July 30, 2026
If you’re travelling abroad this summer, you may be wondering whether you need a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place before you go.
The simple answer is no. There is no legal requirement to have a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney before travelling abroad.
However, many people choose to review their Will and LPA before travelling overseas to make sure their affairs are up to date. While nobody expects something to go wrong during a holiday, having the correct legal documents in place can help ensure that your wishes are clear if the unexpected happens.
Should I update my Will before travelling abroad?
If you already have a Will, travelling abroad can be a good time to review it.
Your Will should reflect your current wishes, family circumstances and financial position. If your circumstances have changed since you last made your Will, it may be worth updating it before travelling abroad.
You may want to review your Will if:
· You have married or divorced
· You have had children or grandchildren
· You have bought or sold property
· Your financial circumstances have changed
· Someone named in your Will has died
If you do not have a Will, making a Will before travelling abroad can give you certainty that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes.
Without a valid Will, your estate will be dealt with under the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect what you would have wanted.
Should I have a Lasting Power of Attorney before travelling overseas?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint somebody you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make those decisions yourself.
Many people think of LPAs as something to consider later in life. In reality, a Lasting Power of Attorney can be useful for any adult.
If an illness or accident leaves you unable to make decisions, an LPA allows the people you have chosen to help manage your affairs.
Without a Lasting Power of Attorney, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection before they can make certain decisions on your behalf.
What types of Lasting Power of Attorney are available?
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney available in England and Wales.
Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your chosen attorney to deal with matters such as:
· Bank accounts
· Household bills
· Property
· Savings and investments
Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney
A Health and Welfare LPA allows your chosen attorney to make decisions relating to your care and medical treatment if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
Many people choose to put both types of Lasting Power of Attorney in place at the same time.
What legal documents should I review before travelling abroad?
Before travelling abroad, it is worth checking whether you have:
· A valid Will
· An up-to-date Will that reflects your current wishes
· A Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney
· A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney
Reviewing these legal documents before travelling abroad can help ensure that the right arrangements are in place should they ever be needed.
Do I need a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney before travelling abroad?
You do not need a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney to travel abroad.
However, if you have been meaning to make a Will, update your Will or put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, travelling abroad can be a good prompt to get your affairs up to date before you go.
Need advice before travelling abroad?
If you have questions about making a Will, updating a Will or setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney before travelling abroad, our team can help.
To speak to a member of the Bates Wells & Braithwaite team, please get in touch. We can advise on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and other private client matters before your trip.