Getting travel medical insurance should be one of the first things someone does as soon as they book a trip abroad. A good travel insurance policy can give you financial protection in case you need to cancel your trip and cover your medical bills if you have a medical emergency abroad.
Do I need travel insurance?
This is why many countries have added travel medical insurance as part of their visa requirements. but if we are traveling to a place where visas are not required, travel insurance is often optional, which is why many of us tend to overlook it.
Reading: Where to go without medical insurance
here is the full list of countries you cannot enter without travel insurance:
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- schengen countries.
- Algeria.
- Argentina.
- aruba.
- cambodia.
- Croatia.
- cuban.
- ecuador.
- fiji.
- georgia.
- Lebanon.
- Iran.
- israel.
- jamaica.
- jordan.
- Moldova.
- morocco.
- nepal.
- taste.
- Romania.
- rwanda.
- seychelles.
- singapore.
- the United Arab Emirates.
- togo.
- turkey.
- Antarctica.
- aruba
- cambodia
- lebanon
- seychelles
- australia
- austria
- belgium
- canada
- Czech Republic
- denmark
- estonian
- finland
- france
- germany
- greece
- hungary
- iceland
- italy
- latvia
- Lithuania
- luxembourg
- malt
- new zealand
- north macedonia
- norway
- poland
- portugal
- romania
- slovakia
- slovenia
- spain
- sweden
- switzerland
- the netherlands
- medical emergency coverage
- trip interruption coverage (cancellation, delay)
- coverage for loss of personal effects
- coverage for emergency evacuation or repatriation
Check here if you need travel insurance to travel abroad:
countries that introduced mandatory travel insurance due to covid-19
After the covid-19 pandemic, several countries have made travel insurance mandatory if travelers wish to enter. this is usually in addition to a negative pcr test. countries that now require travel medical insurance before allowing you entry are:
do i need travel insurance to enter the usa? uh?
The United States does not necessarily require foreign visitors to obtain travel medical insurance before being allowed to enter, however it is highly recommended. The United States is known for having very high health care costs, where a simple visit to the emergency room can reach thousands of dollars. if you need hospitalization or more extensive treatment, the bills can run into the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If you don’t have health insurance, you’ll have to cover all the costs yourself. That’s why travel medical insurance is a must for all visitors, no matter how short the visit. Get a free quote for visitors now!
countries where you should take out travel insurance before visiting
all schengen countries
Anyone applying for a schengen visa must provide proof that they have obtained schengen travel medical insurance for the entire duration of their stay. the insurance must be at least €30,000 and valid in the 26 schengen countries.
Travellers who don’t normally need a short-stay schengen visa may not be required to purchase travel insurance, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a good idea to do so anyway! Get a free schengen visa insurance quote now!
Should I take out travel insurance for the Schengen area?
You can also purchase schengen visa travel insurance directly through mondialcare and europ assistance .
algeria
If you are from one of the following countries, you must obtain travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for illness, accident and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay when applying for a visa to Algeria:
Argentina
After the covid pandemic of 2019, Argentina is one of the many countries that made travel insurance a requirement for everyone who wants to enter the country. Therefore, at this time, you must have a valid travel insurance policy that covers covid-related expenses if you wish to visit Argentina.
Should I take out travel insurance for Argentina?
aruba
Before entering Aruba, you must purchase an Aruba government health insurance plan that covers up to $75,000 in medical expenses.
The only people exempt from purchasing Aruba health insurance are visitors arriving and departing on the same day, transit travelers who do not need to re-check their luggage, and Aruban students returning from abroad.
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should i get travel insurance for aruba?
cambodia
To enter Cambodia, you must obtain travel medical insurance that covers at least $50,000 of medical expenses. this new rule is applicable to all travelers, regardless of visa requirements. To get a Cambodia travel insurance quote, you should get a quote from luma health.
Should I take out travel insurance for Cambodia?
croatia
Anyone who needs a visa to enter Croatia must obtain a travel medical insurance plan that covers a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses for the entire duration of their stay.
Who needs travel insurance for Croatia?
cuba
Cuba’s vibrancy, sandy beaches, tropical climate and beautiful colonial architecture make it a popular tourist destination. However, before you can get on a plane or apply for a Cuban visa, you will most likely need to ensure that you have adequate travel medical insurance for Cuba (covering sudden illnesses, accidents and repatriation). travel insurance is a requirement regardless of the type of visa you apply for.
You have to get travel insurance even if you don’t need a visa for Cuba at all.
Should I take out travel insurance for Cuba?
equator
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Ecuador, named after the equatorial line that runs through the country*, will also not let you in if you don’t have travel medical insurance to Ecuador. You must obtain health insurance (either private or public) that covers the duration of your stay in Ecuador. this applies to tourist visas as well as temporary and permanent resident visas.
*they’ve actually drawn a line on the ground, marking the two sides of the equator, and you can stand on one leg in the northern hemisphere and one leg in the southern hemisphere. it’s great.
Should I get travel insurance for Ecuador?
fiji
Fiji has lifted almost all travel restrictions in recent months, but due to covid, foreign visitors are still required to purchase travel insurance before entering the island. The travel insurance policy must cover covid-related health problems, repair and quarantine expenses. only returning residents are not required to provide evidence of travel medical insurance.
should i get travel insurance for fiji?
georgia
If you are applying for a Georgian visa or evisa, you must present a valid travel insurance plan, covering a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses, valid for the entire duration of your stay.
should i get travel insurance for georgia?
lebanon
To enter Lebanon, all travelers must have travel insurance that covers the entire duration of their stay and all treatment for covid-19 in Lebanese territory. If you do not have a valid travel insurance certificate, you must purchase it upon arrival at Rafik Hariri-Beirut International Airport.
Only staff of international organizations, Unifil and members of the Lebanese National Social Security Fund are exempt from this requirement.
should i get travel insurance for lebanon?
iran
All foreign travelers entering Iran must have adequate travel insurance. this applies to those traveling on an iran visa obtained from an embassy or an iran visa on arrival. If someone doesn’t have travel insurance, many travelers have reported that they had to buy it at the airport, at the foreign travel insurance issuing office.
should i get travel insurance for iran?
israel
all foreign visitors wishing to enter isreal must purchase travel medical insurance. the requirement arises as a result of the pandemic and remains valid for the foreseeable future. but you need to make sure your israel travel insurance policy provides coverage in case you get sick with covid.
should i get travel insurance for israel?
jamaica
Inspired by the events of the pandemic, Jamaica has launched the “Jamaica Cares” program, a medical insurance service for foreign visitors. With this program, all foreign visitors, that is, all those who have a passport other than a Jamaican passport, must pay a fee of $50 to register for the program before entering the country.
The program offers services related to the logistics of repatriation, evacuation, field rescue and similar services. It will also provide coverage up to a limit of $50,000 for medical emergencies on the island and up to $100,000 for emergency departure from Jamaica. the program is not related to the end of the pandemic and will remain mandatory for all non-Jamaican citizens.
Please note that enrollment in “Jamaica Cares” is required even if you have a valid health insurance policy.
should i get travel insurance for jamaica?
jordan
Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all foreign visitors who want to enter Jordan. Your travel insurance must be valid for your entire stay in Jordan and cover all emergency medical services, including repatriation and evacuation. If possible, you should also include covid coverage for your visit to jordan, so you can be protected should you become infected with the virus and require medical attention.
Should I take out travel insurance for Jordan?
moldova
As with other European countries, if you need to apply for a Moldovan visa, you must purchase a travel insurance policy that covers at least €30,000 in medical expenses.
Should I take out travel insurance for Moldova?
morocco
Morocco receives millions of visitors every year, who come to visit popular attractions such as the Medina of Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat’s picturesque Oudaias Kasbah neighborhood and its countless impressive mosques.
Anyone traveling to Morocco or applying for a Moroccan visa is advised to obtain travel insurance. However, not all Moroccan representative offices will ask you to submit proof of travel medical insurance for Morocco along with your visa application…but it is possible that they will.
Should I take out travel insurance for Morocco?
nepal
From June 10, 2022, vaccinated persons who are eligible for a visa on arrival in Nepal only need to provide proof of vaccination and a completed Health Status Form (CCMC Form). However, if you are applying for a visa before entering Nepal, you may need to purchase a travel medical insurance policy; You should check this with the local Embassy or Consulate of Nepal. but please note that US citizens applying for a (reciprocal) tourist visa must have a purchased health insurance policy prior to applying for the visa.
should i get travel insurance for nepal?
taste
Since May 2022, Qatar has made travel medical insurance mandatory for all visitors. the new health insurance law is based on a previous scheme canceled in 2015, but now the law is in force and dictates that all foreigners, non-qataris and expatriates, who want to travel to the country must buy a valid health insurance policy for their stay. The new insurance law affects qatar employers, who are now required to register their foreign employees under the compulsory health insurance scheme.
should i get travel insurance for qatar?
romania
If you need a visa to travel to Romania, you must show that you have obtained travel medical insurance for the entire duration of your stay, covering at least €30,000 of medical expenses.
Should I get travel insurance for Romania?
rwanda
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Health insurance in Rwanda is mandatory for all foreigners in the country, including visitors. you will be asked to choose one upon arrival if you do not have a travel medical insurance policy before entering the country.
For this reason, it’s best to choose a travel medical insurance plan beforehand, so you don’t pick an unsuitable policy in a hurry. Please note that you must also have yellow fever vaccinations to enter the country.
Should I take out travel insurance for Rwanda?
seychelles
All travelers to the Seychelles must obtain a travel medical insurance policy from a company in their country before being allowed to enter.
Should I take out travel insurance for Seychelles?
singapore
Singapore also requires all foreign visitors to have a valid travel medical insurance policy with covid coverage. You must have a minimum of $30,000 in covid-related coverage and at least $100,000 for emergency evacuation.
In addition, you can customize your policy to include trip cancellation and delay coverage so you can rest assured in case your trip is canceled for any reason.
should i get travel insurance for singapore?
to go
Before obtaining a visa for Togo, you must purchase a travel medical insurance policy or provide proof that you have paid a repatriation deposit, in the tragic event of death.
should i take out travel insurance to go to togo?
the united arab emirates
If you are traveling to Dubai or another city in the United Arab Emirates, you must provide proof that you have obtained travel medical insurance. This is a requirement for all foreign visitors, regardless of whether they require a UAE visa or not.
Should I get travel insurance for the United Arab Emirates?
turkey
another place you won’t be able to visit without a comprehensive travel insurance policy if it’s turkey. Visitors under the age of 65 who require a visa must have travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for the Turkish territory.
Health insurance is also mandatory for foreigners who wish to obtain a residence permit in Turkey, except for retirees over 65 years of age.
if you are from an eu country you don’t have to apply for a turkish visa but you still need travel insurance as your ehic doesn’t work in turkey.
Should I take out travel insurance for Turkey?
antarctica
OK, Antarctica may not technically be a country, but it is a relatively dangerous place to visit. one you can only visit as part of a cruise.
That’s not to say you’ll face death if you’re on a cruise to Antarctica, but since it’s prone to harsh weather conditions, you’ll want to be equipped with a good travel insurance policy before embarking.
Is travel insurance worth it?
Travel insurance is a type of protection for your trip. guarantees that you will be compensated for any unplanned expenses due to medical emergencies abroad, loss of personal items while traveling, missed or delayed flights, or in the event you have to cancel your trip.
so if you have an accident or get sick while in a foreign country and need medical assistance, then your travel insurance will cover the cost of your medical bills.
If you have to cancel your trip for any reason, your travel insurance makes sure you don’t lose all your money. they will reimburse you for part of your prepaid expenses, such as accommodation and flight.
If your luggage is lost or stolen during your travels, your travel insurance will reimburse you for the cost of the lost items.
You can get even more coverage, like repatriation or emergency evacuation, where your insurers cover the costs of having to evacuate a foreign country.
Some countries require you to have travel insurance so you can pay for your medical expenses. In some cases, medical care is very expensive, and tourists leaving without paying their medical bills can put pressure on hospitals.
what should a good travel insurance policy include?
A good travel insurance policy should cover any medical emergencies that may occur abroad, as well as protect you against financial loss. you can customize it according to your needs, but a basic policy should always have the following characteristics:
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