Travel Insurance for Expats Over 70: What Are Your Options? 

Yes, expats over 70 can still get travel insurance, even if they live outside their country of nationality.

The trick is finding an insurer that accepts your country of residence, your age and the journey you're planning.

And, unfortunately, that isn't always straightforward.

Imagine spending your working life dreaming about retiring somewhere sunny. You finally settle in Spain, Portugal or Cyprus, where you can enjoy the good weather, travel around Europe and occasionally pretend you're still 35.

Life is good.

Then you decide to book a holiday, only to discover that your old travel insurance provider won't cover you because you no longer live in the UK.

Charming.

The good news is that getting older and living abroad don't automatically prevent you from buying travel insurance.

Let's explore your options, what you should look for, and how OGSure can help eligible older expats continue exploring the world.

Ready? Let's roll.

Can expats over 70 get travel insurance?

Yes. Expats over 70 can buy travel insurance from providers that accept their usual country of residence and offer cover within their age range.

Not every insurer will, though.

Some UK travel insurance providers require customers to be permanent UK residents. Others have age restrictions that become more limiting once you reach your 70s or 80s.

If you're retired overseas, you could find yourself facing both restrictions.

At OGSure, we take a different approach.

We provide travel insurance for eligible older travellers living in many countries, including people whose nationality and country of residence don't match.

For example, you might be British but live in Spain. Or perhaps you're Australian and have retired to Portugal.

Your passport doesn't necessarily determine where you can buy travel insurance.

My useful link: Find out where OGSure provides travel insurance.

Does your nationality matter when buying expat travel insurance?

Your nationality can affect eligibility with some insurers, but it doesn't always have to match your country of residence.

This is an important distinction.

Your nationality generally refers to your citizenship, while your country of residence is where you normally live.

Let's say you're a 73-year-old British citizen who retired to Spain eight years ago.

Your home is in Spain. You live there, pay your bills there and probably know exactly which local café makes the best coffee.

Even though you hold a British passport, Spain is your usual country of residence.

When requesting an OGSure quote, you would generally select Spain as your residence.

With OGSure, your usual country of residence is generally somewhere you've lived or worked for more than three consecutive months and regard as your main home.

Of course, your residence, destinations and other policy requirements must still be eligible.

My useful link: Can you get travel insurance if you live abroad?

What travel insurance options are available for expats over 70?

Eligible expats over 70 can choose between Single Trip and Annual Multi-Trip travel insurance, depending on their age and travel plans.

At OGSure, our current age and trip-duration limits are:

• Ages 70–75: Single Trip cover for up to 30 days, or Annual Multi-Trip cover with eligible journeys of up to 90 days each.
• Ages 76–79: Single Trip cover for up to 30 days, or Annual Multi-Trip cover with eligible journeys of up to 60 days each.
• Ages 80–84: Single Trip cover for eligible journeys of up to 30 days. Annual Multi-Trip cover is no longer available.

These limits are subject to the policy terms and other eligibility requirements.

Annual Multi-Trip policies provide cover for multiple eligible journeys during a 12-month period. Each trip must also fall within the permitted duration and policy dates.

And remember, a policy lasting 12 months doesn't mean you can spend all 12 months continuously travelling.

My useful link: Explore OGSure's annual seniors travel insurance.

Can older expats get travel insurance to visit their home country?

Yes, potentially. Older expats can sometimes buy travel insurance to visit their country of nationality, provided the insurer accepts their actual residence and destination.

Here's another example.

Imagine you're British, aged 78, and have lived in Cyprus for several years.

You're planning to visit family in England for two weeks.

When arranging your travel insurance, you would generally declare:

• Country of residence: Cyprus
• Destination: United Kingdom
• Nationality: British, if requested

Your British nationality doesn't automatically prevent you from getting cover for a visit to the UK.

However, don't assume that holding a British passport automatically entitles you to free NHS treatment when visiting.

Healthcare entitlement depends on your circumstances, including residence and any applicable healthcare arrangements.

The UK government's guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad explains some of these important considerations.

Does expat travel insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Not necessarily. Some insurers provide specialist cover for pre-existing medical conditions, while others exclude claims connected to those conditions.

This is particularly important for older travellers.

At OGSure, you can still purchase an eligible policy if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

However, we do not cover claims arising directly or indirectly from pre-existing medical conditions.

That means a claim involving an existing illness, related complication or medical problem may be excluded.

You may still have cover for eligible events unrelated to that condition, such as lost baggage, travel delays or a new, unrelated injury.

But if you need insurance that specifically covers an existing medical condition, you should look for a suitable specialist provider.

I strongly recommend reading the exclusions before buying, rather than discovering them when you need help.

My useful link: Understand OGSure's pre-existing medical condition exclusions.

Is expat travel insurance the same as international health insurance?

No. Expat travel insurance is intended for eligible journeys away from your usual country of residence, while international health insurance generally provides ongoing healthcare protection.

For example, if you permanently live in Spain, you'll need suitable healthcare arrangements for everyday life there.

Travel insurance isn't intended to replace that protection.

Instead, it can help with certain unexpected events when you travel somewhere else.

The UK government's foreign travel insurance guidance also explains why appropriate insurance matters, particularly when travelling with medical conditions.

What should older expats look for in travel insurance?

Older expats should look for policies that accept their residence, cover their destinations and provide suitable benefits for their journey.

Here are six things I'd check before buying:

1. Residence eligibility: Does the insurer accept the country where you actually live?
2. Age limits: Will the policy cover your age when the insurance begins?
3. Emergency medical cover: What eligible medical expenses are included, and what conditions are excluded?
4. Medical repatriation: Where would you be returned if you needed medical evacuation or repatriation?
5. Trip duration: Does the policy cover the entire journey, including your departure and return dates?
6. Holiday activities: Are your planned activities, such as cruising or winter sports, included or available as optional extras?

If you're travelling to several countries, check them all.

And don't forget cancellation protection, baggage cover and other travel disruptions that could leave you facing unexpected expenses.

My advice? Choose insurance around the journey you're actually taking, not simply the cheapest policy you can find.

When should older expats buy travel insurance?

You should generally arrange travel insurance as soon as possible after booking your holiday.

Why?

Because eligible cancellation protection may begin before your departure, depending on the policy.

If you wait until the day before your flight, you may have spent weeks without that protection.

You should also check whether your insurer requires you to purchase cover before leaving your country of residence.

Buying travel insurance while you're already overseas isn't always permitted.

My useful link: Read OGSure's policy documents before travelling.

My final thoughts: travel insurance for expats over 70

Living overseas is supposed to open up opportunities, not make travelling more complicated.

And reaching your 70s shouldn't automatically mean putting away your suitcase.

If you're an older expat, the important thing is finding an insurer that understands where you live, where you're travelling and what kind of cover you need.

At OGSure, we provide travel insurance for eligible older travellers, including those whose country of residence differs from their nationality.

Whether you're visiting family, exploring somewhere new or planning another well-earned holiday, it's worth checking what cover is available.

After all, retirement should mean more opportunities to travel.

Not more paperwork.

Frequently asked questions

Can British expats over 70 get travel insurance?

Yes. British expats over 70 may be able to buy travel insurance from providers that accept their overseas country of residence. Age limits, destinations, trip duration and other eligibility requirements apply.

Can I get travel insurance at age 80 if I live abroad?

Yes, potentially. OGSure offers eligible Single Trip travel insurance for travellers aged 80 to 84, including residents of many countries outside the UK. Its current Single Trip option covers journeys of up to 30 days.

Can I buy annual travel insurance if I'm over 75?

Yes. With OGSure, eligible travellers aged 76 to 79 can still purchase Annual Multi-Trip cover. Individual journeys are limited to 60 days, subject to the policy terms.

Does my country of residence have to match my passport?

No. OGSure can provide travel insurance when your nationality and country of residence differ, provided your usual residence, destinations and travel plans meet the eligibility requirements.

Can I use travel insurance for everyday healthcare while living abroad?

No. Travel insurance is not a replacement for international health insurance or local healthcare arrangements. It is designed to cover certain unexpected events during eligible insured journeys.