For over a year now, this virus has changed our lives and remains a major concern, for reasons that are as much health-related and economic as social and psychological.
To confront this pandemic, governments took action to limit its spread. The first measures targeted the local population, and at the same time entry restrictions were introduced. While some countries simply closed their borders, others chose to keep them open while imposing entry rules of varying strictness — testing requirements, quarantine, or a requirement for international health insurance covering COVID-19 infection for international travellers.
For residents, the pandemic also has major consequences for everyday life, chief among them access to care. For expats in these countries in particular, being properly treated has become a priority. That means seeing a recognised doctor or being admitted to a reputable hospital is essential — but sometimes very expensive. To guard against extremely high healthcare costs, good international health insurance is a must for French expats abroad.
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Which countries require specific international health insurance:
The list of countries is subject to change, which is why it is essential to check before any trip. A good source of information is the diplomatie.gouv.fr website.
At present, the countries requiring travellers to show proof of specific international health insurance are the following:
Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Aruba, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Turks and Caicos Islands, Israel, Mexico, Mongolia, French Polynesia, Dominican Republic, Russia, Saint Martin, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine.
For these destinations, we offer a travel insurance policy that meets local requirements and lets you obtain a multilingual certificate by email to present on arrival: Special COVID travel insurance.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any information or specific case.
In addition to the travel insurance requirement, some countries may impose travel restrictions.
Here are some examples of the requirements placed on travellers for destinations popular with French tourists abroad:
MAURITIUS: A new lockdown was decreed by the Mauritian government and extended until 30 April, with some easing from 1 April. To travel to Mauritius, you must now present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken 5 to 7 days before the boarding date, together with proof of a “travel package” covering payment for a room at a designated hotel to complete a 14-day quarantine on arrival in Mauritius. This must be purchased on the site: https://www.mymauritius.travel/mauritius-travel-alerts (in English).
PERU: Foreign travellers have again been able to enter Peru by air since 15 March 2021, except those coming from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil. Land borders, however, remain closed.
To travel to Peru, several formalities are required. You must have a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the flight. You must also complete the immigration service’s health and geolocation “Declaración Jurada” within 72 hours before the flight: https://e-notificacion.migraciones.gob.pe/dj-salud/. Registration is done online. Pre-registration via the immigration app is recommended: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pe.gob.migraciones.preregistro&hl=es_CL&gl=US. It can also be done on arrival at Jorge Chávez airport. Finally, an antigen test must be taken on arrival at Jorge Chávez airport, at the traveller’s expense.
TAIWAN: The visa requirement for entering Taiwan has been reinstated. Unfortunately, tourists are no longer allowed to travel there, but it remains possible for holders of a residence permit or a duly justified professional or humanitarian visa.
Authorised travellers must present, at departure, a negative COVID-19 PCR test in English or Chinese less than three days old. On arrival, a strict 14-day quarantine in isolation must be observed. Evading this requirement exposes the traveller to a very heavy fine of up to €30,000. Daily random checks are carried out by the local authorities.
PORTUGAL: All travellers over the age of 2 arriving by air must present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old. French travellers wishing to reach Portugal by air may only do so for essential reasons, and must observe a strict 14-day quarantine at home or in a facility approved by the Portuguese authorities.
By land, checks are in place at the border with Spain. Road, rail and river traffic between the two countries is suspended, except for freight, cross-border workers and essential travel. A 14-day quarantine is imposed on travellers coming from France.
COSTA RICA: Tourists are no longer required to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test to enter Costa Rica. However, travellers with symptoms will not be allowed to board. On arrival, you must complete an epidemiological form, the “Pase de Salud“, available in Spanish and English. You also need proof of international health insurance in English or Spanish for the duration of the stay, covering COVID-19 medical costs up to $50,000, accommodation costs for 14 days in the event of quarantine ($2,000), and cancellation costs. Insurance meeting these requirements is available here for your trip to Costa Rica.
UNITED STATES: Travellers to the USA must present, at boarding, a negative COVID-19 test taken within the three days before the flight. This requirement also applies to travellers in transit. In addition, a declaration must be completed and presented: the Passenger Disclosure and Attestation to the United States of America (PDF, 60.3 kB).
However, travellers coming from France, or who have stayed there in the 14 days before their trip, are not admitted to the USA, save for exceptions.
CHINA: Except for holders of a W diplomatic visa, a courtesy visa or a type-C visa, entry to China is not possible for foreign travellers coming from France. For French travellers, entry remains possible on condition of presenting a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test and a negative serological test, both taken within the 48 hours before boarding and carried out in laboratories approved by the Chinese Embassy. These results must be submitted via a designated website to obtain a green QR code to present at boarding. Finally, the flight to China must be direct.
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa has reopened its borders to international travellers, and French citizens in particular can benefit from a visa exemption for stays of less than 90 days.
On arrival, several requirements must be met. First, a negative COVID-19 test must be presented. A temperature check is then carried out. If symptoms are present, a 10-day quarantine in places designated by the authorities, at the traveller’s expense, must be observed. Finally, it is compulsory to download the COVID Alert South Africa app.
THAILAND: As in most South-East Asian countries, a state of emergency has been declared in Thailand and foreign nationals are barred from entering the country. There are exceptions, however, for the spouses, parents or children of Thai nationals, holders of a residence permit, work permit or diplomatic passport, certain students, and people needing medical care.
These people must apply for a “certificate of entry” from the Thai Embassy. They must also secure seats on a special repatriation flight. Finally, they must present at boarding proof of health insurance covering COVID-19 medical costs of at least $100,000, a “fit to fly” certificate (downloadable here) and a medical certificate in English with a negative COVID-19 test, both issued less than 72 hours before departure. A second COVID test is carried out on arrival, and a 14-day isolation period in a dedicated centre or at home must ultimately be observed.
SINGAPORE: All short-stay travellers are barred from Singapore, except visitors from Australia, Brunei, China, New Zealand and Taiwan who have spent at least 14 days there and obtained an “Air Travel Pass”. On arrival, a COVID test must be taken, but quarantine is not required.
SEYCHELLES: Since 25 March 2021, all travellers can go to the Seychelles for business or tourism. Only visitors coming from South Africa are excluded. A negative PCR test taken 72 hours before boarding must, however, be presented. Before departure, the test result and personal details must be submitted via a dedicated paid application: the Seychelles Island Travel Authorization. Authorisation to travel to the Seychelles is then sent by email and must be presented at boarding.
AUSTRALIA: Save for exceptions (Australian citizens and permanent residents), foreign travellers cannot enter Australia. Where there is an essential reason, an exemption request must be submitted. At boarding, authorised travellers must present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old. On arrival, a 14-day quarantine in a place designated by the local authorities must be observed, at the traveller’s expense.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: All travellers (except children under 12) must present at boarding a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours for Dubai, and within 96 hours for Abu Dhabi. Note that antigen tests are not accepted.
On arrival in ABU DHABI, a further test is required of all travellers, and a strict 10-day quarantine must be observed, with the wearing of an electronic bracelet.
At the point of departure, a further PCR test must be taken. If the result is positive, the traveller is placed in quarantine at their own expense, which is why robust travel insurance is recommended to cover accommodation, medical and flight-cancellation costs.
BRAZIL: Air restrictions have been lifted for foreign travellers, but before boarding you must provide the following documents:
A negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test less than 72 hours old, carried out in a laboratory recognised by the authorities of the traveller’s country of origin and written in English, Portuguese or Spanish.
A Traveller’s Health Declaration, accessible via the following link in Portuguese, Spanish and English, completed within the 72 hours before boarding.
In every case, a COVID-19 infection can pose a significant risk, both medically and financially. Protecting yourself costs little compared with the potential healthcare bills, and taking out robust international insurance is strongly advised. This policy covers your medical costs to the tune of several hundred thousand euros and gives you access to 24/7 assistance. Our partners have also updated their policies to include new benefits specific to the current health crisis. Your hotel costs can thus be covered if return is impossible or you are quarantined. During this period you benefit from psychological support, a local phone package, an emergency case and even a grocery delivery service. This travel insurance also includes all the cover needed for a worry-free stay abroad, such as personal liability, legal assistance and repatriation.
Don’t miss out on your trip — this health insurance starts from just €48!
For expats: how can your international health insurance help you?
French people abroad expect a high level of medical security, thanks to the good fortune we have in France of a high-performing healthcare system. This is not the case in every country in the world, and getting proper care abroad can sometimes become very expensive. The pandemic has highlighted the need to be well covered by international health insurance. Throughout the crisis, we have been fully committed to giving our clients the best service and answering all their entirely legitimate questions in these difficult times. Here is some information and advice to help things go as smoothly as possible.
Repatriation
When this global crisis broke out, the first concern for French people living abroad was under what conditions they could return to France. At the time, the issue was also new for international insurers.
First, it is worth knowing that repatriation is not automatically included in an expat health insurance policy. It is often an option you need to remember to take out when you join. It costs a few euros a month, and the option generally includes other services such as liability cover abroad and 24/7 assistance.
Medical repatriation is designed to transport the insured person, in the event of a claim, to the place where they can receive the best care, if it is not available locally. That may be another city, another country or even another continent, though returning home is often favoured. It is a medical decision, taken by a team of doctors according to each situation.
To arrange the medical repatriation as smoothly as possible, the insured person is asked to contact the assistance service first of all and not to incur any expenses without its approval, as these could ultimately be refused.
In the case of the pandemic, the reason for repatriation was not medical, so it was not possible to cover policyholders’ return to their home country. Responsibility for arranging the return of expats to France in these situations lies with the embassy or consulate on the ground. However, where complications are hard to treat locally — as with any medical condition — the cover can indeed apply. In that case, a call to the emergency centre and a report allow the request to be assessed and, where appropriate, a transfer or return to France to be arranged at no cost to the insured person.
Medical costs
Even though it is often forgotten, because of its relative novelty, SARS-CoV-2 infection is a medical condition much like any other. It requires medical care and is recognised by science. So all medical costs linked to the infection can be covered by international health insurance, within the policy’s limits and ceilings. Be aware, however, that for some destinations and some insurers a waiting period applies specifically to COVID-19 cover.
Insurers have also expanded their telemedicine services during this period, so you can speak to a doctor quickly without leaving home. This convenient, fast and reliable service is generally free within your policy.
Screening tests
Here too, the question of covering this “new” practice arises. At present, to be reimbursed, a screening test must be prescribed by a doctor, even if such a prescription is not required by the local authorities in some countries. If the test was carried out without one, it unfortunately cannot be reimbursed.
Price differences between countries can be very large. Here are a few examples:
- Japan : 347 €
- USA: up to €300
- United Kingdom: €180 to €250
- Switzerland: €75 to €150
- China: €50 to €75
- Canada: €20 to €60
Vaccines
This is a topical subject holding the whole world in suspense, and one that will, we hope, allow a swift way out of the crisis.
Anti-COVID vaccines are generally covered by your international health insurance, just like other vaccines. Depending on the insurer, a doctor’s prescription may or may not be required, so it is worth checking carefully before going ahead.
