Compare Travel Insurance for Europe

Most Australians visiting Europe don’t stick to one country. If your itinerary spans multiple destinations – whether that’s a classic Western Europe circuit, an Eastern European adventure, or a combination of Schengen and non-Schengen countries – your policy needs to cover every destination you plan to visit. Always include all countries in your quote, or select a Europe-wide policy that provides cover across the region. Stopovers in non-European countries, including transit through the Middle East or Asia, should also be included.

Since October 2025, the European Union has introduced its Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, entering the Schengen area. The EES replaces traditional passport stamping with digital biometric registration (including fingerprints and a facial photo) at the border on your first entry. The process takes only a few minutes and registration is free, but expect longer queues at airports and land borders, particularly during the ongoing rollout period. Once registered, your data is stored for three years, making repeat entries faster. Importantly, the EES is not a visa: Australians can still enter Schengen countries visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area for longer than 90 days, work, or study in a specific country, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. A Schengen visa requires your travel insurance policy to include a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage, cover across all Schengen countries, and cover for the full duration of your stay. Not all standard travel insurance policies meet these requirements – check out our Schengen visa guide for a full breakdown.

Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing Europe travel insurance. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others require a medical assessment or attract an additional premium. Given that a European trip often involves an extended period away, physical activity, and significant pre-paid costs, declaring all relevant conditions upfront is especially important and failing to disclose a condition could result in a claim being rejected.

Europe is home to some of the world’s most famous ski resorts: the French Alps, the Swiss Alps, the Austrian Tyrol, and more. Standard travel insurance policies do not automatically cover skiing and snowboarding, and most insurers require a winter sports pack to be added. If skiing is part of your European trip, make sure your policy explicitly includes winter sports cover, and check whether piste closure, ski pack reimbursement, and equipment cover are included in the pack.

Europe is a diverse region, and travel conditions vary significantly between countries. It’s worth checking the Australian Government’s Smartraveller website before and during your trip for the latest advisories – particularly if your itinerary includes Eastern Europe or countries where conditions may change at short notice. Travelling against a Do Not Travel warning will generally void your travel insurance cover for any incidents arising in the affected area.