Summer vacations are in full swing, and many travelers are planning beach holidays, cultural excursions, or adventure trips to some of the most popular summer destinations around the world. But while planning a summer getaway this year, a new move in the tourism sector is changing things up: mandatory travel insurance. While insurance was once optional, recent trends have made having it a rule across the world.
Many countries have made travel insurance mandatory as a condition of entry in recent years. Japan has joined nations like Russia, Georgia, Switzerland, Iran, Uruguay, Cuba, Costa Rica, and the whole of the Schengen region in making proof of insurance compulsory for foreign tourists. Why? The step is prompted by a steep increase in unpaid medical bills left behind by uninsured tourists.
The old freedom to buy insurance on one’s own terms is no longer applicable in many places, so this change is more than a challenge to travelers. There is even the possibility of travelers being denied entry or being pressured into buying costly, last-minute insurance. All the Schengen nations have long required a minimum of €30,000 (around $35,000 USD) medical coverage, but with more and more nations such as Japan mandating travel insurance (the move is currently in the planning stages), the trend is going global.
Travel insurance is no longer a matter of choice for travelers heading to an increasing number of destinations. With the recent surge in bookings for summer vacations, neglecting this new travel mandate can ruin even the most well-planned trips. Travelers must stay informed and comply with the new trend ahead of time. Here, we’ll discuss which countries require travel insurance for entry, why it matters, and how travelers can have a hassle-free, memorable vacation this summer.
The New Travel Insurance Update: You Can’t Ignore
Travel insurance has always been advisable for numerous reasons. Nonetheless, it’s becoming way more than just “good advice.” It’s a law in many countries around the world. Japan is the latest to jump on this bandwagon, and it’s not hard to see why. A lot of tourists leave without paying huge medical bills, which is a huge loss for the country.
Europe’s Schengen countries are essentially the forerunners of this whole trend. If you want a visa, you must provide proof of at least €30,000 in medical coverage and a plan to return home if things really go south. Russia and Georgia are in on it too, as are Cuba, Uruguay, and Costa Rica, where you can’t enter without flashing your insurance papers at the border. And the list keeps growing. The UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and even Tanzania are all joining in on the action. The days of rolling up to a new country with nothing but your passport and a sense of adventure are basically over. If you’re not insured, you’re not getting in.
More and more nations are mandating travel or medical insurance and conducting documentation checks at the border or during visa applications. This is to determine whether the incoming tourist can afford medical emergencies, hospitalization, and, in some cases, repatriation expenditures. So, before embarking on a summer adventure, make sure your policy includes minimum medical coverage and repatriation options. Also, check if there are any rules regarding insurance terms to avoid last-minute disappointments or hassles.
Countries Where Travel Insurance Is Mandatory
The number of countries that demand travel insurance upon arrival has progressively increased over the years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. A substantial number of unpaid medical bills by foreigners prompted authorities to impose insurance requirements in an effort to limit the incidence of such situations. Here’s a detailed list of countries where travel insurance is currently mandatory for entry, as well as those expected to join the trend soon, based on evolving regulations and travel policies.
Countries Where Travel Insurance Is Mandatory (as of 2025)
Europe: If you’re traveling to Europe’s Schengen Zone (29 countries), be prepared for significant insurance coverage requirements. All non-EU tourists applying for a Schengen visa must have a minimum of €30,000 in travel insurance, which covers emergency medical care, hospital expenses, and medical repatriation to their home country. This longstanding rule is among the most widely enforced globally. Switzerland, even though part of Schengen, often enforces these regulations more strictly at its borders. Likewise, Russia and Georgia have independently imposed stringent insurance requirements.
Asian Countries: Many Asian countries have mandated medical insurance for international tourists, particularly after the epidemic. For example, all foreign visitors to Iran must have insurance that explicitly covers medical care within the nation. Entry into Brunei, Laos, and Myanmar requires health insurance, particularly with COVID-related provisions. Jordan requires all new travelers to be insured. Japan is the most recent to join the bandwagon, putting it on level with its Asian competitors. Japan’s new travel insurance mandate aims to prevent uninsured travelers from overburdening the country’s high-end medical system.
Middle East & Gulf Nations: A number of Gulf and Middle Eastern countries follow the same trend. Like, health insurance is essential for obtaining a tourist or visitor visa for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, whereas travel insurance is a prerequisite for visa approval for Turkey. Panama, on the other hand, does not require tourists to have health insurance; nevertheless, digital nomads and holders of special visas must have it.
Latin American Countries: Several Latin American countries have implemented their own insurance requirements. Tourists without valid travel health insurance are either denied entry to Cuba or are required to buy local coverage at the airport. Uruguay mandated comprehensive medical insurance for all foreign visitors in 2023, whereas insurance is strongly advised for visiting Costa Rica and sometimes mandatory based on visa or travel length. While mainland Ecuador does not require insurance coverage for visitors, the Galápagos Islands do.
More and more countries are enforcing travel insurance requirements for inbound tourists to avoid financial losses and other concerns. Some, such as Japan, have planned for it, while others intend to do so in the future.
Why Travel Insurance Matters
Travel insurance protects you and your savings when things go sideways overseas. It covers not only trip cancelations, interruptions, and unexpected disruptions, but also medical emergencies, hospitalization, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. It’s one of those things you hope you never need, but when you do, it’s a lifesaver.
Thinking about globetrotting in 2025 or ahead, ensure that you have your medical insurance. Seriously, it’s not just some “recommended” box to tick anymore. The authorities are getting pretty hardcore about it. No insurance? You may be denied boarding, refused entry, or forced to cough up some overpriced local insurance right there at the airport. So, don’t forget to pack your travel insurance before embarking on your next international adventure.
