What happens if you don't take out health insurance in the EU?

Medical insurance is one of the most important conditions for a comfortable and safe trip to the EU. Find out how much emergency medical care abroad costs without insurance and what requirements the Schengen area has for insurance policies to avoid being denied entry

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Medical insurance for travelling abroad (travel insurance) is one of the most important conditions for Ukrainians to have a safe and peaceful stay in European Union countries. Although since the introduction of the visa-free regime, an insurance policy is not always formally included in the mandatory list of documents for crossing the border (unlike the visa regime, where it was absolutely necessary), its absence creates a number of serious risks, both legal and financial.

Planning a trip abroad? Get reliable medical insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal.

Official sources and insurance companies, guided by international standards, strongly recommend having a policy that meets the minimum EU requirements.

Legal and migration consequences

Although border controls may be selective, border guards have the right to request documents confirming the purpose of the trip and financial security, which often includes medical insurance.

According to explanations, particularly those related to the introduction of the ETIAS system (which came into effect on 12 October), medical insurance remains a mandatory requirement for entry into many EU member states. Failure to provide proof of insurance may be considered a formal reason for refusing entry into the Schengen area.

Even under the visa-free regime, the policy must meet the minimum requirements set out in the EU Visa Code, namely:

– coverage amount – at least €30,000;

– policy validity – throughout the Schengen Agreement territory;

– risk coverage – emergency assistance, hospitalisation, repatriation (return) to the home country in case of illness or death.

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Catastrophic financial risks

This is the most important aspect, as medical services in EU countries are among the most expensive in the world. If an insured event occurs, all costs, including the organisation of assistance, are borne entirely by the tourist.

Important! If you need emergency medical assistance in Europe and you do not have a policy, you will receive it. However, you will have to pay for it yourself.

The cost of medical services without insurance can reach sky-high amounts:

– ambulance call – from €300 to €1,000;

– a simple appointment with a general practitioner (outpatient) – from €80 to €250;

– a day in hospital – from €400 to €1,500 and above;

– emergency surgery – from €5,000 to €20,000 and above.

– medical evacuation or repatriation (return to home country in a serious condition) – from €10,000 to €30,000 and above.

If a Ukrainian citizen suffers a serious injury that requires hospitalisation for 5 days, surgery and subsequent repatriation, the total bill can easily exceed €15,000 – €20,000. With a policy covering €30,000, these costs are covered by the insurance company. Without insurance, you will have to pay for them out of your own pocket.

According to the official Your Europe portal, if your insurance policy cannot be applied ‘right now’, you may be asked to pay for medical services yourself and then contact your insurance company for reimbursement.

We discussed the most frequently asked questions when applying for medical insurance for travel abroad in our previous article.

Lack of service support

An insurance policy is not just about money, it is about round-the-clock organisational support.

Without insurance, you will have to find a hospital that can admit you and negotiate payment yourself, often in conditions of language barriers and stress caused by illness.

In addition, the policy guarantees assistance services – the insurer provides contact with its assistance company, which:

– answers calls in Ukrainian around the clock;

– quickly arranges an appointment at a medical facility;

– guarantees payment for services to the clinic (or refunds the money if the payment was made independently).

Although for many trips to the EU under the visa-free regime, medical insurance may not be a mandatory requirement for border control, its absence creates direct and uncontrolled financial risks that significantly exceed the cost of the policy itself.

Always take out an insurance policy with coverage of at least €30,000 for the entire period of your stay in the EU to ensure legal certainty at the border and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Important! You can travel to Europe by train, bus or plane from airports closest to the border (you can buy tickets for all types of transport on the Visit Ukraine portal), or by your own transport. However, when travelling by car, please note that you can only leave Ukraine if you have a Green Card motor insurance policy, which guarantees compensation to third parties in the event of an accident (you can also take out insurance via the link on the Visit Ukraine portal).

Photo: Freepik

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Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card – compulsory car insurance for travelling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and planes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch – purchase patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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