Visa applicants need travel insurance to visit France. U.S. citizens enter without visas but need coverage for medical emergencies and trip disruptions. Plans cost $43 to $171 for a week-long $2,500 trip.
Best Travel Insurance for France
France requires €30,000 travel insurance for visa applicants. U.S. citizens can visit visa-free but need coverage for medical emergencies and trip disruptions.
Find the best travel insurance for France below.
Updated: March 24, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Visa applicants must have travel insurance with €30,000 minimum medical coverage to enter France. U.S. citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
Travel insurance for France costs $43 to $171 for a week-long $2,500 trip. Budget plans meet visa requirements. Premium plans offer higher coverage limits.
MoneyGeek scored IMG LX highest at 89 out of 100. Tin Leg Basic offers the best value at $43 for budget-focused travelers.
Best Travel Insurance Companies and Plans for France
We analyzed travel insurance plans for France using three criteria: cost, coverage and company stability. These five plans balance cost and coverage.
Travelex | Essential | 67 | $62 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
BHTP | ExactCare Value | 69 | $69 | $15,000 | $150,000 |
Tin Leg | Basic | 71 | $43 | $50,000 | $200,000 |
Generali | Standard | 71 | $73 | $50,000 | $250,000 |
IMG | LX | 89 | $171 | $500,000 | $1 million |
IMG LX leads with an 89 score and $500,000 in medical coverage. Tin Leg Basic costs $43 with $50,000 in medical coverage.
Best for Budget-Conscious Travelers
Tin Leg
- Plan: Tin Leg Basic
- Price: $43 for a $2,500 trip
- Emergency medical: $50,000
- Evacuation: $200,000
- Best for: Budget travelers who need Schengen visa-compliant coverage
Best Budget-Friendly Schengen Coverage
Travelex
- Plan: Travelex Essential
- Price: $62 for a $2,500 trip
- Trip cancellation: 100% of trip cost
- Emergency medical: $10,000
- Evacuation: $50,000
- Best for: Visa applicants who want affordable Schengen-compliant coverage
Best for Visa Compliance
BHTP
- Plan: BHTP ExactCare Value
- Price: $69 for a $2,500 trip
- Trip cancellation: $20,000
- Emergency medical: $15,000
- Evacuation: $150,000
- Best for: Visa applicants who want Schengen-compliant coverage
Best Balanced Coverage
Generali Global Assistance
- Plan: Generali Standard
- Price: $73 for a $2,500 trip
- Trip cancellation: $50,000
- Emergency medical: $50,000
- Evacuation: $250,000
- Baggage: $1,000 (no deductible)
- Best for: Travelers who want coverage beyond visa minimums
Best Premium Protection
IMG
- Plan: IMG LX
- Price: $171 for a $2,500 trip
- Trip cancellation: $150,000
- Emergency medical: $500,000
- Evacuation: $1,000,000
- Baggage: $2,500
- Cancel for any reason: Optional upgrade available
- Best for: Travelers who want the highest coverage limits
Travel Insurance Cost Comparison for France
Premiums increase with trip cost. Pricing below is for a 30-year-old California traveler taking a seven-day October trip.
Tin Leg | Basic | $43 | $61 | $97 |
Tin Leg | Platinum | $61 | $80 | $120 |
Travelex | Essential | $62 | $202 | $481 |
World Trips | Escape | $64 | $143 | $300 |
Tin Leg | Economy | $68 | $149 | $311 |
BHTP | ExactCare Value | $69 | $151 | $316 |
Nationwide | Essential | $69 | $215 | $507 |
Generali | Standard | $73 | $140 | $275 |
AXA | Silver | $74 | $132 | $248 |
IMG | Lite | $76 | $162 | $333 |
*Pricing for a 30-year-old California traveler taking a seven-day October trip. Costs rounded to whole dollars.
Higher trip values mean larger reimbursements for cancellations or interruptions. Plans with minimal coverage, like Tin Leg Basic, maintain low premiums across all trip costs. Plans with higher coverage limits show higher price increases.
What Affects Travel Insurance Costs for France?
Travel insurance costs for France vary depending on your trip details and coverage choices. These factors affect your premium.
Family size | Individual plans cost more than family policies | Get single policy covering all travelers |
Booking timing | Purchase within 10–21 days of deposit for pre-existing waivers | Buy early for maximum benefits at same cost |
Add-ons | CFAR adds 40–60% to premium | Skip upgrades you won't use |
Trip cost | $2,500 trip: $43–76; $10,000 trip: $97–507 | Choose coverage matching actual nonrefundable expenses |
Coverage limits | Basic coverage: $43–62; Premium $500,000: $171 | Visa applicants need minimum €30,000. Others choose based on risk tolerance. |
Traveler age | Travelers 60+ pay 50–100% more than younger adults | Compare senior-specific plans for better rates |
Do You Need Travel Insurance for France?
Non-U.S. citizens need Schengen visa insurance with at least €30,000 in medical coverage. U.S. citizens don't need visas for stays under 90 days, but insurance covers costly medical care and trip disruptions.
France's health care is expensive for foreigners. Private clinics require immediate payment. Emergency medical evacuations to the U.S. cost $50,000 or more without insurance.
Trip cancellation coverage protects non-refundable expenses like flights, hotels and prepaid tours if you can't travel due to illness, injury or family emergencies.
What Travel Insurance Covers in France
France travel insurance covers medical emergencies, trip disruptions, lost belongings and evacuation. Budget plans include $10,000 to $50,000 in medical coverage. Premium plans include $100,000 to $500,000.
Cancel for any reason | Optional upgrade that reimburses 50–75% of costs for any reason | 50–75% of trip cost |
Trip cancellation | Prepaid costs if you cancel before departure due to illness, injury, family death or natural disasters | 100% of trip cost |
Trip interruption | Unused costs and return transport if you leave early | 100–150% of trip cost |
Baggage delay | Necessities if luggage is delayed 12–24 hours | $200–750 |
Baggage loss | Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and belongings | $500–3,000 |
Emergency medical | Hospital care, doctor visits, prescriptions and dental emergencies | $10,000–500,000 |
Medical evacuation | Transport to adequate medical facilities or back to the U.S. | $100,000–1 million |
Schengen visa plans require €30,000 minimum medical coverage, emergency evacuation and repatriation coverage valid across all Schengen countries.
Coverage for Common France Travel Scenarios
Transportation strikes
France's train and airline strikes frequently delay departures by six to 12 hours. Trip delay coverage reimburses hotel costs and meals. If strikes force you to return early, trip interruption pays for unused accommodations.
Lost documents
Pickpockets target tourist sites like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower. Travel insurance covers emergency passport replacement costs up to $500, plus cash advances if your wallet is stolen.
Medical evacuations
Serious injuries in rural areas like the French Alps require emergency transport to specialized facilities or repatriation to the U.S. Without coverage, you'll pay tens of thousands for medical evacuation.
Weather disruptions
Winter storms close Alpine ski resorts while heat waves shut down outdoor attractions. Trip cancellation covers prepaid activities. Cancel for any reason coverage offers maximum flexibility.
How to Choose Travel Insurance for France
- 1Match coverage to trip cost
Calculate total nonrefundable expenses (flights, hotels, tours, tickets) and select trip cancellation limits that cover the full amount. Higher trip costs require higher coverage limits.
- 2Consider your visa status and health needs
Visa applicants need minimum €30,000 medical coverage. Visa-exempt travelers choose lower limits based on risk tolerance. Medicare doesn't cover international care, so travelers relying on Medicare need comprehensive medical coverage.
- 3Act fast for pre-existing condition coverage
Most insurers waive pre-existing condition exclusions if you buy within 10 to 21 days of your initial trip deposit. The waiver covers complications from stable conditions. Review eligibility requirements before purchasing.
- 4Add adventure coverage if needed
Standard policies exclude skiing, rock climbing and water sports. If you're heading to the French Alps or participating in adventure activities, choose plans with included adventure coverage (World Nomads, Tin Leg) or add it as an upgrade.
France Travel Insurance: FAQ
Does France require travel insurance?
France requires travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical coverage for Schengen visa applicants. U.S. citizens and other visa-exempt travelers aren't legally required to have insurance but need coverage for medical emergencies and trip protection.
How much does travel insurance for France cost?
Plans cost $43 to $171 for a week-long $2,500 trip. Prices vary by coverage limits and traveler age. Budget plans like Tin Leg Basic start at $43. Premium plans like IMG LX cost $171.
What's the minimum medical coverage for a French visa?
French consulates require €30,000 in medical coverage, including emergency care, hospitalization and medical repatriation. Your policy must cover the entire Schengen area for your complete stay.
Can I buy travel insurance after arriving in France?
Buy before you leave. Most insurers won't sell coverage once you've departed. A few medical-only plans allow post-departure purchase, but you'll lose trip cancellation coverage and pre-existing condition waivers.
Does my health insurance cover me in France?
Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, provide limited or no international coverage. Check with your insurer before traveling and consider supplemental travel medical insurance.
How We Chose the Best France Travel Insurance
MoneyGeek evaluated travel insurance plans for France using a scoring methodology that weighs cost, coverage, company stability and claims service based on importance to travelers.
Cost (40%): Plans with lower premiums for comparable coverage receive higher cost scores. Our cost analysis examined pricing for a standard scenario: a 30-year-old California resident taking a seven-day France trip with $2,500 in trip costs. Lower-cost plans scored up to 100 points, with prices scaled proportionally across all evaluated plans.
Coverage (30%): Emergency medical coverage limits, medical evacuation protection and baggage coverage determine this score. Plans with $50,000 or more in emergency medical coverage and $200,000 or more in evacuation protection scored higher. The coverage score weighs medical and evacuation coverage at 40% each, with baggage protection accounting for 20%.
Company stability and service (30%): Company financial strength comes from AM Best ratings. Claims service quality reflects customer support availability, digital tools and claims processing capabilities. Companies with A- or better ratings and 24/7 support received the highest marks in this category.
Plans scoring 85 or higher offer excellent value. Scores between 70 and 85 offer solid coverage at competitive prices. Below 70, you're getting limited coverage or paying too much.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for almost a decade, first with LendingTree and now with MoneyGeek, conducting original research on hundreds of insurance companies and millions of insurance rates for insurance shoppers.
He writes about economics and insurance on MoneyGeek, breaking down complex topics so people can have confidence in their purchase. Like all MoneyGeek analysts, Mark collects and analyzes independent cost and consumer experience data on insurance companies to provide objective recommendations in our content that are independent of any of MoneyGeek's insurance company partnerships.
His insights on products ranging from car, home and renters insurance to health and life insurance have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among others.
Mark holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He started his career working in financial risk management at State Street before transitioning to the analysis of the personal insurance market. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!