The best travel health insurance for long-term trips
Travel health insurance for long-term trips — My honest comparison across 82 countries
If you travel for more than six weeks at a time, you have a problem: Your statutory health insurance will not pay you abroad. nothing more. I learned that the hard way when I embarked on my first long-term trip to Southeast Asia in 2016. Since then, I've traveled to over 82 countries and tested various travel health insurance policies—some were excellent, others an absolute disaster.
In this post I share my personal experiences with the best providers, explain what you need to pay attention to when choosing, and reveal which insurance I currently use and why.
Why you need travel health insurance — the hard facts
Many people think, "I'm young and healthy, nothing will happen to me." I thought that too—until I ended up in the hospital in Colombia with severe food poisoning. Without insurance, the emergency room visit alone would have cost me over €2,000. In the US, even simple treatments can quickly run into five figures.
Here's the reality:
- USA: A broken arm can cost €15,000–€40,000.
- Australia: An ambulance transport costs 800–3,000 AUD.
- Thailand: A hospital stay in a private hospital costs €500–2,000 per night.
- Peru: Altitude sickness treatment in Cusco: €300–1,200
- Return flight for medical reasons: €10,000–€80,000 depending on distance
Your statutory health insurance covers a maximum of 6 weeks in other EU countries — and even then, only to a limited extent. Outside of Europe? No coverage at all. Private supplementary insurance policies often have exclusions for "dangerous activities" — and that sometimes includes something as simple as snorkeling.
The best travel health insurance policies compared in 2024
Over the past ten years, I have personally tested the following providers and compare them here according to the criteria that are truly important for long-term travelers.
1. HanseMerkur — My personal favorite
I've been using HanseMerkur since 2019 and it has never disappointed me. Their long-term "Travel Health Insurance for Long Trips" covers stays from 56 days up to 5 years. What really impressed me: When I needed a dentist in Saudi Arabia, the reimbursement was processed within two weeks—no questions asked.
- Cost: From €1.15/day (depending on age and destination)
- Maximum travel time: Up to 5 years
- Deductible: No
- Return transport: Including (medically appropriate)
- Pre-existing conditions: Acute deterioration covered
- Special feature: Stays at home of up to 6 weeks between trips are also insured.
2. ADAC international health insurance
ADAC insurance is cheaper, but also more limited. It's unbeatable for short trips up to 63 days—but less suitable for long-term travel. I had it on my first European trips and was happy with it, but then switched to something else for longer trips.
- Cost: From €12.80 per year (single person) for trips up to 63 days
- Maximum travel time: 63 days per trip
- Deductible: No
- Return transport: Including (medically sensible AND justifiable)
- Special feature: Extremely affordable for short trips
3. Allianz Travel — the premium provider
Allianz offers the most comprehensive coverage, but is also the most expensive. It's a solid choice for business travelers and those who want to play it safe. I used them for a three-month trip to South America—the claims process was professional, but the costs were noticeably higher.
- Cost: From €2.50/day for long-term trips
- Maximum travel time: Up to 365 days (extendable)
- Deductible: Varies depending on the tariff
- Return transport: Including
- Special feature: 24/7 emergency call center with German-speaking doctors
4. WorldNomads — the backpacker classic
WorldNomads was long the standard among backpackers because you could purchase insurance while traveling. However, prices have risen significantly in recent years, and reimbursements sometimes take months. For me, as a frequent traveler, it's no longer the first choice.
- Cost: From €3–6 per day depending on the region
- Maximum travel time: Flexible extension possible
- Deductible: €100–250 depending on the tariff
- Return transport: Including
- Special feature: Can also be locked after the trip has started
Cost comparison — Overview of all providers
| Provider | Cost per day | Maximum duration | Deductible | Return transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HanseMerkur | from €1.15 | 5 years | No | ✓ |
| ADAC | from €0.04 | 63 days | No | ✓ |
| Allianz Travel | from €2.50 | 365 days | Varies | ✓ |
| WorldNomads | from €3.00 | Flexible | €100–250 | ✓ |
What you need to consider when making your selection
Not all travel health insurance policies are the same. Here are the five criteria that I consider most important after years of testing:
1. Medically advisable vs. medically necessary repatriation
This is the most crucial difference. "Medically necessary" means you will only be flown back if you cannot be treated locally. "Medically advisable" means you will be flown back as soon as it would be better for your recovery. In a serious case, this difference could mean you spend weeks in a hospital in a developing country instead of being treated at home.
2. Coverage amount
The coverage amount should be at least €500,000—ideally unlimited. Especially if you're traveling to the USA, Canada, or Australia, where medical costs are astronomical. My HanseMerkur policy offers unlimited coverage, and that alone gives me peace of mind.
3. Exclusions for activities
Many insurance policies exclude "dangerous sports." And the definition varies considerably: some providers already include diving or kitesurfing. As someone who regularly kitesurfs and flies drones, I have to pay close attention to this. My advice: read the fine print and, if in doubt, ask the provider.
4. Pre-existing conditions
Most insurance policies don't cover pre-existing chronic conditions. However, good providers like HanseMerkur cover acute exacerbations of known illnesses. For example, if you have asthma and suffer a severe attack while on vacation, the insurance will pay out.
5. Dental treatments
Dental problems abroad are more common than you might think. Many insurance plans only cover pain management, not dentures or major procedures. During my dental visit in Saudi Arabia, the costs of €380 were fully covered by HanseMerkur – this isn't the case with every provider.
My personal experiences with insurance claims
Colombia — Food poisoning in Cartagena
In 2019, in the middle of my backpacking trip through Colombia, I was struck down with a nasty case of food poisoning. Two nights in the hospital, IV fluids, lab tests — total cost: €1,800. Reimbursement by my insurance company at the time was processed smoothly within three weeks.
Saudi Arabia — Toothache in the middle of the desert
During a collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Tourism Board, I suddenly developed severe toothache. The dentist in Riyadh was excellent, and the treatment cost €380. HanseMerkur reimbursed everything – I submitted the claim via their app, and the money was in my account after 12 days.
Norway — Drone crash and hand injury
While launching my DJI Mini 5 Pro in Lofoten, I cut my hand on a rocky edge in the wind. Nothing dramatic, but it required five stitches. In Norway, medical treatment costs for tourists are steep—€650 for simple wound care. Again, full reimbursement.
Special case: Digital nomads and permanent residents
If you're practically always on the go, like me, you need a special solution. Standard travel health insurance requires you to have a permanent residence in Germany. As a long-term traveler, there are two options:
Option 1: Keep residence + long-term long-term health insurance. Here's what I do: I remain registered in Germany, pay my statutory health insurance, and also have HanseMerkur travel insurance for long-term trips. This way, I'm insured both domestically and abroad.
Option 2: Deregister + international health insurance. Anyone who deregisters their residence in Germany needs international health insurance such as SafetyWing or Cigna Global. These are more expensive (from €70/month), but offer worldwide coverage without being tied to a specific residence.
The most common mistakes with travel health insurance
- Finishing too late: Most insurance policies must be purchased before departure. WorldNomads is one of the few exceptions.
- Do not check coverage: Many people blindly book the cheapest fare without reading the exclusions. Kitesurfing, motorcycling, diving – often not covered.
- Do not keep the receipts: Without original invoices and medical reports, there will be no reimbursement. I photograph every invoice immediately and save it to the cloud.
- Double insurance: Some people have coverage through both a credit card AND additional insurance and are unnecessarily paying twice.
- Insufficient coverage amount: 50,000 € sounds like a lot — until you end up in intensive care in the USA.
Credit cards with travel health insurance — are they worth it?
Many premium credit cards, such as the Amex Platinum or the Barclays Visa, offer included travel health insurance. Sounds good at first, but there are catches:
- The trip must often have been paid for by card.
- Maximum trip duration usually only 45–90 days
- Coverage amounts are often lower than with specialized providers.
- Exclusions for pre-existing conditions are stricter
My conclusion: Okay as a supplement for short trips, definitely not sufficient as the sole protection for long-term trips.
My setup for 2024/2025
I am currently running the following setup:
- Base: Statutory health insurance in Germany (TK)
- Long-term travel: HanseMerkur long-term tariff (€1.15/day)
- Additionally: Amex Platinum credit card (as a backup for short trips)
- Equipment insurance: Separate photo equipment insurance for my Sony A7 IV and DJI Mini 5 Pro (approx. €200/year)
Total cost for comprehensive insurance coverage: under €600 per year. That's less than a single treatment abroad would cost.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions about Travel Health Insurance
Do I need travel health insurance for EU countries?
Generally, your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) provides basic medical care in EU countries. However, repatriation and private treatment are not covered, and the quality of public healthcare is limited in some countries. I recommend supplemental insurance even for EU travel—if only for repatriation coverage.
What happens if I get sick during the trip and want to cancel the insurance?
Most providers do not allow cancellation during ongoing treatment. However, you can cancel the insurance at the end of the contract period. Ongoing treatments will usually still be processed.
Does the insurance cover COVID treatments?
Yes, most reputable providers have now included COVID as a regular illness. However, quarantine costs and cancellations are often NOT covered. You need to read the terms and conditions carefully.
Can I extend my insurance while traveling?
Yes, with HanseMerkur — via email or online portal. Most other providers also offer this, but often with a waiting period of 2–4 weeks for renewal.
What is the difference between travel health insurance and international health insurance?
They're practically the same thing. "Travel health insurance" is more commonly used, while "international health insurance" is the more technically correct term. Pay attention to the scope of coverage, not the name.
Are drone accidents covered by insurance?
Personal injuries caused by your own drone are covered—yes, unless drone flights are explicitly excluded. Damage to the drone itself is NOT covered by travel health insurance; for that, you need separate drone insurance or equipment insurance. As a content creator with expensive equipment, I strongly recommend a separate policy.
Conclusion — My clear recommendation
After visiting over 82 countries and dealing with several insurance claims, I can clearly say: Don't skimp on travel health insurance. HanseMerkur is my clear favorite for long-term travelers—affordable daily rates, no excess, unlimited coverage, and hassle-free reimbursements. For short trips of up to two months, ADAC is unbeatable in terms of price.
No matter which provider you choose: the most important thing is that you have one. Because in an emergency, travel health insurance can not only save you thousands of euros — but in the worst case, it can save your life.
About the author: Max Haase is Germany's most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. Cooperation requests here.
Checklist before your next trip
To make sure you don't forget anything, here's my personal checklist that I go through before every long-term trip:
- Check insurance coverage: Is your current policy still valid? Does it cover your travel destination?
- Check the coverage amount: At least €500,000 for countries with expensive healthcare systems
- Clarify activities: Kitesurfing, diving, motorcycling — all explicitly covered?
- Read the return transport clause: „"Medically beneficial" instead of just "medically necessary"“
- Save emergency number: Save your insurance company's emergency hotline number in your mobile phone; it will also be available offline.
- Secure documents digitally: Store insurance certificate, policy number and emergency contact in the cloud
- Revise your vaccinations: Some insurance companies require up-to-date vaccinations for certain destinations.
- Pack your medications: Putting together your personal travel pharmacy — especially for remote destinations
This list has saved my vacation more than once. The section with the emergency number is particularly helpful: I once had a problem in Venezuela and was able to call the HanseMerkur hotline directly. Within 30 minutes, they recommended a hospital and immediately confirmed coverage. That's the kind of service you only truly appreciate when you need it.
Traveling is the best thing you can do with your money—but only if you're protected. Invest a few euros a day in good insurance and enjoy your trip worry-free. Trust me—I'm speaking from experience.
Insurance for Content Creators — Special Case: Equipment
As a travel content creator, I carry equipment worth over €8,000: a Sony A7 IV with two lenses, a DJI Mini 5 Pro drone, a DJI Action 6 Pro action camera, tripods, filters, and memory cards. This equipment is, of course, NOT covered by standard travel health insurance.
I have separate photo equipment insurance that covers theft, damage, and even loss by airlines. It costs me around €200 per year—a fraction of what a single lens costs. This is essential, especially when traveling, where you're constantly in new places and have equipment in hostels, rental cars, or on the beach.
My tip for other creators: Check your home insurance – some policies cover equipment abroad, up to a certain value. Alternatively, providers like Hepster or Allianz offer special electronics insurance policies that also cover travel.
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