Do I need travel insurance for Germany?
It’s important to get travel insurance whenever you travel abroad and Germany is no exception. A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can give you access to some healthcare, but travel insurance could cover private treatment. And if you have a medical emergency, travel insurance can cover the cost of getting you back to the UK.
Travel insurance could also cover your belongings for damage or theft. And depending on your policy, it may allow you to claim back the cost of the holiday if you need to cancel or cut short your trip.
Customers with pre-existing medical conditions
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Whatever happens, tell your insurance provider the truth. If you give false information or miss something out, your claim could be rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers that will cover them with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of insurance providers who may be able to provide quotes over the phone. You can call them on 0800 138 7777.
How much is travel insurance for Germany?
How much you pay for your travel insurance for Germany will depend on your age, how long you’re going for, your medical history and how much cover you need.
What you plan to do on your trip will also impact the price. For example, if you’re planning on skiing in the Bavarian Alps or canoeing on the Schleswig-Holstein Lakes, you may need to add extra cover to your policy.
What will Germany travel insurance cover?
A good travel insurance policy should include:
Medical cover – you’d be surprised how expensive medical costs abroad can be. They can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds, so make sure you’ve got enough cover. A policy that includes repatriation could cover the costs of getting you back to the UK for treatment if necessary.
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and passports – crime rates in Germany are similar to those in the UK. Be careful with your belongings, especially in larger cities such as Berlin and Hamburg or busy events like crowded Christmas markets.
Cancellations and delays – if your holiday is cancelled, delayed or cut short because you fall ill or suffer a bereavement, for example, you could claim back your costs.
Cancelled flights – check exactly what’s covered as missed connections aren’t always included in a standard policy.
Cruising up the River Rhine or the Kiel Canal? You should opt for cruise travel insurance as this provides cover for some situations that you’ll only encounter on a cruise, such as being confined to your cabin or shore excursions being cancelled. Some cruise lines insist on passengers having cruise travel insurance in place.
What won’t Germany travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance policies vary, but there are a few common exclusions to check for:
Pre-existing medical conditions – that you haven’t told the insurance provider about. If you want treatment for any pre-existing conditions to be covered, your travel insurance is likely to cost more.
Injuries or accidents resulting from high-risk activities – Germany isn’t particularly known for adventure sports, but you can arrange winter sports, sky-diving, paragliding and bungee-jumping experiences. If you decide to try any extreme sports, you may have to add additional cover to your policy.
Incidents related to alcohol – Berlin is famous for its nightlife, and Munich’s Oktoberfest is one of Europe’s most popular drinking festivals. If you’re injured or lose something as a result of being under the influence, your claim will likely be rejected.
Travel to regions the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recommends avoiding – this may be because of epidemics or terrorism threats. The FCDO doesn’t advise avoiding travel to Germany, but lists the terrorism threat as likely. Get the latest FCDO advice for Germany
Natural disasters – these are thankfully rare in Germany, although parts of the country suffered catastrophic flooding in 2021. Most trips are trouble free though. Depending on your level of cover, you may not be covered against natural disasters.
What else should I consider when I choose my travel insurance?
There are a few things to think about when choosing your policy. For example:
Check your single-item limit. This is the maximum you can claim for any one item. You’ll want to make sure it’s high enough to cover the cost of replacing any big-ticket items, such as laptops or jewellery.
Do you want a single-trip or annual multi-trip policy? If you plan on travelling a lot, a 12-month policy could well be cheaper and will save you the hassle of buying different policies.
Travelling for work? You may need business travel insurance. This could protect you from missed flights and protect expensive equipment, such as work phones and laptops.
Planning to spend longer in Germany? It may be that you need backpacker insurance, which will typically offer 12-18 months’ cover.
Check which activities your policy excludes, as you’ll likely need extra cover for water or winter sports.
Do I need a visa for Germany?
If you’re a UK citizen, you don’t need a visa to travel to Germany. That’s unless you’re planning to stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period.
The EU is introducing its new Entry/Exit System (EES). Under the EES, your fingerprints and photo may be taken the first time you enter the Schengen area.
The new system will replace the old method of stamping passports.
From 2027, you’ll also need to adhere to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
Before travelling, you'll need to complete an application online, provide some basic personal and travel details, and pay a €20 fee. Without this authorisation, entry to Germany and other Schengen countries won’t be permitted.
More details about the entry requirements for Germany can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Any other tips for travel to Germany?
GHIC/EHIC – when travelling to Germany, you should take either a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which you can get free from the NHS. These give you access to the same state-provided medical treatment German citizens are entitled to. It’s not an alternative to travel insurance, however, and ideally you’ll have both in place.
Currency – the local currency in Germany is the euro.
Tipping – while tipping is quite common in Germany, it’s only really done as a sign of appreciation, rather than expectation. As a rule of thumb, a 5-10% tip at a restaurant is considered reasonable.
Jaywalking – in Germany, it’s illegal to cross a pedestrian crossing when the red light is on. If you do, you could be fined.
Where can I compare travel insurance quotes?
Compare travel insurance deals with our easy-to-use comparison service to help you get the right cover for your trip.
Looking for a quote?
Get a new travel insurance quote in minutes to see if you can save.
Get a quote
With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
