Travel Insurance in Germany: Components, Coverage and What Migrants Need to Know
What Is Travel Insurance in Germany?
Reiseversicherung is the German term for travel insurance — an umbrella term covering several different products that protect against travel-related risks. The most important components are: travel health insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung), trip cancellation insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung), luggage insurance (Reisegepäckversicherung), and travel accident insurance (Reiseunfallversicherung).
For travellers leaving Germany, travel health insurance is often the most critical component: a medical emergency abroad — especially outside the EU — can generate costs of tens of thousands of euros that are not covered by the standard German health insurance (GKV).
The Main Components
Travel Health Insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung)
Covers medical treatment costs abroad that exceed what the statutory health insurance covers. Key points:
- German statutory health insurance (GKV) covers emergencies in EU countries at the local standard, which may be lower than in Germany — and provides no cover outside the EU.
- Emergency medical evacuation back to Germany can cost €20,000–€100,000 and is not covered by GKV. Travel health insurance typically covers this.
- Most policies exclude treatment for pre-existing conditions that were already being treated before departure.
- Dental treatment is usually limited to emergency pain relief only.
Trip Cancellation Insurance (Reiserücktrittsversicherung)
Reimburses cancellation fees if you must cancel a booked trip before departure due to a covered reason: sudden serious illness, accident, unexpected death of a close relative, or similar events. Without this coverage, cancellation fees can reach 80–100% of the trip price.
Not covered: change of mind, bad weather at the destination, pre-existing illnesses that were known before the policy was taken out.
Luggage Insurance (Reisegepäckversicherung)
Reimburses the current value (not replacement value) of lost, stolen or damaged luggage. Note that valuable items like jewellery and electronics are often subject to low sublimits or excluded entirely. Check whether your home contents insurance (Hausratversicherung) already covers luggage theft before buying a separate policy.
Single-Trip vs Annual Policy
Both travel health and cancellation insurance can be taken out as a single-trip policy or an annual policy covering all trips within a year. An annual policy is generally worthwhile if you travel two or more times per year. Most annual policies include a maximum duration per individual trip (typically 45–90 days).
Important Considerations for Expats and Migrants
Travel to Your Country of Origin
Some travel health insurance policies exclude or limit coverage for travel to the policyholder's country of birth or nationality. If you regularly visit your home country, check whether it is explicitly covered. This is particularly relevant for Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and other non-EU nationals living in Germany.
Schengen Visa Requirements
Schengen visa applicants are required to show proof of travel health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000. Many embassies accept standard travel health insurance products — verify that your chosen policy meets the specific requirements for your visa application.
Travel Health Insurance vs International Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is designed for short trips. If you are living abroad for an extended period (expat assignment, long-term stay), you need an international health insurance policy — a fundamentally different product with broader coverage and different costs.
Key Terms
- Auslandsreisekrankenversicherung: Travel health insurance for medical costs abroad.
- Krankenrücktransport: Medical evacuation — transport of an ill or injured person back to Germany for treatment.
- Stornokosten: Cancellation fees charged by the travel provider.
- Vorerkrankung: Pre-existing condition — an illness known before the policy was taken out.
Editorial note: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. eev24.de is an independent information portal and not a licensed insurance intermediary under §34d GewO. For personal recommendations, consult a licensed insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler).