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Travel insurance tips for France from our expert

Healthcare could cost you 

Australia has no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA), so Medicare won't cover you if you require medical treatment. Without travel insurance, you'll have to pay all French medical and hospital bills out of pocket.

Declare pre-existing conditions upfront 

Travel insurance doesn't automatically cover existing medical conditions. You must declare them to your insurer before you travel. Undeclared conditions can leave your claims completely rejected. 

Prepare for emergencies

Save digital copies of your passport, travel insurance policy, and key numbers, such as the embassy or consulate’s contact or your insurer’s emergency hotline.

Guide to travel insurance for France

Why do I need travel insurance for France?

When travelling, there is always a risk of accident, illness, or falling victim to a crime, so protecting yourself with an appropriate travel insurance policy can spare you from headache and heartache. 

This is especially true with France, which shares no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) with Australia. If you’re uninsured, you’ll have to fork out the cash to pay for any medical treatments. While the standard of healthcare available is high, so is the cost of treatment.

Some rural areas in France suffer from a shortage of doctors or medical facilities. If you find yourself in dire need of medical treatment, you may have no other choice but to be evacuated to a city centre for quality care, which can easily set you back by thousands of dollars. 

In addition, France is also notorious for its high level of pickpocketing and bag snatching in public spaces. Without insurance, the cost of replacing your stolen belongings is your sole responsibility. When selecting a travel insurance policy, you may want to consider the potential costs that come with stolen, lost, or damaged luggage and travel documents. 

A travel insurance policy could give you that peace of mind as you sample the finest that French patisseries have to offer, free from worry. 


How do you choose the right travel insurance for France?

There’s no ‘perfect’ travel insurance policy for every single holiday to France, so travellers should always prioritise the level of cover they need or want. 

Selecting the cheapest policy may not afford you the appropriate level of protection. 

For example, a basic insurance policy’s features are often restricted to medical expenses and public liability costs. However, you may find yourself losing out on cover for things like loss of baggage or personal belongings, and sudden cancellation costs, which a comprehensive policy can offer for a higher price. 

Some comprehensive policies may also offer cover for specific adventure activities as a listed inclusion. Alternatively, they may sell them as optional add-ons. 

If your plans mostly consist of high-risk snow sports, such as snowboarding and skiing in the French Alps, a comprehensive policy (or the extra add-on) may be well worth the asking price. All of this information can be found on each policy’s Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).

A good start is to use Canstar’s travel insurance comparison tool to compare quotes for policies that suit your needs.


What does travel insurance for France cover?

When taking out travel insurance for France, you can generally expect that you’ll be covered for the following: 

  • Medical or dental emergency: Hospital admission, emergency care and medical evacuation.
  • Repatriation: Repatriation covers the cost of flying your body and belongings back home to Australia. Some travel funds also include a separate sum for funeral expenses. 
  • Lost or stolen luggage, passport or other items: Reimbursement for the cost of replacing luggage and travel documents.
  • Cancelling your trip unexpectedly: Due to illness, accident, revoked holiday leave, or a natural disaster at home or at your intended destination.
  • Legal liability: If you break a local law and need a lawyer/interpreter.
  • Optional extras: Some policies may offer optional extras such as rental vehicle excesses, cover for kennels and catteries for your pets at home, and even cover if you suffer a loss of income or a permanent disability while overseas 

What isn't covered by travel insurance for France?

Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. It is always important to know what your policy does not cover. Some common exclusions and things that could void your insurance include:

  • Irresponsible behaviour under the influence of drugs or alcohol 
  • Pre-existing conditions you were aware of before purchasing your policy that you failed to disclose. 
  • Unattended items
  • Claims that weren’t lodged with your provider within 24 hours
  • Reckless behaviour 
  • Driving a motorbike without a licence or helmet.

How much does travel insurance cost for France?

At the time of writing, the average cost of travel insurance premiums is $169 for a traveller aged 30, on a 14-day trip to France (based on a selection of international policies rated in Canstar's 2025 Travel Insurance Star Ratings & Awards, November 2025, calculated October 2026).

A more comprehensive policy, including cover for skiing and snow sports, will cost more. Prices for policies will vary depending on the provider and level of cover and inclusions that you need, as well as your age and circumstances. You can compare travel insurance with Canstar to find cover that suits your particular needs and budget.


FAQs about travel insurance for France

At the time of writing, the Australian Government’s Smartraveller advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in France, citing reasons such as: 

  • France’s national terrorist alert warning which sits at its highest level
  • A high frequency of political demonstrations and strikes, which can escalate into violence
  • A high rate of pickpocketing, theft, burglaries, bag snatching and assault.

It’s extremely important to remain aware of your surroundings while holidaying in France. If you are planning a trip to France, check the Smartraveller website for the most up to date information on your destination, and familiarise yourself with local laws and customs.

No, you do not need a visa for France if you’re planning to stay 90 days or less — this is known as a short-term stay. This exclusion applies to Aussies travelling to France for leisure or business reasons. 

As part of the Schengen Area, France shares special visa-free agreements with Australia for short-term trips. However, if you’re planning to travel for longer than 90 days, you’ll have to apply for a long-term stay visa, citing your reason for travel.

You can apply for a visa through the France Visas website between three weeks and six months before you travel. It is recommended to apply earlier to avoid processing delays.

No, there are no mandatory vaccinations required to enter France. However, it is recommended that travellers are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations.

No, travel insurance isn’t a legal requirement when visiting France, but purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended before heading to any overseas destination.

Emergency numbers in France include:

  • Crime, a medical emergency, or a fire: 112
  • Domestic violence: 3919

If you need consular support in France, you can reach out to the Australian Embassy in France at +33 1 4059 3300 during opening hours. Alternatively, you can call the 24-hour consular service at +61 2 6261 3305. 

Australian Embassy, France

About our travel insurance experts

Kevin is a Senior Finance and Energy Journalist. Kevin covers a wide range of topics for the Canstar editorial team that includes energy, home loans, car insurance, travel insurance and pet insurance. Alongside finance content, Kevin continues to report on the latest news in electricity, gas, and solar. 

Kevin also has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Economics and International Relations from the University of Queensland, and half a decade of experience in the comparison industry and as a professional content writer across numerous publications and digital agencies. Before his career in writing, Kevin first found his footing in the corporate events and retail sectors in Singapore and Brisbane. 

His years of learning and first-hand experience give him a grounded insight into what customers want. Pulling from his tertiary background in economics, Kevin simplifies difficult financial topics in a way that engages and empowers Aussies to shop around for better deals with confidence. You can follow Kevin on LinkedIn. 


Tara Donnelly is Canstar's Utilities and Finance Managing Editor, leading the team’s energy, telecommunications and consumer technology coverage, as well as editing personal finance and insurance content. For more than a decade she has authored hundreds of articles covering these topics across Australia, the US and Canada, including eight years as part of the Canstar Group. 

Prior to writing within the comparison industry, Tara worked hands-on in retail banking for more than six years, helping Australians to manage and understand their finances. Her years of experience have given her key insights into helping consumers find the right plan or product for their unique needs. 

Tara has shared her expertise with national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC, The Australian Financial Review, 4BC Radio and The Sydney Morning Herald. She has been nominated for multiple awards for her technology reporting, including Canstar’s highly commended recognition for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024.


Important Information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

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