Countries That Require Travel Insurance to Enter (2026)

    As of 30 September 2026, 6 countries require health or travel insurance from every visitor: Kenya, Tanzania, Qatar, Georgia, Belarus, Cuba. In Tanzania it has applied in Zanzibar since October 2024 and on the mainland since 1 October 2026. Kenya's USD 50,000 rule is back in force: the High Court dismissed the challenge in October 2026, and the eTA application has checked for the cover since 6 October. Many more require insurance only for visa applicants, such as the EUR 30,000 Schengen visa rule. Every row links to the government, embassy or legal source it comes from. Checked by Mo Buglow.

    6

    require cover from every visitor

    Kenya, Tanzania, Qatar, Georgia, Belarus, Cuba

    5

    require a local insurer

    Kenya, Tanzania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran

    Suspended: High Court (Marsabit) order, August 2026

    Kenya's USD 50,000 rule

    Required for every visitor

    CountryWho needs itMinimum and coverSource
    KenyaGazette Notice No. 11492, 30 July 2026; checked at eTA application from 6 October 2026Local insurerNon-Kenyans staying under 12 months must hold travel health insurance with at least USD 50,000 of cover, under Gazette Notice No. 11492 (30 July 2026). The High Court suspended it in August 2026, then dismissed the challenge in October 2026. Since 6 October 2026 the eTA application checks for the cover. The Kenyan inbound policy costs USD 44 per traveller for three months on eCitizen. Whether a foreign policy is accepted is unclear, so check before you fly. Checked 10 October 2026.The Kenyan policy is sold on eCitizen (insurance.ecitizen.go.ke, Inbound Travel Health Insurance) at USD 44 per traveller plus fees, and the eTA application picks it up automatically. Ministry guidance in August said a home-country policy meeting the minimums was acceptable, but the eTA form has no way to upload one. Keep your policy reference number.Healthcare costs in KenyaUSD 50,000 in totalMedical USD 20,000, emergency transport USD 25,000, repatriation of remains USD 5,000, mental illness USD 1,000, medicines USD 300VisasNews Kenya: mandatory travel insurance now available separately from ETA, court upholds requirement (7 October 2026)The Eastleigh Voice High Court upholds mandatory travel insurance for foreigners entering Kenya (7 October 2026)Check before you travel
    TanzaniaSince 1 October 2024 (Zanzibar), 1 October 2026 (mainland)Local insurerForeign visitors to Zanzibar since October 2024, and to mainland Tanzania from 1 October 2026. EAC and SADC residents are exempt on the mainland.Buy the local policy from the insurer for the place you enter first: NIC if you enter mainland Tanzania, ZIC if you enter Zanzibar. Foreign policies do not replace it. If your trip covers both, one valid policy is enough. You don't need a second one.Fixed policy, USD 44 per adult for up to 92 daysEmergency medical, evacuation, repatriation and baggageEmbassy of Tanzania, Rome Zanzibar Mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance FAQsNational Insurance Corporation Inbound travel insuranceCheck before you travel
    QatarSince 1 February 2023Local insurerAll visitors, under Law No. 22 of 2021. Visitor visa applicants buy cover from an insurer registered in Qatar.The official minimum could not be confirmed. Visit Qatar describes insurance as recommended, and cover can be bought on arrival.Healthcare costs in QatarNo amount statedEmergency and accident treatmentHukoomi, Qatar Government Portal Health insurance under Law No. 22 of 2021Check before you travel
    GeorgiaSince 1 January 2026All foreign visitors, for the whole stay including arrival and departure days. Diplomats and some treaty travellers are exempt.Georgian or foreign insurers are accepted. The policy can be paper or electronic, in Georgian or English.Healthcare costs in GeorgiaGEL 30,000Health and accidentEmbassy of Georgia to Australia Mandatory health insurance for all tourists entering Georgia
    BelarusAll foreign visitors. Visa applicants submit the policy with the application; visa-free visitors show it on entry.Transit passengers, crews, diplomats and citizens of countries with a healthcare agreement are exempt.EUR 10,000Embassy of Belarus in the UAE Obligatory medical insurance
    CubaAll visitors must be able to show proof of medical insurance on arrival.Without accepted proof you may have to buy Cuban cover (Asistur) at the airport. Policies from US insurers are often refused. Spain's embassy describes insurance as advisable, so enforcement varies.No amount statedGovernment of Canada Travel advice: Cuba, entry requirementsCheck before you travel

    Required for visa applicants

    CountryWho needs itMinimum and coverSource
    Schengen areaApplicants for a short-stay (C) Schengen visa. Visa-exempt visitors and ETIAS travellers do not have to show insurance.EUR 30,000Medical repatriation, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and death, valid in every Schengen country for the whole stayEUR-Lex EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) 810/2009, Article 15
    Saudi ArabiaLocal insurerTourist visa holders. The policy is issued automatically with the visa and paid for in the visa fee.It only covers emergencies, so separate travel insurance is still worth having.Healthcare costs in Saudi ArabiaNo amount statedHealth emergencies through approved providersCouncil of Health Insurance Tourists health insurance
    IranSince 21 May 2024Local insurerAll visa holders. Iranian travel insurance is issued with the e-visa.Foreign policies are not accepted in its place.No amount statedEmergencies and accidents for the whole stayConsulate of Iran, Mumbai Travel insurance for visitors
    United Arab EmiratesAnyone applying for a UAE tourist or visit visa, including the 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa.Visa-exempt and visa-on-arrival visitors are not asked for it at entry.Healthcare costs in United Arab EmiratesNo amount statedMedical insurance valid in the UAE for the stayGDRFA Dubai Single-entry tourist visa requirements
    IrelandVisa-required nationals granted a short-stay C visa must hold travel or medical insurance before they travel.It is not needed with the application unless requested, but officers can refuse entry without it.No amount statedIrish Immigration Service Delivery Short stay C visa
    UkraineApplicants for C, B and D visas and e-visas.EUR 30,000Embassy of Ukraine in the UK Visa requirements for foreignersCheck before you travel
    MoldovaApplicants for A, B, C and D visas.EUR 30,000Medical repatriation, emergency treatment and hospital, deathMoldova Ministry of Foreign Affairs Types of visas and requirements
    SerbiaApplicants for C and D visas. Visa-free visitors are advised to carry cover, and border police may ask for it.EUR 20,000 (border guidance)Serbia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa requirementsCheck before you travel
    ColombiaSince 21 October 2022Visa applicants, including the tourist visa and the digital nomad visa. Visa-exempt tourists are not affected.Healthcare costs in ColombiaNo amount statedAccident, illness, maternity, disability, hospital, death and repatriation, in Colombia for the whole stayCancilleria de Colombia Resolucion 5477 de 2022Check before you travel
    CyprusApplicants for a Cyprus national visa.No amount statedMedical repatriation, urgent treatment and emergency hospital careCyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa application requirementsCheck before you travel
    AlgeriaVisa applicants must attach a travel insurance and repatriation assistance certificate.Requirements vary by consulate.No amount statedEmbassy of Algeria, Washington Entry visa to AlgeriaCheck before you travel
    AlbaniaApplicants for C and D visas, for the length of the visa.No amount statedAlbania Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Visa applicationCheck before you travel
    North MacedoniaEntry visa applicants, with a policy from an insurer in their country of residence.No amount statedNorth Macedonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Types of entry visasCheck before you travel

    Required for some visas only

    CountryWho needs itMinimum and coverSource
    ThailandSince 1 October 2021Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X long-stay (retirement) visas. Tourists and the DTV do not need insurance.Healthcare costs in ThailandUSD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000All medical expenses for the visa periodMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Health insurance criteria for Non-Immigrant O-A visas
    TurkeyApplicants for a sticker visa at a Turkish mission. The e-Visa and visa-free entry have no stated requirement.Healthcare costs in TurkeyEUR 30,000Embassy of Turkey, Nairobi Visa announcementCheck before you travel
    RussiaUnified e-visa holders, and some consular visa applicants depending on nationality.No amount statedValid throughout Russia for the whole stayRussian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Unified e-visa portalCheck before you travel
    MoroccoeVisa holders must show hospital and medical repatriation cover for the whole stay on arrival.No amount statedAcces Maroc eVisa conditions of useCheck before you travel
    United StatesSince 15 May 2015J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependants. Tourists on a B visa or ESTA are not required to hold insurance.USD 100,000 per illness or accident, USD 50,000 evacuation, USD 25,000 repatriation, deductible no more than USD 500US Code of Federal Regulations 22 CFR 62.14, insurance for exchange visitors
    CanadaParent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants. Ordinary visitors do not need insurance.The insurer can be foreign only if it is approved or authorised in Canada.CAD 100,000, valid for at least one year from entryHealth care, hospital and repatriationImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Super visa forms and documents
    JapanThe long-stay sightseeing visa (Designated Activities, up to one year). Ordinary tourists are not affected.Healthcare costs in JapanNo amount statedDeath, injury and illness during the stayMinistry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Designated Activities, long stay for sightseeingCheck before you travel
    AustraliaVisitor visa holders given condition 8501, often sponsored family or older long-stay visitors.Healthcare costs in AustraliaNo amount statedHospital, medical, pharmaceutical and ambulanceDepartment of Home Affairs Adequate health insurance for visa holdersCheck before you travel
    New ZealandSince 29 September 2025Parent Boost Visitor Visa applicants, for the whole stay. Other visitors are only advised to hold insurance.Healthcare costs in New ZealandNo amount statedMedical care, cancer treatment, repatriation and return of remainsImmigration New Zealand Overview of parent visas
    AntarcticaTourist expeditions must have insurance or other arrangements, and operators pass this on to passengers.No amount statedSearch and rescue, medical care and evacuationNew Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Procedures for non-governmental activities in AntarcticaCheck before you travel

    Unclear or changing

    CountryWho needs itMinimum and coverSource
    ArgentinaSince 29 May 2025 (decree)Decree DNU 366/2025 requires foreigners to declare they hold health insurance on admission, but it is not enforced yet.Public hospitals already treat foreign visitors only with insurance or payment, except emergencies.Healthcare costs in ArgentinaNo amount statedEmbassy of Argentina in Sweden Entry requirements for ArgentinaCheck before you travel
    BhutanThe immigration e-permit checklist still lists travel insurance, while the tourism department reportedly dropped it in April 2024.Buy cover to be safe.No amount statedBhutan Department of Immigration e-Permit and e-Visa for touristsCheck before you travel
    AzerbaijanOne embassy lists travel insurance for tourist visas; the e-Visa portal does not.No amount statedEmbassy of Azerbaijan, Riyadh Visa requirementsCheck before you travel

    Often said to require it, but no longer do

    Common questions

    Which countries require travel insurance to enter?
    As of 30 September 2026, 6 require insurance from every visitor: Kenya, Tanzania, Qatar, Georgia, Belarus, Cuba (Tanzania: Zanzibar now, the mainland from 1 October 2026). Others require it only for visa applicants, for example Schengen area, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Ukraine.
    Does Kenya require travel insurance?
    Not at the moment, as far as we can confirm. Gazette Notice No. 11492 (dated 29 July, published 30 July 2026) set a USD 50,000 minimum (USD 20,000 medical, USD 25,000 emergency transport, USD 5,000 repatriation of remains, USD 1,000 mental illness, USD 300 medicines) but a High Court order in Marsabit suspended enforcement in August 2026 while a challenge is heard. A hearing was set for 16 September 2026 and we could not confirm its outcome. Check the latest position before you travel.
    Do I need travel insurance for the Schengen area?
    Only if you need a Schengen visa. Short-stay visa applicants need at least EUR 30,000 of cover, valid in every Schengen country, including medical repatriation and emergency hospital treatment. Visa-exempt visitors, including ETIAS travellers, do not have to show insurance.
    Which countries make you buy a local policy?
    Kenya, Tanzania, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran require cover from a local or designated insurer, so an international policy does not replace it. In Saudi Arabia and Iran the policy is issued with the visa; in Tanzania and Zanzibar it is a fixed USD 44 policy.
    Does Thailand require travel insurance?
    Not for tourists or the Destination Thailand Visa. The Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X long-stay visas require cover of at least USD 100,000 or THB 3,000,000.

    Rules change often. Always confirm with the embassy, consulate or airline before you travel. For long stays, see the digital nomad visa insurance rules. To find a plan that fits your trip, try Jet, our travel plan matcher. Free to cite: HealthiNomad, Countries that require travel insurance to enter, 30 September 2026, https://healthinomad.com/travel-insurance-requirements