Whether you’re a student or on a temporary work permit, an active traveler or expatriate, or retired, travel insurance provides you with health coverage in the event of illness abroad. It’s not compulsory to take out insurance, but it’s highly recommended, especially if you want to travel with a clear head! Here’s some advice on choosing the right health insurance for your lifestyle, your trip and your needs.
Please note: for expatriation or a stay abroad of more than three months, you are no longer entitled to reimbursement of your healthcare costs by the French social security system. To benefit from reimbursements, you’ll need to take out supplementary health insurance, whether through traditional travel insurance, international insurance or an insurance company established in your destination country.
A few basic rules
If you want to take out insurance before you leave, so that you can travel with peace of mind (whatever your situation), there are a number of things you need to check. First and foremost, the insurance must cover your healthcare costs abroad in the event of illness, emergency, accident or hospitalization. It’s also a good idea to choose insurance with repatriation cover for you and/or your family.
Beyond that, the insurance must cover you for the entire duration of your stay. Travelling to a single destination or to different countries? Your itinerary is another factor to take into account (in fact, your insurance must be able to cover you for all the destinations you wish to visit). We recommend that you find out as much as you can before you leave, to avoid any unpleasant surprises along the way.
Please note: if you are traveling to or expatriating in a European Union country, you can apply for an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This allows you to be covered abroad, on the same basis as reimbursements offered in France, for the duration of your stay. Or at least, it means you’ll be reimbursed for your healthcare costs once you’re back in France. Just remember to check that your country of destination allows you to benefit from it. Apply at least two weeks before departure.
Choosing the right insurance… depending on your status
Student
Whether you’re studying, doing an internship or applying for a Working Holiday Visa (available up to the age of 30), travel insurance is not only necessary, it’s compulsory. Some universities will require you to take out health insurance, just as they do for a Working Holiday Permit, and to provide proof of this when you register. Your acceptance at university and/or the granting of your visa depend on it.
In this situation, we recommend that you contact your destination country and/or university to find out what insurance cover is essential (for example, repatriation or hospitalization, and how much reimbursement is required). Some universities and companies also require insurance that covers civil liability (in the event of bodily injury to others and/or damage to company property). All this information will help you choose the right insurance.
Good to know: if you’re going to a country with high tuition fees, ask your insurance company about the “Interruption of studies” option. This will cover the cost of your school year (in the event of inability to study).
Travelling and/or around the world
If your only vacation of the year depends on it, you should know that there are travel insurances with guarantees in case of loss and/or theft of luggage. They may also offer benefits in the event of flight delay or cancellation.
Secondly, you should be aware that some companies offer cover for a single territory, a single country, while others extend their cover to several countries (Chapka international insurance, for example). This is particularly interesting for travelers who wish to circumnavigate the globe or cross several countries. So make sure you know which country or countries you’ll be traveling to. Many countries now require proof of insurance for all travellers wishing to enter their territory (Costa Rica, Thailand, etc., especially since Covid-19).
Expatriate
If you’re traveling vs. expatriating, your healthcare and reimbursement needs won’t be the same. So, depending on your future country of residence, it’s important to check the benefits on offer, as well as the ceilings. In the United States, for example, medical care is very expensive compared with France or other Asian countries. It is therefore advisable to check the benefit levels (what compensation for what procedure) and the way they work (by contribution or annual deduction, price, etc.). You can then choose between international health insurance and insurance in your destination country.
If you’re expatriating with your family (partner and/or children), check whether you need to take out insurance for the whole family, or whether your plan covers all family members. Finally, if you’re expatriating for several years, check the conditions for renewing your insurance and the cancellation conditions (in the event of your return home).
Please note: don’t forget to check with the CFE (Caisse des français à l’étranger), the organization that replaces French social security abroad, which may cover part of your healthcare costs abroad. Taking out insurance will enable you to supplement CFE reimbursements.
Retired
Many French retirees decide to take the plunge and live happily abroad when they reach retirement age. In this case, when preparing for your retirement, don’t forget to take out good health cover. Here, it’s important to choose an insurance policy that covers all the “classic” benefits mentioned above, as well as additional benefits linked to your state of health (good optical cover, for example, or dental cover in the event of chronic illness).
Whatever your age, status or country of destination, we invite you to take a look at our Santexpat.fr website. Just fill in your details, and our health experts will provide you with a list of the best offers, and the right insurance for you.
