Which Countries Need the TBE Vaccine?
Tick-borne encephalitis circulates across much of Europe and parts of Asia. Where the risk is highest, how to judge your own trip, and how to get protected in Sutton.
Tick-borne encephalitis circulates across much of Europe and parts of Asia. Here is where the risk is highest, how to judge your own trip, and how to get protected in Sutton before you travel.
One of the first questions travellers ask about tick-borne encephalitis is simple: does my destination have it? The honest answer is that TBE is spread across a wide band of Europe and Asia, and it includes plenty of well-loved holiday countries. This guide sets out where the risk is, and just as importantly how to judge the risk for your particular trip. For the full picture of the vaccine, schedule and pricing, see our main guide to the TBE vaccine in Sutton.
Central and eastern Europe
This is the heartland of TBE risk. Countries where the virus is well established include Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland, along with the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Parts of the Balkans, such as Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, also carry a risk. Many of these are popular for walking, cycling and lakeside holidays, which is exactly the kind of travel that raises exposure.
Northern Europe
Certain areas of Sweden, Finland and Norway carry a TBE risk, particularly around forests, lakes and coastal islands where ticks thrive. Scandinavia is a common destination for hiking and camping holidays, so it is worth checking the specific region you are visiting rather than assuming the whole country is either high or low risk.
Asia
Beyond Europe, the virus circulates in parts of Russia, especially Siberia and the Far East, and in areas of China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The subtypes found further east can cause more severe illness than the European form, so if your trip takes you into rural or forested parts of these regions during the tick season, vaccination is well worth considering.
Why the country alone does not tell the whole story
TBE risk is patchy. Within a single country, some regions are well-known hotspots while others have little or no recorded risk, and the danger is concentrated in forests, grassland, woodland fringes and riverside meadows rather than city centres. Two people visiting the same country can face very different risk: a city break in a capital is not the same as a week camping in the national parks.
Season matters too. Ticks are most active from April to October across most of Europe, so a summer walking holiday carries more risk than a winter city trip. When you weigh up your own trip, think about three things together: the region, the time of year, and how much time you will spend outdoors in tick habitat. Our guide to the TBE vaccine for hikers and campers looks at the activity side in more detail.
How to check your destination
Because the map is detailed and can change, the best approach is to look at your specific itinerary rather than rely on the country name alone. Note the regions you will visit, whether you will be in forests or grassland, and the dates. Then bring that to us, and our pharmacist will help you judge whether TBE vaccination is sensible for your trip, alongside any other travel vaccines you may need. You can read about doses and timing in our TBE schedule guide.
Getting protected in Sutton
At Gaiger Pharmacy we offer TBE vaccination with TicoVac at £75 a dose through our travel clinic. There is no GP referral and no waiting list. Because TicoVac has been in short supply across the UK during 2026, please call us on 020 8643 6787 to check current stock, and get in touch early if your trip is coming up soon so we can plan the doses around your travel dates. Our complete TBE vaccine guide for Sutton sets out the schedules and pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a TBE risk in western Europe, like France or Spain?
Risk is lower in much of western Europe than in central and eastern Europe, though localised areas exist. The strongest risk sits in central, eastern and northern Europe. Check your specific region with our pharmacist.
Is the whole of a country at risk, or only parts?
Usually only parts. TBE is patchy and concentrated in forested and rural areas. That is why we look at your regions and activities rather than just the country.
Do I need it for a city-only trip?
Generally not. City breaks without forest or rural excursions are low risk. If you plan day trips into the countryside, it is worth discussing.
How much is the vaccine and how many doses?
£75 a dose at Gaiger Pharmacy, with a standard three-dose course and an accelerated option for adults short on time. Full detail is in our main TBE vaccine guide.
