For a while, many countries required visiting tourists to have travel insurance because of the possible need for COVID care and quarantine. Now that the pandemic has subsided, many people are wondering: “Is insurance still mandatory for international travel? Which countries require travel insurance for entry?”

We’ve compiled a list of countries that require travel insurance (as of June 2023) as well as answers about how to get this insurance and how it protects you.

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, and travel rules change frequently. Confirm entry requirements for your destination before you go. For the latest information on travel requirements and entry restrictions for international destinations, including COVID-19 testing, vaccination policies, necessary travel documents and quarantine periods, check our interactive map. (Content is provided by Sherpa, an affiliated third party).

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Travelers’ questions about mandatory travel insurance

1. If I buy a mandatory travel insurance plan that only includes medical benefits, do I need to purchase normal travel insurance as well?

It’s a good idea. Some countries require the purchase of a plan that only covers medical emergencies, with no additional benefits. If you have to cancel your trip last-minute, or you experience travel or baggage delays, the mandatory plan can’t help you. An Allianz Travel Insurance plan can. Get a customized quote.

Read more: Destinations Where Travel Insurance Is a Must

2. Does Allianz Travel Insurance cover losses related to COVID-19?

Most of our travel insurance plans now include epidemic-related covered reasons (benefits vary by plan and are not available in all jurisdictions). The Epidemic Coverage Endorsement adds covered reasons to select benefits for certain losses related to COVID-19 and any future epidemic. To see if your plan includes this endorsement, please look for “Epidemic Coverage Endorsement” on your Declarations of Coverage or Letter of Confirmation. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Even if your specific travel protection plan does not include the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, certain limited-time COVID-19 claim accommodations may still be available. Read our COVID-19 coverage alert for details.

3. Will the Epidemic Coverage Endorsement meet my destination’s requirements for travel insurance?

Travel insurance requirements vary by country and continue to evolve.  While we continually monitor and adapt our products and services as best as we can, we cannot guarantee that a plan will meet mandatory travel insurance requirements for a specific country.

When you’re planning your trip, check the U.S. Department of State country information page for your destination and/or the country’s official tourism website to find out what’s required. We can help! Contact us if you need assistance finding the right travel insurance plan, or if the plan you purchased does not meet your needs.

4. What’s Proof of Insurance?

Countries that require travel insurance for entry may ask for something called “Proof of Insurance.” This is a summary/proof of travel insurance benefits to prove that your plan meets the country’s requirements. If you need Proof of Insurance, submit an online request here and we’ll prepare one for you. Please allow 24-48 hours for a response. If you need your letter sooner than that, call us at 1-866-884-3556.

If you’re not sure whether the information provided in the Proof of Insurance satisfies the requirements of your destination country, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of that country to confirm.

5. If my destination doesn’t require visitors to have travel insurance, do I still need to buy it?

Travel insurance is always a good idea, for one simple reason: If something goes wrong on your trip, and you don’t have insurance, then you’re on your own. You could risk losing your pre-paid trip expenses; having to pay out of pocket for medical bills; being forced to pay for your own accommodations in case of quarantine or other trip interruption; etc. Find the plan that’s right for you.

Which countries require travel insurance for entry?

Below are some destinations that still require travelers to carry travel insurance, whether for COVID-19 specifically or a more general policy.

Please note: This list of countries that require travel insurance is not comprehensive. Information is current as of June 2023. Some countries have additional travel requirements, such as pre-registration, proof of a recent, negative COVID-19 test, proof of vaccination, and/or a mandatory quarantine period. Use our interactive map, or contact the local embassy, to check your destination’s policies and requirements before you leave for your trip.

Bermuda requires all visitors to have health insurance covering illness and injury.¹

Bhutan requires visitors to have travel insurance valid for the length of their trip before a visa is issued.²

Cuba requires non-U.S. medical insurance for visitors. This insurance is often included in the price of your airline ticket; if it’s not, you can buy it at the airport when you arrive.³ Keep in mind, however, that this is only medical insurance, with no other benefits. (Americans are prohibited from traveling to Cuba solely for tourist activities.)

The Galapagos Islands requires foreign visitors to have travel medical insurance.⁴

Myanmar requires foreign travelers to show documentation of COVID-19 medical insurance before boarding their plane and upon arrival. If they cannot present proof of insurance, they must purchase COVID-19 medical insurance from Myanma insurance.⁵

Qatar requires travelers staying for more than 30 days to have health insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and transportation. Travelers must purchase insurance from companies authorized by the Qatar government.⁶

Russia’s embassy reserves the right to see proof of valid travel medical insurance before issuing a tourist visa.⁷ (The U.S. Department of State currently advises against travel to Russia.)

Saudi Arabia includes a medical insurance fee in the cost of an eVisa for American visitors. This fee is SAR 180 (about USD $48).⁸

Schengen Visa countries in Europe require travel insurance coverage for stays longer than 90 days. The required travel insurance must include a minimum of €30K of coverage, with coverage for emergency medical care, medical repatriation, and coverage for expenses related to the traveler’s death. There are 26 countries in the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.⁹

Sri Lanka says that all visitors (whether vaccinated or unvaccinated) must purchase COVID insurance, currently set at USD $12 /month.¹⁰

Ukraine requires foreigners to have medical insurance. Also, “U.S. citizens are encouraged to consider purchasing additional medical evacuation insurance when arranging their medical insurance for traveling to Ukraine,” the U.S. Department of State says. (The State Department currently advises against travel to Ukraine.)¹¹

Related Articles

• 5 Reasons Why Travel Insurance Is a Must
• Which International Travel Insurance Plan is Best for Your Trip?
• Do I Need Travel Insurance If I Have Health Insurance?