Best medical insurance while travelling in Europe

Getting to know the Old Continent is the dream of many people. Cities and villages with a medieval past that also surprise with their more modern side; large national parks that protect natural treasures, huge mountain ranges, large valleys and rural areas, historical monuments everywhere… And, if we leave aside the cultural, historical and natural attractions, we find a continent full of job opportunities, study programmes and much more. Hence, tourists, expatriates, nomads, digital nomads, remote workers and retirees alike are thinking of travelling to one of their own countries. While it all sounds very nice, a journey of this calibre requires a lot of planning. Of all the things you need to plan for, having travel medical insurance for Europe is a priority.

Whether you’re travelling to Europe for a few days of sightseeing or you’re planning to settle down for a few months to work from a city, having medical cover will help you have a peaceful stay, knowing that in the event of any accident or unforeseen medical problem, you won’t have to spend large sums of money to receive care. In other words, travel medical insurance to Europe can make the difference between an unforgettable experience in a good or bad way.

Today we look at different health insurance options for foreigners travelling to Europe. We tell you what each one offers, what their plans and prices are, what advantages and disadvantages they have and more. If you get to the end, you’ll have a much better idea of which European travel health insurance you should choose.

Why take out a medical insurance when travelling to Europe?

There are several reasons why you shouldn’t travel to Europe without medical cover. For a start, if you’re visiting any of the countries that are part of the Schengen area, you’ll be required to present medical insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 ($32,308.80). So, the first reason is that it’s a legal requirement to visit countries such as Spain, Germany, France and Italy (among others). In the case of travellers from short-stay visa-exempt countries, insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s recommended, as high medical costs in Europe can create a significant budget burden (and more than one headache).

What happens if you’re a citizen of a European Union or European Economic Area member country? In this case, you don’t need specific health insurance to travel within the continent, as you will be covered by the European health system through the European Health Insurance Card. However, it’s advisable to have additional insurance to cover costs that aren’t covered by the public health system.

In addition to being a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa, there are other reasons why foreigners travelling to Europe should take out health insurance. But, most important of all, health care costs can be very high in some European countries, especially in private hospitals.

Don’t you think so? These three simple examples will get you started quoting insurance policies in no time:

• A routine medical consultation in Barcelona can cost between €50-100 ($53.85-107.70), while in London it can be as much as £150 (€180, $93.85).
• An appendix surgery in Paris can cost between €5,000 ($5,384.80) and €8,000 ($8,615.68).
• An MRI scan in Berlin can cost up to €500 ($538.48).

Therefore, a health insurance policy guarantees you coverage in case you need urgent medical care, hospitalisation or even surgery. Even if you need a consultation with a specialist or treatment that isn’t covered by the public health system, the insurance can help you cover these costs.

Which foreigners need travel health insurance in Europe?

Travel health insurance in Europe is essential, regardless of whether you are travelling for tourism, work, study or business. You know that one of the main reasons is to comply with the legal requirements of the Schengen area, to protect your pocket from high medical costs and to ensure access to care in case of emergencies and unforeseen illnesses.

In addition to the type of trip, foreigners who need to take out travel health insurance in Europe vary according to their nationality and the requirements of the country to which they are travelling. The answer to this question can therefore be quite broad. But, here’s a list of the profile of foreigners who require health insurance to visit the Old Continent:

1. Foreigners outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)

As you may already know, any citizen from a country outside the EU or EEA needs travel health insurance to enter the Schengen Area countries (which include most EU members and some non-EU countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland). €30,000 ($32,357.25) for medical expenses, repatriation and emergency situations.

2. Foreigners from the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA)

What about citizens from EU/EEA countries? While they don’t need health insurance for travel within Europe in these cases (as they’re entitled to receive care through the European Health Insurance Card), taking out a temporary one is not a bad idea. Certain services such as care in private clinics or medicines outside the public system may not be covered by the card. That’s why supplementary private insurance can guarantee full coverage.

Now, if an EU citizen travels outside the Schengen Area (for example, to Turkey), they will need health insurance that covers emergencies outside the EU.

3. Foreigners with residence permits in Europe

Foreigners temporarily or permanently residing in Europe may also need health insurance. For example, temporary workers or international students may not be covered by the national health system. On the other hand, if a European resident travels to another country outside the Schengen area, health insurance will be essential to obtain coverage in case of emergencies.

4. Foreigners travelling for tourism or business (non-Schengen)

Foreigners travelling to Europe for tourism, business or other purposes may also need health insurance, depending on the specific requirements of the destination country. For example, destinations such as Russia or Turkey may require tourists to have health insurance with medical coverage as an entry requirement.

5. Foreigners with pre-existing medical conditions

If you’re a foreigner and have a pre-existing medical condition, all the more reason to have travel health insurance in Europe. Keep in mind that without adequate coverage, a medication for diabetes or hypertension (for example), can result in an even greater increase in blood glucose levels due to discomfort. In other words, it could be very costly, so plan ahead.

6. International students

Many foreign students come to Europe attracted by the prestige of its universities and educational institutions. In these cases, it’s often a requirement to take out health insurance in order to be able to study. This is the case, for example, in Spain, France and Germany, where international students must have health insurance in order to obtain a student visa.

What kind of travel health insurance can foreigners take out in Europe?

When you’re planning your travel health insurance to Europe, be sure to consider some practical issues that will influence your choice. For a start, if you need any special coverage (e.g. access to certain medicines). Also, the country or countries you’re going to visit, how long your trip will last and what kind of activities you would like to do. Hiking in the Picos de Europa isn‘t the same as going to museums in Madrid. The first case involves more risk, so insurance that provides cover for adventure sports is essential. These are just a few tips to keep in mind, you more than anyone else’ll know what your needs are and what type of insurance to aim for.

Here are the most common types of health insurance for foreigners in Europe:

1. Basic travel health insurance

With this type of insurance you’ll be covered for the basic medical expenses you might need during your stay in Europe. E.g. medical care, emergencies, medicines prescribed due to illness, etc.

They’re a good option for tourists who’re going to spend a short stay in Europe (less than 90 days). In addition, they’re cheaper than insurance for longer stays and the coverage is sufficient for leisure and pleasure trips.

2. Travel medical insurance with cancellation cover

This type of insurance is a more comprehensive version of the previous one, as it includes coverage for cancellation or interruption of the trip, in addition to medical care. Therefore, if for any reason you have to suspend your European journey, you’ll be reimbursed for all or part of the costs you have incurred for flights, accommodation, excursions and so on.

They’re ideal for travellers who want to insure against the possibility of cancellation or modification of their plans due to unforeseen health emergencies.

3. Schengen Travel Medical Insurance

This insurance is compulsory for travellers who need a Schengen visa to enter Europe. The cover provided includes medical care in case of illness or accident during the trip and is valid for the duration of the stay in the Schengen area (usually up to 90 days for tourism or business). Please note that the policy you take out must cover at least €30,000 ($32,357.25) in medical expenses, repatriation and emergency relocation in order for you to be approved for a visa.

4. Travel health insurance for long stays (more than 90 days)

If you’re going to spend more than 90 days in Europe, this type of insurance is the most appropriate. It would apply, for example, to digital nomads who plan to settle for a few months to work in a city. Coverage is similar to the above, but broader, as it can also include assistance for chronic medical conditions and long-stay coverage.

5. Health insurance for international students

This type of insurance is specially designed for students who travel to Europe to study for a long period of time. In fact, in the case of many countries, it’s a requirement to have such insurance in order to be able to study. In addition to medical coverage, they may include assistance in case of loss of documents and other services related to student life.

6. Health insurance for expat workers

Foreigners moving to Europe for work purposes, whether for long-term employment or a temporary assignment, will benefit from taking out this type of insurance, which provides broader medical cover and the possibility of including other benefits such as mental health or physiotherapy. In addition, in some cases, you’ll have the possibility to include your family (spouse and children).

7. Travel medical insurance with adventure sports coverage

Do you plan to ski in the Pyrenees, reach the crater of a volcano in Tenerife, go rafting on the Inn River, cycling in the Dolomites or climbing in the Montserrat Massif? So, you’d better be insured. Europe’s natural beauty is a magnet for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies. For them, there’s this type of insurance designed so that they can participate in risky activities or adventure sports knowing that in the event of any accident, they won’t be left adrift. These include emergency medical cover, rescues and evacuations for high-risk activities.

How much do health services cost in Europe?

It isn’t easy to answer this question, as there are many countries in Europe and each has its own health system. Countries such as Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom tend to have higher costs, while in Spain, Portugal or Poland prices tend to be lower. However, we’ll try to give you some guidance.

The health care system in most European countries is of excellent quality, but costs can be high. Without insurance, you may have to pay for medical care in full, which can negatively impact your pocketbook. Even in countries with public health care, some services such as consultations in private clinics or out-of-hours care may not be free of charge.

Here’s a table summarising the costs of the main medical services in Europe. It should be noted that these are relative, as they vary from country to country.

Travel medical insurance in Europe: Which one to choose?

Here’s a selection of five great health insurance options for foreigners in Europe. We tell you about their policies, prices, the type of coverage they provide and the advantages and disadvantages in each case.

1. AXA Schengen (AXA Assistance)

AXA Schengen is one of the most popular and recommended travel health insurance plans for travellers to Europe, especially for its compliance with Schengen requirements. Their policies are designed to cover medical emergencies and repatriation and are perfect for tourists who need to meet visa requirements. They offer cover for up to €30,000 ($32,357.25) in medical expenses and include many other benefits that will make your trip safer.

Prices are relative, but for a week’s cover, for example, prices are around €20-30 ($21.57-32.36), depending on the age and country of residence of the insured.

2. Mondo

Mondo is a popular choice for travellers looking for a comprehensive policy with flexible options. It specialises in travel medical insurance for all types of tourists, from business travellers to adventure sports enthusiasts. They provide very broad coverage, up to €500,000 ($539,287.50) in medical expenses. In addition, its policies include extreme sports such as hiking, skiing, paragliding, etc.

The price for a week can be around €20-45 ($21.57-48.54), but it depends on the age and type of cover chosen.

3. Intermundial

Intermundial is another insurer with a strong presence in the European travel insurance sector. Its policies are tailored to the needs of frequent travellers and those who need full coverage for all types of medical emergencies, with coverage of up to €1,000,000 ($1,077,592) in medical expenses.

Prices are around €30-60 ($32-64) for a week’s coverage, while annual insurance is around €150-350 ($161-377) for the most comprehensive plans.

4. Allianz Global Assistance

Allianz Global Assistance is one of the world’s largest travel insurers, with a solid reputation for providing comprehensive health insurance for international travellers. Your Europe travel insurance options range from medical emergencies to trip cancellation protection. The coverage is one of the broadest on the market (up to €5,000,000 or $5,387,960 for medical expenses).

Prices can range from €30-50 ($32-53) for a week, or €200-500 ($215-538)for an annual policy (depending on the type of coverage).

5. Generali (Generali Global Assistance)

Generali offers comprehensive and personalised travel health insurance for travellers to Europe. With a wide range of products, its policies are geared towards travellers who require flexible (up to €1,000,000 or $1,077,592) and affordable coverage without sacrificing quality of care.

Prices are around €20-40 ($21,62-43,24) for a week, while a basic annual plan can cost around €150 ($162,15) and a more comprehensive one around €300 ($324,30).

Which is the best travel medical insurance for Europe?

You already know some health insurance options for foreigners in Europe. As you can see, they all offer good coverage and suit different types of travellers and needs. So to say which is the best of all is relative. But, if we have to choose one, it’d be Mondo and these are the reasons why:

• Comprehensive medical coverage without excessive limitations: Mondo offers medical coverage of up to €500,000 ($540,50), which is higher compared to other insurance options. In fact, considering how high medical costs are in Europe, this figure is much more appropriate.
• Adventure sports cover at no extra cost: Unlike other insurance options that require an additional supplement to cover activities such as skiing, hiking, mountain biking or paragliding, Mondo includes adventure sports cover in its standard policy. This makes it an excellent choice for travellers planning to engage in sporting or risky activities.
• Repatriation and medical evacuation: Like many insurance plans, Mondo offers unlimited medical repatriation cover. While it isn’t something you want to think about, it’s important to have this type of coverage in case a serious situation or accident occurs that forces you to return to your home country.
• Trip cancellation cover: Mondo insurance also includes trip cancellation up to €5,000 ($5405,00) This is an advantage in the event of a sudden change of plans. Many other insurance options only include cancellation cover in more expensive policies or only as an additional option.
• Competitive prices: Mondo’s prices are quite affordable compared to the benefits it offers, which is perfect for travellers on a tighter budget.
• 24/7 customer support: Last but not least, Mondo offers 24-hour customer support in several languages, which is essential in case of emergencies abroad. In addition, the contracting process is quick and easy through its website, with the option of having the insurance activated immediately.

Travel medical insurance in Europe: Frequently Asked Questions

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