Travel insurance is becoming mandatory in more destinations, including large parts of Europe.
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Remember those travel insurance requirements during the pandemic? They’re back.
A growing number of countries aren’t just suggesting you buy coverage. They’re demanding it as a condition of entry.
“Travel insurance checks are making a quiet comeback,” says Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of London-based Crossing Travel. “It’s no longer just about long-haul trips or exotic destinations — travelers are being asked for proof of coverage on everyday routes, sometimes even mid-journey on a train.”
She’s referring to the now-infamous Eurostar incident, where UK passengers bound for France suddenly found themselves answering questions at the border about their insurance coverage.
The enforcement varies wildly. Sometimes officials check during visa applications. Sometimes at the border. Sometimes at airline check-in. The Eurostar situation? That was a spot check.
“We saw these types of mandatory coverage requirements during COVID,” explains John Gobbles, chief operating officer of Medjet. “Back then, once the Caribbean islands and countries like Chile started to open, many imposed specific requirements. Now the requirements are back.”
Which countries require travel insurance, and why? And how do you find a policy that will be approved?
Here’s where insurance is required
Argentina introduced a travel insurance requirement last July. Squaremouth saw travel insurance sales spike 25 percent for travelers to Argentina the next month.
Europe’s Schengen Area also requires insurance. All 29 countries in Europe that belong to the Schengen Area require visa applicants to carry about $35,000 in medical coverage, including emergency hospitalization and repatriation. That’s not a suggestion buried in fine print. It’s a hard requirement.
“All 29 countries of the Schengen Area require all Schengen visa applicants to take out travel insurance, but not just any policy will do,” explains Clément Goubon, chief marketing officer of Insurte. “The policy they choose has to meet specific criteria set by the Schengen Zone.”
But here’s the twist: France goes further. It requires all travelers — whether you have a visa or not — to carry medical travel insurance. Border agents can ask for proof. If you don’t have it, they can deny entry.
Cuba won’t let you in without medical insurance. Officials may request proof upon arrival.
Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands visitors to have health insurance. Don’t try boarding that flight to the islands without it.
Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and Russia also have a mandatory travel insurance rule. Each has its own requirements, often tied to visa categories or specific entry points.
“From Argentina’s Andes to Seychelles’ islands, medical evacuation protection has become a legal must-have — not just a smart safeguard,” notes Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.
All told, 23 countries plus Europe’s Schengen region, now require travel insurance, according to Insubuy. “And many more require some sort of coverage for certain visitors,” adds spokesman Mike Farren.
Bottom line: There’s an excellent chance that if you’re crossing a border, you’ll need travel insurance. And unlike the last period in when mandatory insurance was required, this one is likely to stick, say experts.
“As more and more countries prioritize their public health care systems, this trend is here to stay,” predicts Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.
Why governments are requiring travel insurance
Before COVID-19, insurance requirements existed but enforcement was lax. Then hospitals got overwhelmed. Governments absorbed massive costs treating uninsured foreign visitors. Healthcare systems strained under the weight.
“COVID-19 showed the vulnerability of healthcare systems, and insurance became a tool for protection,” says Vlad Polyanskiy, chief marketing officer at FlightRefunder.
Countries realized they were subsidizing tourists’ hospital bills, and that didn’t sit well.
“More countries are now requiring, or strongly recommending, medical coverage because of the increased strain that tourism places on the public health system,” says Chrissy Valdez, Squaremouth’s senior director of operations. “Often, this requirement is tied to visa applications or border entry.”
At Redpoint, Raymond Yorke sees the same pattern.
“The core reason is simple,” he explains. “Many governments no longer want to absorb the cost of treating uninsured travelers. Unexpected medical evacuations, hospitalizations, or even search-and-rescue operations can cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
There’s another factor: reciprocity. As visa-free travel expands, countries tend to harmonize their requirements. The European Schengen model becomes the template. Everyone follows suit.
This trend seems to be accelerating.
How much coverage do you actually need?
The magic number is $35,000 in medical insurance, but it could be as high as $55,000. Experts recommend at least $100,000 because healthcare costs in those countries can bankrupt you.
The coverage must include specific benefits: emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, repatriation, and increasingly, medical evacuation. Some countries still require COVID-19 coverage. Others focus on preventing tourists from skipping out on hospital bills.
But experts say you should probably have more than the minimum.
“That’s not always enough for a serious medical event, so I usually advise clients to carry at least $100,000 in international medical coverage if they’re traveling overseas,” says Michael Foguth, a financial planner who works with high-net-worth clients who travel abroad.
Beware of the enforcement lottery
Here’s the frustrating part: enforcement is inconsistent.
Sometimes immigration officials check. Sometimes airline staff do. Sometimes nobody asks.
That inconsistency creates a dangerous gamble. Some travelers brag online about visiting Europe without insurance and never paying a dime for medical care. Others gripe that they were victims of the infamous Eurostar spot check.
“I often see travelers suggesting to others in forums and Facebook groups that buying insurance for Europe is not necessary,” says Anya Brudzinska, owner of Can’t Wait for Vacay, a travel agency. “It’s a worrying pattern.”
Here’s the reality: when enforcement happens, it’s absolute. Airlines can deny boarding. Immigration can refuse entry. You don’t get a warning or a second chance.
“From visa approval to boarding gates and border checks, enforcement of travel protection is now built into every stage of the journey,” Global Rescue’s Richards warns. “Whether you’re flying to Argentina, applying for a Schengen visa, or landing in Bermuda, one truth holds: no proof of protection, no travel.”
What to do about the new travel insurance requirements
Here’s a checklist of things you should do before traveling.
Check requirements early. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. Visit official government or embassy websites. Requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and even transportation mode.
Buy comprehensive coverage. The cheapest policy won’t cut it. You need one that meets minimum thresholds and includes emergency medical care, trip interruption, and medical evacuation.
Carry proof everywhere. Keep both digital and printed copies of your insurance certificate. Have them ready at check-in, boarding and immigration.
Use a reputable provider. Some countries only recognize coverage from approved insurers. Verify that your provider meets destination-specific criteria. So stay away from no-name insurance companies with iffy coverage. Go for a name you trust and work with an agent who knows the difference.
Maybe this is for the better
I’ve been telling travelers for years to buy travel insurance. As a very frequent traveler myself, I have several policies, and they’ve saved me from trouble more times than I can remember.
“You never can predict when a disaster might strike,” says Susan Sherren, founder of Couture Trips. “We always remind our clients that their appendix doesn’t care what time zone or country it’s in when it decides to flare.”
Maybe this development will benefit travelers in the long run. If you treat travel insurance as a standard line item for international trips — not just for entry requirements, but for peace of mind — you’re unlikely to end up spending thousands of dollars on an unexpected hospital stay.
Best of all, you won’t have to explain to a French border agent why you didn’t bring proof of insurance coverage.
A growing number of countries aren’t just suggesting you buy coverage. They’re demanding it as a condition of entry.
“Travel insurance checks are making a quiet comeback,” says Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of London-based Crossing Travel. “It’s no longer just about long-haul trips or exotic destinations — travelers are being asked for proof of coverage on everyday routes, sometimes even mid-journey on a train.”
She’s referring to the now-infamous Eurostar incident, where UK passengers bound for France suddenly found themselves answering questions at the border about their insurance coverage.
The enforcement varies wildly. Sometimes officials check during visa applications. Sometimes at the border. Sometimes at airline check-in. The Eurostar situation? That was a spot check.
“We saw these types of mandatory coverage requirements during COVID,” explains John Gobbles, chief operating officer of Medjet. “Back then, once the Caribbean islands and countries like Chile started to open, many imposed specific requirements. Now the requirements are back.”
Which countries require travel insurance, and why? And how do you find a policy that will be approved?
Here’s where insurance is required
Argentina introduced a travel insurance requirement last July. Squaremouth saw travel insurance sales spike 25 percent for travelers to Argentina the next month.
Europe’s Schengen Area also requires insurance. All 29 countries in Europe that belong to the Schengen Area require visa applicants to carry about $35,000 in medical coverage, including emergency hospitalization and repatriation. That’s not a suggestion buried in fine print. It’s a hard requirement.
“All 29 countries of the Schengen Area require all Schengen visa applicants to take out travel insurance, but not just any policy will do,” explains Clément Goubon, chief marketing officer of Insurte. “The policy they choose has to meet specific criteria set by the Schengen Zone.”
But here’s the twist: France goes further. It requires all travelers — whether you have a visa or not — to carry medical travel insurance. Border agents can ask for proof. If you don’t have it, they can deny entry.
Cuba won’t let you in without medical insurance. Officials may request proof upon arrival.
Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands visitors to have health insurance. Don’t try boarding that flight to the islands without it.
Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and Russia also have a mandatory travel insurance rule. Each has its own requirements, often tied to visa categories or specific entry points.
“From Argentina’s Andes to Seychelles’ islands, medical evacuation protection has become a legal must-have — not just a smart safeguard,” notes Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue.
All told, 23 countries plus Europe’s Schengen region, now require travel insurance, according to Insubuy. “And many more require some sort of coverage for certain visitors,” adds spokesman Mike Farren.
Bottom line: There’s an excellent chance that if you’re crossing a border, you’ll need travel insurance. And unlike the last period in when mandatory insurance was required, this one is likely to stick, say experts.
“As more and more countries prioritize their public health care systems, this trend is here to stay,” predicts Daniel Durazo, director of external communications at Allianz Partners USA.
Why governments are requiring travel insurance
Before COVID-19, insurance requirements existed but enforcement was lax. Then hospitals got overwhelmed. Governments absorbed massive costs treating uninsured foreign visitors. Healthcare systems strained under the weight.
“COVID-19 showed the vulnerability of healthcare systems, and insurance became a tool for protection,” says Vlad Polyanskiy, chief marketing officer at FlightRefunder.
Countries realized they were subsidizing tourists’ hospital bills, and that didn’t sit well.
“More countries are now requiring, or strongly recommending, medical coverage because of the increased strain that tourism places on the public health system,” says Chrissy Valdez, Squaremouth’s senior director of operations. “Often, this requirement is tied to visa applications or border entry.”
At Redpoint, Raymond Yorke sees the same pattern.
“The core reason is simple,” he explains. “Many governments no longer want to absorb the cost of treating uninsured travelers. Unexpected medical evacuations, hospitalizations, or even search-and-rescue operations can cost tens of thousands of dollars.”
There’s another factor: reciprocity. As visa-free travel expands, countries tend to harmonize their requirements. The European Schengen model becomes the template. Everyone follows suit.
This trend seems to be accelerating.
How much coverage do you actually need?
The magic number is $35,000 in medical insurance, but it could be as high as $55,000. Experts recommend at least $100,000 because healthcare costs in those countries can bankrupt you.
The coverage must include specific benefits: emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, repatriation, and increasingly, medical evacuation. Some countries still require COVID-19 coverage. Others focus on preventing tourists from skipping out on hospital bills.
But experts say you should probably have more than the minimum.
“That’s not always enough for a serious medical event, so I usually advise clients to carry at least $100,000 in international medical coverage if they’re traveling overseas,” says Michael Foguth, a financial planner who works with high-net-worth clients who travel abroad.
Beware of the enforcement lottery
Here’s the frustrating part: enforcement is inconsistent.
Sometimes immigration officials check. Sometimes airline staff do. Sometimes nobody asks.
That inconsistency creates a dangerous gamble. Some travelers brag online about visiting Europe without insurance and never paying a dime for medical care. Others gripe that they were victims of the infamous Eurostar spot check.
“I often see travelers suggesting to others in forums and Facebook groups that buying insurance for Europe is not necessary,” says Anya Brudzinska, owner of Can’t Wait for Vacay, a travel agency. “It’s a worrying pattern.”
Here’s the reality: when enforcement happens, it’s absolute. Airlines can deny boarding. Immigration can refuse entry. You don’t get a warning or a second chance.
“From visa approval to boarding gates and border checks, enforcement of travel protection is now built into every stage of the journey,” Global Rescue’s Richards warns. “Whether you’re flying to Argentina, applying for a Schengen visa, or landing in Bermuda, one truth holds: no proof of protection, no travel.”
What to do about the new travel insurance requirements
Here’s a checklist of things you should do before traveling.
Check requirements early. Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. Visit official government or embassy websites. Requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and even transportation mode.
Buy comprehensive coverage. The cheapest policy won’t cut it. You need one that meets minimum thresholds and includes emergency medical care, trip interruption, and medical evacuation.
Carry proof everywhere. Keep both digital and printed copies of your insurance certificate. Have them ready at check-in, boarding and immigration.
Use a reputable provider. Some countries only recognize coverage from approved insurers. Verify that your provider meets destination-specific criteria. So stay away from no-name insurance companies with iffy coverage. Go for a name you trust and work with an agent who knows the difference.
Maybe this is for the better
I’ve been telling travelers for years to buy travel insurance. As a very frequent traveler myself, I have several policies, and they’ve saved me from trouble more times than I can remember.
“You never can predict when a disaster might strike,” says Susan Sherren, founder of Couture Trips. “We always remind our clients that their appendix doesn’t care what time zone or country it’s in when it decides to flare.”
Maybe this development will benefit travelers in the long run. If you treat travel insurance as a standard line item for international trips — not just for entry requirements, but for peace of mind — you’re unlikely to end up spending thousands of dollars on an unexpected hospital stay.
Best of all, you won’t have to explain to a French border agent why you didn’t bring proof of insurance coverage.