Best Travel Insurance for Europe: Review of Options in Australia [2025]

Whether you’re heading over to enjoy a white Christmas, spend a summer island hopping in the Mediterranean or for an extended months-long adventure across the continent, Europe has much to offer.

Yet while packing and arranging easy access to your funds while abroad are often top of your to-do list, insurance can sometimes be overlooked. However, it should absolutely be arranged before you depart and is arguably equally as important as your passport when travelling. If you’re preparing to go to Europe in the near future but have no idea where to begin with insurance, we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through why travel insurance for Europe is so essential. Covering various insurance providers and types, inclusions and what to watch out for, we’ve got the details you need to find the best travel insurance to Europe for your needs and budget. We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

Do you need travel insurance for Europe?

Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended for Australians visiting Europe. While Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with several European nations, including the UK, Italy, Sweden and Norway, there are no such provisions in many others. Where it is available, it only provides limited access to public healthcare in an emergency and doesn’t cover things like repatriation, private treatment, dental or non-medical issues like lost luggage or cancellations.¹

Additionally, healthcare standards and costs vary significantly across Europe. In some countries, private treatment is the only viable option and emergency care can be extremely expensive, especially if evacuation or specialist treatment is needed. Without insurance, you could face bills in the tens of thousands or have little choice in how or where you are treated. To avoid all of these complications and challenges, comprehensive travel insurance is essential.

What is the best travel insurance for a Europe trip from Australia?

There is no single ‘best’ travel insurance policy for Europe. This is because what is best for each traveller can differ based on several factors, including the traveller's age, planned activities, trip duration, and whether pre-existing conditions need coverage.

To find the right policy for your needs from a reputable insurer, consider the following:

• Ensure your age and trip duration are covered within the policy terms
• Check if the policy includes coverage for any family members traveling with you or if they can be added
• Review how pre-existing conditions are handled and whether they are included, excluded, or require approval to be covered
• Verify which activities are covered and whether additional premiums apply for specific ones
• Determine if an excess applies, how much it is, and when it must be paid
• Check claim limits for hospital care and repatriation to ensure they are sufficient
• Consider the insurer’s customer support options and whether they meet your needs while abroad

How much is travel insurance to Europe?

Similar to the above, the cost of travel insurance for a trip to Europe will vary depending on your trip details and personal coverage needs. For example, insurance for a traveller over 65 with multiple pre-existing medical conditions will generally be more expensive, as will longer trips.

Likewise, a basic policy covering only medical and dental expenses will be more affordable than a comprehensive plan that includes additional protections such as trip cancellations, lost luggage, and adventure activities.

5 Europe insurance travel providers

To help you compare travel insurance for Europe and find the right fit for your needs, we’ve outlined below some available policies with some of Australia’s leading insurers. Whether you’re after cheap travel insurance for Europe or desire optimal coverage at a competitive price, there is no shortage of options to choose from.

To highlight the general differences in coverage between more budget-friendly and more expensive policies, our comparison includes both a basic policy option and a comprehensive plan available with each insurer.

1. Cover-More

With over 35 years in the industry, Cover-More is a dedicated travel insurer that is estimated to insure more than 15 million travellers each year worldwide.² One of the most well-known providers in Australia, they provide:

• Round-the-clock, top-tier emergency medical support with specialised assistance centres in Australia, Argentina, the UK, and Canada
• Customisable travel insurance plans with flexible coverage limits and optional add-ons
• Multiple policy tiers designed to accommodate different budgets and coverage preferences.

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 22 July 2025

2. Budget Direct

Providing a range of insurance products from home to car, pet and travel, Budget Direct advertise as offering award-winning insurance for less.⁴ Benefits of their travel insurance include:

• 24/7 medical and emergency assistance plus access to a network of doctors, nurses, case managers and travel agents
• Options to customise and upgrade cover to best suit your unique travel needs
• Online discounts and easy online claims submission

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 22 July 2025

3. Allianz

Offering insurance across several industries, Allianz has been operating in Australia for over 100 years and is a preferred insurer with Westpac bank.⁶ Highly experienced in this field, their travel insurance offers:

• Various policy levels designed to match different budgets and coverage preferences
• Built-in coverage for a broad range of activities
• Flexible options to adjust item limits and customise coverage to suit your needs

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 22 July 2025

4. BUPA Travel Insurance

Offering award-winning travel insurance, BUPA, while better known for private health insurance within Australia, provides travellers with⁸:

• Medical assistance from in-house doctors, nurses and case managers, available 24/7
• A 21-day cooling off period post policy purchase
• Adjustable cancellation cover to suit your trip costs

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 22 July 2025

5. Insure&Go Australia

As online travel insurance specialists, Insure&Go won the Finder 2024 Award for ‘Trusted Brand - Travel Insurance’.¹⁰ They offer:

• Access to an expansive 24/7 global emergency assistance network
• Three tiers of coverage to select from to suit your requirements
• Easy online claims submission with support by chat or email as needed

Please note: Coverage limits are subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions as outlined in the PDS.

As seen 22 July 2025

Things to keep in mind

• Travelling outside the Schengen zone in Europe? Travel insurance providers may zone coverage based on which countries are part of the Schengen agreement and which are not, so be sure all your destinations are included within your policy.
• Policy Excess. Often required to be paid upfront when making a claim, opting for a higher excess can reduce the policy premium, just ensure it's an amount you can afford to pay in an emergency.
• Coverage for Activities. Standard policies may not cover activities like skiing, snowboarding, or riding mopeds/motorcycles. Check if you need an add-on for these based on your travel plans.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions. Always disclose any existing medical conditions upfront as some may require approval and additional premium to be covered or be excluded altogether.
• Purchase Early. For many, a Europe trip represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a huge expense. Ensuring you purchase a policy, with cancellation cover, as early as possible can help protect you against loss if anything unexpected occurs.

Heading to Europe? Get more EUR for your AUD with the Wise card

When planning your trip, it's crucial to consider how you'll spend in Europe. High foreign transaction fees or unfavorable exchange rates can quickly inflate your travel costs. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 7x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

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