Travel Insurance for Visas & International Travel
Many countries require travel medical insurance as a condition of the visa, and some set a legal minimum coverage amount. A compliant policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation for the full duration of your trip. Use the guides below to check the exact requirement for your destination before you apply.
Last updated: 24 June 2026
Travel insurance requirements by destination
Schengen Area
MandatoryTravel medical insurance is mandatory for a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa.
View requirements →Dubai (UAE)
RecommendedTravel insurance is not a blanket legal entry requirement for every UAE visitor, but it is strongly recommended and some visa routes ask for proof of cover.
View requirements →Thailand
RecommendedTravel insurance is not required for visa-exempt tourists or the standard Thailand tourist visa, but it is required for certain long-stay visa types — including the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and retirement (Non-O-A) routes — which mandate health insurance.
View requirements →When is travel insurance mandatory for a visa?
Whether you must carry travel insurance depends on the country you are visiting and the type of visa you hold. A number of destinations treat medical cover as a hard requirement: the application is checked for a compliant policy, and a file without one is refused before it is assessed on its merits. Other destinations do not require proof at the application stage but still expect visitors to be able to pay for their own medical care.
Because the requirement is tied to the visa rather than the traveller, it applies the same way regardless of your nationality or country of residence. The safest approach is to confirm the rule for your destination, buy a policy that meets it, and keep the certificate with your travel documents — some border officers can ask to see proof of cover on arrival.
What to check in any travel insurance policy
- Medical and repatriation cover. Emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation are the core of any visa-grade policy.
- The minimum sum insured. Where a destination sets a floor (for example €30,000 for the Schengen Area), your policy must meet or exceed it.
- Geographic validity. The policy must cover the whole region you are travelling to, not only your first stop.
- Exact trip dates. Cover must start no later than your entry date and end no earlier than your exit date.
- A clear certificate. The document should state the limits and cover plainly so a consulate can verify it at a glance.
Travel insurance for visas: frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance to get a visa?
It depends on the destination. Some countries make travel medical insurance a legal condition of the visa (the Schengen Area is the best-known example, requiring €30,000 minimum coverage). Others recommend it strongly but do not require it. Always check the rule for your specific destination before you apply.
What should travel insurance for a visa cover?
At minimum, emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation, valid for the full duration of your trip. Where a destination sets a minimum sum insured, your policy must meet or exceed it, and the certificate should state the coverage clearly so a consulate can verify it.
Is the cheapest travel insurance policy good enough?
Only if it meets every requirement for your destination. A low-cost policy that falls short on the medical limit, geographic validity, or repatriation can lead to a visa refusal, so check the conditions against the destination rule rather than choosing on price alone.
When should I buy travel insurance for my trip?
Buy it before you submit your visa application, because the certificate is part of the documents you file. Make sure the cover dates span your full intended stay, from your planned entry date to your planned exit date.
Related guides & tools
This page is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Visa and insurance requirements change — always confirm current requirements for your destination before you apply.