Expat travel insurance

Compare expat travel insurance if you need long term cover.

Brand	Maximum length covered in one trip	How does it work?	Enquire
Medibank	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Bonus Get quote
Freely	6 months	Where your journey is necessarily extended due to an unforeseen circumstance outside your control, your period of insurance will be extended until you are physically able to travel home by the quickest and most direct route. The period of insurance will not be extended for any other reason.	Bonus Get quote
Zoom	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
fastcover	24 months	You can purchase a 12-month policy and apply to extend for another 12 months after your trip has started.	Finder AwardBonus Get quote
Insure4less	12 months	You can apply for up to a 12 month extension (maximum extension of insurance is 12 months. Note: There is no cover for any insured person who is in the USA for 364 consecutive days or more.	Get quote
Travel Insuranz	12 months	You can apply for up to a 12 month extension (maximum extension of insurance is 12 months. Note: There is no cover for any insured person who is in the USA for 364 consecutive days or more.	Get quote
InsureandGo	12 months	Cover can be extended, subject to approval from InsureandGo.	Finder AwardBonus Get quote
Tick	12 months	Cover can be extended, subject to approval from Tick.	Finder AwardBonus Get quote
World2cover	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
Cover-More	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Bonus Get quote
Southern Cross	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Finder Award Get quote
Travel with Kit	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	More info
Travel with Jane	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	More info
Easy	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
Australia Post	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	Get quote
Travel Insurance Saver	12-24 months	Bare Essentials, Essentials and Comprehensive are available. You can purchase two 12 month policies back to back, to get up to 24 months of cover for the one trip.	More info
1cover	12 months	If you choose to continue travelling after your first 12 months, you may be able to get a further 12 months of cover by taking an "Already Overeas" policy.	More info
Worldcare	12 months	You can purchase the new cover subject to approval and duration of cover cannot exceed the total of 12 months.	More info

^{Note: This information was last updated August 2023}

Why might I need expat travel insurance?

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, at any given time there are approximately one million Australians living and working overseas. Here are some key reasons why having expat travel cover is important:

• Overseas medical expenses. Medicare and your private health insurer won't cover you for any medical costs you incur overseas, so adequate cover for your overseas hospital bills is crucial. Without it, you could be left to deal with a huge financial fallout.
• Cover when you're already overseas. If you're already overseas, many Australian travel insurers will refuse to cover you, so expat travel insurance can help you get this vital protection.
• Cover for short trips. If you're an Australian citizen temporarily living overseas, you may want travel insurance cover to provide protection when you take short trips from your current country of residence. For example, if you're temporarily living and working in the UK, you might want to take a holiday around continental Europe.
• Cover for trips home to Australia. Currently living overseas but planning a quick trip home to Australia to catch up with family and friends? You'll need to find a policy that covers you for the duration of the journey.
• Liability cover. If you accidentally injure someone or damage their property while you're overseas, travel insurance will often include liability cover up to $20 million.
• Other important benefits. Travel insurance also covers a wide range of other potentially costly mishaps, including cancellation costs when you're forced to call off your trip due to circumstances beyond your control, and lost or stolen luggage or travel documents.

Types of cover or travel insurance for Australian expats

There are several cover options available for Australian citizens living and working overseas:

• Already overseas cover. A number of Australian travel insurance providers offer cover for Australians already overseas. These policies offer the same level of cover as ordinary travel insurance, but you may need to serve a waiting period before cover begins and most insurers will require your journey to end in Australia.
• Travel insurance from an international provider. Travel insurers in other countries can provide cover to an Australian citizen living overseas. However, keep in mind that many insurers in countries around the world won't offer cover to non-residents, so you'll need to check the fine print closely and shop around for the right policy.
• One-way cover. This type of policy covers you on your outgoing trip only and lets you make a claim without having to return to Australia.
• Long-term cover. If your work or study abroad is only for a limited period, a long-term travel insurance policy may offer adequate protection. Some insurers offer "backpacker" cover for journeys up to 18 months long.
• Cover for other countries. If you plan to visit neighbouring countries while you're overseas, you'll need travel insurance that covers trips to those destinations. You may be able to purchase non-resident travel insurance from an insurer in the country where you are currently residing, or in some cases, you may be able to include cover as part of the policy you purchase before you first leave Australia.
• Reciprocal Health Care Agreement. You may be eligible to receive subsidised health care if you are travelling to a country that is part of the RHCA.

What about countries with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA)?

In some overseas countries, Australian travellers are able to access essential medical treatment for minimal or no charge. This is due to the Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCAs) that the Australian Government has in place with the following countries:

Under these agreements, if you visit any one of the above countries then you are able to access subsidised essential medical care if you can provide:

• Your Australian passport or another valid document that shows you are a permanent resident of Australia
• A valid Medicare card

"It's still a good idea to get travel insurance even if you're visiting a country with an RHCA, since travel insurance can cover lost luggage, personal items, cancellation fees and a bunch of other really common travel mishaps."

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

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Frequently asked questions

• How does travel insurance work if I'm already overseas?

  If you're already overseas, some Australian insurers have policies that will cover you. Common conditions of these policies include:

  • A waiting period from the start date of the policy (usually between 3-7 days) where claims related to injury or illnesses are excluded.
  • Your journey must end in Australia
  • Your cover will only commence from the date the policy is issued. This means you won't be covered for retroactive trip cancellations.
  • No cover for pre-existing medical conditions, other than those automatically covered on your policy

  If you're no longer an Australian resident, which is a requirement of Australian travel insurance policies, you will either have to purchase a non-resident travel insurance policy (if returning to Australia) or find an insurer in your current country of residence who will cover you when you are travelling.

• Is expat insurance the same as travel insurance?

  Yes. It covers the same benefits as a standard travel insurance policy but it typically lasts longer (up to 18 months).

• I'm an Aussie expat and I want to return home to Australia for a holiday. Can I get travel insurance for a visit to Australia?

  Cover options may be limited if you plan to return home to Australia. If you've been away for more than five years, your residency status may have lapsed or expired, unless you're an Australian citizen. In this case, you may need to obtain non-resident travel insurance in order to visit or return to Australia. Some insurers specialise in expat travel insurance that can provide cover for your return home.

• I'm an Australian expat living overseas and I want to take some short trips to neighbouring countries. What sort of policy should I get?

  If you're residing in another country and planning on taking short trips to neighbouring countries, or larger trips throughout the year, it could be cheaper and more affordable to get an annual multi-trip policy. However, it's worth noting that the maximum period of cover for individual trips is generally either 30, 60 or 90 days.

• Do expats need travel insurance?

  Yes, everyone traveling abroad should have travel insurance, expats included. Although you're not legally required to have insurance (unless a visa application requires one), travel insurance for expats has several benefits, such as: Being able to get medical coverage for any emergencies during the trip.

• Can I extend my policy while I am away?

  Generally yes. Some insurers will let you extend your policy, provided you do so at least a week before the policy expires.

• Do I need travel insurance if I'm a dual citizen?

  If you're a dual national and you're travelling to another country where you are also a citizen, there is no requirement for you to take out travel insurance for your journey but it's highly recommended. You may have cover for essential health care, but you won't be covered to protect your belongings, or any other unexpected expenses that may pop up if you don't have travel insurance.

• If I require medical repatriation, will my insurer return me to Australia or back to the country I am residing in as an expatriate?

  It will depend on the policy you choose. Some insurers will have the option to return you to your country of residence if necessary. This is usually available as an additional option.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 644 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living

Co-written by

James Martin

Editor

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

James's expertise

James has written 204 Finder guides across topics including:

• Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
• Managing the cost of living
• Money-saving tips