An increasing number of countries are now making travel insurance mandatory, not just as a recommendation, but as a condition of entry.
“Travel insurance checks are quietly making a comeback,” says Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of Crossing Travel, a London-based company. “It’s no longer limited to long-haul trips or exotic destinations—travelers are now being asked for proof of coverage on more common routes, and sometimes even mid-journey on trains.”
She refers to a recent incident involving the Eurostar, where UK passengers heading to France were suddenly asked about their insurance coverage at the border.
The enforcement of these requirements varies. Sometimes officials ask for proof during visa applications, at the border, or during airline check-in. In the case of the Eurostar, it was a random spot check.
“We saw similar mandatory insurance requirements during COVID,” explains John Gobbles, chief operating officer of Medjet. “As countries like the Caribbean islands and Chile began to reopen, many imposed specific insurance requirements. Now, those requirements are making a return.”
Argentina, for example, introduced a travel insurance mandate last July, resulting in a 25% spike in travel insurance sales for Argentina-bound travelers the following month.
Europe’s Schengen Area also requires travel insurance. All 29 countries in the Schengen Zone mandate that visa applicants carry insurance with at least $35,000 in coverage, including emergency hospitalization and repatriation. This is not a suggestion; it is a strict requirement.
“All 29 countries in the Schengen Area require visa applicants to have travel insurance, but not just any policy will suffice,” says Clément Goubon, chief marketing officer at Insurte. “The insurance must meet specific criteria set by the Schengen Zone.”
But there’s a catch: France goes a step further. It requires all travelers—whether they hold a visa or not—to have medical travel insurance. Border agents can ask for proof of coverage, and if you cannot provide it, you may be denied entry.
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