Dialysis Holiday Checklist: Documents and Essentials

Request these at least four to six weeks before your departure date. Some documents (particularly travel letters that need countersigning from a consultant) take longer than a week to prepare.

Travel letter from your dialysis unit. This is the core document. It should include:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your diagnosis and how long you have been on dialysis
• Your current prescription: session frequency, duration, dialysate composition (if relevant), dry weight, and any session-specific instructions
• Your current vascular access type (AV fistula, tunnelled catheter, graft, including which arm/side)
• Relevant recent clinical history (e.g. recent infections, known sensitivities, medication changes)
• Contact details for your unit (phone, email, or fax) so the destination clinic can reach your team if needed

Recent blood results. Include results from the past three to six months covering at minimum:

• Biochemistry: potassium, sodium, phosphate, calcium, bicarbonate, urea, creatinine
• Full blood count (FBC)
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) if available; some clinics request it

Virology and serology results. These are not optional. Clinics need these to allocate equipment correctly:

• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
• Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV)
• HIV antibody (anti-HIV)

Results are usually valid for twelve months, but confirm the accepted window with your destination clinic.

Medication list. A printed list of all current medications with generic drug names (not just brand names), doses, and timing. Include any supplements (phosphate binders, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, iron) and anything taken as needed.

Once you have a confirmed booking at your destination clinic, add these to your document pack:

• Written confirmation of your sessions: clinic name, address, phone number, and your confirmed session dates and times.
• The name of a contact person at the clinic: someone you can call if there is a problem on the day.
• Transport details: how you are getting to the clinic, especially if you are not renting a car or if the clinic is not within walking distance of your accommodation.

If you are on peritoneal dialysis (CAPD or APD), your documentation needs are similar but your logistical needs are different. In addition to the above:

• Arrange supply delivery to your accommodation. Your home dialysis supply company may ship supplies to your destination. Confirm this well in advance and verify the exact delivery address and timing with your accommodation.
• Carry enough supplies for extra days. Flight delays, delivery issues, and customs delays happen. Carry at least a few extra days of supplies as a buffer.
• Check airline baggage rules for medical equipment. APD machines and supply bags may need to be flagged with the airline in advance. Get a supporting letter from your unit.

Beyond documents:

• Identification: passport plus a copy kept separately.
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if applicable: reduces costs in some European countries, though it does not replace travel insurance.
• Travel insurance documents: policy number, insurer's 24-hour emergency line.
• Your renal unit's contact details: direct phone number and out-of-hours number, separate from your main document pack.
• Emergency contact details: name and number of someone at home who knows your itinerary.

Task	Minimum lead time
Identify and contact destination clinic	6–8 weeks before travel
Request travel letter from renal unit	4–6 weeks before travel
Request blood results and virology report	4 weeks before travel
Confirm session dates with destination clinic	4 weeks before travel
Arrange supply delivery (PD patients)	6–8 weeks before travel
Buy and confirm travel insurance	Before you book anything else

We list dialysis centres across European destinations so you can find and contact clinics before you travel. Once you have a confirmed booking, the clinic will tell you precisely what they need from you. Use that list to request documents from your renal unit.

We do not book sessions, provide medical advice, or verify clinic practices. For clinical advice on what is safe for your individual situation, speak with your nephrologist or dialysis nurse.