When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times Commerce Team.

Travel Insurance for Germany: Top Plans 2024

  • Your U.S. health insurance won’t typically work in Germany, so it’s a good idea to have travel health insurance at a minimum.
  • Travel insurance for Germany costs around $12 per day, but basic travel medical plans can be even cheaper.
  • In addition to medical emergencies, comprehensive travel insurance will also usually cover trip delays, cancellations, and interruptions, as well as medical evacuation and lost or stolen baggage.
  • Our top picks for travel insurance for Germany are from Tin Leg, Seven Corners, Trawick, Travel Insured, John Hancock, and, IMG . (skip ahead to see these plans)
  • We recommend using an online comparison tool to compare multiple quotes and coverage options all in one place.

Our top picks for the best travel insurance for Germany

Advertiser Disclosure
Best Overall

Tin Leg

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.6
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Best Value for Robust Coverage

Seven Corners

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.4
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Best for Medical Evacuation Coverage

Trawick International

GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
4.1
Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Voyager
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000

Do I need travel insurance to visit Germany?

Even if you don’t need it to get a visa, you should consider buying travel insurance while visiting Germany as U.S. health insurance won’t cover you while abroad.

Travel insurance for Germany isn’t mandatory for stays lasting 90 days or less.

If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you’ll need a Schengen visa. When you apply for this type of visa, you must prove that you have travel insurance with €30,000 minimum coverage for medical expenses. Your travel insurance must also cover the cost of repatriation if you have to end your trip early.

More info on the top Germany travel insurance plans

Advertiser Disclosure

Best Overall

Tin Leg

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $500,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Tin Leg takes the top spot for insurance when visiting Germany.

Tin Leg Gold offers strong coverage limits at affordable prices and some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. If you are looking for a plan that covers you for a bit of everything, this is it.

It’s a great middle-of-the-road option with coverage limits that are high enough for most travelers, destinations, and scenarios. It also comes with primary medical coverage, meaning you won’t need to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement from the provider.

It’s no wonder why this plan is consistently one of the top-selling plans among LA Times visitors.

PROS

  • Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
  • High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
  • Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
  • Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
  • Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
  • Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects

Best Value for Robust Coverage

Full Policy Details

Seven Corners

4.4
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Trip Protection Choice
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Seven Corners’ Trip Protection Choice coverage is one of the most robust plans available for its relatively low cost. Comprehensive primary medical coverage comes in at $500,000, covering you for nearly all unforeseen medical emergencies. Complimenting this is Trip Protection Choice’s $1 million in medevac and repatriation coverage, some of the highest levels of medevac coverage on the market.

Along with medical coverage, this plan also offers non-medical evacuation coverage, trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage. This complements further clauses such as accidental death & dismemberment coverage, and baggage damage.

PROS

  • Offers coverage for pre-existing conditions
  • Money-back guarantee
  • Cancellation & Interruption coverage standard
  • Covers action sports & equipment

CONS

  • Cancel for any reason not included standard
  • Must meet waiver for pre-existing conditions to be covered

Best for Medical Evacuation Coverage

Trawick International

4.1
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Safe Travels Voyager
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

The Safe Travels Voyager plan from Trawick International is one of the most highly rated plans on our list. This plan’s high coverage limits make it an attractive option for anyone traveling to Germany. The plans primary medical coverage comes in at $250,000 and its medical evacuation coverage tops a hefty $1 million - covering nearly all medical evacuation possibilities

The Safe Travels Voyager plan also offers both trip cancellation and trip interruption covering 100% and 150% of the costs respectively. This plan provides coverage for both domestic and international acts of terrorism and optional coverage to cancel your trip for any reason.

Travel delay coverage comes in at $3,000 and it also offers $2,500 per person and $300 per item, on any baggage delays and loss.

PROS

  • Excellent medical coverage limits
  • Up to $2,500 baggage coverage included
  • Covers quarantine accommodation expenses

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 8 hours
  • CFAR only covers 75% of the insured trip cost

Covers Pre-Existing Conditions

Travel Insured International

4.4
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

The Worldwide Trip Protector plan from Travel Insured International is another pan on our list that is perfect for those traveling with a pre-existing condition. Pre-existing conditions are automatically covered with this plan if the coverage is purchased within 21 days of the trip deposit.

This plan is also renowned for its 100% coverage of the insured trip cost due to cancellation and 150% of the insured trip cost due to interruption. The Worldwide Trip Protector plan will pay out $1,500 for trip delays and $500 for baggage delays - simply after only 3 hours’ worth of delays.

Medical coverage from the Worldwide Trip Protector plan is also an attractive perk. This includes $100,000 worth of medical coverage and 1 million worth of evacuation coverage.

PROS

  • Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
  • Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included

CONS

  • CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
  • Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
  • No rental car coverage

Best Coverage for Seniors

Full Policy Details

John Hancock Insurance Agency, Inc.

4.2
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

John Hancock’s Gold plan is a fantastic insurance plan for those with pre-existing conditions looking to travel to Germany. Automatically included in the coverage, this plan allows elder travelers to be free from the stresses of pre-existing conditions that may hinder them with other providers. Alongside this perk, the Gold plan also offers both trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage worth up to 100% and 150% of the trip cost.

John Hancock’s Gold plan provides top-of-the-range coverage when it comes to all things medical. This plan offers medical emergency coverage worth up to $250,000 and $1 million in coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains - some of the highest across the market.

PROS

  • Travel delay coverage kicks in after just three hours
  • Generous coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains
  • Optional CFAR upgrade available
  • Baggage insurance comes with generous limits of up to $2,500
  • Terror attack coverage included

CONS

  • Baggage delay coverage requires a 12-hour waiting period

Best for Adventure Sports

IMG

4.2
GET A QUOTE via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000 / $1,000,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic plan is a great selection of coverage for those vacating in Germany. Its medical coverage worth $500,000 is a figure that covers you for most medical emergencies and being a primary coverage, you will not end up out of pocket while receiving your care. Medical evacuation coverage is a fantastic $1,000,000 per person and there is also an added bonus of $50,000 worth of non-medical evacuation coverage included.

Those partaking in sports and leisurely activities throughout their German vacation will be pleased to know that IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel LX Basic plan provides a wide range of sports-related coverage. This includes sports equipment delay coverage worth $2,000 and $10,000 worth of search and rescue coverage.

PROS

  • 10-day money back guarantee
  • Generous limits for trip delays, emergency evacuation, and more
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
  • Coronavirus-related medical expenses covered
  • Rental car coverage included

CONS

  • Recently developed pre-existing conditions may not be covered
  • CFAR and IFAR coverage only available as an add-on with premium plans
Passport and Plane Ticket

Reasons you may need travel insurance for Germany

Here are some of the main reasons you should consider buying travel insurance when visiting Germany:

1

Terrorism concerns

Like other major European countries in recent years, Germany has faced rising security concerns due to terrorist activities. Well-known events include the August 2024 Islamic State knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed 3 and the 2016 attack on Christmas Markets. While these events are rare, it’s important to prepare for the risk and understand which locations could be potential targets. Most travel insurance policies can cover you in case of terrorist activities with protections for evacuations, emergency medical assistance, cancellations, and interruptions.

See More See Less
2

Theft at popular cultural events

Germany is home to world-famous cultural events like Oktoberfest and Christmas markets. These events are usually quite crowded and attract tourists from all over the world. As a result, they are often the target of choice for thieves and pickpockets. Travel insurance can reimburse you for personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged while traveling. While it may not replace the sentimental value of your belongings, having the cost covered can mean the difference between ruining your trip or allowing you to pick up the pieces and enjoy the rest of your travels.

See More See Less
3

Public transportation

One thing people love when visiting Germany is how easy it is to get around. Whether you plan to stay in one city, move around the country, or visit neighboring countries, German public transportation is convenient and quite reliable. That said, there can be occasional interruptions due to maintenance, accidents, and strikes. Apart from this, if you aren’t familiar with using public transport it could cause disruptions in your travel itinerary. It’s important to be prepared for using public transport in Germany and to be covered for all possible scenarios. Travel insurance can cover expenses related to missed connections, delays, interruptions, and finding alternative transportation arrangements if needed.

See More See Less
4

Safety on Autobahn highways

Germany is famous for its ultra-high-speed highways known as the Autobahn. While traveling on the Autobahn can be thrilling to visitors, it also poses safety risks for those unaccustomed to traveling at high speeds and driving in a foreign country where rules may be slightly different. In light of this, travel insurance with medical assistance and rental car coverage is an easy way to help you mitigate risks that could arise from accidents or damage to you or the vehicle while driving in Germany.

See More See Less
5

Hazards in the Bavarian Alps

The Bavarian Alps in Germany offer stunning landscapes for hikers, climbers, skiers, and more, making them one of the most popular areas to visit in Germany. However, the Alps areas are prone to natural hazards like avalanches and flash floods, as well as safety risks due to the adventure and sports activities typically enjoyed in this region. Travel insurance for medical emergencies, medical evacuation, and adventure sports coverage is key to staying fully covered while enjoying all the Alps have to offer. Not all plans cover adventure activities, so it’s important to compare plans before buying.

See More See Less
6

Weather disruptions to travel plans

Germany is located in Central-Northern Europe where the weather can be harsher than other countries like Spain or Portugal. Depending on when and where you visit Germany, you may experience unexpected rain or snowfall. It’s important to remember that weather is one of the main factors that can alter travel itineraries and lead to cancellations or delays. Opting for a travel insurance plan that covers delays, cancellations, interruptions, and more can help you minimize the inconvenience and financial risk associated with weather-related trip disruptions.

See More See Less

How much is travel insurance for Germany?

The average cost of travel insurance for Germany is $12/day.

This number is based on internal data of LA Times visitors who purchased travel insurance for Germany over the past year. Customers paid an average of $281 for travel insurance to Germany for an average trip length of 23 days.

Breaking this down by the type of policy reveals that comprehensive travel insurance for Germany costs around $8 to $10 per day and includes coverage for things like cancellations and delays. However, cheap travel insurance plans for Germany often cost around $1 per day for basic medical-only coverage.

For more concrete examples, we requested quotes from three popular providers for a 35-year-old visiting Germany for 7 nights with a total trip cost of $2,000.

Cost example for medical-only travel coverage

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $5 $0/$0 $30,000/$200,000
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $19 $0/$0 $50,000/$200,000
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $25 $0/$1,000 $100,000/$250,000

If you want your policy to include things like trip cancellation and interruption coverage, you will need to purchase a more comprehensive plan such as the ones below.

For the following table, we have quotes for plans that reimburse you if your trip to Germany is canceled or interrupted.

Cost example for comprehensive travel coverage

Provider Plan Name Plan Cost Cancellation / Interruption Limits Medical / Medevac Limits
Tin Leg Standard $64 $2,000/$3,000 $50,000/$200,000
Trawick International Safe Travels Explorer $56 $2,000/$2,000 $50,000/$200,000
Seven Corners Trip Protection Basic $75 $2,000/$2,000 $100,000/$250,000

Please note that these are taken from a hypothetical quote. Actual plan costs may vary and will depend on your own unique circumstances.

Keep in mind that many factors affect the cost of travel insurance:

What types of travel coverage do I need for Germany?

We recommend opting for comprehensive travel insurance when visiting Germany. This will give you medical coverage plus protections from other things like delays, cancellations, and more.

Travel insurance plans for Germany can be broken down into two categories:

  1. Medical-based travel insurance
  2. Comprehensive travel insurance

What is included in your overall travel insurance coverage will depend on the type of policy you purchase.

Medical-based travel insurance

The most rudimentary level of travel insurance for Germany should be medical-based. A basic medical insurance policy is often the cheapest level of insurance you can buy. Travel health insurance for Germany will cover you during your trip should you fall ill or require emergency medical treatment.

Government medical insurance such as Medicare, Medicaid, and private US insurance will not be valid in Germany. Therefore, having no medical insurance will leave you picking up the bill should the worst happen during your trip.

Medical-based travel insurance policies usually cover two separate coverage limits for medical emergencies and emergency medical evacuations:

Medical plans will not cover you for far more in-depth travel insurance add-ons such as trip cancellations or trip cost reimbursement. If you require this added extra, you should opt for a far more comprehensive travel insurance plan.

Comprehensive travel coverage

When purchasing a travel insurance policy, you will have the option of choosing plans that reimburse you for non-refundable prepaid trip expenses and plans that don’t. If you require coverage for such things as trip cancellations, trip interruptions, travel delays, and the loss of personal items, you should purchase a policy that covers trip cost reimbursement.

Your vacation to Germany may be interrupted or canceled based on unforeseen events such as a terrorist attack, social unrest, or extreme weather conditions. If this is the case, you will need to buy a policy that offers cancellation and interruption coverage for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses to claim your money back.

Optional Add-ons

Some travel insurance policies for Germany will offer cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance. With this type of coverage, you can cancel your travel plans for any reason at all and still get back around 50% to 75% of your prepaid travel expenses. Including CFAR insurance with your travel insurance to Germany will allow you far more flexibility should you change your travel plans.

What isn’t covered by travel insurance?

In most circumstances, travel insurance policies will exclude coverage for the following circumstances:

Other than these highly obvious reasons, some travel insurance providers will also include restrictions for the following situations:

Tips for getting the best travel insurance for your Germany trip

Even if you don’t need a visa, getting German travel insurance has many benefits. To find the best travel insurance at the best price, follow these tips:

Passport and Plane Ticket

Germany travel information & requirements

The table below shows key information you should know before traveling to Germany:

Query Details
Tourist visa required? Only if you’re staying for more than 90 days.
Passport requirements U.S. passport required
Must have at least two blank passport pages
Passport must be valid for at least 90 days following your return date
Local currency Euro
Average 5-year exchange rate EUR 1 = USD 1.1209
Vaccine requirements None
COVID-19 test required? No
Travel advisory level Level 2 (exercise increased caution)
Emergency services phone number 110 for police; 112 for fire brigade and ambulance
Accepts U.S. health insurance? No
Travel insurance required? Required for stays of more than 90 days

Do I need a visa or passport to visit Germany?

You must have a passport with at least two blank pages to visit Germany. You don’t need a visa unless you plan to stay for more than 90 days. In that case, you’ll need a Schengen visa.

Are there COVID-19 restrictions for U.S. travelers?

According to the German Missions in the United States, Germany has lifted all travel restrictions related to COVID-19. This includes vaccination and testing requirements. Recent reports from the CDC have shown that COVID cases are on the rise, you should therefore consider having a COVID travel insurance policy in place, just in case you fall ill during your vacation.

Is Germany a Schengen country?

Yes. It’s one of 27 countries in the Schengen Zone, a border-free area that allows people to move around without having to go through border checks while crossing from one country to another.

Is it safe to travel to Germany?

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 advisory due to heightened safety and security risks.

Germany travel insurance FAQs

Do I need travel insurance to visit Germany?

You need travel insurance if you plan to stay in Germany for more than 90 days. Otherwise, this type of insurance is optional.

How much is travel insurance for Germany?

Based on the seven quotes we received, German travel insurance costs an average of $282.55 for a 7-day trip.

What should I look for in a Germany trip insurance policy?

Look for comprehensive insurance that covers a wide variety of scenarios, including cancellations, delays, lost or stolen baggage, medical emergencies, and medical evacuation.

Is German health care free for Americans?

No. Americans aren’t eligible for the free health care provided to German citizens

About the Author

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan Personal Finance

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

BACK TO TOP