Security when you are traveling internationally
We know that an emergency can cause not only health-related damage but also costs that may threaten your financial existence. With international travel insurance that combines travel health insurance abroad and trip cancellation insurance, you are well prepared for your holiday.
If you travel abroad several times a year, annual travel insurance is recommended. You are insured for the first 42 or 84 days (optional) of each international trip within one year.
The most important points at a glance
- International travel insurance protects you while traveling abroad and helps you avoid high costs.
- Depending on the coverage selected, it pays costs if you become ill or have to cancel your trip and also arranges repatriation in the event of a medical emergency.
- Since the Austrian e-card often does not provide sufficient protection abroad, travel insurance is a useful addition.
- If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance may be worthwhile.
- Coverage is available for travel within Europe and worldwide.
What is international travel insurance?
International travel insurance, also referred to as travel health coverage abroad, 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, covering treatment costs in the event of illness or an accident abroad, as well as covering the cost of medical repatriation.
What does international travel insurance from Europäische Reiseversicherung cover?
International travel insurance from Europäische Reiseversicherung offers various tariff options that allow you to combine travel health insurance abroad with additional benefits. For example, you can extend your travel health insurance, including medically necessary repatriation, with trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, baggage insurance, and personal travel liability insurance. This allows you to choose the protection that suits your travel plans and enjoy extensive coverage in Europe or worldwide.
Planning several trips a year? Then our annual TravelCover or annual CompleteCover is a good option. It covers every trip within one insurance year without requiring you to purchase new insurance before each holiday. Whether it is a city break in New York, a summer holiday in Crete, or a ski holiday in Switzerland, you are comprehensively protected.
If, on the other hand, you are planning a single holiday trip, for example to one of the world's most beautiful beaches, then our CompleteCover package may be the right choice.
Travel health insurance abroad
While traveling, you may unexpectedly become ill or have an accident at any time, whether you are visiting a European metropolis, a rainforest, or a distant destination. Suitable travel health insurance abroad protects you from high medical expenses and ensures that you receive help quickly in an emergency.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the back of the Austrian e-card provides only limited coverage and pays costs only for medically necessary treatments in EU member states and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Outside these countries, coverage is often unavailable or very limited.
Private travel health insurance abroad is therefore particularly recommended for trips to countries without social security agreements with Austria and for destinations with high medical costs, such as the USA. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) also recommends taking out private travel insurance. In many insurance packages offered by Europäische Reiseversicherung, travel health insurance abroad, including medically necessary repatriation, is already included. However, you can also purchase this TravelCover separately.
Trip cancellation insurance
A sudden illness, an accident, or another insured reason may prevent you from starting your trip. In this case, trip cancellation insurance covers the cancellation costs charged by tour operators, airlines, or accommodation providers. Depending on the booking date, 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 price, the greater the financial risk if you need to cancel.
Example: A family must cancel their motorhome trip through western Canada at short notice because a child unexpectedly becomes ill. Without trip cancellation insurance, cancellation costs of several thousand euros may arise.
At Europäische Reiseversicherung, cancellation protection is included in many travel insurance packages. This ensures financial protection if you are unable to begin your trip for an insured reason.
Trip interruption insurance
Not every emergency occurs before a trip begins. If something unexpected happens during the trip and it must be ended early for an insured reason, trip interruption insurance applies. It covers the cost of unused travel services and reimburses additional expenses, such as an earlier return journey.
At Europäische Reiseversicherung, trip interruption protection is already included in many travel insurance packages. This means you remain financially protected if an unforeseen event requires an early return home.
Europe or worldwide – where is your travel insurance valid?
When purchasing international travel insurance, you can choose between coverage for Europe or worldwide. This distinction directly affects the premium.
At Europäische Reiseversicherung, European coverage includes not only European countries but also selected destinations outside the traditional EU borders, such as Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia. You can find the exact list of included countries in the insurance terms and conditions.
Worldwide coverage generally applies 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 for premium calculation. If one destination lies outside the European coverage area, the worldwide tariff applies.
Regardless of your destination, it is advisable to check the latest travel and security advisories issued by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.
Travel preparations: What you should check before departure
The better you prepare your international trip, the more relaxed it will be. Make sure to obtain the following documents and information in good time.
International driving permit, passport, and payment methods
Check in good time how long your passport remains valid. Also remember that outside the EU you may need an international driving permit, which can be issued by automobile clubs, for example.
When traveling abroad, do not rely on a single payment method. Ideally, you should carry one or two credit cards as well as a debit card. Do not forget to deactivate the “GeoControl” function on your cards so that you can withdraw cash outside Europe as well.
International allergy passport
Do you suffer from allergies? Then consult your doctor before traveling and seek advice. Find out whether your destination is suitable for you and which risks you should consider.
If you do not speak the local language, make sure to obtain an international allergy passport for your trip. Also inform yourself about the medical services available at your destination. Bring copies of all important medical documents and, if necessary, pack a double supply of your medication.
International diabetic identification card
An international diabetic identification card makes traveling easier, especially when dealing with formalities during air travel. All diabetic supplies, such as medication, insulin, pens, and blood glucose meters, should be carried in your hand luggage.
Many medications do not tolerate heat. Therefore, a refrigerator should be available at your destination. When traveling across time zones, it is also important to maintain the usual dosage schedule to ensure consistent effectiveness. On long flights to the west, one additional meal and insulin dose may be required, while when flying eastward, one dose may be omitted. Consult your doctor before your trip.
Size of hand luggage
In the EU, standardized hand luggage rules for the coming year were adopted in 2026. However, note that there is no international standard for hand luggage dimensions. Weight and size limits may vary depending on the airline, class, and route. Check the applicable requirements directly with your airline before departure to avoid additional costs or problems at check-in.
Our travel checklist can also help you prepare optimally for your trip. It guides you through planning your holiday step by step, from the initial idea to important documents and organizational details.
Frequently asked questions about international travel insurance
When should I take out travel insurance?
Take out your travel insurance immediately after booking your trip and select immediate coverage. This is especially important if you include cancellation insurance. That way, you are protected if you cannot start your trip for an insured reason.
The earlier your travel insurance with cancellation protection begins, the longer you are comprehensively covered.
When is annual travel insurance with Europäische Reiseversicherung worthwhile?
Annual travel insurance is often worthwhile from just two trips per year.
It applies to all trips within one insurance year, for up to 42 days per trip, optionally extendable to 84 days. All types of travel and means of transport are covered, whether it is a short trip, holiday, 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 individual trips and can also take spontaneous trips at any time.
Which travel insurance is suitable for a world trip?
For a world trip, you need insurance with worldwide coverage, such as the annual CompleteCover plan. It is also important that the maximum trip duration matches your plans. For longer trips, a tariff with an optional extension to up to 84 days per trip is recommended.
Special long-term tariffs are available for journeys lasting several months. We would be happy to advise you.
Which international travel insurance is best suited for business travelers?
For business trips, excluding field sales activities, sales trips, or installation assignments, our annual Complete Protection with the “Business” add-on package is suitable. It offers comprehensive protection for business travel and also covers work-related items such as laptops and other business equipment and baggage.
For companies, Corporate Travel Insurance is recommended. This corporate umbrella policy automatically covers all employee business trips worldwide and helps small and medium-sized businesses as well as large corporations fulfill their duty of care obligations abroad.
