Travel insurance or international health insurance: what’s the difference?
Are you planning a stay abroad and wondering which type of insurance to choose? Between the travel insurance offered when booking a flight and international health insurance, the difference is not always easy to understand.
Yet these two types of insurance are designed to meet very different needs. Length of stay, level of cover, healthcare expenses, traveller profile… each solution has its own specific features.
Here is a guide to help you understand the differences and choose the cover that best suits your plans.
Travelling abroad: am I already covered by my health insurance?
Before considering additional insurance, it is important to remember one key point: your national health insurance scheme does not provide the same level of protection everywhere in the world.
🇫🇷 In France for example, the French national health insurance system (Assurance Maladie) may reimburse some healthcare costs incurred abroad, depending on the country and the agreements in place. Within the European Union, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) also makes it easier to access certain types of healthcare.
🇨🇭 In Switzerland, compulsory health insurance under the LAMal system also provides limited cover outside Switzerland. However, reimbursement is often capped and may quickly prove insufficient in countries where medical costs are particularly high, such as Canada, Japan or Australia.
In many countries, you may also be required to pay medical expenses upfront, sometimes involving substantial amounts. A simple consultation can cost several hundred euros, while a hospital stay can run into tens of thousands.
Health emergencies don’t stop at borders.
A stomach bug in Bali, appendicitis in Canada or a broken bone while trekking in New Zealand can quickly turn a trip into a financial headache without suitable insurance.
That is precisely the purpose of international insurance: to protect policyholders wherever they go. Rather than being tied to a single country, it provides mobile protection that follows you through your travels, business trips, expatriation or changes of residence, anywhere in the world depending on your chosen area of cover.
Travel insurance: ideal protection for a temporary stay
Travel insurance is designed for temporary trips lasting less than 365 days. Whether you are going on holiday, taking a sightseeing trip, travelling for business or setting off on an extended journey around the world, it protects you against the main unexpected events that may occur before or during your trip.
It generally covers: 
- emergency medical expenses abroad;
- medical repatriation;
- 24/7 assistance;
- personal liability abroad;
- travel-related benefits, such as cancellation, curtailment, transport delays, and lost or delayed luggage, depending on the policy.
It is particularly suitable for:
- holidaymakers;
- occasional travellers;
- people taking a one-off business trip;
- travellers taking a round-the-world trip lasting less than a year;
- tourists who need to obtain a Schengen visa.
A practical example
Camille travels to Costa Rica for three weeks. A few days after arriving, she develops a serious infection requiring hospital treatment.
Her travel insurance covers her medical expenses and, if necessary, arranges her repatriation. Where the situation warrants it, it may also enable her to receive treatment in another country if this provides access to more appropriate medical care. She therefore benefits from protection throughout her trip, wherever she may be.
International health insurance: healthcare cover that follows you around the world
International health insurance goes much further.
Rather than only covering travel-related emergencies, it is designed to cover your broader healthcare expenses, much like health insurance in your country of residence.
It is intended for people who live, work or spend extended periods abroad, generally for more than 365 days.
Depending on the plan selected, it may cover:
- GP consultations;
- specialist appointments;
- medical examinations and tests;
- hospital treatment;
- medication;
- maternity care;
- dental care;optical care;
- preventive healthcare and many other benefits.
Unlike standard travel insurance, international health insurance is designed to support your everyday healthcare needs while living internationally. Whether you move from one country to another, travel for business or regularly visit different destinations, your cover follows you in accordance with the terms of your policy and your chosen geographical area of cover.
It is particularly suitable for:
- expatriates;
- international workers;
- employees on international assignments;
- entrepreneurs and freelancers working abroad;
- international students;
- families living outside their home country.
A practical example
Thomas moves to Singapore for two years for work. During this period, he visits a GP and a dermatologist, undergoes medical tests and receives regular medical care.
His international health insurance covers his healthcare needs and continues to protect him when he travels to other countries, whether for business or leisure.
Travel insurance or international health insurance: how do you choose?
The right choice primarily depends on your plans:
✈️ Holiday or stay of less than 365 days → Travel insurance
🧳 Sightseeing trip or tour → Travel insurance
💼 One-off business trip → Travel insurance
🇪🇺 Schengen visa → Travel insurance
📦 Expatriation → International health insurance
📬 Moving abroad → International health insurance
🌎 Working internationally → International health insurance
👪 Family living abroad → International health insurance
In short:
- Travelling for less than 365 days? Travel insurance is generally the most suitable option. However, make sure you compare the benefits offered. Insurance provided when booking a flight or holiday often comes with limited cover, lower reimbursement limits or fewer benefits than a specialist travel insurance policy.
- Planning to live internationally for more than 365 days? International health insurance is generally the more suitable option. Unlike cover limited to a single country or trip, it is designed to protect policyholders throughout their travels and provide continuous cover within their chosen geographical area.
A few real-life examples
- You are spending a month exploring Japan: Travel insurance can provide effective protection against unexpected medical expenses and other incidents that may occur during your stay.
- You are moving to Dubai for several years: You will need comprehensive international health insurance to cover your day-to-day healthcare needs, while also ensuring you remain protected during business trips and personal travel.
- You regularly travel to different countries for work: International health insurance designed for professionals may offer greater flexibility than taking out multiple travel insurance policies, while providing continuous cover.
- You are spending a semester studying abroad: Depending on the length of your stay and your circumstances, international health insurance can provide comprehensive cover throughout your time abroad. In many cases, proof of adequate health insurance is also required to enrol at an educational institution overseas.
Golden Care’s international insurance solutions
For almost 40 years, Golden Care has been supporting people who live, work and travel around the world with comprehensive solutions specifically designed for international mobility.
For annual international health cover
Golden Care offers three main ranges:
| Everi Cover Line
A flexible and customisable solution for individuals and families. |
MENA EveriCover Line
Specifically designed for people living or working in the Middle East and North Africa. |
Executive Cover Line
Designed for policyholders looking for a high level of protection and particularly comprehensive benefits. |
All these solutions share the same principle: providing international health cover designed to support you in your everyday life, wherever life takes you.
For stays of less than 365 days
Golden Care also offers two short-term solutions:
- TravelCover Schengen, designed for travellers who need to obtain a Schengen visa;
- TravelCover Worldwide, designed for temporary travel anywhere in the world.
These plans provide protection throughout your stay, including cover for medical expenses, assistance and repatriation, so you can travel with greater peace of mind.
In conclusion…
Travel insurance and international health insurance share the same goal: to protect you when you are away from home, while international health insurance can also strengthen your protection when you are in your usual country of residence.
The main differences lie in the length of time you spend abroad, the level of cover you need and your international lifestyle.
Because your healthcare needs do not stop at a border, your protection should not stop there either. Whether you are travelling for a few weeks or moving abroad for several years, choosing the right cover means being able to travel, live or work internationally with genuine peace of mind.
You may be interwsted in these posts
Digital nomad: how to choose health insurance that suits your lifestyle
Working from a café in Lisbon in the morning, heading to Bangkok a few weeks later, spending the winter in Bali, then returning to Europe to visit family… The digital nomad lifestyle is attracting more and more freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners. This geographical freedom opens up extraordinary opportunities. Discovering new cultures, regularly […]
How do you deal with an accident or illness when on holiday abroad?
An accident or illness in the middle of your holiday can quickly become a real headache for both your organisation and your budget. Between the cost of medical care, the language barrier and the lack of reference points, travellers who have not taken out international health insurance before going on holiday abroad are often at […]
