Several countries around the world require you to show proof of travel insurance before entering or as a condition of getting a visa. The list includes Cuba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, all 29 Schengen Area nations in Europe (for visa applicants), and several others. Requirements vary widely, from a simple proof-of-coverage check at the border to a detailed policy review during the visa application process.
Countries With Mandatory Travel Insurance
The following countries currently require some form of travel insurance for tourists or visa applicants:
- Cuba: Requires proof of health insurance upon arrival. If you don’t have a qualifying policy, you may be required to purchase one at the airport.
- Saudi Arabia: Requires travel medical insurance as part of the tourist visa process.
- Qatar: Requires visitors to hold valid travel insurance.
- Russia: Can request proof of insurance when issuing a visa.
- Sri Lanka: Requires travel insurance for entry.
- Bhutan: Requires insurance as part of its controlled tourism model.
- Myanmar: Requires proof of travel insurance.
- Ukraine: Requires travel insurance for entry.
- Bermuda: Requires proof of health insurance coverage.
- Schengen Area countries: Require insurance for anyone applying for a Schengen visa (details below).
This list is not exhaustive. Individual countries update their entry requirements regularly, and some destinations that don’t formally mandate insurance still strongly recommend it or enforce the requirement inconsistently at the border. Always check your destination’s official consulate or immigration website before you travel.
Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Greece, that share a common visa policy. If you need a Schengen visa to enter (as most non-EU passport holders do), travel insurance is mandatory as part of your visa application.
The policy you submit must meet specific minimums. Your coverage needs to be at least €30,000 (roughly $32,000), and the policy must include emergency medical care, medical repatriation (transport back to your home country for treatment), and coverage for expenses related to the traveler’s death. A basic trip-cancellation policy won’t qualify. You need a medical-focused plan that explicitly covers those categories.
Your insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. If your Schengen visa application doesn’t include a qualifying insurance certificate, the consulate will reject it. This is one of the most strictly enforced travel insurance requirements in the world, simply because the paperwork is reviewed before you ever board a plane.
What Counts as Proof of Insurance
Most countries that require travel insurance expect you to carry a printed or digital certificate from your insurer. This document typically needs to show your name, the policy number, the coverage dates, the coverage amount, and the types of coverage included. For Schengen visa applications, the certificate usually needs to be submitted alongside your visa paperwork at the consulate.
Some countries check proof at the border, while others review it during the visa process and never ask again upon arrival. Cuba is known for checking at the airport, so having a printed copy readily accessible saves time. For countries that review insurance during the visa stage, like Russia and the Schengen nations, the document becomes part of your application file.
If your destination’s official language isn’t English, consider carrying a version of your certificate translated into the local language. Not every border agent will require it, but it can prevent confusion and delays.
Digital Nomad and Long-Stay Visa Insurance
A growing number of countries offer digital nomad or remote work visas, and many of these require health insurance with higher coverage thresholds than standard tourist visas. These programs typically require proof of private health insurance valid in the host country for the full duration of your stay.
Coverage requirements for these visas often start at €30,000 or more per person per year. The policies generally need to cover hospitalization, outpatient care, and emergency evacuation. If you’re applying for a long-stay or remote work visa, check the specific insurance requirements carefully. A standard travel insurance policy designed for a two-week vacation often won’t meet the coverage floor or the duration requirements for these programs.
Countries Where Insurance Is Recommended but Not Required
Many popular destinations don’t legally require travel insurance but make it a very good idea. Countries with expensive healthcare systems, like the United States, Japan, and Australia, can leave uninsured travelers with devastating medical bills after even a minor emergency. A single hospital stay in the U.S. can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.
Some countries that previously mandated insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Thailand and Costa Rica, have since dropped those requirements. However, policies can shift again, especially during health emergencies. Checking entry requirements within a few weeks of your departure date gives you the most current information.
How to Buy a Qualifying Policy
Standard travel insurance plans from major providers typically offer medical coverage that meets most countries’ requirements, but you need to verify the specifics. When shopping for a policy, confirm three things: the coverage amount meets or exceeds the destination’s minimum, the policy covers the required categories (emergency medical, repatriation, and sometimes death-related expenses), and the dates of coverage span your entire trip.
Policies designed specifically for Schengen visa applications are widely available and clearly labeled. They cost anywhere from a few dollars a day for basic coverage to significantly more for comprehensive plans. If you’re visiting multiple countries with different requirements, your policy needs to satisfy the strictest standard on your itinerary.
Some credit cards include travel insurance as a cardholder benefit, but these policies often don’t meet the specific requirements set by foreign governments. They may lack repatriation coverage or fall below the minimum coverage amount. Before relying on a credit card benefit, read the policy details and confirm it would be accepted by your destination’s consulate or border authority.