Travel health insurance is one of the cheapest and at the same time most important policies for travellers. It often costs less than a coffee a month. In an emergency it protects you from bills running into five figures, for example for a hospital stay in the USA or for repatriation by air ambulance. Policies differ in details, though, and those details decide what happens in an emergency.
Why your health insurance is not enough
If you live and work in Germany, you are usually covered by statutory health insurance. On the back of your health insurance card is the European Health Insurance Card. In the EU and some other countries it only pays for what the local public health system covers. It does not pay for treatment by private doctors, the usual co-payments or repatriation to Germany. Outside Europe it pays nothing in most countries. If you have private health insurance, check how long and where your cover applies abroad.
Travel health insurance in Germany is sold as a separate, inexpensive add-on, usually as an annual policy. It does not replace your normal health insurance, it fills the gaps while you are away.
What to look out for
| Point | What matters |
|---|---|
| Repatriation | “medically advisable” is better than “medically necessary” |
| Trip length | annual policies often only cover trips of up to 42, 56 or 70 days |
| Excess | ideally none |
| Existing conditions | whether known illnesses are covered |
| Emergency number | available around the clock, ideally in English |
| Direct billing | whether the insurer pays the hospital directly |
| Family | whether children and partner are covered by the same policy |
The most important point: repatriation
A flight by air ambulance can cost many tens of thousands of euros. So pay attention to the wording in the policy. If the insurer only pays for a medically necessary repatriation, it will only bring you home if adequate treatment is not possible locally. With a medically advisable repatriation it is usually enough that treatment in Germany is better or helps your recovery, for example after a broken leg that takes a long time to heal.
Annual policy or single trip?
If you travel once a year or more, an annual policy is usually cheaper than insurance for a single trip. It automatically covers all holidays in the policy year. Watch the maximum length per trip, though. If you are away for more than six or eight weeks, you need a separate long-stay policy. The same applies if you spend several weeks with family in your home country: check whether the policy covers trips there too.
In an emergency
If you need to go to hospital, call your insurer’s emergency number as early as possible. It can recommend doctors, arrange payment with the hospital and organise repatriation. For minor treatment you usually pay first and submit the bill later. Keep all receipts and ask for the diagnosis and treatment in writing.
In short
- Always take it out: for trips within the EU too.
- Check repatriation: “medically advisable” is the better choice.
- Mind the trip length: annual policies have a limit per trip.
- Save the emergency number: on your phone and on paper.
flug-123.de editorial team, updated 9 November 2026. We review our guides regularly. Rules can change. If in doubt, the details in your booking apply.
