What Is Medical Repatriation? Everything You Need to Know
When someone becomes seriously unwell or injured abroad, the question often arises: how do we get them safely back home for treatment or recovery? This is where medical repatriation plays a vital role — ensuring patients receive the care they need while being professionally transported across borders.
In this article, we’ll explain what medical repatriation is, how it works, what to do in an emergency abroad, and how MET Medical provides a safe, compassionate, and expert repatriation service across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
What Is Medical Repatriation?
Medical repatriation refers to the process of transporting a patient from a foreign country back to their home or country of residence due to illness or injury. It’s often arranged when someone is too unwell to travel on a standard flight or requires medical support throughout their journey.
Repatriation may involve a road ambulance, air ambulance, or a commercial flight with medical escort, depending on the patient’s needs and travel distance.
What Should You Do If You Fall Ill Abroad?
If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency while on holiday or working overseas, your first step should be to contact your travel insurance provider’s emergency helpline.
This number is usually found on your policy documents and will route you to their medical assistance company, which will assess the situation and liaise with local hospitals, doctors, and — if needed — a repatriation provider.
Your Insurer Will Usually Arrange Repatriation
If your medical condition requires returning home for treatment or recovery, your insurance provider will typically arrange and pay for the repatriation, including:
Assessing your condition
Approving the most appropriate transport (road, air, commercial flight)
Appointing a repatriation provider like MET Medical
What If You Don’t Have Valid Insurance?
If your travel insurance is invalid, void, or not in place, you’ll need to arrange repatriation yourself — and this is where MET Medical can help. We regularly support:
People who travelled without insurance
Claims that have been declined or delayed
Families wanting more control over the provider and timing
Other Reasons to Contact a Repatriation Provider Directly
Even if insurance isn’t a factor, you may choose to contact a provider like MET Medical directly if:
You’re temporarily living abroad (e.g., working, studying, or staying long-term) and wish to return to the UK for treatment or recovery
You want private, faster, or more personalised medical transport back home
You need specialist clinical care beyond what’s included in your insurance
Who Might Need Medical Repatriation?
Medical repatriation is suitable for:
Holidaymakers with broken bones, illness, or post-surgery recovery
Expats or workers injured or unwell abroad
Patients with complex care needs requiring supervision during travel
Families arranging end-of-life transport or palliative care at home
At MET Medical, our team includes experienced paramedics, nurses, and advanced clinicians to ensure the right level of care and monitoring every step of the way.
Road or Air? Choosing the Right Transport
The best method of repatriation depends on:
Medical needs: Does the patient require monitoring, oxygen, or advanced support?
Distance: Is the destination within Europe or further afield?
Mobility: Can they sit upright or lie flat for long periods?
Insurance coverage and budget
MET Medical offers:
UK-wide and European road ambulance transfers
Medical escorts on commercial flights
Stretcher arrangements and repatriation from hospitals
Air ambulances for critical care missions or European flights
Assisted passages, have someone on standby just in case on your own yacht or aircraft
What’s Included in a Medical Repatriation Service?
A high-quality repatriation service should include:
Full medical assessment and tailored care plan
Communication with overseas hospitals and family
Arranging all logistics, equipment, and documentation
A dedicated clinical escort for the entire journey
Ground transport on both ends — hospital to hospital, or door-to-door
We pride ourselves on delivering compassionate, responsive, and safe care throughout the journey.
Why Choose MET Medical?
As a trusted UK provider of emergency and non-emergency ambulance services, MET Medical delivers repatriation with:
✅ CQC-registered and fully insured vehicles
✅ Highly skilled clinicians across paramedic and nursing backgrounds
✅ 24/7 support with rapid response times
✅ Multilingual team coordination across Europe
✅ Clear, transparent pricing
Whether it's bringing your loved one home from Spain, France, or further afield — we’ll make the journey as safe and stress-free as possible.
Need Help with Medical Repatriation?
If you’re facing a medical situation abroad and need help bringing someone home — with or without insurance — we’re here to support you with clear advice and expert care.