Compare travel insurance for Germany
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Travel insurance for Germany at a glance
Planning a trip to Germany? It’s worth thinking about travel insurance before you book.
Whether you’re visiting family, backpacking around Europe or heading on a weekend city break, having travel insurance can provide extra protection when things don’t go to plan. This guide breaks down what travel insurance for Germany should cover, and what’s useful to know when comparing policies.
Key takeaways about travel insurance for Germany
- A valid GHIC or EHIC can help you access state-provided healthcare in Germany. But, it won’t cover travel disruption, cancellations or the cost of getting you home in an emergency.
- Standard travel insurance for Germany typically includes cover for emergency medical treatment, repatriation, cancellation and lost or damaged luggage. Cover varies depending on your specific needs and the insurer you choose.
- Whether you’re visiting Germany for a short break or spending time in Europe more regularly, comparing policies can help you find cover that fits your needs.
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What should Germany travel insurance cover?
Everyone needs something a little different from their travel insurance. The type of cover you need depends on your personal circumstances and travel plans.
If you’re comparing your options for Germany travel insurance, it’s worth checking whether your policy includes the cover below.
Medical treatment | High levels of medical cover can help cover the cost of healthcare and ambulance services in an emergency. |
Repatriation | Being flown back to the UK for emergency medical treatment can be costly. Having a valid travel insurance policy with repatriation cover can help you pay for these expenses. |
Cancellation or curtailment | Cancellation cover can give you the flexibility to change your plans if you need to cancel or cut short your trip for reasons outside your control. |
Lost, damaged or stolen baggage | Many standard travel insurance policies allow you to claim for personal items if your luggage is lost, delayed or stolen. |
Personal liability | Personal liability cover can help you pay for legal fees and compensation if you accidentally injure someone or cause property damage during your trip. |
Every travel insurance policy has its limits. For example, incidents that happen while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are often excluded from cover. Reading your policy’s conditions can help you make informed choices and avoid issues if you need to claim for something that happens abroad.
Will my GHIC or EHIC work in Germany?
A valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can allow you to access state-provided emergency healthcare in Germany. While these cards are a great perk for Brits travelling in Europe, they aren’t a replacement for travel insurance.
GHICs and EHICs won’t pay for all medical treatment, and they don’t provide repatriation cover. You may need to pay these bills — and any other non-medical emergency expenses — if you don’t have valid, pre-arranged travel insurance.
Travel insurance fills the gaps that GHICs and EHICs leave behind. Its financial protection can be reassuring if you face unexpected expenses because of delays, cancellations or other mishaps that may interrupt your trip.
Schengen visa insurance requirements
Most British citizens don’t need a visa for short stays in Germany. But there are some other post-Brexit entry requirements to be aware of before you travel.
Countries in the Schengen Area, including Germany, are rolling out an Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travellers. If it’s your first time visiting the EU since this came into force in April 2026 you might be asked to provide biometric data upon arrival.
From late 2026, UK citizens will also need to apply and pay for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This pre-travel check is completed online and linked to your passport and will last for up to three years. If you’re worried about how this might impact your trip, visit the EU’s ETIAS website for more information and support.
What type of policy do I need for my trip to Germany?
The type of travel insurance policy you need for Germany depends on your individual needs. It isn’t a legal requirement for visiting the country, but having cover can give you peace of mind that you’re prepared for any curveballs that could affect your trip.
Germany typically falls into European travel insurance categories. From there, you can choose a policy that suits your circumstances.
Here are some common policy types that you can compare to find the right fit for your travel plans in Germany:
- Single-trip cover — offers cover for a single destination and trip on a one-off basis.
- Annual multi-trip cover — provides regional cover for multiple trips in the same 12-month period.
- Long-stay cover — suitable for backpackers or anyone else planning to spend more than three consecutive months abroad.
- Family cover — designed to provide group cover under one policy, simplifying insurance admin and offering potential savings compared to individual policies.
- Age-based cover — made for older travellers who are looking for suitable protection for their age group, whether that’s over 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s.
Do I need extra cover for activities?
Most insurers exclude adventure activities from standard policies. This is often because extreme sports are viewed as high-risk and require higher levels of cover.
So, if you dream of skiing, hiking or kayaking in the Bavarian Alps, you might consider add-on protection for your trip. Some insurers offer policies tailored to activities such as water or winter sports and the specific situations they can involve.
It’s also worth reviewing your travel insurance policy’s terms for major cultural events in Germany, such as Oktoberfest and Christmas markets. These can draw large crowds, which can increase the risk of theft, alcohol-related incidents and cancellations. The same can be true sometimes for sporting events. If you were planning to attend the DFB Pokal final with pre-booked tickets, and it was cancelled, some insurance providers will also pay for the cancellation. This is in addition to them paying for the overall holiday cancellation.
Checking your policy’s limitations can help you plan accordingly.
Travelling to Germany with a pre-existing medical condition
Travelling with a pre-existing medical condition can be daunting. But with an appropriate travel insurance policy, you can enjoy your trip knowing you have cover if you need care or support while you’re away.
You can get travel insurance for a range of pre-existing medical conditions, including asthma, cancers, heart conditions, diabetes and epilepsy. It’s worth noting that a low-risk pregnancy isn’t typically classed as a pre-existing medical condition by insurers. But if you have any pre-existing pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, you must declare them to make sure your cover remains valid.
Insurers may reject claims linked to pre-existing conditions that you haven’t told them about. Being honest about your health history can help you find suitable medical cover within your budget.
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Tips for finding the right Germany travel insurance
There’s no one-size-fits-all travel insurance policy for Germany. Comparing different policies can help you find the cover you need without paying too much. Below, we’ve shared some ideas you could try to narrow down your options.
- Look at cover limits. If you know you need high levels of activity protection, gadget cover or medical cover, you can filter out insurers that don’t offer it.
- Declare your health history. Telling your insurer about a pre-existing medical condition might increase the cost of your cover, but it can help avoid issues if you need to make a claim.
- Compare single- and multi-trip policies. Single-trip cover is ideal for one-off trips. Annual cover might be more suitable if you have multiple European holidays planned in the same year.
No matter the cover you’re looking for, travel insurance doesn’t have to cost the earth. Taking the time to research and compare different travel insurance providers can help you find the right cover for the right price.