Travelling with Coeliac Disease

What is coeliac disease?

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the gut. When someone with coeliac disease eats gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, their immune system reacts and damages the lining of the small intestine. That can cause diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain and tiredness, and over time it can stop the body absorbing nutrients properly. It sits with the other digestive conditions we see declared.

There is no cure, but a strict gluten-free diet keeps symptoms under control for most people and lets the gut heal. Some people also develop related problems such as iron deficiency anaemia or thinning bones. The NHS coeliac disease page explains the symptoms and how it is diagnosed.

Why do I need to declare coeliac disease for travel insurance?

Coeliac disease is a lifelong pre-existing medical condition, even if a strict gluten-free diet keeps you well. Declaring it matters because accidental gluten is harder to avoid abroad, with unfamiliar food and language barriers, and a bad reaction could mean seeing a doctor or, rarely, a hospital visit for dehydration. Linked problems such as anaemia or osteoporosis also matter. If you do not declare coeliac disease, a related claim could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with coeliac disease?

Usually, yes. For many people with well-managed coeliac disease, it has little effect on the cover available. Things that can make a difference include a recent diagnosis that is still being investigated, ongoing symptoms despite the diet, complications such as anaemia or osteoporosis, and any recent hospital treatment.

What we’ll ask about your coeliac disease

It only takes a few minutes to get through the online medical screening. The questions about your coeliac disease might ask how you manage your diet or whether you’ve had any complications. Once that’s done, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Once everything is declared, you’ll reach the quote page. If cover is available for your coeliac disease and your other conditions, you’ll see a choice of quotes, each with the cost of your medical cover included in the premium. Should we be unable to cover you, you’ll know before proceeding.

If your health changes before travelling

Even a well-managed condition can change. If, before your trip, your prescriptions change, you have a stay in hospital, you’re referred to a specialist, or you receive a new diagnosis, you must let us know. It may mean reviewing your cover or referring your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. Not telling us about a change in your medical can lead to a future claim being affected or denied.

What can coeliac disease travel insurance cover?

With coeliac disease accepted on your policy, emergency medical treatment abroad for problems linked to it can be covered. Picture a bad reaction to hidden gluten in Italy that leaves you badly dehydrated and needing a drip in hospital. The treatment costs can be claimed, along with repatriation to the UK if it is medically necessary, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If you become unwell before departure and a doctor says you shouldn’t travel, cancellation cover may help you recover non-refundable costs.

The policy won’t pay for routine or planned treatment abroad, for gluten-free food, or for claims relating to a condition that wasn’t declared.

Will coeliac disease affect the cost of travel insurance?

For some people it makes a difference, for others very little. Our online medical screening settles that, and it may ask how your coeliac disease is treated and how well it’s controlled through your diet. General factors like age, destination and trip length are part of every quote. Once the questions are done, you’ll know the price before buying anything.

Single trip or annual cover with coeliac disease

For one holiday, single trip insurance covers that trip alone. Regular travellers might prefer annual travel insurance, which covers several trips in a year. Whether annual cover is available with coeliac disease depends on your screening result.

Travelling with coeliac disease: practical tips

The following are general suggestions for eating safely abroad. None of them form part of your insurance.

Learn how to explain coeliac disease in the local language. A printed gluten-free card that says you can’t have wheat, barley or rye, and that cross-contamination matters, is far more reliable than trying to explain at a busy counter. Coeliac UK sells translated cards and has country guides.

Some destinations are easier than others. Italy and Spain have good awareness and many restaurants offer gluten-free menus, while parts of Asia use soy sauce and wheat-based thickeners widely. Self-catering accommodation gives you more control, and packing a few safe snacks covers you on travel days.

Let your airline know in advance if you want a gluten-free meal, but take your own food as a backup, since special meals don’t always make it on board. Check the rules for bringing food into your destination, as some countries restrict certain items.

If you take supplements or other prescribed medicines, keep them in your hand luggage. Our guide to travelling abroad with medication covers packaging and paperwork. Travel vaccines are worth sorting six to eight weeks before you leave, and the TravelHealthPro country pages list what each destination needs.

How to get a quote

Enter your trip details, complete the medical questions and choose your cover. The full price is shown before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Gastrointestinal Pages

• Acute Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Appendicitis Travel Insurance
• Chronic Pancreatitis Travel Insurance
• Coeliac Disease Travel Insurance
• Crohn's Disease Travel Insurance
• Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Diverticular Diseases Travel Insurance
• Gallstones Travel Insurance
• Gastritis Travel Insurance
• Heartburn and Acid Reflux Travel Insurance
• Hernia Travel Insurance
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome Travel Insurance
• Stomach Ulcer Travel Insurance
• Ulcerative Colitis Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.