Arranging travel insurance requires understanding both the obligations of your destination country and the extent of coverage. Pay close attention to insurance requirements in the EU, which include minimum coverage amounts and a list of mandatory risks.
📌 This article is part of your complete travel preparation guide — also read: “How to Prepare Your Documents Before Departure: Visa, Insurance, Medical Check”.
Article Contents
- Requirements for medical insurance
- Insurance policy cost comparison
- Contacting insurance providers
- Personal experiences with insurance
- Summary
- FAQ
Requirements for Medical Insurance Abroad
When obtaining medical insurance abroad, it is crucial to follow local laws. EU countries have common rules, but insurance requirements vary across Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Spain.
📌 General EU Requirements
- Minimum coverage: €30,000
- Mandatory coverage: emergency care, medical transportation, repatriation
- Insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries (for multi-country trips)
🇵🇱 Poland: Insurance Requirements
Coverage:
- Minimum: €30,000
- Mandatory: outpatient/inpatient care, COVID-19, repatriation
Features: - Policy must cover full stay duration
- Both international and Polish insurers accepted
Advantages: - Digital policies accepted
- Wide range of budget options
- Card payment from abroad allowed
Limitations: - Short-term policies not allowed (must match visa length)
- Translation required for visa centers
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: Insurance Requirements
Coverage:
- Long-term residence: from €60,000
- Temporary stays: from €30,000
- Must cover: inpatient care, emergencies, COVID-19, maternity (long-term)
Features: - Long-stay visas require local Czech insurers
- Contract must be at least 6–12 months
Advantages: - Fast policy verification via digital database
- Full coverage of essential medical services
Limitations: - Not all international insurers accepted
- Non-Czech policies may be rejected
🇩🇪 Germany: Insurance Requirements
Coverage:
- Short-term visas: from €30,000
- Students/residents: from €90,000
- Must cover: emergency, outpatient/inpatient care
Features: - German or EU-recognized insurers required
- Deductibles often checked (preferably zero deductible)
Advantages: - Clear regulations
- Many international policies accepted
Limitations: - Full translation of policy terms often needed
- Tourist plans with limited coverage not accepted
🇪🇸 Spain: Insurance Requirements
Coverage:
- Minimum: €30,000; often requires unlimited coverage
- Mandatory: medical care, COVID-19, hospitalization
Features: - For visa D: must be zero deductible and unlimited duration
- Only Spanish or EU insurers accepted
Advantages: - Simple online verification
- Wide insurer network
Limitations: - Temporary tourist policies not allowed
- Strict document review during visa process
Comparative Table of Country Requirements
| Country | Min. Coverage | Additional Requirements | Policy Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | €30,000 | Full trip duration, COVID-19 | Schengen |
| Czechia | €30–60,000 | Local insurer, inpatient coverage | Long-term |
| Germany | €30–90,000 | No deductible, translated terms | Tourism/Residence |
| Spain | €30,000+ | Unlimited, EU insurers only | Visa D/Tourism |
📌 Always verify insurance requirements before applying for a visa or traveling—they may change by government decision.
Insurance Price Comparison
The cost of medical insurance abroad depends on the destination country, length of stay, and coverage amount. See below for price comparisons across the EU, Germany, Poland, Czechia, and Spain.
📊 Comparison Table: Base Prices for Medical Insurance (2025)
| Country | Duration | Coverage | Approx. Monthly Price | Deductible | Application Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 3 months | €30,000 | from €35 | No | Online/Offline |
| Poland | 6 months | €30,000 | from €20 | Yes | Online |
| Czechia | 12 months | €60,000 | from €45 | No | Local Insurer |
| Spain | 12 months | Unlimited | from €60 | No | Local Insurers Only |
| EU Avg. | 1 month | €30,000 | €18–25 | May apply | Online/Agencies |
🇩🇪 Germany: Prices & Formats
- 30-day tourist plan: from €35
- Resident/student plans: from €65 (up to €90,000 coverage)
Advantages: - Trusted international providers
- Zero-deductible options
- Visa-compliant
Limitations: - Translations often required
- Some low-cost plans rejected for visas
🇵🇱 Poland: Budget-Friendly Options
- 6-month policy: €110–130
- 12-month extended plan: from €210
Advantages: - Affordable
- Digital copies accepted
- Quick setup, no office visit needed
Limitations: - Repatriation may require extra cost
- Must match visa duration
🇨🇿 Czechia: Approved Insurers Only
- 12-month policy: from €540 (full coverage)
- Student plans: from €35/month
Advantages: - Direct link with Czech Immigration
- Covers both inpatient and outpatient care
Limitations: - Only local insurers (e.g., AXA, Slavia)
- Some don’t accept non-EU payment
🇪🇸 Spain: Strict Requirements
- Visa D (yearly): €580–850, no deductible
- Tourism (up to 90 days): from €28/month
Advantages: - Covers COVID-19 and chronic conditions
- Electronic submission accepted
Limitations: - Only Spanish or EU insurers accepted
- Unlimited coverage required
🌍 EU Average Pricing
- 30-day tourist: €20–30
- Residence/national visa (6–12 months): €240–600
Pricing Factors: - Age of the insured
- Coverage level & deductible
- Country-specific visa requirements
📌 Good to know:
- Deductibles under €100 are typically accepted for visas.
- Online applications are widely supported, especially for short-term trips.
- Some countries still require printed copies of the insurance policy.
Contacting Insurance Providers
📍 How and when to contact your insurance provider depends on:
– country of stay,
– type of policy (digital vs. local),
– coverage level (tourist, resident, visa).
Most contact is done via online portals or 24/7 hotlines, but varies by country and plan.
🧭 Common Contact Methods in the EU
- Online chat or account dashboard (Allianz, SafetyWing, AXA)
- Email with policy number and issue description
- Multi-language hotline
- Mobile app with SOS button
- Partner offices in major EU cities
Examples by Country:
🇩🇪 Germany — Tourist with AXA International
- Logs into AXA account
- Uses chat to submit policy number
- Receives list of nearby clinics
- Gets approval within 10 minutes
- Contact: Online only, 24/7
🇪🇸 Spain — Resident with Adeslas
- Calls Spanish support line
- Provides policy type and selects doctor
- Interpreter available upon request
- Contact: Phone or clinic partner only
🇨🇿 Czechia — Student with Slavia
- Uses website chat
- Submits visa and insurance scans
- Receives email referral to partner clinic
- Contact: Email + in-person visit
🇵🇱 Poland — Digital Policy via EKUZ Plus
- Calls Polish number
- Provides policy number and describes issue
- Insurer refers to doctor or clinic
- Contact: Phone only (Polish or English)
📌 Key notes:
- Online policies often accepted with just a scan.
- Local insurers may require in-person visits.
- Some insurers require pre-approval for visits — self-initiated clinic visits may not be reimbursed.
⚠️ Important: Always have ready:
- Policy number
- Passport
- Contact info (phone, email)
- Clinic address if you already sought help independently
Personal Experience
📍 For a trip to Czechia, a Schengen Standard medical insurance was arranged for 14 days. Online application took under 20 minutes, confirmation sent by email.
✅ Pros:
- Full emergency coverage including injuries
- Reimbursement for hospitalization and diagnostics
- 24/7 English-language support
⚠️ Cons:
- No coverage for rehabilitation
- Required pre-approval except for emergencies
In Brno, broke a leg falling in a hotel staircase.
Received emergency care at nearby hospital.
Later submitted receipts, X-rays, and doctor’s note to insurer.
Reimbursed €870 within 5 business days — covering treatment, cast, and medication.
📌 This type of insurance proved effective in an emergency: fast setup, straightforward compensation.
Summary
- Minimum coverage of €30,000 is essential in most EU countries
- Weekly prices range from €12 to €35 — choose based on destination
- Online application available within 1 day
- Ensure 24/7 support and telemedicine access
- Extended coverage useful for active travel
FAQ
1. What does medical insurance abroad cover?
Emergency care, hospitalization, repatriation, sometimes telemedicine and dental care.
2. What are the minimum coverage amounts?
In the EU, at least €30,000; in the US, often from $50,000.
3. Can I buy a policy online?
Yes, most providers offer fast online purchase and payment.
4. Is chronic illness coverage included?
Not usually — requires a special add-on, which costs more and has limits.
5. What to do in an emergency?
Call the insurer’s hotline, follow instructions, and submit medical documents for reimbursement.
📚 Also read:
How to Get a Visa and Insurance for Travel to Europe
Sources Used
