Best Travel Insurance in Europe 2025: Complete Guide
Travel insurance is essential for any trip outside your home country — and even within Europe, comprehensive coverage goes beyond what your EHIC card provides. In 2025, the best travel insurance plans for European residents combine medical emergency coverage, trip cancellation protection, and lost luggage compensation.
💡 Important: Your EHIC card covers only state-provided healthcare in EU countries. It does NOT cover medical repatriation (which can cost €10,000–€50,000), trip cancellation, or lost baggage.
What Does Travel Insurance Cover?
Medical Emergency Coverage
The most critical element of any travel insurance policy. Look for a minimum of €5 million medical coverage for trips outside the EU, and €500,000 for trips within Europe. Ensure coverage includes emergency dental treatment, medical repatriation, and hospital accommodation costs.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Reimburses non-refundable costs if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, family emergency, or other covered reasons. The best policies cover up to 150% of your total trip cost to account for additional expenses incurred during interruption.
Lost Luggage and Personal Belongings
Covers replacement costs for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items. Look for policies with individual item limits of at least €500 for electronics and jewellery.
Top Travel Insurance Providers 2025
| Provider | Single Trip | Annual Policy | Medical Cover | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Travel | From €15 | From €80/yr | €10M | ⭐ 4.7 |
| Allianz Travel | From €18 | From €95/yr | €10M | ⭐ 4.6 |
| Europ Assistance | From €22 | From €110/yr | €5M | ⭐ 4.4 |
| ERV (Munich Re) | From €16 | From €85/yr | €10M | ⭐ 4.5 |
Tips for Getting the Best Travel Insurance
- Buy annual multi-trip policies: If you travel more than twice per year, an annual policy is almost always cheaper.
- Check credit card coverage: Many premium credit cards include basic travel insurance — check before purchasing separately.
- Declare pre-existing conditions: Failure to declare can invalidate your entire policy.
- Compare excess amounts: A higher excess lowers your premium but increases your out-of-pocket costs for claims.