Is travel insurance compulsory? The answer starts with the visa. If your destination requires a visa and the visa application asks for insurance, as a Schengen visa does with a minimum of EUR 30,000, you have to buy it, whether you book a tour or plan the trip yourself. If your passport is visa-exempt there and you travel on your own, we haven't found a rule that requires an individual to buy it.
A lot of articles say "compulsory" in the first line and "depends on the country" in the last. Nao puts it in the order you need to ask.
When it's required and when it's your call
| Situation | Required? | What the rule says |
|---|---|---|
| You need a visa and the application asks for insurance (for example Schengen) | Yes, tour or not | Schengen visa: valid travel medical insurance for all Schengen states for the whole stay, at least EUR 30,000, covering medical repatriation, urgent medical care or emergency hospital treatment, and death (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15) |
| You need a visa for another country | Depends on that country | Check the document list on the embassy or visa centre page |
| Booking a package tour | The tour contract must include an insurance clause | Tourism Law 2017, Article 39, clause 3, point đ |
| Visa-exempt and travelling on your own | We haven't found a rule that requires an individual to buy it | Your choice. Entry rules can change, so check the embassy page before you fly |
If you do buy, read these three lines
Every plan sets its own limits. We read the product documents from the travel insurers Insurnao compares, and these are the three lines that differ most between plans:
| Line to read | In the plans we read | When it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Most accept ages 6 weeks to 80. One goes up to 90 | Travelling with older parents |
| Days per trip | Single-trip plans: up to 180 to 186 days. Annual plans: up to 90 consecutive days per trip | Visiting family, working abroad or staying longer |
| Activities | Some include winter sports with no extra premium. Some list skiing among their general exclusions | Hokkaido or Korea in snow season |
Same question, different answers. Put these three lines side by side before you look at the price.
The easy win: if you need it for a visa file, ask for the insurance certificate showing the sum insured and the territory it covers, and check it against the minimum for your destination. Once you know what you need, you can compare travel plans side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance compulsory?
It depends on the visa and how you travel. If the visa application asks for insurance, as a Schengen visa does, it's required, tour or not. A package tour contract must include a clause on insurance for travellers. If you're visa-exempt and travelling on your own, we haven't found a rule that requires an individual to buy it.
How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen states and for the whole stay. The premium depends on the plan, your age and the number of days.
Do I need separate travel insurance if I book a tour?
The tour contract must include a clause on insurance for travellers. Ask the tour company for the insurance certificate and check the sum insured. If you want a higher level, you can add your own.
Does travel insurance cover skiing?
It depends on the plan. Some include winter sports with no extra premium, while others list skiing among their general exclusions. Read the exclusions of the plan you're considering.