Do you need to take out insurance if you are going abroad to receive temporary protection?

Many Ukrainians travel to the EU for temporary protection, but the question of whether it is necessary to take out health insurance for such a trip remains open. We tell you whether you need to take out an insurance policy if you are going abroad to receive temporary protection, which type to choose, and how to quickly purchase insurance through Visit Ukraine

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

BUY

Ukrainians continue to seek safe living conditions abroad due to the war. Most of our fellow citizens choose to move to European countries, where the most common option for legal residence is temporary protection for Ukrainians.

And if in the spring of 2022, most European countries significantly simplified the entry conditions for refugees, in particular, then it was possible to cross the border on the basis of a national passport, now many requirements are returning to the pre-war level. In this regard, those who plan to move to the EU in order to obtain temporary protection have a question - do they need insurance to travel abroad now? We find out further.

Are you planning a trip abroad?

Select and purchase a policy in just a few minutes on the Visit Ukraine portal!

What is temporary protection and how does it work?

Before raising the issue of insurance when traveling abroad to obtain temporary protection, it is important to understand what this program is and what its conditions are.

The temporary protection program is a special legal mechanism that allows Ukrainian citizens to legally stay in EU countries, enjoy basic rights (housing, education, medicine) and receive assistance.

The main countries where this program is currently in effect: Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, etc.

To be eligible for legalization on the basis of temporary protection, Ukrainians must meet the following conditions:

- Have Ukrainian citizenship.

- Permanently resided in Ukraine until February 24, 2022 and left due to the war.

The program also applies to family members of Ukrainian citizens and foreigners who had a residence permit in Ukraine and who cannot safely return to their country due to real danger.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Is medical insurance mandatory when applying for temporary protection?

In most EU countries, health insurance is not included in the list of documents required to obtain temporary protection, given this, you might think that the policy is not a mandatory document for leaving Ukraine, but this is not entirely true, because:

1. EU countries are tightening border control, and even for humanitarian departures they may require an insurance policy. In particular, if you are not traveling as part of an evacuation route, the likelihood that you will be asked for a policy increases, because according to the conditions of visa-free travel, having a travel insurance policy is mandatory for crossing the border.

Let us remind you! An insurance policy is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a visa to most countries in the world. Find out what features and requirements for insurance policies are put forward by different states in order to successfully apply for a visa and protect yourself while traveling.

2. Access to medical care on the basis of temporary protection is possible only after completing the registration procedures, which may take several days. Various incidents occur on the way and during the registration period, and it is important to have insurance so as not to receive medical care at your own expense.

3. If you are traveling with children, the elderly or pregnant women, the lack of insurance is a direct threat to your health, because these categories of people require maximum protection and support for their health during trips and abroad.

Why take out medical insurance before leaving?

Without a medical insurance policy, even a simple doctor's consultation abroad can cost from 50 to 150 euros, an ambulance call - from 800 euros. Hospitalization, diagnostics or operations generally cost thousands of euros.

Also, many drugs in European pharmacies cannot be bought without a doctor's prescription, so even with a simple cold, you will be forced to visit a consultation and pay for it, and then for the medicine.

We have already talked in detail about the cost of medical services abroad in this article.

Many consider local insurance, which is issued already in the EU, to be a good alternative, but it also has certain nuances and disadvantages:

- At the first stage, it has quite limited coverage.

- It is not valid immediately after purchase, usually the next day.

- It costs 2-5 times more than a policy in Ukraine.

At the same time, medical insurance from Visit Ukraine for traveling abroad allows you to: receive assistance without prepayment, compensate for the cost of medicines, have access to partner clinics, avoid unforeseen expenses in a foreign country, etc.

How to quickly and conveniently apply for medical insurance through Visit Ukraine?

Temporary protection is support, but personal safety and health care are your responsibility. To avoid risks and unforeseen expenses abroad, it is worth taking care of protection for yourself and your family in advance. The Visit Ukraine tourist portal offers quick and convenient application of an insurance policy in a few clicks - without queues and paperwork and with many advantages:

- Online service

You can apply for insurance completely online: choosing a policy, paying and receiving an electronic document takes only a few minutes. Confirmation is immediately sent to your email, you can even not print it, but immediately present it at the border or at a medical facility.

- Policy options to choose from

Visit Ukraine offers different types of insurance policies, including:

Travel insurance - basic coverage for crossing the border for the first period of stay abroad. Ideal for short-term trips and departure from Ukraine.

Medical insurance for Ukrainians in the EU – extended coverage taking into account the requirements of the host countries, including outpatient and inpatient care, medications, COVID-19, etc.

This allows you to choose a policy that best meets your needs and plans for your stay abroad.

- Affordable prices

The prices of Visit Ukraine policies are much more favorable than for insurance that can be purchased upon arrival in an EU country. In addition, you avoid waiting, a period of policy inactivity, or denials of medical care.

- Compliance with EU requirements

All policies issued through Visit Ukraine meet the requirements of the EU border services, including the required coverage limits, list of services, and document format. This makes them ideal for leaving Ukraine and applying for temporary protection.

EU countries are tightening border control, and even for humanitarian departures they may require an insurance policy. In addition, local insurance or access to medical services already in the EU is often much more expensive. Therefore, taking out insurance before departure is not only desirable, but also necessary, even if you are traveling to obtain temporary protection.

Take out Visit Ukraine medical insurance right now and set off on a journey calmly and safely - with the certainty that you have reliable support in any situation.

This is the best solution when you need insurance when leaving Ukraine for yourself or for the whole family.

Reminder! Insurance abroad is often a prerequisite for travel, but there are exceptions when you can do without a policy. We have already told you when you can not take out insurance when traveling abroad, what risks the lack of a policy carries and why you should take care of protection in advance.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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 traveling abroad;

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

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

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.