Experiencing Europe?
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TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR EUROPE
Europe is undeniably a continent full of history and culture, so if you're looking to broaden your mind and soak up some tradition, Europe is the place to Zoom to. Travel insurance is a no brainer for any holiday and Zoom's Europe travel insurance has you covered no matter which European countries you're visiting. Cover includes medical expenses should you fall sick or become injured, as well as cover for trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies and more! What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
WHY BUY WITH ZOOM
medical cover
Relax knowing that your hospital expenses are covered with Zoom's unlimited medical coverage. Zoom to top notch cover!
Travel delays
Whethers it's a strike or snow storm, setbacks on your sojourn can be a bore. Zoom provides you with cover for extensive flight delays or cancellations.
Cruise COVER
Be covered from ship to shore while crusing around the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the British Isles and more with Zoom's cruise pack.
Family emergencies
Had to rush home or cancel your trip due to a family emergency? We'll cover your non-refundable deposits so you can focus on the rest.
Money Savings
Our prices are low and we'll match any quote for equal cover with our price match guarantee.
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rental car excess
Driving can be brilliant way to explore a landscape and enjoy the sights en route. Zoom's rental vehicle excess add-on is a must for roadtrippers.
easy claims
We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.
Peace Of Mind
Zoom to Zen. You can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing that you?re covered by award winning travel insurance.
EUROPE TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs
Got some curly questions in regards to travel insurance for your European holiday?
Be in the the know before you go with answers to the most common queries below.
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Do I have to tell you about every country that I visit?
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We prefer you to list all the countries that you are visiting individually, but understand that sometimes you may not have your full itinerary mapped out in advance. With country borders within such close proximity, some travellers prefer a loose itinerary and want spontaneity when they travel, and we don't want to stop that. So just make sure you add Europe to your destination if you think you're likely to pop to a few to extra countires to be sure you're covered.
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Am I covered for a European cruise?
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Whether you're visiting the Mediterranean ports of Italy, France, Spain and Greece, plan to cruise farther north and sail the Norwegian fjords, or cruise along the Danube, you must select our cruise add-on to be covered when on a cruise ship.
Cruise coverage can be added in just one click to your travel insurance policy, which covers any onboard medical treatment, as well as helicopter exacuations if you need emergency medical assistance.
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Is it safe to travel around Europe?
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With uncertainty around the refugee situation in Europe and an increase in terrorist threats making headlines, it's understandable that many travellers are asking whether certain European countries are safe to visit. The reality is that there are many safe, beautiful holiday destinations in Europe to enjoy.
Safe Travel provides travel advisories and recommendations on travel to Europe by country, so it is recommended that travellers register their trip details and sign up for any updates for their destination.
It's important to note that border security has tightened across Europe, so you?ll need to carry your passport when crossing borders.
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Am I covered for sailing around the Greek Islands?
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Check out our Sports and Activities Cover add-on, to understand our cover when it comes to sailing.
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What happens if I need medical assistance in Europe?
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Zoom provides immediate support through our emergency assistance provider. Help is just a phone call away any time of day 365 days a year. This includes access to medical advisors, medical transfers, emergency evacuation and translators if required. We also assist with passing on messages to family and returning unsupervised dependants back to Australia.
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How do alcohol and drugs affect my cover?
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When it comes to alcohol we advise you to drink in moderation. One too many Ouzo could see you jeopardizing your cover. Please note that we may exclude any claims where excessive drugs or alcohol have been involved.
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Am I covered for pre-paid tour bookings?
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Yes, with hundreds of European day tours on offer and iconic must-see sights to tick off, you can take comfort knowing that your pre-paid tour bookings are covered if you had to cancel your trip due unforeseen circumstances outside of your control.
EUROPE QUICK GUIDE
Europe is full of bucket-list places and postcard locations. The biggest challenge when planning a European holiday is narrowing down your options. You simply can't do it all in one go, so start culling.
No matter which kind of European experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans. You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans online today.
Go on, zoom to Europe and experience it for yourself!
ON ARRIVAL & GETTING AROUND
With the entrance of budget airlines like Ryanair, you can now also fly internationally on the cheap. A flight from the chilly Nordic regions to the sun-baked Costas of Spain can cost less than $50.
VISA REQUIREMENTS AND ARRIVAL AND ENTRY RULES
Most New Zealand passport holders do not need a traditional visa for short tourist stays in the Schengen Area, but rules and border systems are changing. Read the key points below so your travel plans aren't disrupted.
SHORT STAYS AND THE 90/180 RULE
New Zealanders can usually visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism or business. TThe 90/180 rule is a rolling calculation: count back 180 days from each day of your stay to see how many days you have already spent in the Schengen Area and how many remain. If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for the appropriate visa with the country you intend to remain in.
Tip: use an official short-stay calculator if you?re unsure about your dates.
ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM (EES) - WHAT'S CHANGED?
The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in operation. On first entry to the Schengen Area you will have your passport details recorded electronically and be asked to provide biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image). EES replaces passport stamping with an electronic record and is being rolled out progressively at external border points.
- No pre-registration is required for EES
- Expect biometric checks at your first Schengen entry during the rollout period. This may increase processing time at some airports and ports.
- Make sure your passport is valid for the duration required by the country you are visiting.
ETIAS (FUTURE TRAVEL AUTHORISATION)
The ETIAS is an online travel-authorisation system for visa-exempt travellers to many European countries (similar to US ESTA). ETIAS is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026. At this time no action is required, but travellers should monitor official guidance ahead of future trips.
WHY THESE RULES MATTER FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance covers many unexpected costs, but it cannot fix a refused entry or an immigration breach. If you are denied entry because your stay limits, documentation or other entry requirements are not met, travel disruption or cancellation cover may be affected. Before you travel: confirm your itinerary, check passport validity, and read the policy wording on cancellation/interruption and entry refusals.
QUICK CHECKLIST
- Confirm whether your trip is Schengen short-stay (90 days in any 180 days).
- Ensure your passport validity meets the destination country's requirement.
- Keep printed & digital copies of your itinerary and return ticket.
- Save emergency / assistance numbers from your travel insurer.
- Monitor ETIAS / EES updates if you travel beyond 2026 or have future trips planned.??????
Useful official resources: European Commission, Entry/Exit System (EES), ETIAS information, and the EU short-stay rules; and New Zealand's SafeTravel for country-specific advice.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Each season has it's pros and cons, for example travelling in the 'off season' can be cheaper, but you may experience less day light hours and some extreme weather conditions. Consider your situation and destination to work out the timing best timing for your trip.
WHERE TO GO
First time visitors to Europe often head to the France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Those that have 'been there and done that' are encouraged to explore Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Turkey or head to Scandinavia and the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).
Whilst the cities of Europe hog the headlines, it is the countryside and travel experiences that many Aussie travellers fall in love with. Here are just seven of Europe's top experiences and attractions to consider.
CLIMB THE EIFFEL TOWER: More than 7 million people visit Paris's most iconic attraction every year. The Eiffel Tower is popular and crowded, particularly during peak periods. So if you don't want to be queuing for several hours, it pays to purchase 'skip-the-line' tickets in advance.
INDULGE IN A BAVARIAN BEER: For centuries, beer has been an important part of the culinary and cultural heritage of Bavaria and Munich. Experience Munich?s world-famous beer and food scene with an endless array of breweries and beer gardens all year round.
RIDE A GONDOLA DOWN THE CANALS OF VENICE: A trip to Venice isn't complete without a quintessential gondula ride. This age-old practice remains a romantic symbol of this timeless Italian city with master gondoliers still donning their traditional striped shirts today.
GAZE AT GAUDI'S MASTERPIECES: If you're intrigued by the unusual, you need to visit the architectural masterpieces of Antoni Gaud�. A famous figure of world architecture and Catalan culture, Gaudi spent over 40 years designing the Temple of the Sagrada Familia. La Pedrera is one of Gaud�?s main residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses in the history of architecture. Other famous works include Casa Batll� (Batll� house) and the Casa Mil� (Mil� house), and the expansive G�ell Park (which today is open to the public).
THE ACROPOLIS IN ATHENS: The Acropolis is one time travel experience not to miss. The views atop of this "high city" are amazing and getting up close with Parthenon (temple dedicated to the goddess Athena) is a moment you will never forget.
DRIVE THE AMALFI COAST: With narrow roads clinging to a twisting shoreline atop of dramatic mountain cliffs, driving the Amalfi Coast is not for the faint hearted. Backdropped against the sunlit emerald-blue sea sparkling below, the Amalfi Coast is arguably Italy?s most scenic stretch of coastline. Why don't you be the judge?!
HAVE SOME FESTIVAL FUN: Whether its music, sports, folk or art that you're in to, Europe has some of the most magnificent events and festivals in the world. If you time your trip right, you could set yourself up to wooed by a once in a lifetime experience. There is the fun and laughter that comes from hurling tomatos at each other at La Tomatina in Spain; the chance to sink liquid gold in dirndl for the ladies and lederhosen for the men at the insanely huge Oktoberfest in Munich; dance your way around Lake Zurich at the most colourful technoparades at the Street Parade in Zurich; if music is your dig, the Sziget festival is probably the biggest music and culture festival in Europe; marvel and be mesmorised by the masked magic of the Carnival of Venice; for garden enthusiasts there is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show; San Fermines festival is a week-long festival hosted in Pamplona, Spain which includes running of the bulls; and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a must on Denmark?s music calendar... just to name a few.
MUST KNOW TIPS
BE A TOMMY TOURIST: Don't avoid the clich�s. Big ticket places like Acropolis of Athens, Buckingham Palace, Charles Bridge, The Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower and Sagrada Familia are all extremely popular for a reason - they're amazing!
MONEY MONEY MONEY: Pack lots of it. You can still travel on a budget, but you've travelled a long way so make the most it. Pack as much spending money and splurge on some once in a lifetime experiences.
LEARN SOME LINGO: It's wise to learn a few basic words when travelling abroad. At least to show some basic manners with your please and thank yous. Whilst it's no substitute to learning the language, Google Translate is an easy-to-use language translator which means, there really is no reason to speak with the world.
ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?
Europe is a long, long way away. A whole day in fact. So, you may like to break up the journey with a stopover on route. If you want cheap flights to Europe you could make use of stopover flights through Bangkok, Thailand with both Qantas and Thai Airways. If you're looking to mix modern edge with traditional markets, Hong Kong and Malaysia could be worth a stop and Singapore makes for a good shopover.We've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
