Cost Check for Overseas Health Insurance: This is the Protection You Really Need
27 May 2025
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A medical emergency abroad can quickly result in costs running into four to five figures. International health insurance protects against this financial risk. Discover which factors influence the costs and how to find the right coverage.
The topic in brief and concise terms
An international health insurance for short holiday trips often costs only ten to thirty euros per year for individuals.
The costs are significantly influenced by age, duration of travel, destination (especially USA/Canada), and the scope of services.
The medically sensible repatriation is one of the most important services, as it can amount to six-figure sums and is usually not covered by the statutory health insurance.
Cost overview: What you should budget for your international protection
The cost of travel health insurance is an important planning factor for any trip. For short holiday trips of up to eight weeks, many insurers offer annual policies for individuals starting from around ten to twenty euros. [1,7] Families can expect annual premiums between twenty and forty euros. [2,11] Some tariffs are even available for under ten euros per year. [8] These policies typically cover any number of trips within a year, as long as each trip does not exceed a certain duration, often 56 days. [2,7] The exact costs depend on various factors, which we will examine in more detail in the next section.
Price Shaper: These Factors Determine Your Premium
Several elements influence how much international health insurance costs. The age of the insured is a factor; seniors often pay higher premiums. [6,7] The duration of travel is crucial: long-term policies for several months are more expensive than annual policies for short trips. [7,9] The destination also has an impact: policies that include the USA and Canada are usually more costly due to the high medical expenses there. [7,1] The chosen coverage, such as with or without excess, and the number of insured persons (individual, couple, or family policy) are other important price factors. [6,8] An appropriate international health insurance 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 points at a glance
Here is a summary of the key cost aspects:
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): approximately 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 about thirty to fifty euros. [9]
A medical repatriation can result in costs in the five to six-figure range. [1]
The statutory health insurance generally does not cover repatriation costs. [2]
These figures illustrate how low the premiums are in relation to potential medical costs abroad. A detailed comparison of foreign health insurance is always worthwhile.
Practice Section: Real examples and comparison scenarios
Imagine a family of four planning a two-week summer holiday in Italy. An annual international health insurance often costs only between thirty and forty euros. [2,3] A student going for a six-month semester abroad in Spain can expect costs of around thirty to sixty euros per month, amounting to a total of one hundred and eighty to three hundred and sixty euros. [9] A retired couple, both over seventy years old, going on a three-week cruise, might pay between forty and sixty euros for annual cover, as surcharges often apply to older travellers. [1] For example, HUK-Coburg offers an annual rate of 24.40 euros for a 67-year-old retiree. [2] These examples illustrate the range and make it clear that protection incurs low costs compared to the risk. Also, find out whether your health insurance abroad covers anything at all.
Expert Depth: Understanding Contract Details and Scope of Services
When taking out travel health insurance, not only the price but above all the scope of benefits is decisive. Make sure that medically necessary repatriation is covered without limit; this is one of the most important items. [1,4] The coverage of outpatient and inpatient treatments, medicines, dressings, therapeutic and medical aids, as well as pain-relieving dental treatments, should be a given. [8,3] Also important are the regulations on 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 exacerbations of chronic conditions are often, but not always, insured. [4] A good travel health insurance covers these points. Also clarify whether the insurance provides cover in the event of pandemics or travel warnings. [8]
Long-term stays: Special rates for globetrotters and expats
For stays abroad that extend beyond the usual holiday duration of a few weeks, there are special long-term international health insurance policies. These are often valid for up to one, two, or even five years. [7,9] The costs for this are significantly higher: A one-year stay can cost between four hundred and two thousand euros, depending on the provider and destination region (with or without the USA/Canada). [7] Monthly premiums for young people up to the age of 39 can start at around thirty to fifty euros. [9] Many of these policies offer comprehensive coverage similar to a full German health insurance policy. For a annual travel health insurance with longer validity, you should make a detailed comparison. These policies are essential for students studying abroad, professionals on assignments, or world travellers.
Avoiding Pitfalls: Exclusions and Deductibles
Not every treatment abroad is covered by every policy. Typical exclusions are treatments that were the sole purpose of the trip or were planned before departure. [4,5] Conditions resulting from the use of narcotics or participation in professional sports competitions are often not covered either. [4] Some tariffs include a deductible, 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 whether pre-existing conditions and their acute exacerbations are covered. [4] Read the insurance conditions (AVB) carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim. A foreign health insurance for 30 days may have different conditions than an annual tariff. Knowing the exclusions precisely helps to make the right decision.
Optimisation potential: How to find the best deal for your money
Your next step towards a worry-free journey
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of international health insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information on health insurance abroad.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides data on health expenditures in Germany.
The Federal Foreign Office offers travel and safety advice for various countries.
FAQ
How quickly can I take out international health insurance?
Many international health insurance policies can be purchased online, often even on the day of departure, as long as the trip has not yet started. [1]
What happens if I don't have international health insurance and fall ill abroad?
Without international health insurance, you must bear all incurred medical costs yourself, including any potential repatriation. These can be very high, depending on the country and treatment. [1,5]
Does the foreign health insurance also cover business trips?
Most annual foreign travel insurance policies cover both personal and business trips. However, this should be verified in the policy terms of the respective tariff. [10]
What documents do I need in the event of a claim?
In the event of damage, you will usually need the insurance policy, detailed bills from doctors or hospitals (preferably in English or German), diagnoses, and proof of treatment. It is advisable to inform the insurance company promptly.
What is the difference between a one-time and an annual international health insurance?
A single-trip international health insurance is valid only for a specific trip. An annual international health insurance covers all trips within a year up to a specific maximum 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 in the international health insurance?
That depends on the policy. Unexpected acute deteriorations of existing chronic conditions are often covered. Treatments that were foreseeable due to the pre-existing condition or for which the journey was undertaken are usually excluded. A thorough review of the conditions or a pre-application inquiry with the insurer is advisable. [4]
