Safety when traveling internationally
We know that, in addition to the health impact, an emergency can also result in costs that threaten your financial security. With international travel insurance that combines travel health insurance and trip cancellation insurance, you are well prepared for your vacation.
If you travel abroad several times a year, an annual travel insurance policy is recommended. You are covered for the first 42 days of each international trip within a year, or up to 84 days if you choose the optional extension.
The most important points at a glance
- International travel insurance protects you when traveling abroad and helps you avoid high costs.
- Depending on your coverage, it pays expenses if you become ill or have to cancel your trip, and it can also arrange repatriation transport in a medical emergency.
- Since the Austrian e-card often does not provide sufficient protection abroad, travel insurance is a valuable addition.
- If you travel several times a year, an annual travel insurance policy may be worthwhile.
- Coverage is available for trips in Europe and worldwide.
What is international travel insurance?
International travel insurance, also known as overseas travel health insurance, is a private supplementary insurance policy. It protects you against the financial consequences of unforeseen medical events during a trip abroad. This includes, for example, the coverage of treatment costs in the event of illness or an accident abroad, as well as the cost of repatriation transport.
What does international travel insurance from Europäische Reiseversicherung cover?
International travel insurance from Europäische Reiseversicherung is available in various plans and allows you to combine travel health insurance with additional benefits. For example, you can extend your travel health insurance, including medically necessary repatriation transport, with trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, baggage insurance, and personal liability insurance. This allows you to choose the coverage that best suits your travel plans and enjoy extensive protection in Europe or worldwide.
If you are planning several trips a year, our annual TravelCover or annual CompleteCover plans are an ideal solution. They cover every trip within an insurance year, so you do not need to purchase a new policy before each vacation. Whether you are taking a city break in New York, a summer holiday in Crete, or a ski vacation in Switzerland, you are comprehensively protected.
If, on the other hand, you are planning a single vacation, such as a stay at one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, our CompleteCover plan may be the right choice.
Travel health insurance
You can become ill or have an accident at any time while traveling, whether you are visiting a European city, a rainforest, or a distant destination. Appropriate travel health insurance protects you against high medical costs and ensures that you receive prompt assistance in an emergency.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the back of the Austrian e-card provides only limited coverage and pays only for medically necessary treatment in EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Outside these countries, coverage is often unavailable or very limited.
Private travel health insurance is therefore especially recommended for travel to countries without social security agreements with Austria and to destinations with high medical costs, such as the United States. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) also recommends taking out private travel insurance.
Many Europäische Reiseversicherung packages already include travel health insurance and medically necessary repatriation transport. This protection can also be purchased separately.
Trip cancellation insurance
A sudden illness, accident, or another insured event may prevent you from starting your trip. In such cases, trip cancellation insurance covers the cancellation fees charged by tour operators, airlines, or accommodation providers. Depending on when the trip was booked, these costs can amount to up to 100% of the travel price.
Trip cancellation insurance is particularly useful if you have booked an expensive trip, planned far in advance, or are traveling with several people. The higher the travel cost, the greater the financial risk if the trip must be canceled.
Example: A family has to cancel their motorhome trip through Western Canada at short notice because one of the children unexpectedly becomes ill. Without trip cancellation insurance, cancellation costs could amount to several thousand euros.
With Europäische Reiseversicherung, CancellationCover is included in many travel protection packages. This provides financial security if you are unable to start your trip for an insured reason.
Trip interruption insurance
Not every emergency occurs before departure. If something unexpected happens during your trip and you need to end it early for an insured reason, trip interruption insurance applies. It covers the cost of unused travel services and reimburses additional expenses, such as the cost of an earlier return journey.
Trip interruption protection is already included in many Europäische Reiseversicherung packages. This means you are also financially protected while traveling if an unexpected event makes it necessary to return home early.
Europe or worldwide: where is your travel insurance valid?
When purchasing international travel insurance, you can choose between European coverage and worldwide coverage. This distinction directly affects the premium.
With Europäische Reiseversicherung, European coverage includes not only European countries but also selected destinations outside the traditional EU region, such as Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia. The exact countries included can be found in the insurance terms and conditions.
Worldwide coverage applies in principle to travel in all countries except Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Crimea, and the regions of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk.
Good to know: If you book a cruise or visit several countries during one trip, you should select the most distant destination when calculating the premium. If one destination lies outside the European coverage area, the worldwide tariff applies.
Regardless of where you are traveling, it is advisable to check the latest travel and security advisories issued by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.
Travel preparation: what you should check before leaving
The better prepared you are, the more relaxed your trip will be. Make sure to obtain the following documents and information in good time.
International driving permit, passport, and payment methods
Check your passport’s validity well in advance. Remember that outside the EU, you may need an international driving permit, which can often be obtained from automobile clubs.
When traveling internationally, do not rely on only one form of payment. Ideally, you should carry one or two credit cards as well as your debit card. Also remember to disable the GeoControl feature on your cards so you can withdraw cash outside Europe.
International allergy passport
If you suffer from allergies, consult your doctor before traveling. Ask whether your destination is suitable and which risks you should consider.
If you do not speak the local language, obtain an international allergy passport. You should also research the medical facilities available at your destination, bring copies of important medical documents, and consider packing a double supply of your medication.
International diabetes identification card
An international diabetes ID card can make traveling easier, especially when dealing with flight-related formalities.
All diabetes-related supplies, including medication, insulin, insulin pens, and blood glucose meters, should be carried in your hand luggage. If transporting insulin in cooling bags, be aware that hand luggage rules often allow only fully frozen cooling packs.
Many medications are sensitive to heat. Therefore, make sure you have access to a refrigerator at your destination. When traveling across time zones, it is important to maintain your usual dosage schedule. Consult your doctor before departure for individualized advice.
Hand luggage size
Although the EU adopted standardized cabin baggage rules for the coming year in 2026, there is still no international standard for carry-on luggage dimensions. Weight and size restrictions vary by airline, travel class, and route.
Always check the applicable rules with your airline before departure to avoid additional costs or complications at check-in.
Our travel checklist can also help you prepare for your trip. It guides you step by step through planning your vacation, from the initial idea to essential documents and organizational details.
Frequently asked questions about international travel insurance
When should I purchase travel insurance?
Purchase your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip and choose immediate coverage. This is particularly important if your policy includes trip cancellation insurance. It ensures you are protected if you need to cancel your trip for an insured reason.
The earlier your insurance with cancellation protection begins, the longer you benefit from comprehensive coverage.
When is annual travel insurance worthwhile?
An annual travel insurance policy often becomes worthwhile with just two trips per year.
It covers all trips within an insurance year, up to 42 days per trip, with an optional extension up to 84 days. Coverage applies regardless of travel type or mode of transport, whether it is a short break, vacation, round trip, or long-haul journey, and whether you travel by car, plane, train, ship, or motorcycle.
Another advantage is that you do not need to register each trip individually, and you can also take spontaneous trips at any time.
Which travel insurance is suitable for a round-the-world trip?
For a round-the-world trip, you need insurance with worldwide coverage, such as the Annual Comprehensive Protection plan. It is also important to ensure that the maximum trip duration matches your travel plans.
For longer trips, a policy that offers an optional extension to 84 days per trip is recommended. For journeys lasting several months, special long-term plans are available.
Which international travel insurance is best for business travelers?
For business trips, excluding field sales activities, sales tours, or installation assignments, our Annual Comprehensive Protection plan with the Business add-on is recommended. It provides extensive coverage for business travel and also protects work-related items such as laptops and other business baggage.
For companies, Corporate Travel Insurance is recommended. This group business travel policy automatically covers all employee business trips worldwide and helps small, medium-sized, and large organizations fulfill their duty of care obligations abroad.
