European travel

Travel by MPs to other countries in Europe is allowed for Parliamentary purposes only. No other international travel, including to overseas territories of European countries outside the European continent, will be funded by IPSA except where Parliament is recalled.

European travel by MPs’ staff members is allowed where it is in support of the MP’s parliamentary work and within the scope of their employment duties. Travel will not be funded where the purpose of the trip is simply for the staff member’s personal interest.

Travel abroad is not normally expected as part of a staff member’s duties and while some staff may be comfortable or even eager to do so, staff should not be pressured to travel. MPs have a duty of care to staff members including considering travel to high-risk areas.

European travel is defined as any country within the continent of Europe. This includes but is not limited to Schengen Area or Schengen Associate countries and the Republic of Ireland. It does not include territories of European countries that are located outside the European continent. If you are unsure about whether IPSA funding can be used for travel to a specific location, please contact your account manager.

Countries may require European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation and some may require visas. It is the responsibility of the MP or MP staff member to ensure they have the correct visas and documents.

Please contact your account manager before booking any European travel or accommodation or submitting any funding requests for staff members if you are unsure if a country is allowable and for any countries that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against travelling to.

Insurance

See legal support and insurance guidance for more information on travel insurance that is covered.

Find information on ParliNet on claiming travel and ensuring the correct business travel and personal accident insurance are covered.

For any business mileage where the journey undertaken is outside of a UK road, such as in the Republic of Ireland, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the jurisdiction is included on their car insurance policy.

Travel to high-risk areas

The current travel insurance policy provided by the House of Commons does not automatically include cover for travel to countries (or areas in countries) where the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel or all but essential travel.

If an MP or MP’s staff member is planning to travel to such countries and/or regions, they must notify the Members’ Pensions team at least 10 working days in advance of travelling to make appropriate arrangements by emailing hoctravelinsurance@parliament.uk or calling 020 7219 6481.

Please be aware cover is not guaranteed. We do not recommend an MP or MP’s staff member to book or arrange travel before this additional cover is confirmed.

An MP or MP’s staff member can also seek personal security advice or help from the Parliamentary Security Department (PSD) by emailing securityrisk@parliament.uk or calling 020 7219 7932.

Subsistence

MPs and MPs’ staff may claim for the cost of purchasing food and non-alcoholic drinks where they have stayed overnight outside the London area and their constituency including when travelling to Europe.

See guidance on MP hotels and subsistence and MP staff hotels and subsistence.

Evidence required for funding requests

An MP or MP’s staff member must retain and submit with funding requests any booking confirmations, invoices or receipts to show the journey and costs.

Any funding requests for visas or other travel documentation should be submitted at the same time as other travel funding requests for the trip. Find more information using the IPSA funding handbook.

Please contact your account manager before booking any travel or accommodation or before submitting a funding request if you are unsure.

Guidance updated on April 2026.

Non-European travel includes European territories located outside of Europe.

Hotel costs are requested under accommodation and are subject to nightly cost limits. When staying in a hotel in Europe, you can request funding up to £230 per night.

The limit for subsistence is £35 for each night an MP or MP’s staff member has stayed away but the funding can cover purchases made during the day.

Alcoholic drinks will not be funded under any circumstances.

IPSA will not provide travel funding for MPs or MP staff members supporting MPs in relation to their ministerial and trade envoy duties or work relating to delegations to an international assembly.

Travel won't be funded for any other purposes excluded by the Funding Scheme.

Guidance updated on April 2026.

To meet IPSA's regulatory principles of parliamentary purpose and integrity, the main reason for the journey must have a parliamentary purpose and the journey should not provide any personal or financial advantage to the traveller or anyone close to them.

Value for money must be considered for any tickets purchased.

An MP is travelling to a conference in Paris on the renewable energy industry. The MP’s constituency has several large businesses in this industry and provides employment for a significant number of constituents. The MP regularly consults with local businesses and constituents on this topic.

A staff member has qualifications and expertise in this area and is the main caseworker for the office on these topics. They are therefore able to help brief the MP, provide expert advice during meetings as well as learn more themselves to assist with casework they directly work on. They are also able to help with note taking and meeting arrangements while with the MP.

The staff member would therefore like to accompany the MP and request funding for airfare. This is allowed as there is a parliamentary purpose, it is in scope of the staff member’s role and the travel is within Europe.

An MP is travelling to a conference in Paris on the renewable energy industry. The MP’s constituency has several large businesses in this industry and provides employment for a significant number of constituents. The MP regularly consults with local businesses and constituents on this topic.

A staff member has an interest in this topic and would like to attend the conference with the MP to network and learn more for their personal interest. However, they do not have expertise or work in a role where they would assist with casework or research of this topic. They would like to request funding for airfares.

There is no parliamentary purpose for the travel as it would only be for the staff member’s personal interest, so the funding for travel is not allowed.

Is the main and underlying reason for this journey only for parliamentary purposes?

Could this be seen as a personal journey with a parliamentary purpose ‘bolted on’ to allow it to be funded?

Are the journey route and type of travel the best value for money?

Are the ticket types selected the best value for money?

Is suitable travel insurance in place for countries where the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) have advised against travel?

If a staff member is being asked to travel, is it within the scope of their role and is it reasonable to ask the staff member to travel in the circumstances?

If a staff member is travelling abroad, have all accessibility and wellbeing factors been identified and met?

Contact the Parliamentary Travel Office.

See Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice.

If you are unsure how activities or spending aligns with IPSA's regulatory principles, contact your account manager or payroll officer.