Health Insurance for France
Here are different insurance options and medical coverage you might find interesting depending on where you are traveling from.
Accidents, sickness, loss of luggage or flight cancellation are a few of the unexpected situations that can spoil your trip to Paris. Getting travel insurance is the best way to avoid these mischances and will save you money, since in some countries a night in hospital can cost you as much as € 10 (US$ 10.60).
US, Canadian and Australian Citizens
Although it is not obligatory for US, Canadian or Australian citizens to get health insurance before arriving in France, it is recommended that they organise comprehensive travel insurance and check which activities are covered and which are not before traveling.
UK Citizens
UK citizens have access to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) that will enable them to access French healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free if anything should happen.
Credit Card Travel Insurances
Before buying your flights to Paris, we recommend checking the clauses of your credit cards as sometimes you can get travel insurance included if the flights are bought with one of your credit cards.
Schengen Area Travel Insurance
For citizens who require a visa to travel to the Schengen area, travel insurance covering repatriation and medical expenses is compulsory. The medical coverage has to be of at least € 30 (US$ 31.70).
The Schengen Agreements
Those who have obtained a visa to travel to France are also allowed to move freely within the Schengen space for up to 90 days in the following countries:
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Health Insurance normally also covers countries such as the UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus, although in these cases the Insurance does not cover as much as in other countries.
Purchase Travel Insurance
We recommend that you contract travel insurance before heading out, to make sure you aren't hit by the unexpected. Check prices, starting at € 9 (US$ 9.50).