Why a holiday with grandma and grandpa is worth it
Time with the grandkids is priceless, and a shared holiday often stays in everyone's memory for years. The children get to discover new places, grandparents have them all to themselves, and the parents get a few quiet days. To make sure the lovely idea doesn't turn stressful, a bit of preparation goes a long way.
Three things decide whether the days are relaxed: a destination you can actually reach, the right documents and insurance cover that fits the trip. That is exactly what we cover here.
Where to go with the grandkids? Four tried-and-tested destinations
The question "holiday with grandma and grandpa, but where?" is one many families ask. A good rule of thumb: short journey, child-friendly surroundings, unhurried programme. These four destinations tick all three boxes.
| Destination | Getting there | Season | Health insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltic SeaNo flight needed | Car / Train | May - September | Domestic: public insurance pays in full |
| AustriaFamily-friendly | 4-6 h drive | Year-round | EU: EHIC + private travel cover recommended |
| South TyrolMountains and fresh air | 5-7 h drive | May - October | EU: EHIC + private travel cover recommended |
| MallorcaDirect flights from many cities | 2 h flight | April - October | EU: EHIC + private travel cover recommended |
Tip: Plan one fewer stop than you think you need. A single base with short outings is far more relaxed for children and older travellers than a multi-stop tour.
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The travel authorisation: the most important document
When a child travels without their parents, border officials abroad sometimes ask for written permission. In Germany a travel authorisation is not required by law, but it saves a lot of discussion at the border, at the hotel and at the doctor's. The ADAC and the German Federal Foreign Office recommend it for every trip abroad where a child is not accompanied by both parents with custody.
The authorisation should include:
Watch out for custody arrangements: If both parents share joint custody, both should sign. With sole custody, your signature alone is enough, but bring proof, such as a court order or a certificate from the youth welfare office (Section 1629 of the German Civil Code).
Certification and language: Whether the authorisation needs to be officially certified depends on the destination country, not on whether it is in the EU. Greece, for example, requires certification even though it is an EU member state, as do Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia. Always check with the embassy of your destination beforehand. A copy in English or the local language is always a good idea; the ADAC offers a template in eleven languages.
The right insurance cover
One myth stubbornly persists: travel health insurance is not required by law. It is voluntary, but it is strongly recommended for any trip abroad. The reason: Germany's public health insurance only pays in a limited way abroad and does not cover medical repatriation to Germany, not even within the EU.
| Insurance | When it applies | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Travel health insurance | For trips abroad only | Strongly recommended |
| Trip cancellation insurance | Expensive or early-booked trips | Recommended |
| Trip interruption insurance | Best included in the same policy | Optional |
Where the EHIC is enough and where it isn't: In the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the United Kingdom you prove your entitlement with the EHIC, the card on the back of your health insurance card. It only covers acute treatment, not medical repatriation and not every co-payment. For Turkey, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro there is a social security agreement; there you need a certificate of entitlement (Anspruchsbescheinigung) from your health insurer instead of the EHIC.
You can find the right cover; from travel health to trip cancellation insurance, in our insurance comparison. If you travel regularly, an annual policy for the whole family is often cheaper than separate single-trip policies.
Four tips for relaxed days away
Slow down the pace
Build in deliberate breaks. A long beach day with an afternoon nap usually does young and old far more good than three excursions in a single day.
Accommodation with short distances
Look for accessible rooms without lots of stairs. Family hotels often offer childcare, which lets grandparents catch their breath too.
Sort the insurance before you go
Take out travel health insurance before you leave and bring the health insurance cards as well as any medication lists for the children.
Keep emergency numbers handy
Save the parents' numbers and the children's doctor. A small note in your hand luggage with any allergies and medications is always a good idea.
Frequently asked questions
Do grandparents need a travel authorisation to travel with their grandchildren?
In Germany it is not legally required, but for trips abroad without the parents it is strongly recommended. Some countries even require it on entry, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia and the United Kingdom. Check with the embassy of your destination before you travel. Source: ADAC and the German Federal Foreign Office.
What should the travel authorisation contain?
The child's name and date of birth, the parents' contact details, the accompanying adult's ID or passport number, the travel dates and destination, and the signature of everyone with custody. With joint custody both parents sign; with sole custody one signature plus proof of sole custody is enough.
Is travel health insurance mandatory for the trip?
No. Travel health insurance is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended for any trip abroad. Germany's public health insurance only pays in a limited way abroad and does not cover medical repatriation to Germany. For a trip inside Germany, such as the Baltic coast, you do not need it. Source: Verbraucherzentrale.
Where should you go on holiday with grandchildren?
Destinations with a short journey and child-friendly facilities work best: the Baltic Sea, Austria, South Tyrol or Mallorca. Short distances, accessible accommodation and a relaxed pace matter more than the most spectacular long-haul trip.
Can the accompanying adult make medical decisions in an emergency?
In an acute emergency doctors treat based on the presumed will of the parents, even without authorisation. For non-acute decisions, an explicit permission from the parents in the travel authorisation helps. Legal custody stays with the parents (Section 1629 of the German Civil Code); the authorisation does not transfer it.
Does the travel authorisation need to be officially certified?
That depends on the destination country, not on whether it is inside or outside the EU. Some countries require official certification, for example Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and the EU country Greece. A version in English or the local language is generally useful. The ADAC offers the form in eleven languages.
How we research
The legal and insurance-related information on this page has been verified against official German sources. Last updated: June 2026.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
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