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- Schengen visa minimum
- 30,000 euros medical
- EHIC
- EU and some European countries only
- Currency
- Euro
- Emergency
- 112
If you come from outside the EU, buy travel medical insurance before you fly, and EKTA is our first pick for a quick online quote. Your home health plan or Medicare will usually not pay for care in Slovakia, and the EHIC card is only for EU and some European countries.
Slovakia is in the Schengen Area. Travellers who need a Schengen visa must show medical insurance that meets the Schengen minimum, which is 30,000 euros of cover. Visa-free visitors are not required to show it at the border, but a hospital bill without cover can be large.
Here is how to choose a policy and what to look for.
Top picks at a glance
Key takeaways
- Your home health plan, and US Medicare, generally do not cover treatment in Europe.
- Schengen visa applicants must hold medical insurance of at least 30,000 euros.
- Visa-free visitors are not usually asked for proof but should buy cover anyway.
- Check cover for repatriation, pre-existing conditions and activities like hiking and skiing.
- Keep your policy and emergency number accessible offline.
Best ways to insure a trip to Slovakia from outside the EU, ranked
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Our top pick1
EKTA travel insurance
Best overallBest for: Visitors who need quick online cover
EKTA offers travel insurance quotes online for trips to Europe, with medical cover and options for different trip lengths. Check that the medical limit meets 30,000 euros if you need a Schengen visa.
Get a quote from EKTA- Quick online quote
- Medical cover options
- Can be bought before you travel
- Check sports and activity exclusions
- Compare limits and excess before buying
- Underwritten by an insurer licensed outside the EU (Union of Comoros); read the policy wording
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2
Policy from your home country insurer
Best for continuityBest for: Travellers who prefer a home insurer
Insurers in the US, UK, Canada and Australia sell policies that cover Europe. They are useful if you already have an account, and claims are in your language and currency.
- Familiar claims process
- Often bundled with cancellation cover
- May cost more
- Check Schengen certificate if you need a visa
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3
Annual multi-trip policy
Best for several tripsBest for: Frequent travellers
Annual policies suit people who visit Europe more than once a year. They usually have a per-trip day limit, so check it against your itinerary.
- Cheaper per trip
- One document
- Per-trip limit
- Sports may cost extra
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4
Credit card travel cover
Check firstBest for: People with confirmed card cover
Premium cards sometimes include medical cover abroad. Read the limits and ask whether it satisfies visa rules and rescue costs.
- No extra purchase if included
- Often secondary or limited
- May not meet Schengen requirements
Why your home cover often does not work
Many national health plans do not pay for treatment abroad. Original Medicare, for example, does not cover care outside the United States apart from narrow exceptions, and foreign hospitals may ask for payment up front. The US State Department recommends buying travel health insurance. Slovak public hospitals treat emergencies, but non-EU patients pay full costs unless insured. A broken ankle, hospital stay or air transport home adds up quickly, so treat insurance as part of your trip budget, like your daily costs.
Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M and N are reported to cover 80 percent of emergency care abroad after a deductible, within limits. Check your own policy rather than assuming.
Which option fits you
| Your situation | Likely best choice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Short city break, no visa | Single-trip policy | Medical limit, repatriation |
| Schengen visa applicant | Policy meeting the visa rule | 30,000 euro minimum, whole Schengen Area |
| Several trips in a year | Annual multi-trip policy | Maximum days per trip |
| Hiking or skiing | Policy naming the activity | Mountain rescue wording |
| Premium card holder | Card cover as a backup | Medical limit, exclusions, who must be insured |
Schengen visa insurance rules
Slovakia follows the Schengen rule that visa applicants hold medical insurance covering emergencies and repatriation with a minimum of 30,000 euros, valid across the Schengen Area for the whole stay. Check with the Slovak embassy or consulate on current requirements. Visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, should still buy cover, since checks and hospital bills do not depend on visa status.
Mountain rescue is a special case
Slovakia charges the person rescued for mountain rescue by the Mountain Rescue Service (HZS), a user-pays rule introduced in 2006 that applies to Slovaks and foreigners alike. Reports put a helicopter flight hour at around 3,700 to 4,000 EUR. Standard health or travel cover often excludes this unless the policy names mountain rescue, so read the wording before hiking in the High Tatras. See hiking insurance and ski insurance.
What the policy should cover
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital stays.
- Repatriation or evacuation home.
- Trip cancellation and delay if you pay for flights and hotels upfront.
- Activities such as hiking in the High Tatras, where mountain rescue is charged.
- Pre-existing conditions, which many policies exclude unless declared.
EHIC and similar cards
The EHIC applies to residents of the EU and a few other European countries, and the UK has its own GHIC. Neither covers private care or rescue. US, Canadian and Australian visitors have no equivalent and rely on private cover. For more general advice, see travel insurance for Slovakia.
Practical tips
Save the insurer's 24-hour number and policy ID offline. Pay and claim: keep receipts, because some hospitals will ask for payment first. Ask if the insurer pays the hospital directly. Also read is Slovakia safe for the common risks, mainly petty theft in cities.
Common mistakes
- Buying a policy that covers Europe but not repatriation.
- Assuming a credit card covers everyone on the booking.
- Not declaring a pre-existing condition and then having a claim refused.
- Buying after an incident, when the policy will not cover it.
Frequently asked questions
Do Americans need travel insurance for Slovakia?
It is not required for entry in most cases, but US health plans and Medicare generally do not cover care abroad, so it is strongly advised.
Is the EHIC valid for non-EU visitors?
No. It is for residents of EU and some other European countries. UK residents use a GHIC, which has its own limits.
How much cover do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least 30,000 euros of medical and repatriation cover valid in all Schengen countries for your whole stay.
Does it cover hiking and skiing?
Only if the policy names those activities. Check mountain rescue and any altitude limits.
When should I buy it?
As soon as you book, so cancellation cover also applies.
Do I need insurance if I do not need a visa?
Not to enter, but you still pay hospital bills yourself without it. Buy cover even if visa-free.
Photo: Bratislava · Arne Müseler · CC BY-SA 4.0
