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Those entering Italy with a Schengen visa are required to purchase travel insurance that meets visa requirements. For those who are allowed entry without a Schengen visa, travel insurance is not mandatory but is still highly recommended for financial and medical security and for peace of mind.
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Are you wondering what kind of insurance you need for Italy, especially if you have the extra requirements to be Shengen-visa-compliant? Or maybe you’re concerned that you find the best travel insurance provider for your health needs while you’re abroad.
This comprehensive Pacific Prime guide will give you all the information you need to confidently pick a travel insurance plan for your time in Italy. We’ll compare the top-rated travel insurance providers, explain travel requirements to Italy, give safety and travel advice, and more.
Before reading on, consider browsing our articles on how the healthcare system in Italy works and health insurance options in the country for expats. If you’ve already researched plans and are ready to compare quotes, use our free, no-obligation quote tool for unbiased ease.
Travel Insurance Requirements in Italy
Visitors from 103 different countries must have a Schengen visa to enter any country within the Schengen region, including Italy. Those with a Schengen visa are also required to purchase travel insurance that meets requirements before they can enter Italy.
All other visitors who spend 90 days or less in Italy are not required to purchase travel insurance, though comprehensive travel insurance is still highly recommended.
Long-Term Visa Insurance Requirements for Italy
All individuals who plan to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days to work, study, or establish permanent residency must apply for a long-term (D) visa, whether they would need a Schengen visa for short-term travel or not. Those using a long-term visa in Italy must have medical insurance that:
- Covers at least €30,000 (USD $30,938.04) per year per person
- Covers medical repatriation
- Covers all death expenses, including repatriation of remains
- Has no gaps in coverage
- Has no excess (deductible)
It’s always worth checking the specific requirements with the Italian consulate for the region you plan to stay in since they may have extra documentation requirements.
Let’s explain the Schengen visa a bit more and outline its insurance requirements.
The Schengen Visa for Visitors to Italy
The Schengen area incorporates nearly 30 European countries that allow visitors to travel freely across their borders. A Schengen visa permits visitors to travel in this zone for up to 90 days, whether during one trip or several, within a 180-day span. You need a Schengen visa if:
- Your country has not reached a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU.
- You are a non-EU citizen that has reached a visa liberalisation agreement with the EU but who was rejected from entering the Schengen area visa-free.
If you’re unsure whether you need a Schengen visa or not, use the official Schengen wizard tool to verify. Those who do not require the visa for their short-term trip to Italy only need a passport and ETIAS authorization (beginning midway through 2025). ETIAS does not require travel insurance.
Those who are exempt from visa requirements are:
- Individuals with diplomatic passports
- Individuals who hold local border traffic permits from civilian air and sea crews from member states
- Crew members on emergency and rescue missions
- School pupils
- Intergovernmental travel document holders
- Refugees
- Individuals in the armed forces
- NATO members
Knowing whether you require a Schengen visa or not helps you determine the benefits you need for travel insurance, as all those who do require a Schengen visa are required to provide proof of travel insurance that meets certain standards. These requirements include:
- Coverage for at least €30,000 (USD $30,938.04) in medical costs
- Coverage in all Schengen area countries
- Coverage for the entire duration of your stay
- Coverage for medical repatriation (transportation back home for medical treatment)
- Coverage for emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Coverage for repatriation of remains (transportation for your body in the event of death)
Travel Insurance Options for Italy
Consider bundling traditional travel insurance and travel medical insurance for comprehensive coverage in Italy. Traditional travel insurance covers costs when things go awry during your trip that are travel-related. Medical coverage helps cover the cost if you get sick or injured in Italy.
Travel Insurance
Even experienced travelers have hiccups abroad. Travel insurance eliminates the stress over cancellation costs, missed flights, or losing items or even travel documents by providing financial backing for these exact types of accidents.
Common travel insurance coverage includes:
- Lost luggage and personal belongings
- Cancellation (cancel for any reason or general cancellation)
- Trip interruption
- Travel delay
- 24/7 customer service
Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance provides basic coverage in case of a medical emergency in Italy. While emergency services may be available to tourists for a small fee, Italy does not offer free healthcare to travelers, so those without insurance coverage would have to pay all medical costs out of pocket.
Common benefits under travel medical insurance plans include:
- Hospitalization
- Outpatient treatment
- Medical evacuation
- Repatriation of remains
Single-Trip and Multi-Trip Coverage
Single-trip travel insurance is perfect for travelers who plan to only visit Italy once, but multi-trip coverage is preferable if you plan to visit Italy multiple times or you want to visit additional destinations around the globe throughout the year.
Multi-trip coverage extends the benefits of your travel insurance plan across multiple trips within a plan’s designated period, often up to one year. If multi-trip coverage fits your lifestyle, consider contacting a broker at Pacific Prime to find providers with top-tier multi-trip insurance options.
What Travel Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Most travel insurance plans don’t cover foreseen events, civil unrest, pre-existing conditions, dental work, storms, fear of travel, and dangerous activities. Always read plan details before signing to verify what providers do and do not cover.
Let’s address these common exclusions in a bit more detail:
- Foreseen events include events you could reasonably know before booking. For example, if the area you’re traveling to is experiencing an epidemic when you book your trip but you decide to cancel later, you will not receive reimbursement (unless you purchased cancel for any reason coverage).
- Civil unrest includes war, terrorism, and other unrest. These are considered “known perils,” and you will likely not be reimbursed, especially if there is a government advisory against travel to the location. If unrest breaks out while you’re on vacation, you may be entitled to emergency evacuation.
- Pre-existing conditions include mental health conditions, pregnancy, and alcohol- or drug-related conditions. Some travel insurance providers offer separate maternity package riders for those seeking pregnancy coverage benefits while abroad.
- Dental work is often considered nonessential work and so is often excluded from the basic medical coverage in travel insurance plans. Some providers do offer dental coverage packages as an extra rider.
- Medical treatment within travel insurance plans is generally not comprehensive, as it is only meant for emergencies. For travelers seeking comprehensive medical insurance while abroad, they may want to consider international health insurance or short-term insurance.
- Storms may or may not be covered under a plan, depending on the provider and the circumstance. If you book a trip when a known storm is approaching your location, it falls under the umbrella of a foreseeable event, so cancellation will not be covered.
- Fear of travel is a common clause under travel insurance exclusions. This means if you book a trip but then want to cancel it out of fear for any reason (e.g. fear of getting sick, fear of flying), you will not be reimbursed.
- Dangerous activities are generally not covered under travel insurance, though some providers do offer a separate rider for adventurous travelers. Dangerous activities include activities like mountain climbing, skydiving, hang gliding, or caving.
The Cost of Travel Insurance
The length of your trip, your age, and the cost of your trip all contribute to the cost of your travel insurance, with most plans to Italy costing 5–10% of your total trip cost. For a quick quote for side-by-side comparison, utilize our free quote tool that’s built just for travel insurance.
Why the Cost of Travel Insurance is Worth It
Even those who are not required to purchase travel insurance to meet visa mandates should consider purchasing comprehensive traditional and medical travel insurance, as the cost of unexpected accidents can far exceed the cost of travel insurance.
Without proper insurance coverage, vacationers in Italy must pay out of pocket for medical treatment they receive abroad, which can be very costly. Traditional travel insurance also helps you vacation without worry because you have the financial backing for any trip-related issues.
How to Get Travel Insurance for Italy
To purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan that fits both your budget and your travel needs for Italy, consider your needs, research plans, compare quotes, and apply for coverage. Let’s discuss what each step entails:
- Consider your needs: Do you need to meet visa requirements? Do you plan to travel for more or less than 90 days? What does your budget look like? Do you want traditional, medical or both types of travel insurance? How extensive does your medical coverage need to be?
- Research plans: Browse top insurance providers or enlist the help of an insurance broker to find the best plan for your needs.
- Compare quotes: Whether you research plans and providers on your own or you utilize professional help, compare quotes from each provider, remembering to check for exclusions and optional riders. For a simple solution, check out our free quote tool.
- Apply for coverage: Applying for coverage as soon as possible ensures eligibility for extra benefits. Be prepared to offer the destination and length of your trip, health information like age or pre-existing conditions, and planned trip activities.
The Best Travel Insurance Providers in Italy
Pacific Prime’s top five picks of travel insurance companies for travelers in Italy include Allianz, April International, AXA, Geoblue, and MSH International. Here is a brief overview of each provider:
Allianz
Allianz Travel Schengen-compliant insurance makes finding travel insurance that meets your needs simple, but Allianz also offers excellent international travel insurance plans for a stress-free Italy vacation. Their single-trip travel insurance options include the following plans:
- OneTrip Prime: trip cancellation up to USD $100,000; trip interruption up to USD $150,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; baggage loss or damage up to $1,000; and much more.
- OneTrip Basic: trip cancellation up to USD $10,000; trip interruption up to USD $10,000; emergency medical up to USD $10,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $500; and much more.
- OneTrip Premier: trip cancellation up to USD $200,000; trip interruption up to USD $300,000; emergency medical up to USD $75,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $2,000; and much more.
- OneTrip Emergency Medical: emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $250,000; travel accident coverage up to USD $10,000; and much more.
- OneTrip Cancellation Plus: trip cancellation up to USD $5,000; trip interruption up to USD $5,000; travel delay up to USD $150, plus 24-hour hotline assistance.
Their multi-trip plans include:
- AllTrips Basic: emergency medical up to USD $20,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $100,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $600; and much more.
- AllTrips Premier: trip cancellation and trip interruption with options from USD $2,000–$15,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $500,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $2,000; travel delay up to USD $1,500; and much more.
- AllTrips Executive: trip cancellation and trip interruption with options from USD $5,000–$10,000; emergency medical up to USD $50,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $250,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $1,600; cover for business equipment; and more.
- AllTrips Prime: trip cancellation up to USD $3,000; trip interruption up to USD $3,000; emergency medical up to USD $20,000; emergency medical transportation up to USD $100,000; baggage loss or damage up to USD $1,000; travel delay up to USD $600; and much more.
Their Schengen-compliant plans offer benefits for:
- Up to USD $50,000 in emergency medical expenses in case of accident, sickness, illness or injury
- Up to USD $200 if your baggage is delayed
- Up to USD $2,000 in case of trip cancellation
April International Travel Insurance
With over 30 years of experience, April International provides travel insurance with unique benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions, and even a Schengen visa insurance plan.
When you apply for their Schengen-compliant plan online, April International offers an insurance certificate right away. They also offer a changeable plan, which covers repatriation assistance, medical expenses up to Schengen standards, death assistance, and contract changes up to three times.
Additional benefits of choosing April International include:
- Coverage for as little as one month and up to one year
- Access to private medical facilities of your choice across 2 million providers
- Local teams and experts offering assistance in multiple languages
- Coverage in over 180 countries
AXA
AXA, which is based out of Europe, offers cruise, Schengen, domestic, and international insurance plans. Their international travel insurance plans come in three tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with their Gold and Platinum plans being Schengen eligible.
Some benefits across all international plans include:
- Trip cancellation
- Trip interruption
- Trip delay
- Missed connection
- Emergency accident and sickness medical expenses
- Emergency evacuation
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Baggage delay
- Baggage and personal effects
Optional benefits include rental car coverage, cancel for any reason coverage, and more.
Geoblue
For United States citizens heading on their Italian holiday, Geoblue’s Voyager and Trekker plans are top-rate choices. GeoBlue’s Voyager plan covers single trips up to 182 days while the Trekker plan offers coverage for an unlimited number of trips within a one-year policy.
Geoblue offers Schengen-compliant plans. Compare nonmedical benefits across the Voyager and Trekker plans below:
| GeoBlue Plans Non-medical Benefits Comparison (USD) |
| Voyager (Single Trip) | Trekker (Multiple Trips) | |
| Accidental Death & Dismemberment Maximum Benefit | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Emergency Family Travel Arrangements | $2,500 for one economy round-trip plane ticket | $2,500 for one economy round-trip plane ticket |
| Hazardous Activities (downhill skiing or scuba diving within certain parameters) | $25,000 maximum claim amount | $25,000 maximum claim amount |
| Post-Departure Trip Interruption Transportation | $1,000 maximum benefit amount | Not covered |
| Post-Departure Trip Interruption Quarantine Coverage | Lodging & incidentals of $50 per day, 10 days maximum | Not covered |
| Lost Baggage & Personal Effects Coverage | Maximum benefit of $500 per trip, $100 per bag/item | Maximum benefit of $500 per trip, $100 per bag/item |
| Repatriation of Remains | $25,000 maximum benefit | $25,000 maximum benefit |
MSH International
MSH International, also based out of Europe, offers ideal insurance for visitors to Italy, with exceptional medical plans for both long-term and short-term stays.
Their short-term international travel insurance covers basic medical emergencies whereas their international health insurance policy can be customized to provide high levels of medical coverage, including maternity or dental care.
Their Start’Expat plan is their basic short-term plan. Discover the benefits within this plan below:
| Start’Expat Healthcare Benefits | |
| Non-medical Travel Benefit | Coverage Limit |
| Flight Delay Leading to a Missed Connection | Payment of a fixed amount of USD $320 |
| (only for technical reasons or due to weather conditions) | |
| Theft, Total or Partial Destruction, or Loss of Luggage During Transportation by a Carrier | USD $2,160 ($27 deductible/suitcase) limited to 50% for valuables |
| Medical or Surgical Hospitalization | 100% of costs |
| Consultations with General Practitioners and Specialists | 100% of costs (up to USD $86 per procedure beyond 2 consultations) |
| Pharmaceutical Costs | USD $3,200 |
Alternative Types of Insurance for Italy
International health insurance or short-term insurance are the best alternatives to travel insurance if you plan to travel extensively or need extra medical coverage beyond what is commonly available in travel medical insurance plans.
If you have a European Health Insurance card (or Global Health Insurance card, for UK citizens), you may also be eligible for medical care in Italy.
European Health Insurance Card
A European Health Insurance Card provides medical coverage for citizens of any EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom while they are abroad. This coverage allows travelers to receive the same level of care as citizens of the country they are visiting.
That means that travelers in Italy who have an EHIC card can receive care at state medical facilities and pay the same amount as Italian citizens would for their care.
International Health Insurance
International health insurance provides the most comprehensive coverage for those traveling or living abroad. These plans offer expats and digital nomads a wide selection of customizable, globally portable benefits that can be tailored to their lifestyle.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Most short-term insurance covers preventative care, emergency care, urgent care, and medical tests, and some plans offer discounts on medications. Short-term plans are not comprehensive, so they don’t often cover pre-existing conditions, mental health services, or maternity care.
Travel Tips for Travel to Italy
Individuals visiting Italy are advised to increase their caution during travel due to potential terrorist attacks and civil unrest. With the proper preparation, you can have a magical, safe trip. Follow the guidance below for a memorable, safe trip:
- Carry your passport at all times: Remember that it’s illegal to be without identification in Italy, so always carry your passport or another form of acceptable travel documentation.
- Purchase a universal power adapter: Italy uses three plug types—C, F, and L—and operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
- Follow smoking prohibitions: Remember that smoking is not allowed in most indoor locations, such as restaurants, cafes, shopping centers, offices, government buildings, universities, museums, and nightclubs. Milan has also banned smoking in most outdoor venues.
- Know Italian emergency numbers: Know I emergency numbers: Call 113 for state police, 115 for the fire brigade, 118 for urgent and emergency medical needs, and 1518 for travel information.
- Maintain up-to-date vaccines: The CDC suggests that all travelers stay up to date on routine vaccines such as chicken pox, flu, measles, polio, and shingles as well as other vaccines like COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, and rabies before visiting Italy.
How A Broker Can Help You Get the Best Travel Insurance for Italy
Brokers can save you both time and money as you look for travel insurance to Italy. They can save you time by compiling plans that fit your needs and money by helping you compare benefits without the bias of loyalty to a single insurance provider.
Brokers act as the intermediary between you and insurance providers, and they can even help you submit claims. Let Pacific Prime help you find the right Italy insurance plan for your budget and needs. Contact us to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is travel insurance required for Italy?
Travel insurance is required in Italy for those using a Schengen visa. Those visiting Italy for more than 90 days must also have sufficient medical coverage, whether through travel medical insurance or international health insurance.
When is the best time to buy travel insurance?
Purchase travel insurance as soon as you know your trip itinerary to ensure that you are eligible for top benefits, like cancel for any reason coverage.
What is a Schegen visa?
A Schengen visa is a short-term permit that allows travelers to visit any country within the Schengen area (mostly EU countries) for 90 days within a 180-day period. This visa is required for citizens of some countries.
Conclusion: Getting the Coverage You Need
We always recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance for the peace of mind and financial security if offers during your stay in Italy. Remember that those using a Schengen visa must purchase travel insurance to enter Italy.
The experts at Pacific Prime are ready to provide free quotations, leverage our partnerships with major insurers, and scour our extensive portfolio to offer you the best plans. We are committed to finding the perfect travel insurance plan to suit your budget in Italy.
If you’re interested in heading to other areas in Europe, like France, check out our article A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance in France, or head over to our article on the best travel insurance plans for Greece.
Try our free quote tool or contact us today so we can help you prepare for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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