British travellers required consular assistance overseas more than 30,000 times in the past year, as rising medical costs continue to expose the financial risks of going abroad uninsured.

Figures obtained from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) by travel insurer Holidaysafe under Freedom of Information laws show UK nationals needed help 30,735 times between November 2024 and November 2025. More than a third of cases involved accidents, illness, or deaths overseas.

Incidents ranged from medical emergencies and hospitalisations to lost passports, arrests, and repatriations. Spain, Thailand, and the US topped the list of destinations where Brits most frequently sought emergency support, followed by Greece, France, and Turkey.

Separate analysis of insurance claims indicates the cost of treatment abroad is continuing to climb sharply, particularly in the US. The five most expensive claims recorded last year all occurred there, with several exceeding £200,000. The single highest claim, for a serious illness requiring intensive care, totalled £543,250. Even in popular European destinations such as Spain, Greece, and France, as well as Thailand, the average claim value is around £1,000.

Amber Moon, Brand Manager at Holidaysafe, said: “We’re coming up to the busiest time of the year for booking holidays and people will be looking forward to their summer trips. But these figures show just how important it is to have the right travel insurance in place.

“From unexpected hospital stays to accidents and bereavements, thousands of Brits needed help abroad last year … Our message is simple: buy your travel insurance the same day you book your trip.”