Mandatory travel insurance needed for 30+ countries, including Singapore, Brazil and the Schengen Area [Updated 2022]

Since the pandemic, an increasing number of countries have made travel insurance a mandatory health requirement for visitors, while others have been requesting insurance plans for years due to diplomatic relationships or agreements. Here’s a complete list of the countries that require mandatory travel insurance as of August 2022.

Montenegro

Montenegro is open to all visitors, regardless of vaccination status! Renting a car in Montenegro is the best way to explore this beautiful country on your own schedule.
You can even get temporary residence by company formation in Montenegro! 
Another way to relocate is to get temporary residence through buying property in Montenegro.

Schengen Area

Comprising 26 European states, including Italy, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands, anyone applying for a Schengen visa must provide proof of travel insurance. It must cover emergency medical, hospitalization and repatriations, be valid for your entire stay and have a minimum coverage of €30,000.

Europe

• Ukraine: All foreign visitors must have proof of travel insurance and cover costs related to COVID-19.
• Moldova: Most Moldovian visas require proof of travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
• Romania: Every visitor will need proof of travel medical insurance, and it must cover a minimum of €30,000 in expenses.
• Belarus: You will need proof of medical insurance on arrival that covers the entirety of your stay, with a minimum coverage of €10,000.

South America 

• Brazil: There are no minimum requirements, but all travellers must be covered by a medical insurance policy. 
• Aruba: All foreign travellers have to purchase the country-sponsored COVID-19 health insurance before they fly, as well as have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
• Suriname: Entry is still highly restrictive, but those who are allowed to visit must have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 and take a negative PCR test 72-120 hours before departure.
• Chile: All travellers must have a medical policy that covers COVID-19 in place before they travel.
• Uruguay: As well as being covered by health insurance, all travellers must show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before travel.
• Paraguay: Travel insurance must cover suspected or proven COVID-19, and all travellers must prove they are fully vaccinated or have taken a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel.
• Argentina: All travellers must have comprehensive medical cover for COVID-19.

North America 

• Cuba: Travellers must have proof of valid medical insurance (this cannot be U.S medical insurance, but a supplementary add-on)
• Sint Marten: All visitors need to provide proof of travel insurance if this is their final destination.
• The Bahamas: As part of the Travel Health Visa, all applicants must choose to opt into the mandatory COVID-19 insurance plan that covers medical expenses, trip interruption and medical evacuation.
• Jamaica: All visitors must opt in for the country’s mandatory medical insurance, which covers $50,000 for medical emergencies and $100,000 while travelling to and from the country.

Africa

• Seychelles: There are no minimum requirements for travel insurance, but travellers must have a policy that covers the entire trip.

Asia

• Russia: All those travelling on a visa will need to be able to prove sufficient medical insurance for the duration of their trip.
• Nepal: Travel insurance policies must cover health, immediate crisis or rescue for the duration of your stay.
• Jordan: All non-nationals must have a medical travel insurance policy in place that also covers COVID-19-related care.
• Singapore: Travellers who are not fully vaccinated may be required to have travel insurance covering COVID-19.
• Oman: All non-visa travellers must have health insurance for the duration of their time there.

Oceania

• French Polynesia: Along with travel insurance, visitors must produce proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travelling. 
• Fiji: All foreigners must have medical travel insurance that covers any incidents related to COVID-19.

Where can you get travel insurance?

There are hundreds of travel insurance providers out there, but not all of them will offer a policy that covers countries that require mandatory insurance or coverage for COVID-19. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance now offers COVID-19 and unexpected quarantine coverage worldwide (with the exception of Cuba, Iran, Syria, and North Korea). It’s easy to sign up for their coverage, either on a rolling subscription model or for fixed dates. 

If you’re not sure whether their coverage meets the requirements for your destination, send their customer service team a message to double check! It’s also great to check if you already have existing coverage through your credit card. 

While international travel is getting easier every day, it’s good to be aware of the restrictions in place for each destination you’re traveling to. As travelers, we are responsible for keeping ourselves, and the local communities worldwide, safe.