Which Countries Require Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is particularly important when travelling somewhere with expensive healthcare, limited medical facilities or costly emergency evacuation. Some countries and regions also require certain visitors to have travel or medical insurance before they enter. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, make sure it is included in your cover and that you have told your insurer about your health before you travel.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended wherever you’re travelling, but for some holidays it can be particularly crucial.

In countries such as the USA, medical treatment can be extremely expensive. On islands and in remote locations, you may need to be transported elsewhere for suitable treatment. And in some places, travel or medical insurance may even be an entry requirement.

For travellers with pre-existing medical conditions, having suitable cover is especially important. Medical Travel Compared specialises in helping people with medical conditions compare travel insurance, so you can look for a policy that suits your health and your holiday.

In this guide, we look at countries where travel insurance can be particularly important, where it may be required, and what to check before you travel.

Why Is Travel Insurance Important When Travelling Abroad?

Travel insurance can be important wherever you're travelling, but the potential cost of going without it can vary considerably between countries.

The NHS does not cover you abroad in the same way it does at home. If you become ill or have an accident, you could have to pay for emergency treatment, hospital care or medical transport. In some countries, these costs can be particularly high.

A valid GHIC or EHIC can give UK travellers access to medically necessary state healthcare in certain countries, but it isn't a replacement for travel insurance. For example, it won't cover the cost of bringing you back to the UK if you need medical repatriation.

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, it's particularly important to check that your policy provides cover for your health. Without suitable cover, you could be responsible for medical costs relating to your condition.

READ MORE: Travel Insurance Policy Types and Benefits

Which Countries Have Expensive Healthcare?

Healthcare costs vary considerably around the world. In countries where treatment is expensive, having enough emergency medical cover can protect you against potentially high costs.

READ MORE: Destinations with Leading Healthcare 

United States

Travel insurance is especially important for UK travellers visiting the USA because healthcare can be extremely expensive.

There is no equivalent of the NHS providing free healthcare to UK visitors, and even relatively straightforward emergency treatment can result in a substantial bill.

If you become seriously ill or injured, costs can increase further if you need a hospital stay, specialist treatment or medical repatriation back to the UK.

When comparing travel insurance for the USA, check the policy’s emergency medical expenses and repatriation limits carefully.

If you have an existing medical condition, make sure this is included in your cover too.

READ MORE: USA Travel Insurance

Switzerland

UK travellers can use a valid GHIC or EHIC to access certain medically necessary state healthcare in Switzerland. However, these cards do not cover every possible medical expense and will not pay to bring you home if you need medical repatriation.

This becomes particularly important if your holiday includes skiing or other winter sports.

Mountain rescue, specialist treatment and emergency transport can be expensive, and standard travel insurance may not automatically cover winter sports.

Check that your policy includes the activities you are planning and provides appropriate medical and repatriation cover.

READ MORE: EHIC, GHIC and Travel Insurance

Caribbean Islands

Travel insurance can also be particularly important when visiting Caribbean islands.

Healthcare facilities vary considerably between islands, and specialist treatment may not always be available locally. If you become seriously ill or injured, you could need medical transport to another island or country (such as the USA) where appropriate treatment is available.

That makes emergency medical expenses and repatriation particularly important things to check when choosing your policy.

This is also worth considering if you’re visiting the Caribbean on a cruise, where you may need specialist cruise cover for risks such as emergency medical evacuation.

READ MORE: Worldwide Travel Insurance

Do Countries Require Travel Insurance for Entry?

Some countries and regions require certain visitors to have travel or medical insurance.

Entry requirements can change, so always check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for your trip before travelling.

READ MORE: Do I Need Travel Insurance? 

Cuba

Visitors to Cuba are required to have medical travel insurance.

However, you should also check the latest FCDO travel advice before considering a trip. Travel advice and entry requirements can change, and travelling against FCDO advice could affect whether your travel insurance is valid.

If you are travelling to Cuba, check that your policy meets the country’s requirements and provides suitable cover for your health and planned activities.

Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Foreign tourists visiting the Galápagos Islands are required to have travel health insurance.

This is particularly important because medical facilities on the islands are limited. If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be transported elsewhere for treatment.

Before travelling, check the latest entry requirements and make sure your insurance is suitable for the activities you have planned.

Schengen Area

Travellers requiring a Schengen visa (for trips longer than 90 days) must have travel insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000 for medical emergencies. While GHIC/EHIC cards cover some healthcare needs, they do not include all medical expenses or repatriation costs, making additional insurance a necessity.

Many European countries have high medical costs for non-residents. Without travel insurance, visitors may face significant expenses for anything beyond basic healthcare needs.

READ MORE: Europe Travel Insurance

What About Countries With Higher Crime Risks?

Travel insurance can provide useful protection if your belongings are lost or stolen, but it is important to understand what your policy actually covers.

Countries including Brazil, South Africa and Mexico have areas where the FCDO highlights risks such as robbery, theft or other crime.

However, travel insurance should not be treated as protection against every financial loss caused by crime.

Policies normally have conditions around valuables and personal belongings. For example, you may need to take reasonable care of your possessions, report a theft to the local police and obtain evidence before making a claim.

Before travelling, check the latest FCDO advice for the specific areas you plan to visit and read your policy’s personal belongings limits and exclusions.

READ MORE: Personal Belongings Cover

What Should You Check Before Buying Travel Insurance?

Before choosing a travel insurance policy, check that the cover is suitable for your health, holiday and the countries you're visiting.

In particular, check:

• Your medical conditions are covered – tell the insurer about any conditions they ask you to disclose and make sure your chosen policy provides the cover you need.
• The medical expenses limit is suitable for your trip – this is particularly important when travelling somewhere where healthcare can be expensive.
• Medical repatriation is included – check what help is available if you need to be brought back to the UK for medical reasons.
• Every country on your trip is covered – particularly if you're travelling to several countries or taking a cruise.
• Your planned activities are included – skiing, winter sports, cruises and some other activities may need additional or specialist cover.
• Cancellation cover reflects the cost of your holiday – check the policy limit against what you could lose if you unexpectedly have to cancel.
• You understand the exclusions – read the policy wording so you know what is and isn't covered before you travel.

Why Is Travel Insurance Especially Important With a Medical Condition?

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, needing treatment abroad could be related to your existing health as well as an unexpected illness or injury. A standard policy may not automatically cover your condition.

When arranging travel insurance, you will normally be asked questions about your medical history. Answer these accurately so insurers can assess your needs and show you the cover they can offer.

At Medical Travel Compared, we specialise in medical travel insurance and help travellers with pre-existing medical conditions compare policies from specialist providers in one place.

READ MORE: Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Compare Medical Travel Insurance Before You Go

Wherever you’re travelling, having suitable insurance means you can be better prepared for unexpected costs. And if you have a pre-existing medical condition, finding a policy that takes your health into account is particularly important.

Medical Travel Compared specialises in helping people with medical conditions compare travel insurance from specialist providers. Tell us about your trip and your health once, and we’ll help you compare the policies available to you.

Compare medical travel insurance and find cover that suits your health and your holiday.

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