Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Is travel insurance compulsory?
Travel insurance isn't compulsory in most countries but the Australian government says it's as important as a passport.
Travel insurance is recommended regardless of which country you travel to yet some travellers still take the risk of travelling without it. Some countries strictly mandate travel insurance with medical as an entry requirement. You should check the Australian government's travel website, smartraveller, to find out exactly which ones require insurance.
The Schengen Zone and compulsory travel insurance
The Schengen Zone is a region encompassing 27 European countries and states.
Travel insurance is required for stays over 90 days
If you want to visit the Schengen Zone for 90 days or more, you need a visa. To receive the visa, Australian travellers must meet the minimum requirements for most member states. These requirements include compulsory travel insurance with the minimum medical cover of €30,000 and cover for repatriation back to Australia.
Compare travel insurance policies to meet entry requirements
Why get travel insurance even when it's not compulsory?
A night in hospital in a country such as Singapore or the United States of America (USA) could end up costing you almost $900 and $750 a night respectively. Travelling to these countries without travel insurance is like playing with fire.
Top 6 most expensive destinations to have an emergency
| Destination | Hospital stay per night |
|---|---|
| Singapore | $893 |
| United States of America | $751 |
| Hong Kong | $722 |
| The Netherlands | $671 |
| Canada | $603 |
| Germany | $561 |
Other medical expenses you must be aware of
Other medical emergency expenses that you should be aware of include:
- Ambulance fees
- Medication
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment
- Doctor consultation fees
- Food and incidentals
- Accommodation for travelling companions
Why you can trust Finder's travel insurance experts
You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching travel insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
Frequently asked questions
More resources on Finder
More guides on Finder
-
The best travel insurance – 3,000 policies analysed (seriously…!)
The best travel insurance policies are different for each individual traveller.
-
Bali travel insurance
Ready to get moving? See quotes and compare travel insurance policies for Bali from 16
brands -
Travel Insurance Direct
Compare Travel Insurance Direct policies online to save time and money. Travel Insurance Direct offers various policies including Annual multi-trip, The Works, The Basics and Domestic travel.
-
Travel Insuranz Travel Insurance
If time is valuable to you, Travel Insuranz may be suitable for you. With its fast online processing process, Travel Insurance provides easy access to protecting yourself for travel. Read its policy online.
-
Travel Insurance Saver
Compare Travel Insurance Saver with other policies to see if they are right for you.
-
Travel insurance for repatriation and medical evacuation
Guide to repatriation insurance and cover for emergency medical evacuations.
-
High-risk travel insurance
Guide to high-risk travel insurance: What is and isn't covered.
-
Tick Travel Insurance
Tick Travel Insurance offers competitive single trip insurance to suit a range of travellers with three levels of cover to choose from.
-
Easy Travel Insurance
With a workforce in 2 countries, Easy Travel Insurances provides a range of policies combined with customer service 24/7/365.
-
Domestic travel insurance: Australia
Domestic travel insurance can provide cover for trip cancellation (domestic flights), loss or damage to luggage and expensive items, car rental excess charges and much more. Find out why domestic travel insurance is worth getting and compare policies from Australian insurers.