Travel Insurance for Europe

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Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

What is the Schengen Area?

What does travel insurance cover in Europe?

Does travel insurance for Europe cover my medical expenses?

Will travel insurance for Europe cover me if I go skiing or snowboarding?

How much does travel insurance for Europe typically cost?

Tips for choosing travel insurance for Europe

Frequently asked questions

Get Euro summer ready with travel insurance

Long story short

Medical coverage matters

Only 10 European countries have a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) with Australia, and, even then, coverage is limited. Travel insurance can fill the gaps that the RHCA can’t reach.

Travel insurance will only take a small slice of your budget

A basic policy for a week-long trip in Europe can start from as little as $37.¹Indicative prices from iSelect comparison tool, May 2025 That’s about the same as entry to the Louvre.

Travel insurance in Europe is highly recommended

If you’re exploring Europe, travel insurance is a must. And if you’ll be in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days, you need travel insurance with at least €30,000 of medical emergencies and hospital care.

Do I need travel insurance for Europe?

While travel insurance isn’t mandatory, if you’re hoping to see as much of Europe as possible, it’ll be a smart move to get your hands on a good policy. It not only helps when things unexpectedly make their way onto your itinerary, like lost passports or a train delay in Switzerland, but it’s also just a nice safety net to fall back onto.  

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 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. Which means less time waiting around, and more time seeing the sights, eating pastries, and perfecting your ‘candid’ holiday photos. 

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 visa for the country you’re spending the most time in. And before you apply for your visa, you’ll need to get travel insurance sorted, since it’s one of the requirements. 

But you can’t just sign up for any old travel insurance policy. You need a policy that proves you’ve got cover for at least €30,000 of medical emergencies and hospital care for the entirety of your stay in all of the Schengen countries. So, travel insurance that only covers Italy or Greece isn’t going to cut it. 

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. 

What does travel insurance cover in Europe?

Travel insurance can help with more than just medical costs. Policies can cover plenty of points on your list of concerns, but there’s also a range of things that generally aren’t included. So, it’s important to know where you’ve got a helping hand and where you might be on your own. 

Does travel insurance for Europe cover my medical expenses?

Ten European countries have reciprocal health care agreements (RHCAs) with Australia. In those countries, you’ll have some medical costs covered. But even then, it’s still a smart move to have travel insurance there to help handle your medical expenses.  

Why? Under those agreements, emergency medical treatment – the kind 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 that stops you from trying all those international delicacies, you could find yourself owing a hefty co-payment. Or in a worst-case scenario, you might need to travel back home in some serious pain to get treated. 

And what if you need medical help in a country without an RHCA? If you don’t have travel insurance, you could really be in trouble. In these instances, you may need to pay the full cost of being treated, sometimes even up-front. 

A travel insurance policy with medical cover means you’re more likely to be looked after – and not just in the 10 RHCA countries. That means you could travel with peace of mind and a little more carefree abandon (just don’t go jumping into the running of the bulls!).

‘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?

Whether you’re hitting the French Alps or trying out snowboarding in Austria for the first time, winter sports come with their fair share of risks. If you get a bump, a bruise, or worse, a broken bone, having travel insurance on your side means you can sit back at the ski lodge, sipping hot cocoa and focusing on your recovery, not the bill.  

But your policy can usually only help if you’ve purchased some additional travel insurance for snow sports. Reading through the product disclosure statement (PDS) could help you understand what you are and aren’t covered for. Because the only thing worse than a torn MCL is a torn MCL and a giant hospital bill.   

How much does travel insurance for Europe typically cost?

Travel insurance for your European trip doesn’t have to sacrifice much of your European summer budget. If you’re planning on a week-long trip to Europe and just looking to cover the basics, you could find policies starting from $37.²Indicative prices from iSelect comparison tool, May 2025 Which is much less than what you’d pay for insurance on a trip to the US.  

But that’s if you’re not planning on doing anything riskier. If you plan on escaping Australia’s hot summer for a snowy season in some of Europe’s best slopes, then you could be looking at over four times the price for insurance with added snow sports cover.  

The price of your policy will also vary depending on your age, how long you’re going for, what you’re taking with you, and any extras you decide to add. So even if you’re just going for a chill holiday with museum visits and pasta, it’s worth comparing your options before you book. 

Tips for choosing travel insurance for Europe

Before you lock in with a policy, here are a few things to check:

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 €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

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 providers 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).