What is travel health insurance (Auslandskrankenversicherung)?
A travel health insurance policy (Auslandskrankenversicherung, AKV) is private supplementary insurance that covers medical costs during trips outside Germany. It steps in where statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) does not pay or only pays to a limited extent – especially outside the EU and for services such as medical repatriation.
Cover typically applies to holiday trips lasting 6 to 10 weeks per trip. For longer stays abroad (sabbatical, world trip) there are special long-term travel health policies with different terms.
Good to know
Travel health insurance is not trip cancellation insurance. It only covers medical costs during the trip, not cancellation costs before departure.
Why is travel health insurance so important?
Many Germans underestimate the risks of travelling without travel health insurance. These are the main reasons why cover is essential:
1. Statutory insurance does not pay everywhere
Statutory health insurance only applies in EU countries and states with a social security agreement (e.g. Turkey, Tunisia). Even there it only pays the costs that also apply to locals in the host country. In the USA, Canada, Thailand, Australia and many other popular destinations, statutory insurance pays nothing at all.
2. No repatriation through statutory insurance
Even if you fall ill in an EU country, medical repatriation to Germany is not covered by statutory insurance. The costs can quickly reach five figures – and considerably more depending on distance and the patient's condition.
Cost examples without insurance
- Hospital stay in the USA (5 days): €50,000 – €150,000
- Air ambulance USA → Germany: €70,000 – €120,000
- Emergency dental treatment (crown) in the USA: €2,000 – €4,000
The amounts are rough orders of magnitude and depend heavily on the individual case. Travel health insurance covers such costs within the scope of its terms.
3. Private medical treatment
Abroad you are usually treated as a private patient. Many clinics even demand payment up front before starting treatment. Without insurance you have to bear these costs yourself at first – and hope that your statutory insurance reimburses part of them. That is not a safety net you should rely on.
What does travel health insurance cost?
Travel health insurance is usually one of the more affordable insurances. The premium depends mainly on these factors:
- Age: From 65 premiums rise noticeably because the health risk is statistically higher.
- Single person or family: Family plans usually include two adults and the children for a flat premium and are often cheaper than several single policies.
- Trip length per journey: Depending on the plan, 6 to 10 weeks per trip are covered; longer trips cost more.
- Excess and scope of cover: e.g. repatriation standard, rescue costs, pandemic clause.
What the premium is for your age and your trips is shown in the financeAds comparison calculator. When choosing, do not look only at the price but also at the maximum trip length and the repatriation standard.
Key benefits at a glance
Not every travel health policy is the same. When choosing, look out for these core benefits:
Medically sensible repatriation
Not just “necessary” but “sensible” – meaning an earlier return to Germany if treatment would be better there.
Inpatient treatment
Good plans cover hospital stays including operations with no fixed upper limit – check the terms.
Outpatient treatment & medication
Doctor visits, prescribed medication and dressings are covered as standard.
Pain-relieving dental treatment
Emergency treatment for acute toothache (filling, extraction) is included in basic cover.
What to look out for
- Pandemic clause: COVID-19 and other pandemics should be explicitly included.
- Pre-existing conditions: Acute deterioration should be covered (unplanned treatment).
- Excess: Plans without an excess are generally an advantage for travellers.
- Rescue costs: After hiking accidents, helicopter rescues can be expensive.
What matters depending on your travel profile
Stiftung Warentest (Finanztest) and Finanztip regularly assess travel health insurance; you will find their current results under the sources below. Which features matter to you depends on your travel profile:
Long trips & seniors
Look for a long maximum trip length per journey, medically sensible repatriation, no upper age limit and whether premiums are offered for higher age bands.
Short holiday trips
For several shorter trips a year, an annual policy with 6 to 8 weeks per trip is usually enough – repatriation and no excess are what matter.
Always check the current ratings and the insurance terms yourself before taking out a policy.
Special target groups: families & seniors
Family insurance
For families a family plan almost always makes sense. It usually covers two adults and the children for a flat premium and mostly costs less than several single policies. The age limit for co-insured children and the number of children differ by provider – read the terms.
Seniors aged 65 and over
From 65, premiums rise noticeably because the health risk is statistically higher; some providers do not publish prices for older travellers at all. It is important that the plan has no maximum age limit and can be taken out without a health check even at an older age.
How to take it out correctly
5 steps to travel health insurance
- Check your needs: How often do you travel? How long are your typical trips?
- Compare plans: Use the financeAds comparison calculator above for a quick overview.
- Check the benefits: Pay particular attention to repatriation and maximum trip length.
- Take it out in good time: Trips started after the contract begins are covered.
- Take your documents: Save the policy on your smartphone for emergencies.
Important: You must take out the policy before departure. If the contract is only concluded while travelling, cover usually applies only to subsequent trips, not the one already under way. Ideally you take out year-round cover – then all trips in the year are automatically insured.