When planning a holiday, one of the most common questions travellers ask is: is Turkey considered part of Europe for travel insurance? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Geographically, Turkey is a transcontinental country, with a small part in southeastern Europe and the majority in western Asia. But for insurance purposes, location on the map doesn’t always match how cover is grouped.

Most UK travel insurers do not include Turkey in their standard European travel insurance policies. Instead, Turkey is often placed in a separate category, like “Europe excluding Turkey” or “Worldwide excluding USA/Canada.” Some providers will include Turkey under a higher-priced plan or require you to select “Europe including Turkey” if it’s offered.

To avoid issues, you should always check the insurer’s definition of regions before you buy. If your policy only includes “Europe” and Turkey isn’t listed, you won’t be covered if something goes wrong during your trip. It's always worth checking the small print—or asking the insurer directly.

Countries Commonly Included in European Travel Insurance

Each insurer has its own country list, but there’s a core group of countries usually considered part of “Europe” for insurance purposes.

Western and Central Europe: This includes countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria. These are typically always included.

Nordic and Baltic countries: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland are generally covered. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are also usually on the list under European cover.

Eastern and Southeastern Europe: Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Slovenia are typically considered part of Europe for insurance. Some insurers also include countries in the Balkans, such as Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo.

Some insurers also cover the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores under European policies—even though they’re technically outside mainland Europe.

Countries Often Not Included in European Cover

While some areas may seem like they belong under European cover, many insurers exclude them or group them differently. Here are the main ones:

Turkey: Usually excluded from standard Europe cover unless your policy specifically includes “Europe including Turkey.” Always check.

Russia: Often excluded or only partially covered (e.g. only the European part west of the Urals).

Ukraine and Belarus: Due to current travel advisories and higher risk, these countries are often excluded from European cover.

Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan: Though sometimes considered European culturally or politically, insurers usually categorise these as part of Asia or separate regions altogether.

North African neighbours: Countries like Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt border Europe but are not covered under standard European insurance policies. They typically fall under “Worldwide excluding the USA/Canada.”

Middle Eastern countries: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and UAE are not included in European cover and require broader insurance.

If you’re visiting one of these countries—especially if you’re mixing them into a multi-country trip—make sure your cover matches all destinations

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What You Should Do Before Buying Insurance

First, never assume what’s included in a region-based policy. Always read the full list of countries covered. If a provider doesn’t make it clear online, contact them directly.

If Turkey is your only destination, look specifically for policies that say “Europe including Turkey” or “Worldwide excluding the USA/Canada.” If you're visiting multiple countries, make sure your policy includes them all—even for short stays or stopovers.

Also be aware that travelling to a country not included in your cover—even for one night—can invalidate your policy for the whole trip. Always list all destinations, even if it bumps the cost up slightly. It’s worth it for peace of mind.