Travel Insurance Expert and Head of Communications
Last updatedDecember 5 2025
12 min read
Brimming with history and bursting with culture, France is made for adventure. Our travel insurance for France covers over 100 different sports and activities. Take us with you, whatever you’ve got planned.
What is France travel insurance, and do you need it?
After Spain, France is the UK’s top holiday destination, and it’s no wonder the country’s so popular. From snowboarding in the Alps to sunning yourself in the South, its varied landscapes offer so many ways to enjoy yourself.
France travel insurance covers your trips across the border. You need it because carrying the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) won’t protect you from all the unforeseen events that can crop up while you’re in the country. It may be just a short hop away, but a trip to France can have its mishaps. Paris can be a pickpocket hotspot. Meanwhile, frequent industrial action across the country can lead to disruption and delays.
And that’s where InsureandGo’s travel insurance for France comes in. It can help cover costs for unexpected events, such as medical emergencies, lost bags, or trip cancellations.
Here’s what makes travel insurance to France a true holiday essential:
Repatriation cover: No one wants to think about getting ill or injured on holiday and having to be flown home. However, typical medical repatriation costs from France to the UK are estimated at £12,000. These unexpected expenses can leave you seriously out of pocket. And, unfortunately, they’re not covered by the GHIC scheme.
Cover for industrial action: France isn’t just famous for cheese and wine. Strikes can be a significant part of French working culture. That’s why our travel insurance covers you for delay and cancellation, as long as you arranged your flights and insurance before the strike was announced.
Do more on your holiday: From water sports to leisure cycling, our France travel insurance policies cover you for over 100 popular activities at no extra cost. We also have optional extreme sports cover if you’re taking part in the more adventurous activities the country has to offer.
Protect your valuables: Thieves and pickpockets operate on the Paris underground, RER lines and at mainline stations. Travel insurance for France can cover your personal belongings, baggage and passport. Plus, we have optional valuables cover if you’re taking away something a little more expensive.
Plus, our annual European holiday insurance even includes some countries outside of Europe! You’ll be covered for countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira, the Azores and more. See below for the full list
What’s not covered?
We strive to provide as much cover as possible. However, there are some situations that no travel insurance will cover. For example:
You cannot cover events or reasons to claim that took place before you booked the trip or purchased insurance. Insurance exists to cover unexpected events outside of the insured’s control
Claims which are less than the excess for that section of cover. For example, you cannot claim a £40 lost item if your baggage excess is £60
All of our travel insurance policies include cover for cancellation of your trip, but there may be some exclusions. For example, you won’t be covered to cancel if you simply decide not to go
We will consider all pre-existing medical conditions, find out more about medical travel insurance. The excess and the amount of cover available will vary depending on the level of travel insurance you buy. To check the policy exclusions and what is and isn’t included, take a look at our policy wording.
The best travel insurance for France
Considering cafe-hopping in Paris or hitting the pistes in Chamonix? The best travel insurance to France covers all the activities you’ve got planned. Tailor your policy to suit your holiday with InsureandGo’s optional extras.
Taking the kids to Disneyland? Our family travel insurance covers everyone under one policy. Plus, gadget cover can protect your most valuable items against loss.
Cruising the French Riviera? Sail the glistening waters of the Mediterranean worry-free. Our cruise cover protects against the costs of missed port departures and cabin confinement.
Want to live like a local? Single trip travel insurance lets you travel to France for up to 365 days. You’ll pick up the language in no time! (Just remember that British passport holders need a longer-stay visa if you plan to stay in France for more than 90 days.)
Planning more than one European adventure this year?Annual multi-trip insurance lets you travel as often as you want.
Feeling active? We’ll keep you covered, whether you’re hiking in the mountains or golfing in Northern France. You can even get travel insurance for more extreme sports.
Choose a cover level to suit your travel needs
Black
Gold
Silver
Medical expenses and repatriation
Unlimited
£15 million
£10 Million
Cancellation and curtailment
£10,000
£7,500
£5,000
Travel delay
Up to £650
Up to £540
Up to £450
Personal belongings
£5,000
£2,500
£2,000
Legal Expenses
£60,000
£50,000
£15,000
Standard Excess
Nil
£50
£60
France travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
Securing travel insurance for medical conditions can be a concern, but there’s no need to worry. We’ll consider any medical condition and do our best to provide the best possible cover. Just follow our simple online screening process when you buy your policy, either over the phone or online.
Examples of medical conditions we can cover include:
We make getting a quote for France travel insurance quick and easy:
1 . Tell us a few details about your trip
Let us know where you’re going, when you’re going, and who you’re travelling with. Then tell us about any pre-existing medical conditions you wish to cover.
We’ll show you your quote, then all you have to do is decide if you want to buy it now or save it for later.
Our experts say…
“France is a fantastic destination for UK holidaymakers, as it’s so easy to get to and is crammed full of culture, . But while getting a GHIC is a sensible idea, it won’t cover things like cancellations due to industrial action or a stolen wallet at Disneyland Paris. Our France travel insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for all sorts of activities. That means you can explore the beauty of France knowing you’re fully protected.”
“I chose a Silver Single policy for an 8-day stay in France over Christmas. Contact with Rory was very professional and declared medical questions were straightforward. Documentation is very clear and easy to read.”
Although travel insurance is not compulsory for holidays to France, it’s still important. Travel insurance means you’re covered for a range of issues that could crop up on your trip, including:
Medical expenses and hospital stays
Personal accident and liability
Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
Abandoning your trip
Delayed departure
Accommodation cover
Personal belongings and baggage
Personal money, passport and travel documents
Legal expenses
How much is travel insurance for France?
France travel insurance tends to be cheaper than insurance for trips further afield. Travel to France is usually considered lower risk, so you’ll find it cheaper than insurance to the USA, for example. France is also closer to the UK in distance, so repatriation costs are lower.
However, several factors could impact how much you pay for your travel insurance to France:
The level of policy cover you go for: At InsureandGo, we offer four levels of cover – Budget, Silver, Gold and Black – so we’re sure to have a policy to suit you.
Any policy add-ons you need: If you need extra protection for your gadgets or a golfing trip.
Any pre-existing medical conditions: Pre-existing medical conditions can impact how much your France travel insurance costs. Existing health factors can increase your chance of needing emergency medical treatment while you’re away.
Your age: Generally, travel insurance becomes more expensive as you get older.
The length of your trip: The longer you are away from home, the more you’ll pay for your policy. That’s because the chance of you having to claim on your insurance for emergency healthcare or misplaced possessions increases.
Call our team on 0808 281 0594 or get a quick and easy quote online now.
Is healthcare free for tourists in France?
British citizens can apply for a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to use in France. This covers any necessary treatments in public healthcare centres or hospitals.
But having a GHIC doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy travel insurance. It doesn’t cover all eventualities, including any private healthcare you may need, or emergency repatriation to get you safely back home.
Can I get assistance if I fall ill or injure myself while in France?
Yes. In the unfortunate event of needing emergency medical treatment while in France, our 24-hour assistance team are always on hand to help you. All our travel insurance policyholders can contact our specialised team.
Do I need travel insurance for Paris, France?
Travel insurance is a great idea wherever you’re planning on visiting France, but in Paris it’s essential.
Large cities like Paris can mean an increased risk of losing items like your phone or camera to theft (or on rides at Disneyland Paris). Having France travel insurance will cover your lost items. This means you don’t have to worry about what will happen if something goes wrong.
Do I need a visa to visit France?
If you’re a British citizen with a valid passport, then you won’t need to apply for a visa to visit France.
UK tourists can visit France for up to 90 days without needing a visa. If you have plans to stay longer, you will need to apply for a longer-stay visa or a residence permit.
You may also have to show proof of where you intend to stay. For example, a hotel booking or an ‘attestation d’accueil’ (welcome invitation) if you’re staying with family or friends.
Taking your car to France is a great way to see more of what the country has to offer. If you’re taking your own car, your UK car insurance should cover you for third-party liability when driving in France. But it’s always best to double-check. You don’t need to carry an additional International Driving Permit.
There are some other rules and regulations that you need to be aware of when driving in France.
Like all EU countries, the French drive on the right-hand side of the road.
Drivers must be at least 18 years old and in possession of a full UK driving licence.
You must have insurance, passports and vehicle registration documents (such as a V5C) to hand.
Your car will need a GB sticker if it doesn’t have EU number plates.
To avoid any potential fines, always carry a warning triangle, spare bulbs, a traffic triangle, breathalyser tests, snow chains, headlight deflector stickers and reflective jackets. Buying a French driving kit before you go ensures you have all you need.
Displaying a Crit’Air (clean air) sticker is mandatory when travelling to certain French cities.
Who can buy an InsureandGo France travel insurance policy?
All our France travel insurance policies are available to UK residents. This means:
Someone who has been living in the UK or the Channel Islands for at least six of the last 12 months
They must be in the UK at the time of purchase
All trips must start and end in the UK
Unfortunately, we can’t provide cover to anyone who doesn’t fit this description.
