Key takeaways
- Compulsory for some visas: Schengen (at least €30,000 medical cover), Dubai tourist visas and Qatar all require insurance.
- Wise everywhere else: one hospital night abroad can cost more than the whole trip.
- Read the exclusions: pre-existing illnesses and adventure sports are commonly excluded unless declared or added.
- Claims: cashless at network hospitals or reimbursement later — inform the insurer quickly.
Travel insurance is compulsory for Indian visitors to the Schengen countries (at least €30,000 of medical cover), for Dubai tourist visas and for Qatar, and it is strongly recommended everywhere else. A good overseas policy covers emergency medical treatment, evacuation to India, loss of passport and baggage, and personal liability; most exclude pre-existing illnesses and adventure sports unless you add them. The details below come from the EU, the UAE and Qatar authorities, and IRDAI.
Where insurance is compulsory for Indians
| Destination | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and others) | Travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, covering emergency treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation | EU Visa Code, Article 15 |
| Dubai (tourist visa) | Medical insurance valid in the UAE is listed as a visa requirement | GDRFA Dubai |
| Qatar | Health insurance for all visitors since 1 February 2023 | Qatar Law No. 22 of 2021 |
| Oman (14-day visa-free route) | Health insurance is a condition for Indians who qualify through a US, UK, Schengen or similar visa | Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
For a Saudi tourist eVisa, insurance is included in the visa. For other countries, insurance is not a visa condition for Indian tourists, but it is still worth buying.
What a typical overseas travel policy covers
- Emergency medical expenses and hospitalisation abroad
- Medical evacuation back to India, and repatriation of remains
- Emergency dental treatment
- Loss or delay of checked-in baggage
- Loss of passport
- Personal liability and personal accident
- Trip cancellation or visa rejection — only in some plans; check the wording
Common exclusions
- Pre-existing illnesses — usually excluded, except life-saving emergency care until the patient is stable. Declare them when buying.
- Adventure sports such as skiing or scuba diving — excluded unless you add the cover.
- Claims linked to alcohol or drugs.
- Pregnancy-related treatment in most standard plans.
How claims work
- Save the insurer’s 24-hour assistance number and your policy PDF on your phone.
- In an emergency, call the insurer first — they arrange cashless treatment at network hospitals where possible.
- Otherwise pay, keep every bill and report, and claim reimbursement after you return.
- Notify the insurer within the time the policy states — often within 7 days — and file the claim within its deadline.
Tips for families and senior travellers
- Buy the policy for the full trip, from the day you leave India to the day you return.
- For parents visiting family in the Gulf, choose a plan with high medical cover and declare existing conditions.
- Under IRDAI rules, travel insurance must not be pre-selected for you — you choose to buy it.
We arrange travel insurance with every package and visa on request — see our travel insurance service.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes. Indians applying for a Schengen visa need travel medical insurance of at least €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries for the whole stay.
Is travel insurance required for Dubai?
Dubai’s immigration authority lists medical insurance valid in the UAE as a requirement for tourist visas.
Do I need health insurance to visit Qatar?
Yes. Qatar has required health insurance for all visitors since 1 February 2023.
Does travel insurance cover pre-existing diseases?
Usually not, except life-saving emergency treatment until the patient is stable. Declare any conditions and check the policy wording.
Insurance requirements and policy terms change. This article reflects official sources checked in September 2026; always read your policy wording.
