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Travelling in Europe? What your EHIC covers (and what it doesn't)
€15-50
Single-trip cost (EU)
€50-150/yr
Annual policy cost
€250k+
Medical coverage
10+
Insurers compared
What are travel insurance?
Travel insurance provides financial protection against unexpected events while traveling: medical emergencies abroad, trip cancellation, luggage loss or damage, flight delays, and emergency repatriation (transport back to your home country for medical reasons).
Even within the EU, where the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides basic medical coverage, travel insurance fills important gaps. The EHIC covers medically necessary care at local rates, but it does not cover repatriation (which can cost 10,000-50,000 EUR by air ambulance), dental emergencies, search and rescue in mountains, or treatment in private hospitals. Outside the EU, particularly in the USA, medical costs can be catastrophic without insurance (a hospital stay in the US can cost 5,000-20,000 EUR per day).
There are two main policy types:
Single-trip insurance covers one specific trip. You select the destination, travel dates, and coverage level. Premiums range from 15-50 EUR for a European trip to 40-150 EUR for worldwide coverage (depending on duration and coverage level). This makes sense if you travel once or twice a year.
Annual (continuous) insurance covers all trips within a year, typically with a maximum duration per trip (often 30, 60, or 90 days). Annual policies cost 50-200 EUR per year, making them more cost-effective if you take three or more trips per year. In the Netherlands, this is called a doorlopende reisverzekering.
Key coverage components to look for: medical expenses (minimum 250,000 EUR, higher for USA/Canada), repatriation, trip cancellation (reimburses prepaid costs if you must cancel for covered reasons like illness), luggage loss/delay, personal liability abroad, legal assistance, and 24/7 emergency helpline. Winter sports coverage and adventure activities often require a specific add-on.
Frequently asked questions
The EHIC/GHIC covers basic medical care at local rates across the EU, but it does not cover trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight delays, or medical evacuation. If your trip costs more than a few hundred euros, travel insurance is worth the €30-80 for peace of mind.
Most travel insurance policies now cover COVID-related medical expenses abroad. Coverage for trip cancellation due to COVID diagnosis is common but varies by insurer. Cancellation due to travel restrictions or fear of infection is typically not covered. Always read the policy details.
No. The EHIC (or its replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card) gives you access to state healthcare at the same cost as locals in EU/EEA countries. However, it does not cover private treatment, repatriation, trip cancellation, lost luggage, or adventure sports. Travel insurance provides much broader protection and is recommended for any trip.
Most travel insurance policies cover trip cancellation due to unexpected illness, family emergencies, or natural disasters. However, they generally do not cover cancellations because you changed your mind. Read the policy wording carefully, as exclusions vary between providers. Some premium policies also cover airline insolvency.
A single-trip policy for a week in Europe typically costs EUR 10 to EUR 40 per person, depending on coverage level and age. Annual multi-trip policies cost EUR 50 to EUR 150 and are better value if you travel more than twice a year. Adventure sports, higher medical limits, and gadget cover all increase the premium.
Yes, even for short EU trips. While the EHIC covers basic state healthcare, travel insurance adds trip cancellation protection, personal liability, luggage cover, and emergency repatriation. Given that a single-trip policy costs as little as EUR 10 to EUR 20, the financial protection far outweighs the cost for most travellers.
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