Why Trust MoneySmart?From immersing in British culture at the Tate Modern to indulging in a shopping spree along Oxford Street, there are plenty of reasons to visit the UK. Just don't forget to secure suitable travel insurance coverage to safeguard yourself against trip disruptions or unexpected events like natural disasters.
Best Travel Insurance for the UK
Emma Lam
| Updated August 13, 20260
5 Mins Read
Part 16 of 24 from article series: Travel Insurance Destination →
Table of Contents
Entry Requirements for Travelling to the UK
In general, Singaporeans do not need a visa to enter the UK for short-term stays. However, since 25 February 2026, all Singapore passport holders must obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure — this applies regardless of trip length, including infants and children, and you won't be allowed to board without one.
The ETA costs ÂŁ20, is valid for 2 years (multiple entries), and should be applied for at gov.uk/eta before booking non-refundable travel.
Visa Application
If you’re intending to work, study, settle, or seek asylum in the UK, here’s how you can apply for the relevant visa:
Scenario | Criteria |
|---|---|
Check eligibility | Check if your purpose of visit/stay requires a UK Visa or electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or access to an eVisa to prove your immigration status. |
For visits up to 6 months | Standard Visitor visa costs ÂŁ135 for up to 6 months. Can be applied for up to 3 months prior to departure. |
For visitors in transit | Visitor in Transit visa costs ÂŁ74.50. Required if changing flights in the UK en route to another country, passing through UK border control, or leaving the UK within 48 hours. Not needed for most study purposes. |
For students | Short-term study visa: To study an English language course between 6 to 11 months Student visa: For longer courses and must be sponsored by a licensed college or university |
For work | There are many available work visas for the UK. Check out the full list of work visas here. |
For family | To join a family member in the UK, they must either be your spouse/partner or a parent (if you’re under 18 years old). |
Travel Insurance
While travel insurance is not mandatory, it’s still better to be safe than sorry and stay protected for your trip–especially in events like medical emergencies or trip disruptions and delays. Healthcare in the UK can be very expensive for foreigners, since overseas medical expenses are not usually subsidised by the government for tourists.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for the UK on MoneySmart
Factors Affecting Cost of Travel Insurance
Factor | How it affects premiums |
|---|---|
Destination and UK-specific pricing | Travelling from an Asian country to the UK (including London) naturally tend to be more expensive than for other nearby Asian countries. Regional definitions matter. Insurers may charge more for "UK" or "Europe including UK" zones compared to "Europe-only". |
Trip duration | Premium prices are affected by the number of travel days. The longer you stay, the higher the travel insurance premium. |
Age of travellers | Travellers < 70 years old tend to experience a marked jump in premiums due to elevated medical risks and benefit limitations. |
Group size | Family plans typically cost less per person compared to separate single policies. Some family plans permit unlimited or multiple children under one family policy at no extra charge. |
Add-ons | Adventure sports, COVID-19, or pre-existing medical riders will increase travel insurance premiums if bought. |
How Does Travel Insurance Protect Against Natural Disasters or Unexpected Trip Disruptions?
Travel Disruption/Cancellation Coverage
Trip disruption, cancellation, or curtailment benefits cover a wide range of scenarios such as trip postponements, delays, diversions, cutting short abruptly, missed connections, and even travel service provider insolvency. These include prepaid expense reimbursement like flights and accommodations. However, coverage limits, applicable scenarios, and deductions (e.g. administrative charges) vary by policy. Cancellations must also typically occur within 30 days of your scheduled departure.
Medical Emergency Coverage
Travel insurance plans typically differentiate between coverage for medical expenses incurred overseas versus locally. Coverage amounts vary by policy and should not be confused with other benefits like daily hospital cash, hospital visits, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, and others. Compensation will be given at the medical facilities where treatment was received, whether abroad or in Singapore. However, reimbursement limits and treatment eligibility apply, so ensure to review your insurance policy wording for specific details. FWD, Tiq, and Starr offer the highest coverage of up to S$1 million.
đź’ˇ MoneySmart Tip
Use trusted online comparison tools like MoneySmart's travel insurance comparison to explore coverage limits, premiums, and policy features across leading insurers in Singapore—helping you find the right insurance plan for your trip, quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to have a visa to visit the UK?
As mentioned above, it depends on what kind of passport and citizenship you hold. For Singaporean passports, you don’t need to apply for a visa to enter the UK. However, if your country is not exempted, you’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa online or other types like the long-term Standard Visitor visa, a Visitor in Transit visa and Long-term work visas. A Standard Visitor visa costs £100 for up to 6 months and can be applied for up to 3 months prior to departure.
Is travel insurance compulsory for the UK?
Travel insurance is not mandatory, but is highly recommended to protect you from any trip or health complications during your UK visit.
Can I get a UK Visitor in Transit visa on arrival?
A Visitor in Transit visa costs around £64. You’ll need one if you’re:
Changing flights in the UK en route to another country
Passing through UK border control (e.g. checking in luggage for connecting flight)
Leaving the UK within 48 hours
Not working or studying in the UK
Eligibility is subject to your nationality and whether you need to enter the UK. You can check your requirements here.
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