Germany is one of the most visited countries in Europe, attracting millions of tourists, business travelers, and expats each year. At the same time, Germans themselves are avid travelers, taking trips across Europe and worldwide. Whether you are a visitor entering Germany or a resident planning a trip abroad, travel insurance plays an essential role in ensuring your journey is safe and financially secure.
While many people view travel insurance as optional, in Germany it is often considered a necessity—and in some cases, it is even legally required, such as for Schengen visa applicants. From medical emergencies to lost luggage and flight cancellations, the right policy can save you from stress and unexpected expenses.
1. Why Travel Insurance is Important
Traveling always involves risks—flights may be canceled, luggage can be lost, and medical emergencies may occur. Healthcare abroad can be extremely expensive, especially outside Europe. Without travel insurance, you may face huge bills that are not covered by your regular German health insurance.
For visitors to Germany, travel insurance provides peace of mind that any emergency medical costs will be covered. For Germans and expats living in Germany, travel insurance ensures international trips are worry-free.
2. Travel Insurance and the Schengen Visa
One of the main reasons travel insurance is widely discussed in Germany is because of the Schengen visa requirement. Citizens from many non-EU countries must obtain a visa to visit Germany or other Schengen states.
Schengen Travel Insurance Requirements:
- Minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses.
- Valid across all 27 Schengen countries.
- Must cover emergency medical treatment and repatriation (transport back to home country in case of illness or death).
Without valid travel health insurance, visa applications are automatically rejected.
3. Types of Travel Insurance in Germany
There isn’t just one type of travel insurance—policies can be tailored to fit different needs.
a. Travel Health Insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung)
- Covers medical expenses during your trip.
- Includes hospitalization, doctor visits, and medication.
- Provides medical repatriation if necessary.
- Essential for both visa applicants and German residents traveling abroad.
b. Trip Cancellation Insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung)
- Reimburses costs if you must cancel your trip for valid reasons (illness, accident, family emergency, job loss).
- Covers prepaid expenses like flights, hotels, or tours.
- Especially valuable for expensive trips.
c. Trip Interruption Insurance (Reiseabbruchversicherung)
- Provides financial protection if your trip is cut short.
- Covers additional costs for rebooking flights or returning home early.
d. Baggage Insurance (Gepäckversicherung)
- Covers lost, stolen, or damaged luggage.
- Includes reimbursement for valuables like electronics or clothes.
e. Annual Multi-Trip Insurance
- Ideal for frequent travelers.
- Covers unlimited trips within one year, often at a lower cost than buying single policies each time.
4. What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
While policies vary, most standard travel insurance plans in Germany include:
- Emergency medical treatment.
- Hospitalization and surgery abroad.
- Prescription medications.
- Medical evacuation and repatriation.
- Trip cancellations due to illness, injury, or family emergencies.
- Lost or delayed baggage.
- 24/7 emergency assistance hotline.
Optional add-ons can include coverage for:
- Extreme sports and adventure travel.
- Pre-existing medical conditions.
- Business travel equipment.
5. What Travel Insurance Does Not Cover
It’s important to understand exclusions to avoid surprises:
- Accidents caused by reckless behavior (e.g., intoxication).
- Travel to high-risk regions with official government warnings.
- Pre-existing medical conditions (unless specifically covered).
- Cosmetic or elective treatments abroad.
Always read the fine print, as policies differ between providers.
6. Cost of Travel Insurance in Germany
Premiums depend on trip length, destination, and coverage type.
Typical Costs (2025):
- Short-term Schengen visa insurance: €20–€60 for a 1-month stay.
- Annual multi-trip insurance: €70–€150 per year.
- Trip cancellation insurance: 3–5% of total trip cost.
For example, a family trip to Spain costing €2,000 might require around €80–€100 for cancellation coverage.
Compared to the potential costs of a hospital stay abroad (which can reach thousands of euros), travel insurance is relatively inexpensive.
7. Travel Insurance for Expats and Residents in Germany
Expats living in Germany often travel both within and outside the EU. While statutory German health insurance covers some medical costs within the EU (via the European Health Insurance Card – EHIC), it does not cover:
- Private healthcare abroad.
- Medical repatriation.
- Costs outside Europe.
That’s why additional travel health insurance is recommended. Private insurers often provide worldwide coverage, but policies should be carefully checked.
8. How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance
When selecting a policy, consider:
- Destination: Worldwide policies cost more than European-only plans.
- Duration: Single-trip vs. annual coverage.
- Travel frequency: Frequent travelers benefit from annual plans.
- Special activities: If you plan skiing, diving, or trekking, ensure extreme sports are included.
- Family coverage: Some insurers offer family packages at reduced rates.
Popular insurance providers in Germany include Allianz Travel, HanseMerkur, AXA, ERGO, and ADAC (for drivers and travelers).
9. Real-Life Examples
- Visitor to Germany: Maria from Brazil applied for a Schengen visa and bought travel health insurance with €30,000 coverage. During her stay, she had an appendicitis emergency. Her insurance covered hospital costs and recovery.
- German Traveler Abroad: Stefan traveled to the US for work and broke his leg. Without travel insurance, treatment would have cost over €15,000. His €90 annual travel insurance saved him from paying out-of-pocket.
- Family Vacation: The Müller family booked a summer holiday in Greece. A week before departure, their child fell ill, forcing them to cancel. Their cancellation insurance reimbursed €2,500 in booking costs.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming EHIC is enough: It only covers basic treatment in EU states, not worldwide.
- Buying the cheapest plan: Low-cost policies may exclude repatriation or baggage coverage.
- Not declaring medical conditions: Insurers can reject claims if health history is not disclosed.
- Forgetting family members: Ensure all travelers, including children, are covered.
11. Final Thoughts
Travel insurance in Germany is more than a box-ticking exercise—it’s an essential safeguard against financial risks while traveling. For visitors, it’s often a legal requirement for visa approval. For German residents and expats, it’s a practical way to secure peace of mind on international trips.
With options ranging from medical coverage to trip cancellation and baggage protection, you can customize policies to fit your needs and budget. Given the relatively low cost compared to potential losses, travel insurance is one of the smartest investments any traveler can make.