Travel insurance for Thailand: Everything you need to know about cover and costs

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, but an unexpected medical emergency can, unfortunately, quickly wipe that smile off your face. Whether you’re exploring the iconic temples and bustling street food scene of Bangkok, venturing into the jungle in the north or island-hopping in the south: good travel insurance for Thailand is your most important travel companion.

Although Thailand is a relatively safe country, the costs at private hospitals (where you’ll almost always end up as a tourist) are sky-high. A simple hospital stay can easily cost thousands of euros. In this article, we explain exactly what cover you need for a worry-free holiday, from medical evacuation to those infamous scooter rides.

Why insurance is essential in Thailand

Although Thailand is relatively safe, accidents can happen. For example:

• Road accidents: The statistics don’t lie; road traffic is one of the biggest risks.
• Tropical surprises: Think of dengue fever or a nasty case of food poisoning.
• Unforeseen stoppages: Cancellation due to illness at home or natural phenomena.
• Theft: Although rare, pickpocketing does occur in busy areas such as Khao San Road.

The 5 pillars of good cover

Not all insurance policies are the same. For a trip to Thailand, you must ensure that at least the following are covered:

1. Medical expenses (minimum €500,000)

This is the most important point. Private hospitals in Bangkok (such as Bumrungrad or Samitivej) offer world-class care, but this comes at a price:

• A&E: €300 – €1,000
• Hospitalisation: €1,000 – €5,000 per day
• Complex surgery: €50,000 or more

Check: Make sure your insurance provides worldwide cover and, ideally, pays the hospital directly, so you don’t have to pay thousands of euros out of your own pocket.

2. Repatriation and Medical Evacuation

If you fall seriously ill and need to return to your home country with medical assistance, the costs can run to €100,000. Without insurance, you will have to cover these costs yourself.

3. Cancellation insurance

Covers the costs if, in the unlikely event that you are unable to travel due to your own illness, that of a family member or, for example, redundancy. Please note: Make sure you take out this cover straight away when booking your trip!

4. Luggage and Electronics

These days, we travel with expensive cameras, laptops and phones. Pay close attention to the sub-limits: often, the maximum payout is between €500 and €1,000 per item, even if your new MacBook Pro is worth much more.

5. Liability

This is essential if you accidentally cause damage to others or to your accommodation. In Thailand, cover of at least €1,000,000 is standard.

The “Scooter Trap” and Adventure Sports

Are you going diving on Koh Tao or hiring a scooter in the mountains? If so, be extra careful. Many standard insurance policies exclude “high-risk activities”.

• Riding a scooter: This is the most common mistake. If you don’t have a motorcycle licence, you are often not insured in the event of an accident, even if you have an international driving licence.
• Extreme sports: Ziplining, rock climbing and deep-sea diving (>30m) often require additional sports cover.

Tip: Make sure your insurance includes comprehensive sports cover, or choose a policy specifically designed for active travellers. Many accidents in Thailand involve hire scooters!

Which travel insurance is right for your trip to Thailand?

Short-term travel insurance

When planning a trip to Thailand, the first step is to decide what type of insurance you need. The most popular option for a standard holiday is short-term travel insurance. This is ideal if you only travel once a year, for example for a period of up to three months. You pay per trip, which is very cost-effective for short breaks of one to three weeks. For a two-week stay in Thailand, the average cost is between €15 and €40. The main advantage is that you’re not tied to anything after your holiday, although you do need to remember to take out a new policy for each new trip.

Continuous travel insurance

Do you travel abroad frequently, for example twice a year or more? If so, annual travel insurance is almost always the smartest and most cost-effective choice. With this policy, you’re automatically covered all year round for all your trips, provided that no single trip exceeds the maximum duration (usually 60 or 90 days). The annual cost varies between €80 and €200, but you often benefit from more comprehensive cover and the convenience of never having to worry about taking out insurance for a spontaneous weekend away again.

Backpacker or world traveller insurance

For true adventurers or for those spending the winter abroad who are heading to South-East Asia for an extended period, there is special backpacker or world traveller insurance. These policies are specifically designed for trips lasting from three months to a year and offer the flexibility you need during a long journey through multiple countries. Although the premium, at €30 to €60 per month, is slightly higher than for a standard policy, high-risk adventure sports and medical costs during long-term stays are often better covered.

Key tips: Read the small print

Before you make up your mind and take out a policy, it is crucial to take a close look at the terms and conditions. Don’t just look at the price; focus particularly on the exclusions and the maximum cover limits, especially for medical care in Thailand. Also pay attention to the excess (the deductible): do you have to pay the first €50 or €100 yourself in the event of a claim?

You should also check whether there are any geographical restrictions (is Thailand explicitly covered under ‘World’?) and whether there are any age limits. Finally, it is worth noting that pre-existing conditions (medical conditions you already had before taking out the insurance) are often excluded from cover. By checking this in advance, you can avoid unpleasant surprises when you actually need the insurance.

Tip: Check your credit card as well. Some premium cards offer travel insurance, but the cover is often limited. Always read the small print!

Well-known insurers

There is a wide range of insurers to choose from, but for a trip to Thailand you’ll want a provider with experience in long-haul travel and a reliable 24-hour emergency helpline. Below you’ll find some popular insurers:

• AXA
• Allianz
• Europ Assistance
• AG Insurance
• World Nomads
• SafetyWing

What to do in an emergency in Thailand?

Call, Save, Report

1. Call your insurance company’s emergency hotline straight away. They will direct you to the right hospital.
2. Keep everything: Medical reports, receipts and invoices (ask for English versions).
3. Theft? Report it immediately to the Tourist Police (call 1155). Without a police report, the insurance company will not pay out.

Important Emergency Numbers

• Thai Ambulance: 1669
• Tourist Police: 1155 (English-speaking)
• General emergency number: 191 (in Thai only)

TRAVEL INSURANCE CHECKLIST: Make sure you’re well prepared for your trip to Thailand

Before you board your flight to Bangkok, make sure you’ve got the following sorted:

• [ ] Medical cover: Is this at least €500,000 or unlimited?
• [ ] Coverage area: Is your policy set to ‘Worldwide’ (not just Europe)?
• [ ] Cancellation insurance: Taken out within 7 days of booking?
• [ ] Emergency number: Do you have your insurer’s 24/7 emergency number saved in your contacts?
• [ ] Policy number: Do you have this number to hand (either digitally or in print)?
• [ ] App downloaded: Do you have your insurer’s app on your phone?
• [ ] Family and friends: Do your family and friends have a copy of your policy?
• [ ] Scooter check: Do you have a motorcycle licence (A) if you’re going to hire a scooter?
• [ ] Extreme sports: Are diving or climbing covered by your policy?
• [ ] Credit card: Have you checked whether your card offers additional (limited) cover?

TIP: Take a photo of your policy and email it to yourself. That way, you’ll always have the details to hand, even if you lose your phone.

Frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Thailand

Is travel insurance compulsory for Thailand?

No, travel insurance is not a legal requirement for entry into the country. However, the Thai government and embassies strongly recommend it. Without insurance, you will be liable for medical costs yourself, which can be extremely high in private hospitals in Bangkok.

Isn’t my standard health insurance or health insurance fund enough?

Often not. Your basic health insurance usually only covers medical costs up to your countries rate. As private healthcare in Thailand is much more expensive, you will have to pay the difference yourself. Furthermore, your health insurance provider almost never reimburses the costs of repatriation (medical transport home) or search and rescue operations.
Countries outside Europe are usually not covered by your health insurance or health fund either.

What types of travel insurance are available?

Short-term travel insurance (up to 3 months)
For a single holiday. You pay per trip.
Advantages: Affordable for short trips (1–3 weeks) / No annual commitments
Disadvantages: More expensive for multiple trips per year / Must be taken out each time
Average price: €15–40 for 2 weeks in Thailand

Annual travel insurance
You are insured all year round for trips of up to a certain duration (e.g. 60 or 90 days per trip).
Advantages: Better value for 2+ trips per year / Automatically insured / Often better cover
Disadvantages: Annual costs even if you don’t travel / Maximum trip duration per journey
Average price: €80–200 per year

Am I insured if I hire a scooter in Thailand?

This is the biggest pitfall. You are often not insured if you ride a scooter without a valid motorcycle licence. The driving licence of your country is not valid in Thailand for scooters over 50cc (and almost all hire scooters are 125cc or more). Always check the terms and conditions of your policy!

When should I take out travel insurance?

Standard travel insurance can be taken out up to one day before departure. But please note: you usually need to take out cancellation insurance within 7 to 14 days of booking your trip. If you do this later, existing bookings are often no longer covered.

Should I opt for European or worldwide cover?

You always need worldwide cover for Thailand. Please bear this in mind when taking out a long-term travel insurance policy; the standard cover is often limited to Europe.

What should I do if I end up in a Thai hospital?

Always call your insurer’s 24/7 emergency hotline first (the number is on your policy or in the app). They can issue a payment guarantee to the hospital straight away, so you don’t have to pay thousands of euros up front yourself.

Travel to the Land of Smiles with peace of mind

A trip to Thailand is an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re getting lost in the colourful backstreets of Bangkok or relaxing on the pearly-white beaches of the islands, you want your memories to be nothing but positive. Good travel insurance is the small investment that makes the difference between a temporary inconvenience and a lifelong financial burden.

So check your policy today:

• Is your cover set to ‘Worldwide’?
• Is the medical cover sufficient (at least €500,000)?
• Have you already saved your insurer’s emergency number in your phone?

Don’t wait until you’re at the airport. Take five minutes now to check or take out your insurance, so that once you’re in Bangkok, all you’ll have to think about is which street food stall to try first.

Good travel insurance often costs just a few euros a day, less than the price of a cocktail in a rooftop bar. It gives you the peace of mind to really enjoy everything Bangkok has to offer. Don’t set off without it!

Have a lovely trip to Thailand!

Which hotel to stay in Bangkok?

Check out our main article on Hotels in Bangkok. In addition to our favourite hotels and info about the Bangkok neighbourhoods, you will also find all the information about transport, the best booking times, the best booking platforms and our selections in 3-star, 4-star and 5-star hotels.