Dealing with illness while abroad can be extra difficult for people with diabetes.

Arranging emergency medical treatment will depend on your country of origin, and your doctor and travel agent should be able to advise you on this.

Getting medical treatment depends on reciprocal agreements and infrastructure, so a tourist office or embassy may be able to provide you with advice.

The following short checklist outlines how people with diabetes going abroad can prepare for travel emergencies

Travel emergency checklist

  • Get diabetes travel insurance and make sure you are covered
  • Read your policy! Know what your insurer will pay for
  • Know your medication – knowledge of generic names and local brands can make all the difference
  • Keep names and contact details of your healthcare professionals and reliable friends
  • If you need emergency repatriatio, contact British Consular officials
  • Keep all receipts of everything you pay for, and further evidence if possible such as labels and price tags

Get our free newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest news, research and breakthroughs.