The difference between travel and international health insurance is one of the most confusing topics this article aims to demystify. There are significant differences in costs, range of cover, and length of cover.
What’s the difference between travel health insurance and international health insurance?
There are two types of health insurance that are most relevant for digital nomads and other long-term travelers: Travel Health Insurance and International Health Insurance.
They sound very similar, but there are some important differences between these two types of insurance. This article explains and compares both types of insurance, so you can decide which one is right for you.
⏳ Travel Health Insurance: A Temporary Add-On
Travel health insurance is designed to cover you while you're temporarily away from home. It's meant to “top up” your existing local health insurance (or access to the public health system in your home country) by adding more international coverage.
Key Characteristics of Travel Health Insurance
- Not a replacement for long-term health insurance
- Limited duration (from a few days up to 6 months or 1 year)
- Limited or no coverage in your home country
- Coverage often ends when you return home or are medically transported home
- May have significant exclusions (e.g. some plans might not cover cancer)
- Usually, it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions or ongoing treatments
When Travel Health Insurance is suitable
Travel health insurance is ideal if you plan to travel abroad, and you'll maintain long-term health insurance or access to public healthcare in your home country.
💎 International Health Insurance: Comprehensive Global Coverage
International Health Insurance (also known as international private medical insurance), is long-term, comprehensive health insurance suitable for people who don’t have any other health cover.
International health insurance is similar to (and can be a replacement for) typical local health insurance.
Key Characteristics of International Health Insurance
- Can replace local health insurance
- Long-term coverage (typically one-year minimum, no maximum length or age limit after joining)
- May include cover for preventive care (e.g. check-ups, vaccinations, cancer screenings)
- Often includes or offers add-ons for dental and vision care
- May cover pre-existing conditions (if approved during sign-up)
🛟 Travel health insurance with Genki
Genki Explorer
- Who is this for: Short-term travelers and digital nomads with long-term health coverage at home.
- Region of cover: Worldwide. Every single country. Depending on your travel plans, you can choose to have full or limited cover in the USA & Canada.
- Home country: Your chosen home country should be a country where you have no visa restriction and access to long-term health coverage, like local health insurance or the public health system. However, visiting friends and family is covered for up to 42 consecutive days within 180 days.
- Inclusions & exclusions: Medical emergencies and medically necessary treatments (ear infection, flu), initial mental health issues, and sports injuries are covered. Pre-existing conditions and pre-existing pregnancies are not covered. See all benefits.
- Monthly costs: Genki Explorer starts from €48.30 a month (prices for ages 0-29). The monthly costs depend on the chosen deductible, and if you want to include or exclude the USA & Canada.
☂️ International health insurance with Genki
Genki Native
- Who is this for: Digital nomads, expats, and other long-term travelers who want complete health cover.
- Region of cover: Worldwide (limited in Canada & USA).
- Period of cover: As long as you want. Life-long if you wish. The minimum contract is 1 year with a monthly payment plan.
- Home country: Genki Native is available for people from every country (even nomads without any legal residence). You can choose to have limited or full cover in your country of citizenship.
- Genki Native Basic: Genki Native Basic covers necessary medical treatment (inpatient and outpatient treatments) at any licensed doctor or hospital up to €1,000,000 per year. That includes accidents and emergencies, as well as common illnesses and injuries.
- Genki Native Premium: Genki Native Premium also covers preventive care/check-ups, plus dental, vision, maternity, mental health, and more. Genki Native Premium has no overall limit for medical costs and also includes full cover in your country of citizenship.
- Monthly costs: Genki Native starts from €180 a month (prices for ages 20-34). The monthly costs depend on the result of a medical questionnaire, your age, the chosen deductible, and the region of cover (incl. or excl. USA and Canada).
Sarah Kuhlemann
Sarah
