DUBLIN, Dec. 1, 2025 — Fresh data indicates that Mainland Europe is set to be the primary holiday destination for Irish travellers in 2026.
According to a travel trends survey conducted by JustCover, Spain (48%), Portugal (24%), Italy (23%), France (16%), and Greece (10%) are projected to be Ireland’s top five holiday spots in the coming year. European trips also proved highly popular among older travellers (over 55) and individuals with medical conditions, with uptake rates of 82% and 84% respectively.
Although European getaways offer potential savings and reduced travel time, JustCover’s findings also highlight a concerning pattern for 2026: 72% of individuals undertaking short-haul flights expressed comfort with travelling internationally without any travel insurance, viewing these closer destinations as easy to return from should issues arise during their trip.
The worrying aspect is that the specific nearby locations Irish citizens felt comfortable visiting without travel insurance – Spain (35%), France (26%), Italy (20%), Portugal (19%), and Greece (11%) – are precisely the destinations most Irish people intend to visit for their holidays in 2026.
Peter Clark, Director at JustCover, states: “It’s very encouraging to see so many Irish holidaymakers finalising their travel arrangements for 2026, with December typically experiencing a surge in early bookings for the upcoming year. However, it’s a mistaken belief that travel insurance is unnecessary for a short-haul trip; prioritising safety before travelling overseas is genuinely crucial for everyone.
“At JustCover, our offerings extend beyond standard protection to provide comprehensive coverage. For travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, our policies also incorporate specialist medical cover. This represents a significant advancement for the Irish market. Given that one in three Irish holidaymakers travel internationally with a medical condition, there’s a pressing demand for them to access reliable, high-quality cover that addresses the deficiencies of private health insurance and the EHIC.”
“JustCover provides unlimited medical coverage, which includes pre-existing conditions, round-the-clock emergency medical assistance, and cancellation protection up to €10,000. Therefore, our advice to holidaymakers is straightforward: enjoy your dream holiday, but allow us to assist you in securing appropriate coverage beforehand.”
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