Which Countries Require Travel Insurance for Entry?

If you’re planning to jet off for your next adventure overseas, you might want to consider whether your destination requires travel insurance or travel medical insurance for entry. Every year more countries consider implementing insurance requirements for their foreign visitors.  

COVID-19 coverage is now mandated by many countries for their visitors. You can arm yourself with travel medical insurance for unforeseen medical emergencies you may face abroad.

PRO TIP! For the most up-to-date information regarding entry requirements and restrictions, check out this travel restrictions map. Select your destination country and vaccination status to learn what requirements each country has.

The list of countries that require travel insurance upon arrival had been gradually increasing over the years before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Negative experiences of unpaid medical bills by foreigners have caused hospitals and healthcare organizations to push for insurance requirements so that these incidents are less likely to happen.

Many countries have also implemented testing requirements and quarantines and mandated proof of health insurance that includes COVID-19 treatment coverage. See which countries require travel insurance, travel medical insurance, or COVID-19 coverage for entry.

Those planning to travel abroad to the following countries must ensure they have a travel insurance or travel medical insurance plan that provides the required coverage in their desired destination.

A plan like Atlas Travel® from WorldTrips® can provide travel medical insurance coverage you may need for your trip. A plan like Atlas Journey™ from WorldTrips can provide trip cancellation coverage in addition to coverage for some emergency medical expenses. All WorldTrips insurance plans provide medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19.

Travelers planning to explore Europe may need to obtain a Schengen visa. This is a visa that citizens from certain countries—not including the U.S.—must carry in order to enter the 26 European states of the Schengen Area.

Those who apply for a Schengen visa must provide proof of travel medical insurance that covers emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation, according to the European Commission. The minimum coverage must be at least €30,000, and the insurance must be valid for the entire stay in the Schengen Area. 

PRO TIP: See how Atlas Travel insurance meets Schengen visa requirements.

IMPORTANT! Do you know which countries are included in the Schengen Area? See the list of included countries below:

Learn more about the Schengen visa.

This eastern European country requires travelers to have valid medical insurance for their trip to the country. The insurance plan must have a minimum coverage amount of 10,000 EUR (or about $11,000 USD) according to the U.S. Department of State Country Information page for Belarus.

Travelers can visit the Department of State Country Information page for Belarus for details regarding insurance requirements and entry requirements.

IMPORTANT! Medicare typically does NOT provide coverage outside of the U.S. Medicare participants can purchase a supplemental medical insurance plan to visit countries that require proof of insurance. Read more about Medicare coverage outside the U.S. and additional options.

Plan your trip to the island nation of Fiji and don't forget to purchase your mandatory health insurance. Make sure your health insurance plan covers COVID-19-related expenses before you book your trip. Your insurance policy document should include the following information: 

• Names of insured travelers 
• Valid dates of the insurance coverage 

Visit the Fiji Tourism website for more details regarding entry requirements for the country. 

Does your travel include the Occupied Palestinian Territories? Like Israel, you will need to make sure you have a health insurance policy that covers COVID-19. You can visit the Occupied Palestinian Territory Foreign Travel Advice page for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. 

All visitors to Russia are required to apply for a visa to be allowed to enter the country. Upon application, the Consular Division of the Embassy has the right to request “medical insurance valid in the country to be visited and fully covering the period of the first trip” according to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA.

Insurance policies must:

• Cover the entire duration of stay
• Indicate the geographical area of coverage as worldwide
• Contain the date, stamp, signature of the insurer, policy number, full name of the insured person, address and contact details for insurer, and the list of medical services and medical transportation included

Learn more about Russia’s visitor visa process at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the USA website.

Travelers to Saudi Arabia must have valid health insurance that covers the cost of COVID-19 treatment in order to enter. Travelers must also complete a registration form and a health declaration form and download the contact-tracing app. Have more questions regarding Saudi Arabia’s entry requirements? Visit the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia website.

Ukraine requires all foreigners to have travel insurance. Insurance may be provided by one of several types of companies:

• A company registered in Ukraine,
• A foreign insurance company that has a representative office in Ukraine, or
• A foreign insurance company that is in the treaty relations with an insurance company partner in Ukraine.

The medical insurance plan must also cover costs related to COVID-19 treatment and must cover the entirety of the visit. Want more information on entry requirements and visa requirements for visiting Ukraine? See the U.S. Department of State Country Information page for Ukraine.

When common sense isn’t enough to keep you safe, a benefit like Atlas Travel’s Crisis Response coverage can help pay costs associated with ransom and loss of personal belongings. It also provides an experienced, multilingual crisis response team to support your family and negotiate your release. Make sure to check your plan’s policy documents for limitations regarding the Crisis Response benefit.