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Travel insurance covering emergency medical care: now mandatory in Europe


Canadians travelling in Europe this summer must purchase a travel insurance plan covering emergency medical care since many European governments now require that visitors hold appropriate medical coverage.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT):
''Your Canadian insurance is almost certainly not valid outside Canada. It is essential to obtain supplementary travel insurnce (health, life, disability, driving, vehicle and trip cancellation) before leaving Canada.''

The DFAIT website lists Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland Slovakia and Ukraine as specifically requiring Canadian citizens to be prepared - in some case required - to show proof of medical coverage while visiting.

Minimum coverage: 30 000 Euros
In Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Estonia, the minimum coverage required is 30 000 euros (approximately $42, 500 CDN). Lithuania stipulates that health insurance is mandatory for all non-European Union citizens, and visitors unable to demonstrate sufficient proof of medical coverage must purchase short term insurance at the border.

Similarly, the government of Ukraine requires all visitors to obtain mandatory health insurance from a state-supported company at their point of entry.

Source: DFAIT and Travel Health Insurance of Canada

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