France Travel Insurance Requirements
Last updated: 04/16/2025
Key Takeaways
- Our analysis shows that Tin Leg and Travel Insured International offer the best travel insurance for France
- When traveling to France, traditional U.S. health insurance may not be accepted. We recommend purchasing travel medical insurance with at least $100,000 for Emergency Medical and $250,000 for Emergency Medical Evacuation
- If you plan to ski in the French Alps, explore historic landmarks, or savor fine wines in Bordeaux, comprehensive coverage can safeguard against cancellations, injuries, and lost gear
- Travel insurance in France can start at just $4.83 per day for basic Emergency Medical coverage; however, comprehensive plans that include Trip Cancellation might provide better overall value and average around $22 per day
- Use our online travel insurance quote tool to compare plans and prices from more than 20+ providers, or call an advisor toll-free at 800-240-0369
Our Top Recommended France Travel Insurance Plans
- Tin Leg – Gold because it offers high medical limits and cancellation coverage and offers protection.
- Travel Insured International – FlexiPAX because it offers strong all-around coverage with customizable benefits.
- Tin Leg – Adventure is great because it offers excellent coverage for families and adventure travelers, with high emergency evacuation limits.
Do I need travel insurance to visit France?
Travel insurance is not required to enter France, but it’s strongly recommended.
France offers excellent medical care, but non-EU tourists must pay upfront, and your U.S.-based health insurance may not cover any of it. Even a minor accident could lead to a significant financial burden in emergencies, so having travel medical insurance for France can protect you from high out-of-pocket costs abroad. Additionally, France’s popularity as a global tourist destination means that flights, hotels, and tours are booked quickly—and canceling can be costly.
Reasons you may need travel insurance for France
Healthcare Costs
While France offers high-quality medical care, foreign visitors must pay for services upfront, which quickly adds up. For instance, a general practitioner visit costs about €25 ($26), and seeing a specialist can be around €50 ($52). While these prices may not compare to U.S. prices for healthcare, if you need specialized care or have an emergency, some travelers have found their hospital stay cost them thousands.
✅ Travel medical insurance covers hospital stays, urgent care visits, and emergency transportation. Many policies can arrange direct payment to hospitals, so you’re not stuck with large up-front costs.
High Tourism Traffic
As the most visited country in the world, where tourism accounts for 8% of GDP, France faces considerable tourist congestion, particularly during ski season. This increases travel delays, lost or stolen baggage, and overbooked accommodations. Travel insurance can help mitigate these inconveniences by compensating you for unexpected disruptions.
✅ Baggage and personal item protection can reimburse you for lost or stolen belongings, including phones, cameras, passports, and wallets. Some providers also offer 24/7 emergency assistance to help replace lost documents or arrange emergency funds.
Alpine Skiing
Heading out on a ski break in renowned locations such as Chamonix, Tignes, or Val d’Isère carries inherent risks. Injuries sustained on the slopes may necessitate costly medical treatment and evacuation, often not included in standard health insurance policies. Specialized travel insurance can help cover these potential expenses.
✅ Look for travel insurance plans that include Sports & Activities coverage to protect against injuries, medical evacuations, and lost or damaged gear during your trip.
Flight Disruptions
In 2025, travelers can almost expect to experience a labor strike, adverse weather conditions, or crowded airports, leading to flight cancellations or travel delays. Travel insurance policies often include coverage for such scenarios, offering reimbursement for additional expenses.
✅ Travel insurance can reimburse expenses for delayed flights, missed connections, and unexpected hotel and meal costs. If delays cause you to miss a prepaid tour or cruise departure, some plans can help you catch up with your itinerary.
Security Concerns
France’s national terrorist alert warning is currently at its highest level, indicating a significant threat. This heightened alert increases security measures nationwide, including advising citizens to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive notifications about threats. Travel insurance with trip interruption or cancellation coverage can provide peace of mind during unforeseen security incidents.
✅ Trip interruption and cancellation coverage can protect your investment if a terrorist incident occurs at your destination and you no longer feel safe continuing your trip.
More details on the best travel insurance for France
Best Overall Travel Insurance
Travel Insured International
- Recommended Plan: FlexiPAX
- Emergency Medical: $100,000
- Medical Evacuation: $500,000
- Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
- Great for add-ons and coverage upgrades
Best Luxury Travel Insurance
Tin Leg
- Recommended Plan: Gold
- Emergency Medical: $500,000
- Medical Evacuation: $500,000
- Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
- Reliable coverage for pre-existing conditions
Best Adventure Travel Insurance
Tin Leg
- Recommended Plan: Adventure
- Emergency Medical: $100,000
- Medical Evacuation: $1,000,000
- Trip Cancellation: 100% of trip costs
- Covers 400+ unique adventure sports & activities
How much does France travel insurance cost?
At the time of writing, the average cost of travel insurance for France in 2025 was $22.73 per day, based on internal sales data from travelers who used Squaremouth to protect their purchased trips to France over the last 12 months.
The average traveler spent $386.46 on a comprehensive travel insurance plan to cover an average stay of 17 days in the country and an average trip cost of $5,487.
That said, medical-only travel coverage can provide more affordable options for travelers who don’t need cancellation coverage, averaging just $4.83 per day.
What travel coverage do you need for France?
Regardless of when or where you travel in France, we recommend purchasing at least basic travel medical coverage. If you have non-refundable trip expenses, a comprehensive travel insurance plan can provide broader protection and peace of mind—especially considering France’s popularity and range of travel activities.
Check out the best benefits to look for when buying travel insurance for France:
Trip cancellation & interruption Insurance
Trips to France are often bucket-list vacations, with expenses such as international flights, boutique hotels, and tours adding up quickly. If you need to cancel or shorten your trip due to illness, injury, a family emergency, or severe weather, trip cancellation and interruption insurance can reimburse you for non-refundable trip costs.
Most comprehensive plans provide 100% reimbursement for cancellations and up to 150% for interruptions, which can help cover the cost of returning home early and replacing unused travel arrangements.
Travel medical coverage
Medical care in France is excellent; however, U.S. health insurance, including Medicare, is not accepted. Travelers must pay for treatment out of pocket, even in emergencies. A visit to a general practitioner can cost around €25, while hospitalization or surgery may amount to thousands. A travel medical policy can cover these unexpected expenses and protect you from substantial bills abroad.
We recommend choosing a policy with at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage, though frequent or older travelers may prefer higher limits. Some policies also provide coverage for flare-ups of pre-existing conditions.
Medical evacuation coverage
While France has world-class hospitals, emergency medical evacuation may be necessary if you visit remote villages, mountainous regions like the Alps, or ski resorts. Evacuation to the nearest appropriate medical facility—or even back to the U.S.—can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
We recommend choosing a plan with at least $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage to stay protected. This often includes medical repatriation in the unfortunate event of a traveler’s death.
Insurance for baggage and personal items
France is typically safe, yet petty theft and baggage loss can occur in major cities such as Paris, which can be frustrating. However, travelers can protect their belongings with baggage insurance that reimburses for lost, stolen, or damaged items, including electronics.
Reviewing the details is essential, as some policies impose low limits on high-value goods. For added security, leaving irreplaceable valuables at home and selecting a plan with comprehensive baggage coverage is advisable.
What isn’t covered by French travel insurance plans?
Most standard travel insurance policies have exclusions, meaning certain situations and activities won’t be covered. Here’s what is typically not included in French travel insurance plans:
- Alcohol-related incidents – While it’s easy to enjoy French wine or champagne, claims arising from injuries or accidents that occur with alcohol or drug use are not covered.
- Pre-existing medical conditions – If you do not buy a pre-existing condition waiver soon after booking your trip, most policies will not cover complications arising from existing health issues.
- Extreme winter sports – Skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, or other high-risk activities in the French Alps are not covered by default. You’ll need a policy that includes a Sports & Activities or Adventure Sports upgrade.
- Civil unrest and government travel advisories – If the U.S. government issues a travel ban or a Level 4 advisory for France, standard trip cancellation coverage may no longer apply. Always check the latest advisories at travel.state.gov.
As always, we recommend reading the fine print and understanding your policy before purchasing a plan to help prevent coverage gaps and unexpected out-of-pocket costs while traveling.
Tips to finding the best travel insurance for France
Use a Comparison tool
As the nation’s largest travel insurance marketplace, Squaremouth lets you compare more policies and providers than any other site. Viewing multiple plans side-by-side helps you find the best travel insurance for your France vacation—without overpaying. Whether sipping wine in Bordeaux or skiing in the Alps, you can easily filter for coverage that matches your itinerary.
Read the fine print and policy exclusions
Not all travel insurance plans include the same benefits, and coverage can vary widely. Pay close attention to exclusions—especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or plan on doing adventure sports like skiing or hiking. Reading the policy’s Certificate of Insurance (COI) can help you understand what’s covered and what’s not.
Consider your specific travel risks when buying coverage
France is one of the world’s safest and most visited countries, but no trip is risk-free. Petty theft, medical emergencies, and winter sports injuries are among travelers’ most common issues. Medical Evacuation coverage is critical if you’re heading to rural areas or mountain resorts. Tailor your policy based on your travel plans, age, and health to avoid being underinsured.
Determine how much coverage you need
We recommend at least $100,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $250,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage for travel to France. Medical services in France must often be paid out-of-pocket by tourists, and costs can quickly add up—especially if emergency transport or hospitalization is needed. Some policies will even front the payment on your behalf, helping you avoid expensive upfront bills.
Is travel insurance for France worth it?
If you’re traveling to France in 2025, it’s worth it. Between potential medical expenses, flight delays, and unpredictable disruptions, travel insurance provides you with financial protection and peace of mind. Also, if your plans include the Alps, it’s nearly essential.
FAQ: France travel insurance
Is France safe to visit?
Yes, but remain informed. The country is under a heightened national security alert. Keep an eye on updates via Travel.State.Gov.
Is travel insurance mandatory for France in 2025?
It is not intended for U.S. citizens. However, non-U.S. travelers who need a Schengen visa may be required to provide proof of travel insurance.
What documents are required to travel to France?
A valid passport is necessary. U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays shorter than 90 days.
Do I need a visa or passport to travel to France?
Yes, you need a passport. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for short stays.
Does U.S. Health Insurance Work in France?
Generally, no. Health insurance from the U.S. is not accepted. A travel medical policy is advised.
Does France require COVID insurance?
As of 2025, there is no specific requirement for COVID insurance. However, most comprehensive plans include coverage for COVID-related expenses.
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