When you're abroad, your regular clinic is hours or continents away. An emergency doctor has no access to your history — they don't know your allergies, your existing conditions, or your current medications. Having the right documents on hand can speed up care and prevent dangerous medication errors.
This guide covers what to carry, how to carry it safely, and what to do when you need care abroad.
The essential travel health documents
- Current medications list — generic names, doses and the conditions they treat. Include the prescribing doctor's name and contact
- Known allergies — with the type of reaction (anaphylaxis, rash, nausea), not just the name
- Blood type and rhesus factor
- Vaccination records — including COVID-19, hepatitis A/B, typhoid, yellow fever, and any destination-specific requirements
- Summary of current health conditions — ideally one page, written in plain language
- Any recent relevant investigations — particularly ECG, blood results or imaging reports if you have a cardiac or chronic condition
- Insurance card and policy number
- Emergency contacts
Carrying records safely
Physical paper documents can be lost, wet or damaged. Keep a digital backup of every key document on your phone and also on a secure cloud platform — ideally one with offline access if you're visiting areas with poor connectivity.
A platform like Looms allows you to share any record with a doctor via a time-limited link — useful when a foreign doctor wants to see your full history without you having to print or email documents from a hotel room.
- Store PDF copies in a travel folder on your phone
- Use a health platform with offline access for areas with poor connectivity
- Email key documents to yourself as a backup
- Tell a trusted travel companion where to find your records in an emergency
Destination-specific considerations
- Check vaccine requirements and recommendations at least 6–8 weeks before travel — some vaccines need multiple doses
- Research which medications are legal to bring in — some common drugs are controlled or banned in certain countries
- Carry a letter from your doctor for controlled medications (opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD medications)
- Know the word for your condition in the local language, or carry a medical card translated locally
- In the Middle East: heat significantly affects hydration requirements and insulin storage
If you need care abroad
Contact your insurer's emergency line first — they can direct you to approved providers and arrange direct payment so you aren't out of pocket. Carry the emergency number separately from your insurance card (photograph it).
At the hospital or clinic, present your medications list and allergy information immediately — don't wait to be asked. If there is a language barrier, use a translation app or ask the insurer for telephone interpreter support.
Continuity when you return
If you received care abroad, collect all documentation before you leave — discharge summaries, prescriptions, investigation results. Upload these to Looms and share them with your GP so your home record is complete. This is especially important for conditions that may need follow-up, such as treated infections or adjusted medications.