Travel Insurance for France, Paris

Whether you’ve always wanted to see the view from the Eiffel Tower or the hidden vineyards of Bordeaux, France is a firm favourite among Australian travellers. But should you be packing travel insurance alongside your beret?

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View of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

Written by

Rachel Gregg

Edited by

Ellie Garran

Reviewed by

Adrian Bennett

Last Updated 11/06/2025

What changed?

Fact checked

Written by

Rachel Gregg

Last Updated 11/06/2025

What changed?

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Do I need travel insurance for France?

What activities in France could my travel insurance cover?

What does travel insurance for France typically cover?

How much does travel insurance for France typically cost?

Travel tips for France

Frequently asked questions

Ready to say bon voyage (with some backup)?

Long story short

Travel insurance is your ticket to France

Unless you’re planning on staying for longer than 90 days, you won’t need a visa to enter France. You will need proof of insurance, though.

Travel insurance for your France trip won’t cost a fortune

A basic travel insurance policy for a week-long adventure in Paris or Lyon could start from $37. This is about the same as a ticket to the Louvre – and possibly more useful if things go sideways.

France and Australia don’t have a reciprocal healthcare agreement

If you need medical treatment and don’t have travel insurance, you could be footing the bill alone.

Do I need travel insurance for France?

To avoid major disappointment – including not being allowed to even step foot on a cobbled Parisian street – you’ll need travel insurance to visit France. It’s not just a smart idea; it’s a requirement (especially if you want to get further than the airport gates).

Australia and France are on pretty friendly terms. So good, in fact, that Aussie travellers looking to spend up to 90 days in France don’t actually need a visa. But don’t go packing your bags just yet. While you can skip the visa step, you’ll need to present a few different documents on arrival. This includes a travel insurance certificate showing that all your medical and hospital expenses will be covered while you’re staying in France.

If you’re planning a big Euro trip that includes France and other countries, travel insurance for Europe or the Schengen Area is also important. The Schengen area is made up of lots of European countries that share an agreement that travellers don’t need a visa. Instead, you can hop freely between these countries for 90 days within a 180-day period.

If you’re lucky enough to stay for longer than 90 days, you’ll need a visa. To be eligible, you’ll need to have travel insurance that covers at least €30,000 of medical emergencies and hospital care for the entirety of your stay. This cover needs to include all the Schengen countries as well. So, yes, travel insurance is pretty much your ticket to your trip.

What activities in France could my travel insurance cover?

Travel insurance doesn’t just help you get into France. It can also come in handy as you take in the sights and culture of French life while ticking those once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your bucket list.

Seeing the famous sights

From the Catacombs of Paris to Mont Saint Michel, Paris and France more broadly have more iconic spots than you can shake a breadstick at. And could a trip to France ever feel complete without a visit to the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower?

Unfortunately, where there are crowds of tourists, there are usually pickpockets and thieves. Whether you’re riding the metro or queuing for the Musee d’Orsay, there’s a chance your valuables could walk off without you. With travel insurance, you could be compensated for any stolen money or valuables, so it doesn’t become an expensive lesson in travel security.

Chasing adrenaline on the French Alps

If you’re seeking a thrill down a red run or a well-earned chocolat chaud (hot chocolate), the French Alps could be where you find it. Renowned for skiing and snowboarding, you could easily spend days in the powder under the shadow of Mont Blanc and other peaks.

But snow sports are a risky business. One wrong turn and you could find yourself enjoying the alpine view from the confines of your hotel bed, instead of the ski lift. If you do take a tumble and need a trip to the doctor or local emergency department, your travel insurance could have you covered (if you’ve got a winter sports package add-on).

Visiting battlefields and war cemeteries

France has a lot of military history, from its royal battles depicted in the Gallery of Great Battles in the Palace of Versailles to World War I memorials in the Somme. There are centuries of France’s past to explore.

Hiring a car and planning your own itinerary can often be the best way to build your own battlefield tour. And if you do end up hiring a car, your travel insurance could cover the rental excess in a worst-case scenario. That way, a parking misjudgement or an accidental run-in won’t end with your own holiday financial battle.

Getting to know each region’s specialty wines

Like baguettes and cheeses, wine is quintessentially French. So, no one would begrudge you indulging your palate and getting to know the difference between a champagne from Champagne and one from the bottle-o.

But life and its little bumps can happen even on holiday. Cancellations and delays may be out of your control, but with travel insurance, you could at least be covered if the winery can’t offer you a refund.

Cheering on the Tour de France

While most of us will never be in the race, soaking up the excitement from the sidelines of the Tour de France could be just as good. Not to mention, you might even make some new friends as you wait for the cyclists to whiz past.

And if you get injured from celebrating like crazy over a spectacular breakaway, your travel insurance could cover your medical costs and have you back cheering in person at the next stage.

‘We tried out a Michelin-starred truffle restaurant called La Truffiere, where my partner and I enjoyed a five-course meal. We indulged a bit too much and felt the need to walk around the bustling streets of Paris afterwards until we reached the Jardin du Luxembourg (or Luxembourg Gardens). All as we waited and watched the Eiffel Tower magically light up against the backdrop of pink sunset skies!”‘

Tina Sendin
Digital Writer, iSelect

What does travel insurance for France typically cover?

All travel policies are different, so it’s important to know the ins and outs of the one you choose. While some specific details or benefits will change from one travel insurer to the next, here are a few general things you can expect to see (and not see) included in your policy.

What’s typically included
What’s not typically included

How much does travel insurance for France typically cost?

And how long is a baguette? These kinds of questions, unfortunately, can only really be answered with an ‘it depends’. When it comes to your travel insurance, your premium can change depending on a range of things:

the insurer and level of cover you choose
how long you’re away for
your age and health (plus any pre-existing conditions)
what you’re taking with you and how much it’s worth
your chosen excess amount
any adventure or snow sports packages you add on.

If you’re planning on a week-long trip to France, you can expect to pay anywhere from $37 for a basic policy.¹ This is about the same as a policy for Thailand, and a whole lot less than insurance for a trip in the US.

Remember, if you’ve got some time put aside for the slopes or have planned some thrilling activities you’ve signed a waiver for, you may need some extra coverage. Just remember that this add-on can almost triple the price of your policy.

Travel tips for France

Health

While France may be known for croissants and culture, one thing it doesn’t offer Aussies is subsidised healthcare costs. Australia and France don’t have any reciprocal healthcare agreements. This means if something goes wrong while you’re enjoying the cobblestone streets of Montmartre or some iffy escargot doesn’t go down well, it’s all on you. If you don’t want to be left footing the bill for your overseas treatment, travel insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must.

Safety

France’s terrorist warning alert is at its highest level, with warnings that terrorist attacks can happen anywhere. Serious crime is especially common in bigger cities like Paris, with robberies, muggings, and assaults being most common. Pickpocketing, passport theft, and bag or phone snatches are more common in summer, when there are more tourists. Make sure to keep your belongings close at hand and watch out for stray children – they’re sometimes used as distractions or play an active role in tourist thefts.

Culture

France is all about joie de vivre, or the joy of living. With huge contributions to art, literature, philosophy, and cuisine, the French take pride in their influence on the world. From haute couture fashion and fine wine to cinema and music, you’ll find that many French people enjoy the finer things in life, savouring all of life’s pleasures. So don’t be surprised if your ‘quick’ morning coffee turns into a sit-down affair.

Getting around

If you plan on renting a car to visit a few different regions of France, you might need an international driver’s permit as well as your Australian driver’s license to legally hit the road. It’ll make your life much easier if you organise it before your trip. If you’re sticking to public transport, France has a range of great systems. The metro (train) network is fast and convenient, with regional trains (like the TGV) making it easy to zip across France’s countryside. Buses and taxis are also a great way to get around – just be mindful of Parisian traffic.

Climate

France’s landscape and climate are as varied as its cheese selections. Up north, in regions like Paris, winters come with occasional snow and summers are pleasantly warm. Southern regions closer to the Mediterranean have hot and dry summers and mild, wet winters. France also experiences natural disasters like avalanches, mudslides, forest fires, and flooding. And if you’re planning a beach day swimming along the Atlantic coast, pay attention to the coloured flags. The waters there are no joke.

Frequently asked questions

Which companies offer travel insurance for France?

Paris might be the city of love, but it’s also the city of endless options. When it comes to travel insurance, there are about as many travel insurers out there as there are French wine grape varieties. Some insurers that iSelect can help you compare include:

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 France?

If you’ve got France down as one of many countries on your backpacking list, you might be looking to cut corners in your travel budget where you can. While you don’t want to travel without any protection, sometimes a medical-only or basic travel policy might be the right choice to keep you and your budget sorted. You’ll usually get basic medical coverage in emergencies and some optional coverage for your luggage, depending on your travel insurer.

For a more typical holiday with a bit of everything, from museum hopping in Paris to renting a car for a day trip to Normandy, a comprehensive policy will be a safer bet. This can cover you for more than just the standard medical emergencies and luggage, with protection for cancellations, rental vehicle excess, and more.

If you’ve got some more adrenaline-filled fun planned or you’re taking a mid-winter trip to hit the slopes in Val Thorens, you’ll need to look for some extra coverage to make sure all your bases are covered. Most insurers offer snow sports coverage and adventure sports extras that you can add to a policy. Just make sure you’re clear about what is and isn’t covered, so you’re not left with an unanticipated bill in the aftermath.

Will I be covered for COVID-19?

Pandemics tend to be excluded from travel insurance policies, but COVID-19 can be a bit of a special case. This means you may be able to find cover for it, whether you get sick during the trip or need to cancel it before you even make it to the airport. For the ins and outs of what you’re covered for, you may want to take a look at your policy’s product disclosure statement (PDS).

Being covered is great, but avoiding getting COVID-19 at all is even better. So, you may want to keep that hand sanitiser close and brush up on your virus-avoiding skills in the lead-up to your trip.

Ready to say bon voyage (with some backup)?

If you’re already working on your French pronunciation (kwa-son, not cross-ont), adding travel insurance to your before-take-off to-do list could be a good idea. It means that if you hit a hiccup during your trip or even before your flight, you’ll be covered. Handily, iSelect makes it easy for you to compare a range of travel insurance policies from different providers. Then you can spend more time deliberating on which of the many French cities you’ll have time for.

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