Travel health insurance: Your essential protection for journeys worldwide
4 May 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A medical emergency abroad can quickly cost four or even five-figure amounts. Private international travel health insurance protects you from these financial risks. Find out how you can travel with peace of mind with the right plan.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Travel health insurance is essential because statutory health insurance often provides insufficient coverage abroad, and the costs for treatments or repatriation can quickly become life-threateningly high.
Annual policies for travel health insurance abroad are often available for less than 20 euros and cover medical treatments, medications, and the important return transport.
Pay attention to the scope (Europe/worldwide, possibly USA/Canada), the maximum duration of each trip, whether a medically necessary return transport is included, and if a deductible applies.
International health insurance: The essentials at a glance for your safety
Travel health insurance is your financial safeguard during illness or accidents abroad. It covers costs that your statutory health insurance often does not cover or only partially covers, such as medical treatments, hospital stays, and medications. This protection is especially important when traveling outside the EU, where medical costs can quickly reach several thousand euros. Good annual policies are often available for under fifteen euro. A crucial advantage is the coverage of costs for a medically necessary repatriation, which without insurance can quickly cost five to six figures. There are policies for individual trips or as an annual contract for unlimited trips up to a certain duration, often six to eight weeks per trip. These basic facts already show how important good coverage is before we delve deeper into practical examples.
Practical Examples and Costs: How International Health Insurance Provides Protection
Imagine you have a skiing accident in Austria resulting in a complex fracture; the treatment costs can quickly amount to several thousand euros. Or an acute appendicitis while travelling in the USA, where an operation and hospital stay can easily cost fifty thousand US dollars or more. Without international travel health insurance, you would have to cover these costs yourself. Statutory health insurance often only reimburses the amount that would have been incurred for comparable treatment in Germany—and only within the EU or in countries with reciprocal social security agreements. A medical repatriation, for example by air ambulance from North America, can cost over one hundred thousand euros and is generally not covered by statutory health insurance. Good international travel health insurance covers these costs. Individual rates are available from as little as ten euros per year. Families can often get coverage for under thirty euros annually. When comparing international health insurance, pay attention to benefits such as coverage for outpatient and inpatient treatments, medication and dressings, as well as the medically advisable repatriation. The following checklist assists in the selection:
Coverage limit: Unlimited or at least one million euros.
Area of coverage: Worldwide or specific to your travel destinations (Europe or worldwide).
Duration of trip: Suitable for the length of your trips (e.g., up to 56 days or annual travel cover).
Repatriation: Medically advisable repatriation must be included, not just medically necessary repatriation.
Excess: Policies without a deductible are often the better choice, even if they cost a few euros more.
Exclusions: Watch out for exclusions for pre-existing conditions or certain activities.
Emergency service: A 24-hour hotline is very helpful.
These practical considerations highlight the benefits and lead into the deeper legal aspects and expert tips.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and pitfalls of international health insurance
The obligation of statutory health insurance (GKV) abroad is regulated by the Fifth Book of the Social Code (SGB V). Within the EU and EEA, as well as in countries with social security agreements, there is an entitlement to medically necessary treatments, but only according to the rules and rates of the respective country of travel. This often means a lower reimbursement than the actual costs incurred, especially in private clinics or for expensive treatments. A crucial point is that the GKV almost never covers the medical repatriation to Germany. Private travel health insurance fills exactly this gap. Make sure the contract terms cover “medically sensible and justifiable” repatriation, not just “medically necessary” repatriation. Courts have repeatedly ruled in favour of policyholders that repatriation should also be covered if medical care on-site is possible but does not meet German standards, or if communication difficulties complicate treatment (see for instance, judgments of the Higher Regional Court of Hamm). Our expert tip: Check the insurance terms carefully for exclusions. Often, treatments that were the sole reason for the trip or foreseeable treatments for pre-existing conditions are not covered. The duration of coverage per trip is also relevant; annual policies usually cover trips lasting up to 42, 56, or even 70 days. For longer stays, you need special long-term travel health insurance. Knowing these details helps you choose the optimal coverage for you.
Selecting the Optimal Plan: How to Find the Right Travel Health Insurance
Choosing the right international travel health insurance depends on your individual travel plans and needs. Do you travel only once a year for two weeks within Europe, or are you frequently travelling worldwide, perhaps even for longer periods? For short individual trips, a policy per trip might be advisable, which is often available from as little as one euro and eighteen cents. For multiple trips per year, an annual travel health insurance is usually more cost-effective, often starting at nine euros. Consider the regions you will visit: a worldwide coverage tariff is more expensive than one that is limited to Europe. Travel to the USA and Canada often requires a special tariff or surcharge due to the extremely high healthcare costs there; some policies cover these countries by default, while others offer it as an option. Pay attention to the maximum travel duration per trip, which is often limited to six to eight weeks in annual contracts. For longer stays, such as a semester abroad or a world tour, there are special long-term tariffs that can be valid for up to a year or even five years. Families should check up to what age children are included in the insurance; often this is up to the age of 21 or 25. There are also special tariffs for retirees, as the risk can increase with age; some providers offer tariffs with no age limit. Read the small print about pre-existing conditions: some tariffs completely exclude benefits for chronic illnesses, while others provide cover for acute, unforeseen deterioration. A careful consideration of these factors will lead you to the best possible protection for your next journey.
Special cases and long-term stays: Specifics of international health insurance
For individuals who spend more than the usual six to eight weeks abroad, a standard international travel health insurance is not sufficient. Students on a semester abroad, au-pairs, world travellers, or professionals on long-term assignments require a long-term international travel health insurance. These policies provide coverage for stays ranging from several months up to five years. Costs vary significantly depending on the provider, duration of travel, destination region (with or without the USA/Canada), and age. Coverage for a year without the USA/Canada can cost between four hundred and nine hundred euros. Retirees, who often travel for extended periods or spend winters abroad, also have customised policies available. Some insurers offer policies without age restrictions or have special plans for seniors starting at an age of, for example, 66 years. Pregnant women should clarify before travelling which services related to pregnancy and childbirth abroad are covered; routine check-ups are often not included, whereas emergency treatments in case of complications are. People with chronic illnesses need to pay special attention to the conditions: many policies exclude treatment for pre-existing conditions, unless there is an acute, unforeseen deterioration. Our expert tip: Be sure to clarify before signing a policy how pre-existing conditions are managed and whether there are waiting periods. Careful planning and the right insurance cover are crucial to enjoy longer stays abroad without worries. This leads us to the question of what to do in the event of a specific claim.
Handling emergencies: What to do if an emergency occurs abroad?
If you need medical assistance abroad, stay calm and contact the emergency hotline of your travel health insurance as soon as possible. This is usually available 24 hours a day and can often communicate directly with local doctors or hospitals to arrange payment. Have your insurance number ready. For minor treatments, you may need to pay upfront; keep all original invoices and receipts carefully. These must include detailed information about the diagnosis and the services provided. These documents are essential for a later reimbursement by your insurance. For hospital stays or expensive treatments, the hospital should be able to bill your insurance directly; check this via the emergency hotline. Inform your insurance if a medical repatriation might be necessary. Document everything precisely: medical reports, prescriptions, and payment receipts. Good preparation also involves carrying an emergency checklist with essential phone numbers and information. Remember that some insurers have deadlines for reporting a claim or submitting invoices. Correct procedure in an emergency significantly eases the process and ensures you receive the benefits you're entitled to. With this knowledge, you are well equipped to make the most of your insurance benefits.
Cancellation and Contract Details: What You Should Know About Your Policy
An international travel health insurance as an annual contract usually renews automatically for another year if it is not cancelled in due time. The notice period is generally between one to three months before the end of the insurance year. The insurance year begins on the date agreed in the contract. There is often a special right of termination in the case of premium increases. Written form is required for cancellation; it is best to send it by registered mail or email with a read receipt. Check whether your policy includes a deductible. Tariffs without a deductible are often only slightly more expensive, but save you additional costs in the event of a claim. The maximum insured travel duration per individual trip under an annual contract is an important factor – common here are 42, 56, 60, or 70 days. Do not forget to adjust your insurance coverage if your travel plans change (e.g. longer stays). The question of whether you can deduct international travel health insurance for tax purposes is also relevant for many; this is possible under certain conditions as a precautionary expense. A precise knowledge of your contract details protects against surprises and ensures you the desired protection. With this, you are fully informed to make the right decision for your travel coverage.
Conclusion: Why foreign health insurance is indispensable
More useful links
Auswärtiges Amt offers comprehensive information on travel health and important advice for stays abroad.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) releases current press releases, which may also include relevant statistics on tourism and travel behaviour.
German Liaison Office for Health Insurance Abroad (DVKA) is the central liaison for statutory health and long-term care insurance abroad and provides detailed information on benefit entitlements.
Federal Ministry of Health informs about regulations on health insurance abroad and the role of statutory health insurers.
Consumer Advice Centre explains why travel health insurance is essential and what consumers should pay attention to.
Auswärtiges Amt provides general travel and safety advice for all countries worldwide, including important health recommendations.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides detailed statistics on tourism and travel behaviour in Germany and internationally.
Consumer Advice Centre provides comprehensive information on necessary insurance coverage for foreign travel, beyond just health insurance.
FAQ
Why do I even need travel health insurance?
The statutory health insurance (GKV) often covers abroad only part of the costs, and important services such as medical repatriation are usually not covered at all. A private international travel health insurance protects you from high financial burdens in case of illness or accident while traveling, which can quickly amount to several tens of thousands of euros.
What services are typically included in travel health insurance?
The core services include covering the costs for outpatient and inpatient medical treatments, doctor-prescribed medications, pain-relieving dental treatments, and medically necessary repatriation. Often, rescue costs and repatriation costs in case of death are also included.
Does my travel health insurance apply worldwide?
It depends on the chosen plan. There are policies with Europe-wide coverage and those with worldwide coverage. For worldwide plans, it is often important to check whether trips to the USA and Canada are included, as this sometimes requires surcharges or special rates due to the high health costs.
What should I do in the event of a claim?
Contact your insurance company's emergency hotline immediately. Keep your insurance number ready. Carefully store all original invoices, medical reports, and receipts, and submit them to the insurance company upon your return. For major procedures or hospital stays, the clinic should bill the insurance directly, which can be clarified via the hotline.
Can I still sign up for international travel health insurance shortly before the trip?
Yes, many international travel health insurance plans can still be taken out online on the day of your departure, as long as the trip hasn't started. However, for long-term plans, earlier planning is recommended.
What happens if I don't cancel my annual travel health insurance?
Annual contracts for international travel health insurance usually renew automatically for another year if they are not terminated in due time (usually one to three months before the end of the insurance year).
