List of Countries Where Travel Insurance is Mandatory

What are the Entry Requirements for Trips Abroad?

Travelling to another country is more than buying flight tickets and getting a visa. Each country has varying requirements that incoming foreigners must fulfil before travelling. The documentation alone takes up a lot of time and energy. These range from specific documents, health precautions/safeguards, and even the financial ability of the visitor.

Especially after the COVID pandemic, many countries tightened their entry requirements requiring vaccination certificates, and travel history declarations are some of the compulsory entry requirements that foreign travellers need to know and fulfil.

One such requirement is travel insurance. Many countries need a travel health insurance covering major medical emergencies in case the traveller falls sick while visiting. Not just health emergencies, this travel insurance is very helpful in other financial emergencies that may arise out of stay or flight-related woes. Even before the pandemic, several countries made it compulsory for visitors to buy appropriate travel medical insurance.

This is also necessary for Indians who are travelling to these countries to get their visa. Without this insurance, the visa procedure wouldn't proceed. In the next section, let's take a look at countries where travel insurance is mandatory to enter.

List of Countries Where Travel Insurance is Mandatory

Countries where international travel insurance is mandatory need every visitor to buy a certain travel medical insurance that meets their entry requirements. As of now, the following are the countries requiring travel insurance:

Post the COVID pandemic, many countries made it compulsory for foreigners to buy international travel health insurance. While some countries like Thailand and Japan no longer mandate travel insurance, they have strongly advised it.

Impact of Travel Insurance on Visa Process

Indians can visit 58 countries visa free or get a visa on arrival; the remaining countries require a valid visa. Even if some of these countries are visa-free or offer a visa on arrival to Indians, they expect you to meet their specific entry requirements, including providing a valid Indian passport, providing a detailed itinerary and attaching proof of meeting any mandatory travel insurance requirements.

Some countries need you to buy it before applying for a visa, as without the necessary coverage, your visa will be rejected. Schengen countries are infamous for this, as without buying the 30,000 EUR travel insurance you won't be issued a visa.

On the other hand, some countries that mandated medical travel insurance during the pandemic have eased the restrictions, but still strongly recommend getting international travel insurance.

However, having travel health insurance is not only helpful in case you are in trouble, but also supports your visa procedure as it reflects you as a thoughtful and aware traveller. It is a very easy way to showcase that you are a responsible traveller who will not become a liability in a foreign country.

Countries Where Travel Insurance is Strongly Advised by the Government

Some countries have flexible entry requirements for tourists and travellers when it comes to buying travel medical insurance. They don't stop you from applying for a visa or even entering their territory, but still strongly recommend buying a travel insurance plan to safeguard your trip.

Please note that entry requirements for countries requiring travel insurance are subject to change with time. Please check the official website of the country you are visiting well before time to avoid any issues.

How to Confirm if Travel Insurance is Mandatory in a Country?

With changing guidelines, it is easy to miss a detail or two during documentation. If you are facing any doubts regarding countries requiring travel insurance, here are some helpful tips:

• Follow the news. Latest entry requirements are published on public domains so that travellers can stay up-to-date with important notifications.
• Confirm with airlines. Flight tickets are the first thing any traveller books before proceeding with hotel, visa and other important travel documents. The airline you're travelling to the designated country is bound to be aware of any latest requirements and travel mandates.
• Always go to the official government website of the country you plan to visit. They provide the latest information and have contacts you can reach out to.
• Reach out to an agent or tour company if you don't have the time to confirm technicalities. They are well-versed with latest documents and requirements so you can trust them to get your visa and other required documents ready for your trip.
• Contact the embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting. This may be a hassle, but if you don't want to use an agent or don't have anyone to help you, you can take help from their designated officials.
• Buy travel insurance, nevertheless! There is no harm in securing your trip at a fraction of the total cost. This way, you will save the headache of confirming as well as enjoy the journey without worrying about uncertainties.

Over to You,

International travel is thrilling and often a rewarding experience. Be it your first visit or 100th, it's good to have support in case of emergency. From missed flights, stolen bags, lost passports to hospitalisation, accidents or death, travel insurance saves you a lot of extra expenses as well as stress. Don't wait for countries to make travel insurance compulsory- buy it willingly to safeguard your upcoming trip!