Why You Need Specialist Insurance
The Via Francigena is not a package holiday. It's a 2,000 km walk across four countries over two to three months, including a crossing of the Great St Bernard Pass in the Swiss Alps at 2,469 metres above sea level. That combination — extreme duration, Alpine terrain, and multiple jurisdictions — rules out almost every standard travel insurance product on the market.
Here's why most policies won't work:
- Trip duration limits: The majority of annual multi-trip policies cap individual trips at 31 days. A handful stretch to 45 or 60 days. The full route takes 70–90 days. Even if you're section-walking, a single trip of four to six weeks will exceed many policies' limits.
- Altitude exclusions: Standard policies frequently exclude walking above 2,000m. The Great St Bernard Pass is 2,469m. If you have a bleed, a fall, or need a helicopter evacuation on the pass, a standard policy won't pay for it.
- Trekking exclusions: Some policies exclude "trekking" or "hiking" as adventure activities, or require it to be added as an extra. Read the small print carefully.
- Switzerland is not in the EU: Switzerland has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. Healthcare costs for visitors are high, and the Swiss mountain rescue services charge accordingly.
The cost of getting this wrong is enormous. A mountain rescue helicopter in Switzerland can cost CHF 3,000–10,000 (roughly £2,600–£8,700) for a single call-out. Emergency repatriation from Italy can run to tens of thousands of pounds. These are not hypothetical risks on a multi-month Alpine pilgrimage — blisters become infections, ankles get sprained on rough ground, and exhaustion on exposed terrain is real.
The GHIC Card — Useful, But Not Enough
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the EHIC for UK travellers after Brexit. It's free to apply for from the NHS website and worth having — but it is not a substitute for travel insurance, and it's important to understand exactly what it does and doesn't cover.
What the GHIC covers
- Access to state-provided healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as local residents — meaning free or heavily subsidised treatment in France and Italy
- Treatment that becomes necessary during your trip (illness, injury) — not planned treatment
- Maternity care and treatment for pre-existing conditions on the same basis as local residents
What the GHIC does not cover
- Switzerland — GHIC only works in EU member states. Switzerland is not in the EU. You have no entitlement to reduced-cost healthcare there at all.
- Private healthcare — if there's no convenient state facility, or you're treated privately (common in rural areas), GHIC doesn't apply.
- Mountain rescue — helicopter evacuation and mountain rescue services are not covered by GHIC anywhere.
- Repatriation — if you need to be flown home, GHIC provides no assistance.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment — if you have to cut the trip short due to illness or a family emergency, GHIC offers nothing.
- Lost, stolen or damaged belongings — no baggage cover whatsoever.
Apply for a GHIC free at NHS.uk. It takes a few weeks to arrive, so apply well in advance of departure.
What to Look for in a Policy
When comparing policies for the Via Francigena, these are the factors that matter most. A policy that fails on any of the first three is unsuitable for this route.
| Factor | What you need | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Trip duration | Must cover your full planned duration — at minimum 30 days for section walking, up to 90+ days for the full route. Look for "longstay" or "backpacker" policies. | Most annual multi-trip policies cap trips at 31 days. A standard policy will void your cover the moment you exceed that limit. |
| Trekking altitude | Must cover walking at or above 2,500m. The Great St Bernard Pass is 2,469m — look for cover to at least 3,000m to be safe. | Many standard policies exclude trekking above 2,000m. An incident on the pass without altitude cover leaves you entirely uninsured. |
| Medical cover | Minimum £2 million. Ideally £5 million or more. | Emergency hospitalisation and treatment in Switzerland is expensive. Repatriation from Italy adds further cost. £2m is the bare minimum; more is better. |
| Emergency repatriation | Must be included, with no separate sub-limit below your medical cover amount. | If you're seriously injured or ill, getting home requires medical escort, air ambulance, or scheduled airline with medical support. Costs can exceed £50,000. |
| Mountain rescue | Explicitly included in the policy wording — not assumed. | Swiss mountain rescue is run by REGA and the Swiss Alpine Club. A helicopter call-out costs thousands. Check the policy wording, not just the summary. |
| Geographic cover | Must cover UK, France, Switzerland and Italy — or "Europe" with Switzerland explicitly included. | Some "European" policies exclude Switzerland or charge a supplement. Verify this before purchasing. |
| Trip cancellation/curtailment | Worthwhile if you've booked flights, ferries or accommodation in advance. | If you have to cancel before departure (illness, bereavement) or cut the trip short, cancellation cover reimburses pre-paid, non-refundable costs. |
| Baggage and equipment | Useful but less critical if travelling light. Check per-item limits for walking poles, boots and electronics. | A single item limit of £150–200 won't cover a £400 pair of boots. If your kit is valuable, check the single-article limit carefully. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Declare everything. Don't assume minor conditions don't need declaring. | Failing to declare a pre-existing condition — even one that seems unrelated to your claim — can void the entire policy. Be thorough and honest. |
Recommended Providers
True Traveller
Typical price for 90 days: £120–180
A UK-based insurer built specifically for long-trip travellers and trekkers. True Traveller covers trips of up to 18 months and includes trekking up to 6,000m as standard — no extras or upgrades needed for the Great St Bernard Pass. Medical cover of £10 million is included on their standard plan.
For the Via Francigena, this is our first recommendation for most UK walkers. The pricing is competitive for longer trips, the altitude cover is generous, and the policy wording is transparent about what's included.
Get a quote from True Traveller →World Nomads
Typical price for 90 days: £180–250
One of the most established names in adventure travel insurance. World Nomads covers a wide range of adventure activities including trekking, and their app is excellent for managing claims and getting emergency assistance on the move. Popular with long-distance walkers — many Camino and Via Francigena pilgrims use them.
Slightly pricier than True Traveller for equivalent cover, but their customer service and claims process are well-regarded. Worth getting a quote to compare.
Get a quote from World Nomads →Battleface
Typical price for 90 days: £110–160
A newer, flexible insurer that allows you to configure cover for unusual trip durations and itineraries. Battleface is competitive on price for longer trips and can be a good option if your journey doesn't fit neatly into a standard "backpacker" category — for example, if you're walking in sections across two separate trips.
Check that your specific trip dates, countries and activities are covered when you get your quote, and read the altitude coverage section carefully.
Get a quote from Battleface →Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance for the England section only?
If you're only walking the England section (Canterbury to Dover) and not crossing to France, you're technically in the UK and standard UK travel insurance isn't required. However, it's still worth considering: trip cancellation cover protects pre-booked accommodation and transport, and personal liability cover is sensible on any multi-week trip. If you have any plans to extend the walk into France, buy insurance before you leave — it will usually be cheaper than buying at the last minute, and some policies won't cover trips already in progress.
Does my annual travel insurance cover the Via Francigena?
Almost certainly not for the full route, and possibly not even for a single long section. Annual multi-trip policies typically cap each individual trip at 31 days — sometimes 45 or 60 days on premium tiers. They also frequently exclude walking above 2,000m, which rules out the Great St Bernard Pass. Check your policy's maximum trip duration and altitude limits. If either falls short, you'll need a separate longstay or backpacker policy for the Via Francigena.
What happens if I need mountain rescue on the Great St Bernard Pass?
If you're properly insured with a policy that covers trekking at altitude (check the wording explicitly), your insurer will typically coordinate with the rescue services and cover the costs directly, or reimburse you after the event. In Switzerland, mountain rescue is provided by REGA (the Swiss Air-Rescue organisation). Their services are not free — a helicopter evacuation can cost thousands of Swiss Francs. Without appropriate insurance, you are personally liable for the full amount. This is not a theoretical risk: weather on the pass changes quickly, and injuries on steep descents are not uncommon.
Does travel insurance cover my walking gear?
Baggage and equipment cover is included in most comprehensive travel insurance policies, but the limits matter. Most policies have a single-item limit of £200–500, which may not fully cover an expensive pair of trail running shoes, trekking poles, or a smartphone. Check the single-article limit and overall baggage limit in your policy. If your kit is high-value, look for a policy with higher per-item limits, or consider a dedicated equipment insurance policy to supplement your travel cover. Day-to-day wear and tear is never covered — insurance is for theft, loss and accidental damage.
Can I buy insurance after I've already started walking?
In theory, yes — most insurers will sell you a policy while you're already abroad. In practice, there are two significant problems. First, any condition, injury or incident that occurred before the policy start date will be treated as a pre-existing condition and excluded. If you've already twisted your ankle, that ankle is not covered. Second, some insurers specifically exclude trips already in progress. It's always cheaper, easier and more comprehensive to buy before you depart. Don't leave it until you're standing at the foot of the Alps.