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Travel insurance for Europe
Travel insurance for Europe
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettEasily compare Travel Insurance
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Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
Long story short
Medical coverage matters
Only 10 European countries have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) with Australia; travel insurance can fill the gaps the RHCA doesn’t cover.
Travel insurance will only take a small slice of your budget
A comprehensive policy for a week in Europe costs on average $117 as of July 2026, based on iSelect’s range of providers. That’s as much as a single night’s accommodation.
Travel insurance in Europe is highly recommended
If you’ll be in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days, you need travel insurance with $49,000 of medical emergencies and hospital care.
Do I need travel insurance for Europe?
No, you don’t need travel insurance when travelling in Europe for less than 90 days, but it’s highly recommended by Smartraveller to protect you against accidents or situations out of your control. If you plan on travelling across parts of Europe for more than 90 days, then you’ll need travel insurance that covers you for medical costs up to $49,000 (€30,000); this is a requirement to get the Schengen visa, which allows you to travel across 29 European states freely.
Not only does travel insurance help with things like lost passports or a train delay in Switzerland, it’s also just a nice safety net to fall back on. While Europe is a pretty safe destination, petty theft is common in tourist hotspots like Barcelona and Rome (attenzione pickpocket!). Pickpockets and petty theft are actually some of the most common crimes against travellers in parts of Europe. So if you happen to lose something to a light-fingered thief, travel insurance can help soften the blow of your vanished phone or wallet.
What does travel insurance cover in Europe?
Travel insurance for Europe can help cover medical costs, lost luggage or travel documents, legal liability, delays or cancellation cover for travel on your trip, rental vehicle excess and low-risk activities like quad biking and low-altitude hiking. The exact benefits covered within your travel insurance plan will depend on your level of coverage and your provider.
Travel insurance can also cover rental vehicle excess and personal liability.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance in Europe?
Travel insurance for European trips won’t cover any claims when travelling to a destination listed as ‘do not travel’ by Smartraveller, adventure or snow sports not listed within your level of coverage or stolen or lost belongings when left in a public space. Most travel insurance plans generally include the same exclusions, but some things could change from one provider to the next, so make sure to check.
Most travel insurers also won’t cover you if you get up to any illegal activities or are under the influence when a claim event occurs, nor any pre-existing medical conditions you didn’t let your insurer know about before taking out your policy.
Does travel insurance for Europe cover my medical expenses?
Yes, most travel insurance policies include an unlimited level of coverage for medical emergencies, with some including dental fees. Ten countries within Europe, including Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands, have reciprocal health care agreements (RHCAs) with Australia, meaning some of your medical costs and hospital bills may be covered. Each EU country will have a different list of inclusions, but it likely won’t cover everything, which is why having travel insurance policy can help cover those gaps and any medical expenses.
Under these reciprocal agreements, emergency medical treatment that can’t wait until you’re back in Australia tends to be covered or at least subsidised. But if you need a scan or start getting a toothache, you’ll likely have to pay out of your own pocket. If you need medical help in a country without an RHCA and you don’t have travel insurance, you need to pay the full cost of being treated, sometimes even up-front.
‘Free walking tours are a great way to see Europe without blowing your budget. They’re not just easy on the wallet; they’re also a clever way to soak up local history, uncover hidden gems, and hear the kind of quirky stories you’d never find in a guidebook.
You can jump in with a group where a local guide shows you the big touristy spots and the tucked-away local secrets. Some tours even come with themes – think Banksy Street art or a Berlin intro for city newbies. At the end, you get to decide how much to tip (no pressure, though!). It’s a win-win, really. You leave with all the inside info, the guide gets to show off their city, and you might even make a few mates if you’re flying solo.’
Tina Sendin
Digital Writer, iSelect
Will travel insurance for Europe cover me if I go skiing or snowboarding?
Most basic travel insurance policies don’t include snow sports cover within a standard plan; you’ll need to purchase extra coverage with an added premium to be able to claim for these activities.
Whether you’re planning on skiing in the French Alps or trying out snowboarding in Austria for the first time, winter sports come with their fair share of risks. With extra travel insurance for snow sports, your policy will be able to help out if things don’t go to plan. Reading through the Product Disclosure Statement can help you understand what you are and aren’t covered for.
How much does travel insurance for Europe typically cost?
Comprehensive travel insurance (with a $200 excess) for your European trip costs averages at $117 for a weeklong trip. This is according to iSelect’s range of providers as of July 2026, for a 30-year-old traveller. The exact price of your policy will depend on your age, how long you’re travelling for and the level of coverage you want to purchase.
If you plan on escaping Australia’s hot summer for a snowy season in some of Europe’s best slopes, or have some adrenaline-filled fun planned, then you’ll have to pay an extra premium for snow or adventure activities coverage, which could approximately double your costs.
Tips for choosing travel insurance for Europe
Before choosing your travel insurance policy for Europe, you should check Smartraveller’s advice for your destinations, see if you need to apply for a Schengen visa, think about any add-ons you might need and understand how the Australian Consulate can help you in a worst-case scenario.
Check Smartraveller before booking
Any destination with a Level 4 rating might not be covered by your insurer.
Check whether you need a Schengen visa
If you’re spending more than 90 days in the Schengen Area, your visa requires proof of travel insurance with a minimum $49,000 (€30,000) medical cover.
Think about snow sports and adventure add-ons
Planning to ski the Alps or hike the Dolomites? You’ll likely need an extra level of cover for snow or adventure activities.
Understand what the Australian Consulate can help with
The Australian Consulate can help you with pressing matters like replacing your passport or support for assault cases overseas. But when it comes to smaller things like lost luggage or medical emergencies, the bills are all yours.
Frequently asked questions
Which companies offer travel insurance for Europe?
Travel insurance brands like Fast Cover, Southern Cross Travel, 1Cover and Budget Direct all offer travel insurance policies for Europe. Just remember that the level of coverage available and costs will differ depending on your provider and policy needs.
iSelect can help you compare the following insurers:
- Fast Cover
- Huddle Insurance
- Insure4less
- InsureandGo
- ReadySet Travel Insurance
- Southern Cross Travel Insurance
- Tick Travel Insurance
- Travel Insurance Saver
- Travel Insuranz
- Travel Protect
- WAS Insurance
- World2Cover
- Zoom Travel Insurance
Other travel insurers in the market include:
- 1Cover
- Allianz
- Blue Insurance
- Budget Direct
- Bupa Travel Insurance
- Cover-More
- Everyday Travel Insurance
- Medibank
- nib
- RACV Travel Insurance
- Travel Insurance Direct.
Note: iSelect does not compare all travel insurance providers in the market, or all products offered by our partners in your area.
What travel insurance do I need for Europe?
You’ll need a comprehensive single-trip policy for holidays in the Schengen Area longer than 90 days; otherwise, travel insurance isn’t mandatory. This comprehensive policy needs to come with medical coverage of up to $49,000 (€30,000) so you’re eligible for the Schengen visa. If you’re travelling for under 90 days, travel insurance isn’t needed, but still highly recommended by Smartraveller. A comprehensive policy will cover you in most situations for overseas medical expenses, lost luggage, travel delays, cancellation fees and lost travel documents or money. It also allows for add-ons to your coverage for things like winter sports or adventure activities.
The type of travel insurance you’ll need will depend on your trip plans and how much coverage you do or don’t want from your policy. Europe is a popular destination, especially for backpackers, in which case a medical-only policy might be a better fit. Medical-only or basic travel policies include unlimited medical coverage or medical evacuation in emergencies and nothing else. This means these policies are cheaper, often becoming a suitable choice for budget-tight travellers.
Which European countries can’t I get travel insurance for?
You can’t get travel insurance for locations rated Level 4, or ‘do not travel’, by Smartraveller. As of July 2026, that includes Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.
As of July 2026, Europe has a few Level 4 countries and locations:
- Belarus
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Parts of Azerbaijan
- Armenia, within 5 km of the border with Azerbaijan
- Parts of Georgia
- Parts of Moldova
- Türkiye, within 10 km of the border with Syria.
You can see what area a policy covers by reading the Product Disclosure Statement or speaking with the insurer.
Do I need travel insurance if I’m going to be working in Europe?
Yes, if you’ll be working in Europe, you’ll need to apply for a work visa for each destination, which generally requires travel insurance. The exact visa requirements will differ by country for which you’re applying for a working visa. Once you’re in Europe, your employer might arrange insurance for you; otherwise, you’ll have to do this yourself.
If you’re moving long-term to Europe, you’ll need to buy a one-way travel insurance policy and then switch to a local option. Insurance aside, you might also want to make sure that you can legally work on the visa you’re travelling on.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries with similar border laws that let you travel from one to another without having to go through all border control procedures. As an Aussie, you can travel without a visa through the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. But if you’re planning to stay longer, you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa, which requires a comprehensive travel policy with at least $49,000 (€30,000) of medical cover included.
Countries within the Schengen area are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Demark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland.
If you need to be covered for the whole Schengen Area, you can look for a provider that includes ‘Europe’ as a single coverage area. Not only does it mean ticking off the Schengen requirement, but you’ve also got the flexibility to go where you want, when you want.
Get Euro summer ready with travel insurance
If you’re ready to go see Europe for the first time or the hundredth, travel insurance could well be worth your while. Buying your policy early, even as soon as you book your flights, can mean fewer headaches for you, in case your trip has to be cancelled or postponed.
At iSelect, we can help you save time and effort by comparing a range of travel insurance policies from different brands online. That means less time reading all the terms and conditions and more time to make your dream itinerary a reality (hello, island life in Santorini).
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iSelect does not compare all travel insurers or policies in the market. Travel insurance is only available through our website and not all policies are available at all times or in all areas. Not all policies available from our partners are compared by iSelect and due to commercial arrangements and customer circumstances not all policies compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.
iSelect General Pty Limited ABN 90 131 798 126, AFS Licence Number: 334115. Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policy. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about our services and your rights as a client of iSelect. iSelect receives commission for each policy sold.