Why Travel Insurance is Essential for Expats Moving to London (and Why We’ve Partnered with SafetyWing)

Moving to London is one of the most exciting adventures you can take. The career opportunities, the history, the culture, the nightlife - it’s a chance to experience something completely different while still being connected to the comforts of home.

But alongside the excitement comes the less glamorous side of moving abroad: paperwork, logistics, and making sure you’re covered if something goes wrong. One of the most overlooked parts of the move? Travel and health insurance.

That’s why we’ve partnered with SafetyWing, a travel and medical insurance company built for expats, digital nomads, and people like you making the move to the UK.

Europe on Your Doorstep

One of the best parts about living in London is how close you are to Europe. For the price of a domestic flight back home, you can find yourself in Barcelona for the weekend, skiing in the French Alps, or soaking up the Christmas markets in Prague.

But while those trips are cheap and spontaneous, the costs of getting sick or injured abroad aren’t. A quick visit to a hospital in Spain or Germany could set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. Without proper cover, you’re left paying out of pocket.

That’s where travel insurance becomes essential. With SafetyWing, you don’t need to worry about whether you’re covered - their policies are designed with expats in mind, so weekend getaways are automatically included.

The NHS Doesn’t Cover Everything

It’s true that once you’re a UK resident, you’ll have access to the National Health Service (NHS). That’s a huge benefit compared to many other countries.
But here’s the catch:

• NHS coverage doesn’t apply once you leave the UK.
• Some treatments or services aren’t fully covered.
• Wait times can be long, so having additional support can make a huge difference.

Travel insurance fills in those gaps - especially if you’re bouncing between the UK, Europe, and trips back home.

Real-Life Scenarios Where Insurance Matters

• Lost luggage at Heathrow: Imagine arriving with all your belongings packed into one suitcase, only for it not to show up. Insurance can help cover essentials until it’s recovered.
• Ski accident in France: Broken bones are expensive. With cover, you don’t have to worry about thousands in medical bills.
• Cancelled flight back to London: Airline strikes and delays are more common than you’d think - insurance can save you the cost of last-minute rebookings.
• Emergency trip home: Sometimes life throws curveballs, and having cover for flights home in emergencies can be a lifesaver.

Why We Recommend SafetyWing

We’ve looked at a lot of insurance options, but SafetyWing really stood out for expats like you:

• Flexible monthly plans - no need to commit for a whole year; you can cancel anytime.
• Global coverage - including your trips back home.
• Affordable rates - designed with young professionals, travellers, and expats in mind.
• Quick sign-up - everything’s online, and you’re covered within minutes.

And the best part? You can choose the level of cover that suits your situation:

• Nomad Essential is the budget-friendly option, perfect if you mainly want reliable medical cover. It gives you peace of mind for things like hospital stays, emergency medical treatment, and travel mishaps.
• Nomad Complete goes a step further, adding extra protection like cover for electronics, trip cancellations, and more comprehensive benefits. If you’re planning lots of travel or carrying valuables (think laptops, cameras, or work gear), this plan gives you a wider safety net.

It’s designed for people who don’t want to be locked into complicated policies but still want peace of mind when traveling.

Next Stop London x SafetyWing

At Next Stop London, we’re not just about helping you land your dream job. We want to make your entire move easier - from setting up bank accounts, to finding your first flat, to making sure you’re insured when you’re hopping around Europe.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with SafetyWing. It means we can offer our community of expats a trusted, flexible option for insurance that fits their lifestyle.

Your London journey should be full of adventure, not stress. With SafetyWing, you can focus on making memories instead of worrying about what might go wrong.

👉 Get covered with SafetyWing today

Get covered with SafetyWing today.