Health insurance considerations for digital nomads in Europe
Europe is a popular region for digital nomads because of the Schengen Area’s shared travel zone and the ease of moving between countries by train or short flights. Healthcare systems, however, differ widely across Europe, so many travellers review health insurance options before longer stays or multi-country trips.
Here are a few reasons why insurance plays a role for digital nomads in Europe:
- Different hospital practices: Private hospitals in some European countries may request upfront payment from visitors, especially for outpatient or specialist care.
- Schengen visa requirement: Entry on a Schengen visa requires proof of medical coverage of at least €30,000, which many travellers factor into their planning.
- Cross-border mobility: Moving between several countries means encountering different healthcare systems, cost structures, and administrative rules.
- Public system limitations: Access to public healthcare varies. EU citizens with EHIC/GHIC typically receive basic public services, while non-EU citizens usually rely on private care.
- Varied activities: Many nomads spend time skiing, hiking, surfing, or using scooters, and medical costs for injuries can differ significantly between countries.
💡 In summary, health insurance is relevant for digital nomads in Europe due to entry regulations, differing healthcare systems, and the possibility of paying medical bills upfront when using private hospitals.
Travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance in Europe
Many travellers arrive in Europe with standard travel insurance, which is generally structured for short holidays. Digital nomad insurance, by contrast, is typically designed for longer stays and multi-country travel. The differences below can be useful for remote workers planning extended time in Europe:
- Length of stay: Travel insurance often has fixed trip durations, while some long-term policies allow ongoing monthly or annual coverage.
- Documentation needs: For travellers entering Europe on a Schengen visa, insurance must show at least €30,000 in medical coverage. Some long-stay policies can provide certificates that meet common visa documentation formats, but acceptance always depends on the specific embassy or consulate.
- Buying abroad: Many travel insurance products must be purchased before departure, whereas some long-term policies can be started or renewed while already in Europe.
- Coverage structure: Travel insurance tends to focus on major emergencies and short-term incidents. Longer-stay policies may include additional benefits such as doctor visits, diagnostics, or prescription coverage, depending on the provider.
- Activities: Coverage for activities varies widely. Policies may have different rules for winter sports, water sports, or other common hobbies around Europe.
For a deeper breakdown, check out our full guide on travel insurance vs digital nomad insurance.
Genki Traveler for digital nomads in Europe
Genki Traveler is an international medical plan used by many long-term travellers. It provides health-focused coverage for unexpected illnesses and injuries and can be used while moving between countries in Europe and beyond.
Key features of Genki Traveler
- Monthly price: From €52.50 / month
- Coverage limit: Up to €1,000,000 per insurance year
- Deductible: €50 per insurance case
- Medical treatment: Outpatient visits, hospitalization, prescribed diagnostics (CT, MRI, X-ray, ECG/EKG, PET), prescribed surgery, medication, and medical devices
- Dental after accidents: Up to €1,000 per case
- Sports & activities: Includes many common sports such as climbing, cycling, diving, hiking, kitesurfing, skiing, and snowboarding (conditions apply to high-risk activities)
- Home-country coverage: Up to 6 weeks per stay, emergency medical treatment only
Other benefits
- Physiotherapy: Up to 6 sessions per case
- Telemedicine consultations
- Emergency transport: Ambulance transport by road, air, water, or rail
- 24/7 emergency assistance with direct billing for inpatient care at partner hospitals
- USA/Canada: Includes 7 days per stay of emergency-only coverage, with an option to upgrade to full coverage
- Repatriation: Covered when medically necessary, using any suitable vehicle, including air ambulance
- Family visit: Travel and accommodation benefits for a family member in life-threatening emergencies (up to €5,000 per case)
Exclusions (high-level overview)
Genki excludes pre-existing conditions, non-accident dental treatment, alternative and mental health care, maternity care, preventive care, rehabilitative care (except post-hospital transfer), search and rescue, trekking above 4,000 m, professional sports, and certain high-risk activities listed in the policy summary.
SafetyWing Essential is an international plan used by travellers and remote workers who move between countries for extended periods. It combines medical coverage with several travel-related benefits and can be used throughout Europe and beyond.
Key features of SafetyWing Essential
- Price: From US$56.28 per 4 weeks
- Coverage limit: Up to US$250,000 per policy period
- Deductible: No deductible outside the United States
- Medical treatment: Hospital stays, surgeries, medications, anesthesia, ICU, recovery room, medical supplies, labs, oxygen, and diagnostic tests (X-ray, CT, MRI, blood work) when medically necessary
- Dental after accidents: Up to US$1,000
- Physiotherapy/chiropractic: Up to 3 visits per injury/illness without referral (additional visits require referral)
- Prescription drugs: Covered for up to 60 days per prescription
- Sports & activities: Injuries from leisure sports covered up to US$250,000 (conditions apply); motor vehicle accidents covered when licensed, using safety equipment, and not intoxicated
- Home-country coverage: Emergency medical treatment during temporary visits (up to 30 days per 90-day period, or 15 days for U.S. citizens), with documentation required
Other benefits
- Travel protection: Lost checked luggage (up to US$3,000, max US$500 per item), trip interruption, travel delay, and arrangements after death
- Evacuation: Up to US$100,000 (medical) and US$10,000 (local unrest), lifetime limits
- Repatriation: One-way ticket to home country after a life-threatening medical event (up to US$5,000)
- Add-ons: Optional US coverage, Adventure Sports, and Electronics Theft
Exclusions (high-level overview)
SafetyWing excludes pre-existing conditions (except emergency stabilization), treatment not considered medically necessary, pregnancy and childbirth except complications, preventive and routine care, cosmetic treatment, and experimental or investigational services.The policy also excludes coverage for certain high-risk situations, injuries related to unlawful activities, incidents in the U.S. without the U.S. add-on, and claims submitted outside the required timeframe.
Genki Traveler vs SafetyWing Essential in Europe (2025)
Which plan has higher medical coverage?
- Genki Traveler: Up to €1,000,000 per insurance year
- SafetyWing Essential: Up to US$250,000 per policy period
Which plan has a deductible?
- Genki Traveler: €50 per insurance case
- SafetyWing Essential: No deductible outside the United States
Which plan includes travel extras?
- Genki Traveler: Health-only plan without travel-related extras
- SafetyWing Essential: Includes benefits such as lost checked luggage, trip interruption, travel delay, and certain evacuation arrangements
Which activities are covered?
- Genki Traveler: Includes many common sports and outdoor activities, with conditions for high-risk activities
- SafetyWing Essential: Covers many leisure activities; certain higher-risk sports may require the Adventure Sports add-on
How are hospital payments handled?
- Genki Traveler: Offers direct billing for inpatient care with partner hospitals
- SafetyWing Essential: Payment may involve paying upfront and requesting reimbursement, depending on the situation
In summary
➡️ Genki Traveler is a medical-focused plan with a high annual coverage limit, a fixed €50 deductible per case, and features such as direct billing for inpatient care and coverage for many common activities.
➡️ SafetyWing Essential combines medical coverage with travel-related benefits like lost checked luggage and trip interruption, and includes a no-deductible structure outside the U.S. along with optional add-ons for sports and electronics.
Insurance requirements for Schengen & European visas
Travellers entering Europe on a Schengen visa must show proof of medical coverage of at least €30,000, a requirement set by the Schengen states for short-stay entry. The published coverage limits of Genki Traveler and SafetyWing Essential both exceed this threshold.
For European digital nomad visas, insurance expectations can differ by country and may include broader inpatient and outpatient coverage, limited or no deductibles, or additional documentation. Many applicants consider more comprehensive international plans for these programs, such as Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, and then check the specific acceptance criteria with the relevant embassy or consulate.
Popular European digital nomad visa destinations include Spain, Portugal, Estonia, and Croatia. You can find detailed overviews in our country-specific insurance guides linked below.
What digital nomads should know about health insurance in Europe
Healthcare standards are generally high across Europe, but the way systems operate can differ significantly by country. These differences are useful for digital nomads to understand when planning longer stays or moving between regions.
- Public vs private healthcare: Many Western European countries have established public systems that may require reimbursement procedures, while private care is common in parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Costs, waiting times, and language accessibility can vary by region.
- EHIC/GHIC limitations: EU and UK citizens can use the EHIC/GHIC for basic public services, but it does not apply to private hospitals, repatriation, or many specialist treatments. Visitors without these cards typically rely on private medical care.
- Schengen 90-day rule: Travellers staying in Europe on a tourist basis can spend up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Insurance must remain valid throughout, including when entering or leaving non-Schengen countries such as the UK or parts of the Balkans.
- Activities and seasons: Europe offers a wide range of seasonal activities, such as skiing, surfing, hiking, and diving, each with different risk levels and potential healthcare needs. Coverage for these activities varies between insurance products.
- Language and documentation: Larger cities often have English-speaking medical staff, but this can be less common in rural areas. Keeping both digital and printed copies of insurance documents can simplify communication during medical visits.
- Cost variation: Medical costs differ widely across Europe. A consultation in one country may be relatively low-cost, while the same service in another can be significantly more expensive.
Final summary
Choosing insurance for Europe often involves reviewing how different plans align with the length of your stay, the countries you plan to visit, and any visa requirements. Travellers commonly compare coverage limits, deductibles, activity rules, and whether a plan focuses purely on medical care or also includes travel-related benefits.
General considerations for digital nomads in Europe
- Genki Traveler: has a medical-focused structure, high annual medical limit, €50 deductible per case, and the inclusion of direct billing for inpatient care at partner hospitals.
- SafetyWing Essential: is a combination of medical benefits with travel-related features (such as lost luggage and trip interruption), has no-deductible model outside the U.S., and optional add-ons for sports or electronics.
For European digital nomad visas
- Some digital nomad visas in Europe, such as those in Spain, Portugal, or Estonia, list specific expectations for insurance, including broader inpatient and outpatient care or limited deductibles.
- Applicants sometimes review comprehensive plans like Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, then verify acceptance directly with the relevant consulate, as requirements differ by country.
📱 Staying connected across borders is also important for many nomads. See our guide to the best eSIMs for Europe for regional options.
