Before you use this guide
This is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a clinician who knows your medical history. Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.
What is medical repatriation?
Medical repatriation is the clinically coordinated return of a person to their home country or home region while they still need care, supervision or special travel arrangements. Medical evacuation is closely related but often describes moving someone because suitable care is not available where they are.
Not every patient needs an air ambulance. Depending on the condition and journey, an appropriate plan might use a scheduled flight with a medical escort, a stretcher arrangement, wheelchair and airport assistance, road ambulance transport, or a dedicated aircraft. The safest suitable option is determined case by case.
The first calls to make
If the person has travel insurance, contact the insurer’s emergency assistance line as soon as possible. The insurer may need to validate cover, speak with the treating team and authorise transport before costs are incurred. The FCDO advises that insurers should arrange repatriation or evacuation where it is covered.
Without appropriate insurance, the patient or family may need to arrange and fund the journey privately. An embassy or consulate may provide information and help communication, but it cannot arrange or pay for medical repatriation.
How the clinical and travel assessment works
The coordinating team needs a current medical summary, diagnosis, treatment, mobility, oxygen needs, infection status, medication, behavioural or cognitive needs and the treating clinician’s view on travel. A fit-to-fly decision is specific to the proposed route and level of support—not simply a statement that the patient can leave hospital.
The team must also consider transfers at each end, airport distances, seating or stretcher requirements, airline medical clearance, visas and passports, equipment, medication for the journey and who will receive the patient on arrival.
Common transport options
- Scheduled flight without a medical escort, where the person is independently fit to travel.
- Scheduled flight with a nurse, paramedic or doctor escort.
- Commercial-airline stretcher or additional seating where available and approved.
- Dedicated air ambulance for patients needing a higher level of care or a route unsuitable for scheduled travel.
- Road ambulance or patient transport for cross-border transfers and the ground legs of an international journey.
Information that helps a coordinator act quickly
- The patient’s current location, hospital and treating-team contact details.
- The intended destination and receiving hospital, clinic or home address.
- A recent medical report and medication list.
- Mobility, transfer, oxygen, monitoring and personal-care needs.
- Passport, visa and travel-document status.
- Insurance company, policy number and assistance contact.
- Preferred timing and any clinical or logistical deadline.
Common questions
Questions about this topic.
No. Cover depends on the policy, declared medical conditions, destination, activity and circumstances. Contact the assistance provider before committing to arrangements whenever possible.
Sources and further reading
We use authoritative UK guidance and patient information. External sources may be updated after this guide is published.
