Travel insurance: when is it mandatory and how much does it cost in 2026

Updated in April 2026. Travel insurance is one of the most underestimated items by Brazilians. Many people think it's a waste — until they need medical assistance abroad, where a simple consultation costs $200-500 and a surgery can exceed $50,000. Here’s what you need to know about requirements, coverage, and costs in 2026.

In which countries is travel insurance mandatory?

32 countries require travel insurance for Brazilians in 2026. The main ones:

🇪🇺 Schengen Area (Europe — 26 countries)

Minimum coverage: €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Bytugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Sweden.

🇨🇺 Cuba

Requires any internationally valid medical coverage. Without insurance, you may be barred at immigration or forced to purchase it on the spot.

🇻🇳 Vietnam

Strong recommendation. Mandatory for a 90-day tourist visa.

🇷🇺 Russia

Minimum medical coverage of €30,000. Required in the visa application process.

Other countries that require:

Antarctica (for tourism), Ecuador, Turkey (for some visas), Bolivia (for certain modalities), Uzbekistan, Belarus, Moldova.

Countries that DO NOT require but are highly recommended

• United States: extremely high healthcare costs. Emergency room: $1,000-5,000 just for the consultation.
• Japan: basic consultation ¥10,000-30,000 (R$ 300-1,000). Hospitalization: thousands of reais per day.
• Canada: no public healthcare for foreigners — hospitals can charge CAD 1,500 per day.
• Australia/New Zealand: expensive healthcare for tourists.
• Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia): motorcycle accidents are common.

How much does travel insurance cost in 2026?

Prices vary by destination, age, and type of coverage. Average range per day:

For a 10-day trip to Europe, expect to pay R$ 150-300. It's a small cost compared to the risks.

Essential coverages

Mandatory to validate at immigration

• Medical and hospital expenses (minimum €30,000 Schengen)
• Medical repatriation (medical flight back to Brazil if necessary)
• Funeral repatriation (in case of death)

Highly recommended

• Trip cancellation — reimburses if you need to cancel for a serious reason
• Loss/delay of baggage — reimbursement if your luggage goes missing
• Flight delay — reimbursement for extra expenses
• Legal assistance — in case of legal issues abroad
• Extreme sports — if you ski, dive, trek (NOT all insurances cover)

Useful

• Coverage for car rental (CDW)
• Dental expenses
• Medications
• Medical transfer

Does credit card cover travel insurance?

It depends. Premium cards (Visa Infinite, Mastercard Black, Amex Platinum) include travel insurance in the annual fee. But:

• You need to purchase the ticket with the card itself
• The coverage may be less than required by Schengen (€30,000)
• Call the provider before traveling to activate
• Keep the written proof (immigration may ask for it)

Tip: if your card covers it, get extra insurance for cancellation + baggage coverage. More comprehensive.

How to purchase insurance

1. Compare on Best Destinations, Seguros Promo, or directly with insurers
2. Choose the destination and dates
3. Analyze: medical coverage, cancellation, baggage
4. Read the exclusions (pre-existing conditions, sports, pregnancy)
5. Purchase online and keep the voucher (print + save on your phone)

Tips to save

• Compare at least 3 insurers: prices vary 40-60% for the same destination/coverage
• Annual multi-trip insurance: if you travel 2+ times/year, an annual plan is cheaper
• Discounts for groups/family: up to 20% off in some cases
• Upfront payment: usually 5-10% discount
• Coupons: sites like Best Destinations offer coupons for 20-40% off

What NOT to do

• Buy the cheapest without reading: may exclude essential coverage (e.g., pregnancy)
• Leave it to the last minute: some insurances do not cover if purchased on the day of the flight
• Think the card is enough: coverage may be insufficient for Schengen
• Lie when purchasing: pre-existing conditions may invalidate the insurance in a claim

Documentation check for immigration

Upon arriving in Schengen, have on hand (physical or digital):

• Travel insurance policy (with minimum coverage €30,000)
• Summary in English or the country's language (most provide this)
• 24-hour contact for the insurer

Immigration does not always ask, but if they do, having everything organized avoids stress.

See also

• Complete checklist: what to do before traveling
• 15 countries without a visa for Brazilians
• How to get a Brazilian passport in 2026

Source: Panrotas, Best Destinations, Itamaraty.