Cost check for international health insurance: How much cover do you really need
27.05.25
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
A medical emergency abroad can quickly lead to costs in the four- or five-figure range. Overseas medical insurance protects you against this financial risk. Find out which factors influence the cost and how to find the right cover.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Travel health insurance for short holiday trips abroad often costs just ten to thirty euros per year for individuals.
Costs are significantly influenced by age, trip duration, travel destination (especially the USA/Canada) and scope of benefits.
Medically necessary repatriation is one of the most important benefits, as it can amount to six-figure sums and is usually not covered by statutory health insurance.
Cost overview: What you should budget for your cover abroad
The cost of overseas health insurance is an important planning factor for any trip. For short holiday trips of up to eight weeks, many insurers already offer annual policies for individuals starting at around ten to twenty euros. [1,7] Families can expect annual premiums of between twenty and forty euros. [2,11] Some tariffs are even available for under ten euros per year. [8] These policies generally cover any number of trips within a year, provided the individual trip does not exceed a certain duration, often 56 days. [2,7] The exact costs depend on various factors, which we will look at in more detail in the next section.
Premium drivers: These factors determine your premium
Several factors influence how much travel health insurance costs. The insured person’s age plays a role; seniors often pay higher premiums. [6,7] The duration of the trip is crucial: long-term policies for several months are more expensive than annual policies for short holidays. [7,9] The destination also has an impact: tariffs that include the USA and Canada are usually more costly because of the high medical costs there. [7,1] The chosen level of cover, for example with or without an excess, and the number of people insured (single, couple or family policy) are other important pricing factors. [6,8] A suitable travel health insurance policy takes all these aspects into account. These factors explain the price range from a few euros to several hundred euros per year.
Quick Facts: The key cost items at a glance
Here are the key cost aspects summarised:
Annual policies for individuals: often ten to thirty euros. [1]
Annual policies for families: usually twenty to forty euros. [2,11]
Long-term stays (one year, excluding USA/Canada): around four hundred to nine hundred euros. [7]
Long-term stays (one year, including USA/Canada): six hundred to two thousand euros. [7]
Monthly costs for long-term tariffs: from around thirty to fifty euros. [9]
Medical repatriation can result in costs in the five- to six-figure range. [1]
Statutory health insurance generally does not cover repatriation costs. [2]
These figures show how low the premiums are in relation to potential medical costs abroad. A precise comparison of overseas health insurance is always worthwhile.
Practical section: Real examples and comparison scenarios
Imagine a family of four planning a two-week summer holiday in Italy. An annual overseas health insurance policy often costs only between thirty and forty euros for this. [2,3] A student going to Spain for a six-month semester abroad can expect costs of around thirty to sixty euros per month, so a total of one hundred and eighty to three hundred and sixty euros. [9] A retired couple, both over seventy, taking a three-week cruise may pay between forty and sixty euros for annual cover, as older travellers often incur surcharges. [1] HUK-Coburg, for example, offers an annual tariff for a 67-year-old retired woman for 24.40 euros. [2] These examples show the range and make it clear that the cover costs little in comparison with the risk. Also check whether your health insurance abroad actually provides cover.
Expert depth: understanding contract details and scope of services
When taking out overseas health insurance, it is not only the price but above all the scope of cover that is decisive. Make sure that medically sensible medical repatriation is covered without limit; this is one of the most important items. [1,4] Cover for outpatient and inpatient treatment, medicines, dressings, remedies and aids, as well as pain-relieving dental treatment, should of course be included. [8,3] Also important are the arrangements for search and rescue costs, which are often covered up to an amount of five thousand or ten thousand euros. [4,11] Our expert tip: Check the terms regarding pre-existing conditions carefully. Acute worsening of chronic conditions is often, but not always, covered. [4] A good travel health insurance policy covers these points. Also clarify whether the insurance provides cover in the event of pandemics or travel warnings. [8]
Long stays: Special rates for globetrotters and expats
For stays abroad that go beyond the usual holiday duration of a few weeks, there are special long-term overseas health insurance policies. These are often valid for up to one, two or even five years. [7,9] The costs are considerably higher: a one-year stay can, depending on the provider and destination region (with or without the USA/Canada), cost between four hundred and two thousand euros. [7] Monthly premiums for young people up to the age of 39 can start at around thirty to fifty euros. [9] Many of these plans offer comprehensive cover similar to that of a German full health insurance policy. For an annual travel health insurance policy with longer validity, you should compare carefully. These plans are essential for students on a semester abroad, employees on assignment or round-the-world travellers.
Not every treatment abroad is covered by every policy. Typical exclusions are treatments that were the sole reason for the trip or were already planned before departure. [4,5] Illnesses resulting from addictive substances or participation in professional sporting competitions are often not covered either. [4] Some tariffs include an excess, which can reduce the premium, but in the event of a claim means additional costs of, for example, one hundred euros per claim. [9] Make sure you check whether pre-existing conditions and any acute exacerbations are covered. [4] Read the insurance terms and conditions (AVB) carefully so you do not face any unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim. An overseas health insurance policy for 30 days can have different terms than an annual policy. Knowing the exclusions in detail helps you make the right decision.
Optimisation potential: How to find the best plan for your money
To find the best overseas health insurance policy that is not only affordable but also provides comprehensive cover, a careful comparison is recommended. Use independent test reports, such as those from Stiftung Warentest, as a starting point. [11,12] Many insurers such as DKV, Ergo or HanseMerkur regularly score “very good” here. [12] Define your needs: do you travel only once a year for a short trip, or several times and for longer periods too? Do you need cover in the USA/Canada? Are you travelling alone or with your family? Some providers offer particularly favourable tariffs for young people or special conditions for seniors. [1,9] Our expert tip: look for tariffs without an excess if you do not want to bear any additional costs in the event of a claim. [3] Careful selection will give you the best possible protection and protect your wallet. Also consider the possibility of deducting overseas health insurance from your taxes.
Your next step to worry-free travel
The question “How much does overseas health insurance cost?” cannot be answered in general terms, but the information provided here will help you estimate the costs more accurately. Good cover is already available for a modest annual premium of ten to thirty euros and protects you from potentially crippling medical treatment costs abroad. [1] There are also suitable solutions for long-term travellers, which may cost more but provide essential protection. [7,9] The most important step is to take out overseas health insurance at all. Choosing the right tariff depends on your individual needs. Take the time to compare options so you are optimally insured. At nextsure, we will be happy to help you find the right cover for your trips and clarify any outstanding questions. Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of overseas health insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information on health insurance abroad.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides data on health expenditure in Germany.
The Federal Foreign Office offers travel and safety advice for various countries.
FAQ
How quickly can I take out travel health insurance abroad?
You can take out many travel health insurance policies online, often even on the day you depart, as long as the trip has not yet begun. [1]
What happens if I don't have travel health insurance and fall ill abroad?
Without overseas health insurance, you must cover all medical costs incurred yourself, including any possible repatriation. These can be very high, depending on the country and treatment. [1,5]
Does the travel health insurance also apply to business trips?
Most annual overseas health insurance policies apply to both private and business travel. However, this should be checked in the policy conditions of the respective plan. [10]
What documents do I need in the event of a claim?
In the event of a claim, you will usually need the insurance policy, detailed invoices from doctors or hospitals (preferably in English or German), diagnoses and treatment records. It is advisable to inform the insurer immediately.
What is the difference between a single-trip and annual overseas health insurance policy?
A single-trip international health insurance policy applies only to a specific trip. An annual international health insurance policy covers all trips within one year up to a certain maximum trip duration per trip (e.g. 56 days) and is often cheaper if you travel several times a year. [7,10]
Are pre-existing conditions covered by overseas health insurance?
That depends on the plan. Unexpected acute worsening of pre-existing chronic conditions is often covered. Treatments that were foreseeable because of the pre-existing condition, or for which the trip was undertaken, are usually excluded. A careful review of the terms and conditions, or an advance enquiry with the insurer, is advisable. [4]
