As the school year winds down and the holiday season approaches, our latest research reveals that British holidaymakers are heading to familiar European favourites in droves – and it’s not the student crowd leading the charge. In fact, it’s the over-55s who are shaping travel trends this summer.
The Mediterranean beckons – especially for senior holidaymakers
According to our nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, Spain, Italy, and France top the list of summer holiday destinations for 2025 – with Spain securing a strong lead at 31%. Not far behind, Italy attracted 20% of the vote, while France came in at 17%.
Overall, 35% of respondents plan to travel to Southern Europe, highlighting the enduring allure of the Mediterranean. But it’s older travellers who are making the biggest moves: 42% of over 55s are opting for Mediterranean escapes this year, compared to just 29% of those aged 18–24.
|
Age Group |
% Choosing Southern Europe |
|
18-24 |
29% |
| 25-34 |
23% |
| 35-44 |
34% |
| 45-54 |
35% |
| Over 55 |
42% |
Safety and medical facilities are key travel priorities
While guaranteed sunshine and scenic landscapes are always a draw, safety and healthcare quality are proving just as important for today’s travellers – especially for those with medical conditions.
Spain not only emerged as the most popular destination overall but also scored highest across three important categories: safety (39%), quality of medical facilities (36%), and affordability (30%).
|
Country |
Plan to visit |
Rated best for being safe |
Rated best for medical facilities |
Rated best for being less expensive |
|
Spain |
31% |
39% |
36% | 30% |
| Italy | 20% |
33% |
27% | 14% |
| France | 17% |
32% |
35% | 13% |
| Portugal | 15% |
31% |
22% | 22% |
| Greece | 12% |
20% |
11% | 17% |
| Germany | 9% |
30% |
38% | 10% |
| Turkey | 7% |
9% |
8% | 22% |
| Cyprus, Malta | 7% |
17% |
10% | 10% |
| Switzerland | 7% | 30% | 33% | 7% |
| Netherlands | 6% | 26% | 27% | 9% |
|
Scandinavia |
5% | 23% | 24% | 4% |
| Croatia | 5% | 13% | 7% | 14% |
| Finland | 3% | 22% | 21% | 5% |
| Monaco | 2% | 15% | 14% | 4% |
Travelling with medical conditions? Europe still leads the way
For those living with pre-existing medical conditions, the appeal of Southern Europe remains strong. Among this group, 69% are planning a European holiday this summer. Safety and healthcare standards are top concerns, with affordability often taking a back seat.
Top choices for holidaymakers with medical conditions include:
- Spain (28%)
- Italy (18%)
- France (17%)
- Portugal (15%)
- Germany (10%)
- Switzerland (9%)
Spain was again rated highest across all three criteria by this group – particularly for affordability, with 53% saying it offered good value.
Why Travel Insurance is more important than ever
At AllClear, we understand that when you live with a medical condition, travel planning needs to be approached with care. And while many European countries boast excellent healthcare, relying on your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) alone may not offer enough protection. This is especially the case in places like Spain, where many clinics in tourist areas are private and may not accept GHICs.
Our Head of Corporate Affairs, Garry Nelson, said it best:
“Spain has always been a popular choice for guaranteed sunshine. What we see from our research this year is safety considerations are also important. The safety record of a country and having good medical facilities are factors that more closely align with the top country choices – more so than how cheap or affordable the country is to visit.”
That’s why we always recommend having comprehensive Travel Insurance in place before you go – especially if you’re travelling with a pre-existing medical condition. AllClear’s specialist policies are designed to give you peace of mind, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday.
