Repatriation from a holiday is the process of returning to one’s home country after having to interrupt your trip or even being hospitalised due to health problems. From medical assistance and logistical arrangements to facilitation of transportation, an emergency repatriation is a rigorous procedure with fixed measures and services undertaken to ensure a safe and secure journey back home. That is why it is advisable to take out a good travel insurance before your departure that will organise your repatriation and cover all or part of its costs.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What types of repatriation are available?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Medical repatriation due to health issues is the most common form of repatriation from holiday. It involves arranging and facilitating your return to ensure that you can receive the best medical treatment. Whether or not you are taken home is determined by your medical condition and the availability of local medical facilities, among other factors.
Emergency repatriation is also possible in situations such as natural disasters, political unrest, or other emergencies. This often involves additional complications that need to be taken care of, for example evacuation procedures and coordination with local authorities.
In the unfortunate event of a traveller’s death abroad, deceased repatriation involves the transportation of the deceased person's remains back to their home country. This process also includes compliance with international regulations and coordination with local authorities, as well as funeral services.
In addition, repatriation does not only apply to persons but under certain circumstances also to vehicles. Car repatriation, for example, involves the process of retuning a vehicle to its country of origin or the home country of its owner. This can occur for various reasons, such as the end of a lease or loan period, or the need to comply with import/export regulations. In some cases, individuals or businesses may engage in car repatriation services provided by companies specializing in vehicle transport. This process ensures the safe and legal return of the vehicle, addressing logistics such as customs procedures and compliance with international regulations.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Does travel insurance cover repatriation?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Transport, medical staff, and equipment can quickly make a medical repatriation from your holiday destination very expensive. So, if you want proper care when repatriating, it's best to take precautions before you travel. Taking out a comprehensive travel insurance is the best way to do so. However, it’s important to note that not all policies are created equal. For example, a good repatriation insurance extends beyond the repatriation of the injured individual to also encompass the safe return of family members, while some travel insurances might not cover repatriation at all. Moreover, a superior policy may even include provisions for the reimbursement of hotel expenses in cases where medical issues compel an extended stay.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Repatriation without insurance: is it possible?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Even without insurance, medical repatriation from your holiday is of course still possible, but is not advisable due to the potential financial and logistical challenges involved. Not only will repatriation without insurance have considerable financial implications as explained above, you will also have to arrange the logistics and coordination of the repatriation process without the assistance of your insurer, making the already unfortunate interruption of your holiday even more troublesome.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What should I do if I need repatriation?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The sooner you contact your insurer, the sooner you can be repatriated. Check whether there is a remote medical consultation feature in your insurance cover that you can seek day and night from your holiday destination. If, however, you don’t have repatriation insurance or your travel insurance doesn’t cover repatriation, it’s FPS Foreign Affairs.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Further information!"},{"cards":[{"body":"Whether you’re a seasoned pro or hitting the slopes for the first time, knowing what to do in case of a ski accident is one of the most important conditions for a safe winter sports holiday.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2024-01-29","image":{"altTextEN":"Skier fallen in snow","altTextFR":"Skieur tombé dans la neige","altTextNL":"Skiër gevallen in de sneeuw","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/ba8e3823490168a/original/Skier-fallen-in-snow.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/b9eeb78f-7f92-4ebb-a966-aa8b8fdbbf5c/Skier-fallen-in-snow","type":"image","width":7200},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/ski-accidents-what-to-do"},"title":"What to do in case of a ski accident?"},{"body":"Being ill during your holiday is the last thing anyone wants to experience. Fortunately, there’s a new legislation in place to ease the pain.","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2024-01-29","image":{"altTextFR":"Gros plan d'une personne tenant un thermomètre pour vérifier la température du corps.","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7c11135a7db312d9/original/Close-up-of-a-person-holding-up-a-fever-thermometer-to-check-the-body-temperature.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1e53dfd6-3a5f-4b67-9c6d-945dfb507a49/Close-up-of-a-person-holding-up-a-fever-thermometer-to-check-the-body-temperature","type":"image","width":5832},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/ill-during-holiday"},"title":"Ill during your holiday? Here’s the new legislation"},{"body":"What does an online consultation involve? How do I book a remote medical appointment? Is it possible to receive a medical prescription after an online consultation?","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2024-01-31","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/2622e3140fcd155d/original/A-man-wearing-headphones-works-on-his-computer-from-a-rooftop-tent-installed-on-top-of-his-car.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5beba3f6-d825-491e-8010-22483fdbddad/A-man-wearing-headphones-works-on-his-computer-from-a-rooftop-tent-installed-on-top-of-his-car","type":"image","width":3000},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/remote-medical-consultation"},"title":"Remote medical consultation"},{"body":"How to cover your risks","cardSize":"medium","cardType":"article","componentType":"articleCard","date":"2022-12-20","image":{"extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/847b64335c2eeb/original/go-abroad-risks-1920.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/5033530a-0c29-4b07-84a4-dba331f49c8b/go-abroad-risks-1920","type":"image","width":1920},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/my-life/leisure-and-travel/5-travel-precautions"},"title":"Travel with total peace of mind"}],"componentType":"cards"}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"b93fe6a1-8bd6-4a63-9f71-028010d98e59","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Insurance","url":"/en/individuals/insurance"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"In case of a severe illness or accident, repatriation can be necessary to ensure that you receive proper medical care in your home country. But what exactly does repatriation entail and when do you need it? Is repatriation covered by your travel insurance? Find out in this article.","headerImage":{"altTextFR":"Voitures circulant sur l'autoroute par temps de neige","extension":"jpg","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/7f1ac1308f0111b5/original/Cars-driving-on-the-highway-when-it-is-snowing.jpg","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/1e642f05-082f-4aaf-8f93-4cb0d00c7741/Cars-driving-on-the-highway-when-it-is-snowing","type":"image","width":5616},"subtitle":"The possible need for repatriation is probably not the first thing you consider when booking your well-deserved holiday. Still, even a holiday does not always go as planned and complex situations arise faster than you think.","title":"Repatriation while on holiday: everything you need to know"},"date":"2024-03-05","readingTime":2},"publishDate":"2024-12-17T15:48:21.948+01:00"}}