Global Travel Requirements: Countries Where Travel Insurance is Mandatory

Whether you’ll require travel insurance from India or not depends on the policies of the country you’re visiting for your international holiday. While international travel insurance isn’t mandatory in every nation, there are at least 38 countries where it is an essential requirement per the law. 

Governments impose these mandates mostly to ensure the safety of visitors and reduce the financial burden on their domestic healthcare system and visitors. Read on as we shed light on the countries where travel insurance is mandatory and the consequences of not having it when visiting these destinations. 

What is Mandatory Travel Insurance?

When a country makes travel insurance mandatory, it becomes a legal requirement for entering the country or applying for a Visa. These mandatory policies usually offer the same benefits as regular travel insurance, such as coverage for medical emergencies, delayed flights, lost baggage/passports, liability for property damage or bodily injury, etc.

Certain countries also enforce additional requirements on their mandatory insurance for travellers. For instance, you may be required to get a policy with a minimum coverage value and for a minimum duration. Similarly, travel insurance is necessary in some countries for taking part in adventurous activities or visiting during emergencies like civil unrest or pandemics.

Sometimes, these mandates are temporary. For example, during the Coronavirus pandemic, countries like Singapore and Bhutan required travellers to have travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage. However, now that the pandemic has subsided, countries have lifted the restrictions.

Why Do Countries Make Travel Insurance Mandatory for Tourists?

Countries have made travel insurance mandatory for many valid reasons. These include:

1. To Provide Immediate Medical Help to Tourists

Countries mandate international travel insurance to ensure that tourists can get immediate medical help without a heavy financial burden. Having your insurer cover the cost of medicines and hospitalisation can be a lifesaver, especially in countries that lack government-funded healthcare infrastructure.

2. To Mitigate Financial Risks to Local Healthcare Systems

If a tourist who doesn’t have travel insurance falls ill during their stay, the financial burden of providing them with medical care falls on local healthcare. In countries with public healthcare, this could result in higher costs for local taxpayers. 

3. To Enhance Public Safety and Health

If a tourist fails to get medical assistance, especially in cases like infectious diseases, there’s a huge risk of infection spreading among the locals. Travel insurance ensures you can get immediate aid without worrying about its financial impact, ensuring your and the public’s safety.

4. To Reduce the Government’s Burden

In emergencies like natural disasters, civil unrest, and wars, local governments may not always be willing to use public funds on tourists. However, if you have travel insurance, you don’t need to worry, as it covers the cost of medical assistance, emergency transport, and evacuation.

5. To Provide Seamless Travel Experience

Imagine visiting a country for vacation but only to bear additional expenses due to health emergencies, flight delays, or delayed or stolen baggage. It’ll ruin your experience, and you may even avoid that destination in future. However, with travel insurance, you can still sleep well at night, knowing it will cover any emergencies that may occur.

Countries Where Travel Insurance is Mandatory

 Here is the list of countries where international travel insurance is mandatory for people travelling from India: 

1. Cuba: Coverage for sudden illnesses and evacuation is needed.

2. Ecuador: Only needed if visiting the Galapagos.

3. Jordan: Tourists must have travel insurance with medical coverage.

4. Myanmar: Tourists must have travel insurance with medical coverage along with coverage for Covid-19 treatment.

5. Nepal: Mandatory for travellers visiting for trekking and mountaineering.

6. Qatar: Travel insurance with medical coverage for the duration of the stay is required.

7.  Rwanda: Travel medical insurance is a legal requirement to enter Rwanda.

8. Schengen Countries: It is a group of 29 European countries where travel insurance of EUR 30,000 is mandatory.

9. Turkey: Required for visa application.

10. United Arab Emirates: Mandatory for multiple-entry visa holders.

11. United States of America: Mandatory for students enrolled in full-time programs.

Consequences of Not HavingTravel Insurance If It’s Mandatory

The inability to furnish valid travel insurance in countries where it is mandatory has the following repercussions:

1. Denial of Entry

Travellers without travel insurance may be denied entry into the country where it’s a legal requirement for entry. Moreover, in countries where travel insurance is necessary even for applying for a Visa, their application will be rejected.  

2. Legal Consequences

Lack of travel insurance when travelling into a country where it is mandatory can have legal consequences. Depending on the local laws, you may face fines or other legal penalty for failing to comply with the regulations. 

3. Financial Burden

The financial cost of not having travel insurance in countries where it’s mandatory goes beyond fines and penalties. Depending on the laws, you may have to book an immediate return flight or purchase a new insurance plan if you wish to stay. Not to mention, expenses will snowball if you were to fall sick or lose your belongings. 

4. Travel Interruptions

Since you can’t enter the country without insurance, it will cause delays in many standard procedures. You may need to reevaluate your vacation plans, whether it’s arranging for new travel insurance, emergency transport, or accommodation, diverting your focus from relaxation to resolving unforeseen issues.

Key Takeaways

Always purchase travel insurance before visiting a country where it’s mandatory for tourists. Also, make sure to review the local government’s guidelines for mandatory insurance, including the ideal sum assured, cover duration, extent of coverage, etc., to ensure you get adequate protection in the foreign land.For a seamless and hassle-free experience, consider using platforms like PhonePe to manage and purchase your travel insurance.