled to start on October 12, 2025. Correspondingly, under the system, non-EU travelers, including Britons, will provide fingerprints and facial scans. Additionally, border officials may ask for details of stay, return tickets, and proof of accommodation.
Yet no legal text requires proof of medical insurance at the border. Currently, post-Brexit entry rules already demand evidence of sufficient funds and purpose of stay. Thus, the EU has never listed it among mandatory requirements.
Insurance Still Advisable
Although the claim is false, travel insurance remains highly advisable. According to the Association of British Insurers, around 20 percent of UK travelers make claims annually. These include cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies.
Moreover, while the UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) provides access to state healthcare in the EU, it does not cover private costs or repatriation. Consequently, experts continue to encourage purchasing it, but stress it is a choice, not an obligation.
Impact of False Claims
Farage’s assertion nevertheless unsettled many travelers. Notably, misreporting raised concerns for elderly tourists or those with medical conditions who often face higher premiums.
Additionally, Insurance Business UK noted that such claims could influence consumer decisions and distort the travel insurance market. As a result, confusion spreads quickly when misinformation is amplified by public figures.
“The source for the invented requirement remains a mystery,” wrote The Independent. “None of the EU directives concerning third-country nationals or the entry-exit system contains any stipulation about insurance.”
The Need for Accuracy
Therefore, clarity is critical as the EES launch approaches. British travelers already face changes at EU borders, including biometric processing and possible longer waits. However, mandatory insurance is not one of them.
As such, fact-checkers stress the importance of verifying claims before spreading them widely. In the end, travelers benefit from accurate guidance rather than political remarks.
Photo by Lala Azizli on Unsplash
