For many American retirees, Europe isn’t just a destination; it’s a long-held dream. It’s the idea of slowing down somewhere beautiful: strolling along the Seine at dusk, sipping coffee in a Tuscan piazza, or watching the Atlantic light fade over Portugal’s cliffs. “We wanted to live somewhere that makes you pause,” one retired couple from Arizona told me. “In Europe, life just moves at a different pace, and we wanted to match it.”

Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and Portugal all draw retirees with their charm, history, and gentle way of life. But even in the midst of all that beauty, there’s one practical detail too many travelers overlook: healthcare coverage.

Back in the U.S., Medicare feels like a safety net. But once you cross the Atlantic, that net doesn’t follow you. Many retirees are surprised to discover that Medicare generally doesn’t cover hospital or emergency care abroad, and the bills can climb fast, although not as fast as they do in the states without insurance. A sprained ankle in Spain or a sudden fever in Florence can become more stressful than it should be.

The good news is, with just a bit of advance planning, none of this has to get in the way of your European adventure. Understanding how Medicare works overseas, and lining up supplemental insurance, gives you peace of mind to enjoy the slower, richer rhythm of European life.

Below are a few lessons shared by seasoned travelers who’ve learned the ropes country by country. Their lessons are unique to their chosen country; however, you can apply these lessons to other European countries as well since most are very similar in their bureaucracy and policies.

Italy: “Pack Your Curiosity — and Your Coverage”

Few places capture the imagination like Italy. Every piazza tells a story, every meal feels like an event. But as one retiree laughingly put it, “Italy taught us to plan for the unexpected – both the magic and the mishaps.”

Medicare won’t cover you here, so a supplemental travel policy that includes emergency medical care is essential. Hospitals may ask for payment upfront, and having an English-speaking doctor lined up (a local hotel or the U.S. embassy can help) can save time and stress.

Many retirees also find that travel insurance with extras, like translation support or transport assistance, is worth its weight in gold. With that in place, you can explore Florence’s Renaissance treasures or sip wine under Tuscan skies knowing you’re covered if something goes wrong.

France: “Peace of Mind Is the Best Souvenir”

France tends to make travelers forget practicalities. Between the food, the art, and those endlessly photogenic villages, who wants to think about logistics? Yet a bit of forethought goes a long way.

French healthcare is excellent, but it isn’t free for visitors. Supplemental insurance that covers hospitalization, doctor visits, and prescription replacements is crucial. Keep your paperwork and medication list handy – ideally in both English and French.

As one couple from California put it, “We didn’t need our insurance, but knowing we had it meant we could truly relax.” That’s the point, after all: to enjoy France for what it is – from the lavender fields of Provence to the evening glow on the Seine – without a cloud of worry in the background.

Spain: “Learn a Few Words, Save a Lot of Stress”

Spain has that irresistible energy: sun-soaked plazas, late-night tapas, a rhythm that invites you to stay a little longer. But its healthcare system, while excellent, runs differently than what Americans are used to.

Before traveling, take a little time to learn how care is accessed. Know the emergency number (112 in Spain), and note which hospitals and pharmacies are closest to where you’ll be staying. Bring documentation in Spanish or have a translation app ready; it can make an emergency visit far less stressful.

One retiree who spends winters near Málaga told me, “A few key Spanish phrases along with a good insurance plan will go further than you think.” Once you’ve handled the practicalities, you’re free to focus on the joy of Spain itself: beach walks, paella by the sea, and music echoing through narrow, sunlit streets.

Germany: “Everything in Order — Including Your Papers”

Germany rewards the organized traveler. It’s a country that runs on precision: trains, timetables, and yes, medical paperwork.

It is the most similar to what you experience in the U.S. Hospitals and pharmacies often require proof of insurance and prescriptions before providing care. Keep your Medicare card, supplemental insurance documents, and prescriptions in their original labeled containers. A translated copy of your medication list (in German) can also help.

“Once we realized how efficient everything was, and that we just needed to be equally organized, we felt completely at ease,” said a retiree who spent a summer along the Rhine. With those details in place, you can explore castles, markets, and mountain trails knowing you’re ready for anything.

Portugal: “Prepare for Emergencies You’ll Probably Never Have”

Portugal’s warmth, both the people and the weather, has made it a retirement favorite. Life here is slower, softer, easier to savor. But in the rare event of a serious medical emergency, evacuation coverage can be critical.

Standard Medicare doesn’t cover air transport, which can be necessary on the islands (Madeira or Azores) or in rural areas. Check that your supplemental plan includes evacuation and repatriation benefits in case of a severe emergency. It’s one of those details you hope you’ll never use but will be grateful to have if you do.

With that safety net in place, you can lose yourself in Portugal’s pleasures: wandering through Lisbon’s tiled alleys, tasting port in the Douro Valley, or watching the Atlantic waves roll in at sunset without a care in the world.

A Final Word

Traveling through Europe in retirement isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s about reclaiming time, curiosity, and connection. But peace of mind is part of that picture, too. As one traveler put it, “We wanted to live like locals, not worry like tourists.”

By sorting out healthcare coverage before you go, you’re giving yourself the gift of freedom to enjoy each meal, each conversation, and each discovery with no worries about what-ifs. Once that’s taken care of, Europe opens up in the way it’s meant to: slowly, beautifully, and with room to breathe.