Travel insurance and international health insurance do not cover the same risks, are not aimed at the same travellers, and cannot substitute for each other. To put it plainly: if you are going away for a few days or a few weeks, travel insurance is the right answer. If you are settling abroad for the long term, international health insurance takes over. In either case, your French state health cover alone is not enough the moment you leave the European Union.
What your French health cover does (and does not) cover abroad
French social security beyond its borders
Your French state health cover does not travel with you like a standard policy. The rules vary depending on your destination:
- In the European Union and EEA: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to care on the same terms as locals in the country you are visiting. But it only covers what the local health system covers, at local rates. Excess charges, medicines not reimbursed locally, and repatriation costs remain entirely your responsibility.
- Outside the EU/EEA: unless a bilateral social security agreement exists (and these cover only a limited number of countries), only certain urgent and unforeseen treatments may qualify for partial reimbursement, subject to strict conditions. In the vast majority of destinations worldwide, medical costs fall entirely on the traveller.
What about your supplementary health insurance (mutuelle)?
Most French top-up health policies include some overseas cover, but it is often capped, geographically restricted, and limited strictly to healthcare costs. They do not cover repatriation, trip cancellation, or lost luggage. Always check your policy’s terms and conditions before you travel.
For a closer look at exactly what health insurance cover applies when you are abroad, see our dedicated guide.
What travel insurance covers: a far broader scope
Travel insurance is taken out for the duration of a specific trip (or annually with a multi-trip policy). It goes well beyond healthcare: it is comprehensive protection for the traveller.
Medical costs and hospitalisation
This is the core benefit. It covers consultations, hospital stays and medicines needed abroad. Without travel insurance, a hospital stay in the United States can exceed 10,000 euros per day, and a medical repatriation can cost up to 80,000 euros according to insurers.
Get my travel insurance quoteMedical repatriation
Repatriation is a benefit that neither French state health cover, the EHIC, nor most supplementary policies include. It kicks in when your medical condition requires an organised return to France. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly states that French consular services do not cover these costs.
Trip cancellation and curtailment
If an unexpected event occurs (serious illness, the death of a close relative, certain professional circumstances depending on your policy), travel insurance can reimburse all or part of your pre-paid costs. This benefit is entirely absent from any health insurance policy.
Luggage, flight delays and personal liability
Lost or stolen luggage, significant delays, damage caused to a third party: all situations covered by travel insurance and outside the scope of any health policy whatsoever.
Travel insurance is particularly valuable for families travelling abroad, where cover needs are wide-ranging and round-the-clock assistance makes all the difference in an emergency.
What international health insurance (expat cover) provides
Distinct from travel insurance and from French supplementary cover, international health insurance is designed for people settling abroad for the long term: expats, professionals on extended assignments, and students on exchanges of more than a year.
Long-term health cover
It covers routine consultations, planned hospital stays, dental and optical care, depending on the level of cover chosen. It can function as a substitute for French state health cover, whether you are leaving the French system entirely or relying on the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Etranger) as your base.
Duration and geography
Unlike travel insurance, it is not tied to a specific trip. Some policies offer worldwide cover; others focus on a particular geographic zone.
What it generally does not cover
International health insurance does not replace travel insurance for cancellation, luggage or emergency repatriation benefits. For long-term nomadic stays or round-the-world trips, combining both types of cover can make real sense. Our guide to long-stay travel insurance outlines the policies best suited to these situations.
Comparison table: travel insurance vs health insurance
| Criteria | Travel Insurance | Health Insurance (state + top-up) | International Health Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical costs abroad | Yes | Partial (EU only, via EHIC) | Yes |
| Medical repatriation | Yes | No | Rarely |
| Trip cancellation | Yes | No | No |
| Luggage and delays | Yes | No | No |
| Routine care (non-emergency) | No (depends on policy) | No outside EU | Yes |
| Duration | Defined trip | Ongoing (in France) | Long-term abroad |
| Who it is for | Short to medium-stay travellers | French residents | Expats and long-term nomads |
How to choose based on your situation
Going on holiday or a business trip (a few days to a few weeks)
Travel insurance is the right choice. Your supplementary policy can top things up for care within the EU, but do not rely on it alone outside Europe. Prices vary by destination and duration: expect to pay between 20 and 80 euros for two weeks in Europe, and more for the United States or Australia depending on the level of cover chosen.
Planning a round-the-world trip or a year-long stay
A travel insurance policy designed for long stays or round-the-world travel is essential. Some policies provide continuous cover for up to 12 to 24 months.
Moving abroad for the long term
Look into the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Etranger) as the foundation of your health cover, and complement it with international health insurance. Standard travel insurance still comes in handy for trips back to France or travel from your country of residence.
The EHIC is never a substitute for travel insurance
Even for a weekend in Barcelona or a week in Rome, the EHIC does not cover repatriation, care not included in the local health system, or any non-medical benefit. It is a first safety net, not comprehensive protection.
FAQ
Is travel insurance compulsory?
It is not a legal requirement for most destinations, but the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly recommends it, particularly for travel outside the European Union. Some countries do require it: the United States does not impose it by law, but several destinations (Cuba, certain countries in Southeast Asia, and others) may ask for proof of medical cover on arrival. Always check the entry requirements for your destination before you travel.
Is my bank card enough as travel insurance?
The travel benefits bundled with bank cards (Visa Premier, Mastercard Gold, American Express) do cover certain risks, but often with low payout limits and restrictive conditions (ticket purchased with the card, maximum trip duration, and so on). They generally cannot replace dedicated travel insurance, particularly when it comes to high medical bills or repatriation.
Does the EHIC cover me in an emergency in Europe?
Yes, partly. The EHIC gives you access to care on the same terms as locally insured residents in the country you are visiting. But any costs not covered by the local health system remain your responsibility, and repatriation is not included. For complete protection, the EHIC needs to be supplemented by travel insurance.
What is the difference between travel insurance and repatriation insurance?
Repatriation cover is a benefit included in most travel insurance policies. It specifically covers the medically organised transport needed to bring you back to France if your health requires it. On its own, without the other benefits of travel insurance, it covers neither on-the-spot medical costs, nor cancellation, nor luggage.
How does medical cost reimbursement work abroad?
It depends on your policy. Some travel insurers pay the medical provider directly; others reimburse you on presentation of original invoices. In the event of hospitalisation, contact your insurer’s assistance line as soon as possible: they will coordinate cover and, where necessary, arrange repatriation.
Can travel insurance and international health insurance be combined?
Yes, and for some profiles it is actively recommended (expats who travel frequently, digital nomads, families on round-the-world trips). International health insurance covers routine care and long-term needs; travel insurance covers cancellation, luggage and one-off emergencies during specific trips.
