UPDATED 9/20/2024: When planning your next international trip, be sure to do your research and be aware of which countries require travel medical insurance for entry. Some countries require certain levels of coverage limits and/or specific covered benefits, and it is important to be prepared prior to departing on your trip.

The number of countries requiring travel medical insurance was already increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, but now even more countries are requiring international visitors to have a plan. Many countries require travel medical insurance policies because there have been incidents where a visitor requires medical attention and doesn’t have the money to pay their medical bills.

Travel medical insurance provides temporary medical coverage while you’re away from home. It’s designed to protect you in the event of an unexpected illness or injury, providing a range of benefits, including emergency medical and dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), repatriation, and more. 

At the time this post was last updated (09/20/24), here are countries that have travel health insurance requirements for entry and what coverage is needed:

• Antarctica: Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.
• Bhutan: Travelers must have travel medical insurance to apply for a visa.
• Cuba: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Ecuador: Travel medical insurance is not required to visit Ecuador, but it is required to visit the Galapagos.
• Egypt: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Iran: Travelers must have travel medical insurance to apply for a travel visa.
• Jordan: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Laos: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance coverage minimum of $50,000
• Nepal: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Qatar: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Russia: International travelers must apply for a visa and may be asked for proof of travel medical insurance.
• Rwanda: Travelers must have travel medical insurance or must purchase it upon arrival.
• Saudi Arabia: Travelers will need to apply for a tourist visa as well as travel medical insurance.
• Schengen Countries: Travelers must have travel medical insurance to apply for a Schengen visa. It must be valid in all 26 Schengen member countries:
  • 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.
• Seychelles: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.
• Ukraine: Travelers must have documentation of travel medical insurance.

Wherever you’re traveling, be sure to research your destination’s entry requirements beforehand so you don’t get caught without the necessary coverage. You can review each country's requirements on their official immigration website.

IMG’s Patriot International Platinum plan provides coverage for COVID-19* up to $8 million maximum limits, and meets most country requirements for travel medical insurance. The plan also includes Telehealth services, which provide you with access to board-certified doctors and pediatricians in the U.S. who are available 24/7 to help diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication (when necessary and available) for many non-emergent medical issues via phone or online video consultations.

Once you purchase a travel health insurance plan, be sure to keep copies of your policy wording, confirmation of coverage letter, and insurance ID card with you during your travels.

If you're traveling to a country not on the list above, although proof of travel health insurance may not be required for entry, purchasing a plan will provide the security you deserve if an accident or emergency arises while you’re away from home. It’s one of the most important things you’ll pack on your trip that you’ll never want to use!

*charges for treatment resulting from COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 are covered the same as any other illness covered under the policy