Which Countries Require Travel Insurance / Medical Insurance?
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KEY POINTS
Visa Rules Mandate Insurance Requirements
Some countries mandate travel medical insurance based on visa type, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage for visitors engaging in specific activities or staying for longer durations.
Protecting Healthcare Systems
Mandatory insurance protects both host countries' healthcare systems and visitors, preventing uninsured individuals from financially burdening emergency services.
Promoting Public Health
Insured travelers receive timely medical attention, curbing the spread of diseases and offering protection against pandemics and other emergencies.
Why do countries require travel medical insurance?
Countries often implement compulsory medical insurance regulations to safeguard both their healthcare systems and visiting individuals.
Mandatory insurance reduces the threat of uninsured individuals burdening the healthcare system financially, particularly in emergency situations. Additionally, controls medical tourism, where visitors, unable to afford healthcare in their home countries, opt for treatment abroad due to cost constraints.
This not only protects the host country's healthcare infrastructure but also mitigates the risk of legal liability associated with providing medical care to uninsured visitors.
Insured individuals are also more likely to obtain timely and proper medical care. This can dramatically decrease the risk of the spread of communicable diseases and protect overall public health.
Additionally, mandatory medical insurance acts as a precautionary measure against various situations, including pandemics, political tensions between nations, or other potential crises.
Why should you obtain travel insurance?
We always recommend travel insurance if you are crossing your state / provincial border. You may not need the non-refundable cost coverage, but you want to ensure you have access to medical services during a crisis.
Travel insurance can include medical coverage for unexpected illness, injury, evacuation, repatriation, pre-existing conditions, accidental death and dismemberment, and more.
You can also insure your non-refundable trip costs for things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, delays, missed connections, and lost or delayed baggage. You can also find specialty coverage for adventure travel and extreme sports.
Many travel insurance providers will offer 24/7 multilingual services related to medical, travel, concierge, and identity theft. Having access to a multilingual agent during a crisis can help ensure you obtain the help you need while saving you time, money, and stress.
Who needs travel medical insurance?
Each country establishes its own criteria for which visitors, if any, are required to obtain medical insurance prior to entry.
Countries often tie medical insurance necessity to visa requirements for entry. This means that while one person may need medical insurance, another entering the same country may not, depending on their respective visa requirements based on nationality.
Some nations mandate medical insurance for all visitors, irrespective of visa status, to guarantee comprehensive healthcare coverage during their stay. Others may only impose this requirement on individuals applying for visas related to longer stays or the engagement in specific activities.
How is proof of travel medical insurance enforced?
Countries have several tools at their disposal to ensure visitors adhere to their medical insurance requirements which my include, but are not limited to:
Visa Requirements
Proof of medical insurance is often a prerequisite for obtaining a visa. Existence is verified before the visa is issued.
Immigration / Border Checks
Government officials may ask for proof of insurance upon your arrival. They may require all visitors to show existence of coverage, or they may ask visitors on a random basis.
It is always recommended that you carry your insurance documents with you and keep them in a secure and accessible location.
Customs Declaration
Some countries require visitors to declare their insurance coverage on their customs forms. Failure to disclose the insurance information truthfully and accurately may result in fines, penalties, and denial of entry.
Which countries require travel medical insurance?
The following 40 countries may require visitors to obtain travel medical insurance (regulations are subject to change).
We strongly recommend all visitors check current travel advisories before travelling to any foreign destination.
Schengen Area (Europe)
The Schengen Area borders are open and unrestricted encompassing the following countries:
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Austria |
Greece |
Romania |
|
Belgium |
Hungary |
Slovakia |
|
Bulgaria |
Italy |
Slovenia |
|
Croatia |
Latvia |
Spain |
|
Czech Republic |
Lithuania |
Sweden |
|
Denmark |
Luxembourg |
Iceland |
|
Estonia |
Malta |
Liechtenstein |
|
Finland |
Netherlands |
Norway |
|
France |
Poland |
Switzerland |
|
Germany |
Portugal |
The European Commission mandates that visitors to the Schengen Area that are required to obtain a visa must obtain medical insurance covering emergency medical, hospitalization, and repatriation (including in case of death).
Visitors to the Schengen Area from the following sample of countries are required to obtain a visa and medical insurance (click here for a full list):
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Africa - all |
Cuba |
Jamaica |
|
Belarus |
Dominican Rep. |
Russia |
|
Bolivia |
Ecuador |
Saudi Arabia |
|
China |
India |
Turkey |
Border checks within the Schengen Area may include verification of this insurance to ensure compliance with entry regulations.
United States
Typically, you do not require travel medical insurance to obtain a U.S. visa.
However, insurance is required when applying for a J-1 visa. This is a non-immigrant visa category for individuals approved to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs. The same insurance requirements apply to holders of a J-2 visa.
Bermuda
Prior to November 14, 2022, visitors were required to complete a Travel Authorization Form which mandated a COVID19-PCR test and proof of personal health insurance.
As of November 14, 2022, visitors no longer need to complete the Travel Authorization Form; they only need to fill out the Arrival Card which does not require declaration or proof of travel medical insurance.
Cuba
Proof of medical insurance is required to enter Cuba. Generally, all medical insurance policies are accepted except those issued by U.S. insurance companies.
Ultimately, it is the Cuban immigration authorities who determine the acceptability of various forms of insurance proof, though they commonly include an: insurance policy, insurance certificate, or health insurance card.
Visitors that arrive in Cuba without insurance coverage may be able to obtain coverage from a Cuban insurance company; however, coverage may be limited, and entry is not guaranteed.
Ecuador
Visitors do not need travel medical insurance to enter Ecuador. However, insurance is required to visit the Galapagos Islands (one of 24 provinces of Ecuador). Tour agencies will check for proof of insurance before taking visitors to the Galapagos.
Qatar
Visitors must obtain a medical insurance policy that is recognized by the Qatari Ministry of Public Health. Visitors can click here to apply online with any of the approved insurance companies.
A 30-day exemption exists for visitors who are eligible to obtain a visitor visa on arrival, after which insurance becomes mandatory.
Russia
All visitors must obtain a visa to visit Russia. The Consulate General of a Russian embassy has the right to demand proof of medical insurance for any applicant.
The Toronto Embassy states that medical insurance is not officially required for Canadian citizens, but is required for citizens of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Jordan
Visitors can obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy, consulate, or legation abroad. The Ministry of Interior mandates these applications be submitted electronically and related interviews, if required, can be attended at a Jordanian embassy. Visitors also have the option to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport and other border crossings.
Visitors are required to obtain a QR Code 72 hours before entering Jordan. The QR code's wording does not mention the requirement for health or medical insurance to enter the country.
The Jordanian government does not clearly specify whether visitors need to acquire travel medical insurance before entering the country. Upon direct inquiry to the Jordan Tourism Board regarding insurance requirements for Canadian citizens traveling to Jordan, we promptly received confirmation that insurance is not mandatory.
On a related noted, in May 2022, Jordan eliminated the need to show proof of insurance that covers medical treatment for COVID-19.
Nepal
When applying for a tourist visa, applicants are required to submit proof of travel health insurance covering their travel period.
Ukraine
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine requires proof that the applicant is a holder of (or is entitled to benefit from) a valid medical/travel insurance policy to cover Ukraine and the period of stay (the policy should provide a minimum of €30,000 or equivalent coverage). Holders of diplomatic/service passports are exempt from this requirement.
Antarctica
Travel to Antarctica is unique as visitors are required to join an organized tour as independent travel is generally restricted to scientific researchers or specialized expedition teams. Tour operators require all participants to carry travel medical insurance.
Seychelles
Visitors must apply entry through the Travel Authorization Platform and obtain valid travel insurance.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Navigating international travel involves fully understanding each country's visitor medical insurance needs. We recommend you consider engaging a travel agent to help you navigate through this complex process.
Understanding these regulations will facilitate obtaining the requisite visa and entry into the country without delays. Adhering to insurance mandates not only protects travelers but also supports the host country's healthcare system. Being informed and proactive is key to seamless travel experiences.
Safe travels!
