Insurance for studying abroad

International student insurance: how to choose the right health cover?

When choosing insurance for international students, first check your entitlement to local health insurance, your destination, the length of your stay and the cover required for your studies or visa.

Whether you’re going abroad to study for a semester, an internship or a full degree programme, your cover must be tailored to your destination and the length of your stay. International student insurance can cover, amongst other things, unexpected medical expenses, hospitalisation, repatriation assistance and civil liability, depending on the cover provided by the policy you choose.

Depending on your plans, the cover mentioned above can cover a study trip abroad or specific needs such as repatriation and third-party liability. Before taking out a policy, it is therefore important to identify precisely the risks against which you wish to be protected so that you can continue your studies abroad with complete peace of mind.

The choice of insurance for international students therefore depends, in particular, on your cover under your local health insurance scheme, your country of origin and the cover you are looking for in addition to medical expenses.

What is insurance for international students?

The term ‘insurance for international students’ covers a range of possible cover options whilst studying, whether in France or abroad: health, travel, assistance, third-party liability or accommodation.

As part of an international exchange programme, international student health insurance can cover medical expenses incurred in the host country. Depending on the policy chosen, it may also include emergency assistance, repatriation assistance, personal liability cover or luggage cover.

Depending on your circumstances, you may not need the same cover:

Travel insurance can also act as a supplement to compulsory social security to provide cover not included in that scheme. Where it covers medical treatment from the very first euro, it can take over the payment of covered costs, subject to the terms of the policy; however, it does not exempt you from any compulsory registration that may be required locally. Home insurance provides separate cover for risks relating to the property.

Why take out student travel insurance?

Student travel insurance can cover unexpected medical treatment and provide you with assistance, either in addition to your existing entitlements or when these do not cover your stay. Studying in another country does not automatically entitle you to the same healthcare rights as in France. The cost of medical treatment and the rules on reimbursement vary depending on your destination.

Even if you are covered by a public health scheme, you may still be left with costs to pay for a consultation, medical tests or hospitalisation. Depending on the policy, student travel insurance can supplement your entitlements or cover the costs from the very first euro.

Student travel insurance can also make it easier to deal with an emergency. Depending on the policy, an assistance service can refer you to a medical facility, explain the steps you need to take, or arrange medical transport if your condition warrants it.

There are other situations that are worth checking before setting off:

• An accident involving a third party: personal liability cover may cover unintentional damage as specified in the policy.
• Repatriation for medical reasons: the repatriation assistance service can organise and cover the cost of transport in accordance with the specified conditions.
• Disability following an accident: a personal protection policy may pay out a lump sum.
• A problem with your luggage: some policies provide compensation in the event of loss, theft or delay.
• An administrative requirement: a consulate, a university or a host organisation may request a specific insurance certificate.

Student travel insurance is therefore not always compulsory, but is strongly recommended in most cases. Before taking out a policy, check the requirements of your country, your visa and your educational institution, as well as the cover you already have.

Which health insurance should you choose if you’re a student abroad?

If you are planning to study in Europe, check whether the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies to your situation; elsewhere, find out about social security agreements and the cover required in the host country.

If you’re planning to study in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, is the EHIC sufficient?

The EHIC entitles you to medically necessary treatment if you are eligible, but it does not guarantee full reimbursement or repatriation.

If you retain your entitlement to French health insurance, apply for your European Health Insurance Card before you leave. It entitles you to treatment in accordance with the rules of the country you are visiting. You may still have to pay some costs yourself: check your situation on Ameli before choosing a student insurance policy suited to your stay.

The EHIC does not cover repatriation assistance, third-party liability or luggage cover. Student travel insurance can provide these additional coverages, depending on the policy chosen.

What do you need to bear in mind when studying outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland?

Your cover depends on the host country, any social security agreement that may be in place, and, in some cases, whether you are registered with the local scheme.

Quebec and the United Kingdom, for example, have specific rules: leaving the European Union does not therefore mean that your rights are the same in every destination. Check the CLEISS information on studying abroad, then enquire with your health insurance fund and your educational institution. Before you leave, also check the Travel Advice section on the France Diplomatie website, run by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for your destination.

In certain situations, emergency treatment may be reimbursed on the basis of French rates. This amount may be less than the costs actually incurred. If your entitlement does not apply or is insufficient, international student health insurance may cover the costs of treatment specified in the policy, up to the limits set out in the policy. Depending on the policy, it may cover costs from the very first euro or act as a supplement to an existing scheme, and may include repatriation or third-party liability cover.

What about an internship abroad?

Your social security cover depends on the country where the work placement takes place, the agreement signed and the remuneration received.

Ask your institution and the host organisation what supporting documents are required, particularly in the event of accidents occurring during the placement. CLEISS sets out the procedures in detail according to the country where the placement takes place. Also check that the student insurance you are considering covers the planned activities and the required third-party liability cover.

What sort of insurance should an international student in France take out?

When choosing insurance for international students in France, first check your entitlement to healthcare, then the medical costs and assistance cover that your travel insurance must provide.

Health insurance for international students can provide the cover you need for healthcare if you are not entitled to healthcare benefits in France. If you already have health cover, travel insurance can also enhance your protection with additional cover, such as repatriation – including in the event of death – or third-party liability. In each case, check the eligibility criteria, cover limits and the period of cover.

Are you from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland? What health cover are you entitled to?

A valid EHIC can ensure that medically necessary treatment is covered whilst you are studying in France.

Apply for the card from the health authority in your home country and check that it will remain valid throughout your academic year. If you do not have an EHIC, you may need an S1 form or to register with the French health insurance scheme, depending on your circumstances. Again, it is advisable to consult Ameli, the French health insurance website, which sets out the procedures that international students in France need to follow.

You’re from another country: how do you get health cover?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, register on the official Health Insurance portal to have your healthcare costs covered in France.

The process is carried out on etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr. A provisional certificate can be downloaded as soon as you enrol; check the date from which your entitlement begins, depending on your circumstances. Certain international agreements also set out specific rules. If you need health insurance for international students before your cover begins, check the start date of your cover and the terms and conditions of the policy you are considering.

Once you’re covered for medical treatment, what other types of cover should you check?

Healthcare cover does not automatically include repatriation, personal liability cover or cover for risks relating to your home.

An assistance policy may cover repatriation, and third-party liability insurance may cover certain damage caused to a third party. If you are travelling outside France, check that these coverages also apply to your travels.

A standard supplementary health insurance policy can reduce the amount you have to pay out of pocket after reimbursement from the national health insurance scheme, but it serves a different purpose. Your insurance as an international student does not necessarily cover your accommodation: you should also check the cover provided by your home insurance policy.

Health insurance for international students, repatriation cover and home contents insurance therefore meet different needs: check the cover provided by each policy before combining them.

What does international health insurance for students cover?

International health insurance for students can cover unexpected medical expenses and, depending on the policy, include assistance, repatriation or other cover that may be useful during your stay.

The points to be considered include:

• Medical care and hospitalisation: consultations, tests, medicines and hospitalisation are covered, subject to their respective limits and excesses.
• Medical assistance: the number to call in an emergency, referral to a healthcare facility and the steps to follow before admission to hospital.
• Repatriation: medical conditions under which transport is arranged and covered.
• Personal liability insurance: unintentional damage caused to a third party and limits of cover.
• Luggage and optional cover: loss, theft or delay covered; optional cover for sporting activities as specified in the policy.

You should also consider personal accident cover, temporary returns to your country of residence, and treatment for a pre-existing condition.

The cover provided by student travel insurance varies depending on the policy: always check the policy terms and conditions and verify your medical cover separately if you opt only for repatriation and third-party liability cover.

How can international students choose the right insurance?

When choosing your international student insurance, start by considering your healthcare entitlements and your cover requirements during your stay, then request a free, no-obligation quote.

Before taking out a policy, please check:

• Your existing entitlements: National Health Insurance, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), the local scheme, supplementary insurance and cover under other policies.
• The area and dates covered: country of study, other planned trips and temporary returns.
• Specific cover details: medical cost limits, excesses, exclusions, assistance and procedures in the event of hospitalisation.
• Your project requirements: a certificate required for a visa, university admission or an internship.

At ACS, we support students travelling abroad as well as those coming to study in France. Depending on the policy, international student travel insurance can cover medical expenses, repatriation assistance and third-party liability. Home insurance, meanwhile, covers risks relating to accommodation. The options listed above will help you identify the cover you need for your plans.

If you already know what you need, get a quote online: enter your date of birth, country of residence, destination and the length of your stay. You can then check the cover, limits and exclusions before taking out insurance tailored to your situation.

Are you unsure about your entitlement to healthcare or the cover you need? Contact our advisers by email or phone. They can help you choose insurance for international students or travel insurance suited to your destination, so that you know what is covered (and what isn’t...) whilst you’re studying.