In which countries is travel insurance compulsory?

 In which countries is travel insurance compulsory?
Compulsory travel insurance Regardless of the destination and your travel experience, travel insurance is always strongly recommended when traveling abroad. Until then, few countries required it. But with the health crisis due to the Covid-19 epidemic, more and more countries are now requiring their visitors to take out travel insurance, including in particular the payment of medical costs related to this virus. No need to say that it is also imperative to always take a good first aid kit with you, but for this post the subject is not there ...

Indeed, the free choice of whether or not to use travel insurance is not applicable everywhere and we are witnessing the tightening of entry fees in some countries, which now require visa applicants, but not only, valid travel insurance. just like a valid passport. If you are going to Cuba, China, Algeria, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, or even Russia, for example, take your precautions because travel insurance is compulsory, and has been for several years.

It was Russia that, since 1988, followed suit by requiring anyone wishing to obtain a tourist visa to take out travel insurance. It immediately seems less strange when we know that in this country, health care, in principle free, is of very average quality. In the event of a problem, turning to paid care could quickly reach astronomical sums. So to cover any medical and hospital costs (illness, injury, accident), as well as medical or funeral repatriation, you will need, legally required, to insure yourself from your country of residence for your stay in Russia.

A trend that is spreading beyond Europe since, in May 2010, the island of Cuba adopted similar provisions. Obviously, before the entry into force of this new regulation, health insurance was already highly recommended on the assumption that medical costs could also climb very quickly.

The Member States of the European Union are no exception, since nationals of many countries who wish to enter or move freely within the Schengen Area will also have to prove proof of sufficiently funded Schengen travel insurance. (up to 30,000 euros) to qualify for the visa. Consult our file here to know everything about the Schengen visa!

What about compulsory travel insurance in the context of the Covid-19 crisis?

The Covid-19 health crisis is shaking up the world and its repercussions on the tourism sector are immense. This unprecedented situation imposes new organizations on tourism players and travelers alike. Since the start of the epidemic, there have been a growing number of countries that have made travel insurance compulsory to cross their borders. For most of these destinations, travelers must provide proof of purchase of travel insurance covering health costs related to Covid-19. They must be able to justify this coverage with an insurance certificate explicitly mentioning it.

We invite you to consult the website of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs which publishes, country by country, a set of very useful information under the heading: "Advice for Travelers"; as well as getting closer to the embassy or consular service of your destination country.

So it is imperative to find out before your trip on the compulsory nature or not of travel insurance so as not to risk wasting time and money at customs when you arrive, you are strongly advised to make your arrangements before the day of your departure, with a specialized insurer. Indeed, by taking out travel insurance before you go on vacation, it will certainly cost you less than the one you will be sold on site before you grant the entry visa on your passport.