Protecting Nordic Travelers in an Uncertain World

International travel from the Nordics has rebounded strongly in recent years. At the same time, global risk conditions have become less predictable. In fact, the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 highlights how geopolitical instability, extreme weather and economic disruption increasingly overlap, and these challenges are creating a more volatile backdrop for international travel. Destinations may appear familiar yet operate under different assumptions when it comes to healthcare capacity, infrastructure resilience, regulation and crisis response.

What changes when Nordic travelers go abroad? 

Travelers may face disruption from regulatory changes, political demonstrations, strained healthcare systems or weather‑related incidents. Increasingly, it is not extreme events but unexpected disruption, delays, rerouting and administrative obstacles, that most often affect travelers. For example:

• Geopolitics disrupts connectivity - ongoing conflicts continue to affect global airspace. Route diversions, congestion and cancellations mean Nordic travelers can experience delays even when their destination itself is stable.

• Heat and health risks during summer travel - hotter and longer heatwaves, particularly in Southern Europe, the Middle East and parts of Asia are emerging as a significant risk for Nordic leisure travelers. Heat-related illness, dehydration and pressure on local healthcare services are becoming more common during peak travel months.

• Rising costs and currency fluctuations - volatile exchange rates can materially increase travel costs abroad, including accommodation, healthcare and emergency expenses. While often overlooked, financial pressure can influence access to services and decision-making during disruption. 

Duty of care: evolving expectations for employers

For employers, international travel is no longer only a logistical issue. Duty of care has become a legal, ethical and reputational responsibility, particularly when their employees travel from Nordics countries to more complex environments.

Employers are increasingly expected to:

• Assess destination-specific risks, including health, climate and regulatory factors.

• Inform travelers of relevant travel advisories and local requirements.

• Maintain visibility of travelling employees.

• Provide timely guidance and assistance when incidents or disruptions occur. 

Experience shows that organizations are judged less on whether incidents occur, and more on how effectively they respond when plans change. Zurich’s latest Business Travel Outlook shows that 60% of employees would actually consider leaving their employer if they don’t feel their safety is a priority when travelling for work

The role of embassies, travel advice and stricter regulations

Official guidance is increasingly important, as many destinations have introduced stricter entry rules, enhanced screening and tighter local legislation, even for low‑risk nationalities such as Nordic passport holders.

Nordic foreign ministries and embassies regularly publish:

• Travel advisories and security updates

• Entry and exit requirements, including digital pre-authorizations

• Information on local laws, behavioral expectations and emergency procedures

Several countries have tightened requirements for visa‑free travelers. For example, the United States has proposed expanding ESTA data requirements for Visa Waiver travelers, potentially affecting Nordic nationals. In other regions, particularly parts of the Middle East, Asia and Africa, local legislation and enforcement practices may differ significantly from Nordic norms and can change with limited notice.

Registering with embassies and following official travel advice enables timely access to updates and assistance and helps travelers and employers stay aligned with local regulatory requirements.

Five practical considerations for travelers and employers

1. Avoid assumptions – familiar destinations may still present unfamiliar risks.
    
2. Plan for heat and health – summer travel increasingly requires climate and health awareness.
    
3. Expect disruption – most incidents involve delays, illness or rerouting, not major crises.
    
4. Use official sources – embassy advice and local regulations matter more than ever. Both pretravels, during travel and after ending travel.
    
5. Ensure access to support – coordinated assistance reduces uncertainty when situations change.

A Nordic approach to travelling abroad

Nordic travelers and organizations are well placed to manage international uncertainty. Strong governance, high digital maturity and a culture of preparedness provide a solid foundation. Applying these strengths globally means recognizing that modern travel risk extends beyond safety alone - encompassing health, climate, regulation and cost.

Zurich supports this approach by combining global insight with Nordic risk understanding, helping organizations meet duty‑of‑care expectations while enabling people to travel with confidence. For more information on how Zurich can support your organization, please contact Anna Dvergsnes, Underwriter Accident & Health.