Travel Insurance for Students & Erasmus (2026): What to Get, What to Avoid, and How to Choose the Right Cover
If you're going on Erasmus or studying abroad, you're not taking a normal holiday. You're relocating temporarily. That changes everything about insurance: the trip is longer, you're living like a local, you're carrying a laptop every day, and you're more likely to need everyday medical care.
Quick Answer: Erasmus Student Travel Insurance
Most Erasmus students benefit from travel insurance even with EHIC. Standard holiday policies often don't work for semester-length stays.
- EHIC covers public healthcare but not evacuation, theft, liability, or trip disruption
- Student travel insurance should cover 3-12 month stays, not just 30-day trips
- Check electronics limits - standard baggage cover often caps at €300-500 per item
- Personal liability matters for shared housing and activities abroad
- Some universities require insurance certificates with specific wording
Need the shortest path to the right policy?
Send us your destination country, start/end dates, age, and whether you need a certificate for your university. We'll shortlist 2–3 options that fit Erasmus-style trips.
Get a Student Quote →Do Erasmus Students Actually Need Travel Insurance?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no—but most students still benefit from having proper cover because Erasmus/study-abroad life creates risks that basic arrangements don't solve well.
Many students assume one of these will be enough:
Common Assumptions
- •"I have a European health card / basic cover."
- •"My parents have insurance."
- •"I'm young, so I won't need it."
- •"The university cover is fine."
Erasmus Reality
- •Long durations (3–12 months)
- •Travel across countries during weekends/holidays
- •New sports and activities
- •Shared housing and theft risk
- •Admin requirements (certificates, specific wording)
Even if you have access to public healthcare in your host country, travel insurance can still be valuable for evacuation/repatriation, liability, trip disruption, theft, and the "help me now" assistance piece.
The Biggest Mistake Students Make
They buy a standard "holiday" policy that only covers short trips (7–30 days), then stay abroad for a semester.
When something happens, the policy may not apply because the trip length exceeded the maximum, or because the policy wasn't designed for long stays. Standard travel insurance assumes you're returning home within weeks—not living somewhere for 4–6 months.
The second big mistake: ignoring liability
Students often rent apartments, join sports, attend events, and live in shared accommodation. Liability claims are rare, but when they happen, they can be expensive—flooding damage to an apartment below, accidental injury during activities, broken fixtures. A good policy includes €1–2 million liability cover for minimal extra cost.
What Erasmus/Student Travel Insurance Should Cover in 2026
Medical Cover That Works for Long Stays
At minimum, you want clear emergency medical coverage for unexpected illness or injury. Students get sick abroad more often than they expect—stomach issues, infections, fevers, injuries, dehydration. It's not dramatic, but it's common.
If you're studying outside Europe or in a place where private care is standard, medical limits matter more. If you're staying within Europe, the focus is often more on how smoothly the insurer handles claims and support, not just the number printed on the policy.
Evacuation and Repatriation
This is the "big-ticket" safety net. If something serious happens and you need transfer or medically necessary transport home, repatriation is the difference between "the situation is manageable" and "the situation is financially dangerous." This matters more for students because you're typically away from your family support system, and decisions need to be made quickly.
24/7 Assistance
This is underrated by students and extremely useful. When you're sick in a new country and don't know where to go, a good insurer's assistance line can guide you to appropriate care and reduce paperwork mistakes that cause claim headaches later. It's the "call someone who speaks your language and knows what to do" benefit.
Personal Liability
This is one of the most important "student-specific" benefits. If you accidentally damage property (accommodation, a rental space) or cause injury to someone else unintentionally, liability cover can protect you.
Examples: Flooding from leaving a tap running, kitchen fire, broken fixtures, accidental injury during sports, damage to equipment during activities. If you're doing an internship placement or participating in organised activities, liability becomes even more relevant.
Theft and Laptop/Electronics Cover
Erasmus life means your laptop is basically your identity: coursework, banking, tickets, communication, everything. Standard baggage cover often has low per-item electronics limits.
Electronics Limits
Check laptop/phone sub-limits (often €300–€500 by default)
Theft Requirements
Police report rules (usually within 24 hours)
Unattended Items
Exclusions in libraries, cafés, shared housing
If you're living in shared housing, theft risk is simply higher than on a family holiday.
Trip Interruption and Travel Disruption
Students travel a lot during Erasmus: weekend trips, budget flights, trains, multi-city plans. Delays and missed connections happen. Policies vary massively here—some have meaningful benefits, others are minimal. If you're the kind of student who will travel frequently during the semester, disruption benefits can be surprisingly valuable.
Cancellation (Optional, But Relevant if You Book Early)
If you book flights/accommodation early with non-refundable terms, cancellation can be useful. But cancellation is not "I changed my mind." It depends on covered reasons and proof. If cancellation matters, buy insurance early and choose a policy with realistic cancellation terms.
Student Insurance vs Travel Insurance vs Health Insurance
This is where most confusion happens. Studying abroad can involve overlapping needs:
| Type | Purpose | Covers | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Health Insurance | Visa compliance, ongoing residency | Medical care while living in host country | If required for visa (non-EU → Spain, etc.) |
| Travel Insurance | Trip protection, temporary cover | Medical, evacuation, cancellation, theft, liability, disruption | Weekend trips, journey protection, additional cover gaps |
| EHIC / UK GHIC | Access to public healthcare | Treatment at public facilities under local conditions | EU/EEA countries (but not private care, repatriation, etc.) |
In many cases, students benefit from a travel policy designed for longer trips or "study abroad" use cases rather than a basic holiday plan. If your university requires a certificate or specific wording, you also need a policy that provides proper documentation.
How to Choose the Right Erasmus Policy (Simple Framework)
Start with your duration
If you're abroad for a semester, you need a policy that remains valid for that entire period, or that can be extended safely. Standard 30-day holiday policies won't work.
Consider your travel style
If you'll travel often inside Europe during the semester, you'll benefit from stronger disruption cover and a policy that stays valid across countries without constant admin.
Assess what you carry
If you'll have a laptop and phone with you daily, check the electronics limits and theft rules. Standard limits often fall short of actual device values.
Check whether you need proof of insurance
Some universities want a certificate showing dates and coverage details. If you need that, choose a policy that reliably produces the right document—ask before buying.
Shortcut: Tell us these four things—duration, destination(s), travel frequency, and whether you need a certificate—and we'll shortlist options that fit your Erasmus trip.
Common Student Claim Issues (What to Avoid)
Duration Mismatch
Policy didn't match the real trip length. Short-term policies expire mid-semester, leaving you uninsured when you need it.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurer treats something as pre-existing because symptoms started before purchase—even if you didn't realise.
Missing Documentation
Theft claims fail due to missing police reports or delayed reporting. Many policies require reports within 24 hours.
Activity Exclusions
Students often ski, dive, hike, or ride scooters during weekends. If these aren't covered, claims get rejected.
Buying after departure?
If you're buying insurance after you've already left, expect stricter rules and waiting periods—buying before departure is cleaner and provides immediate cover.
Erasmus Travel Insurance from Spain (Residents & Expats)
If you live in Spain and are going abroad for Erasmus, or if you're an international student based in Spain planning study travel, the best-fit policy depends on:
If you send your destination, dates, age, and whether you need a certificate, we'll recommend 2–3 options that fit Erasmus-style travel and avoid the common "semester-length" traps.
Get Your Student Travel Insurance Quote
Ready to find the right Erasmus travel insurance? Tell us about your trip and we'll shortlist policies designed for semester-length stays—not standard holiday cover that expires mid-trip.
Related Travel Guides
Holiday Insurance from Spain
Travel insurance basics for Spain residents going abroad.
Schengen Travel Insurance
Visa-compliant travel cover for non-EU travellers.
Travel Insurance Certificate
How to get proof of insurance for universities and visas.
Annual Multi-Trip Insurance
Year-round cover for frequent travellers.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Travel insurance when you have existing health conditions.
Travel Insurance Glossary
Key terms and definitions for travel insurance.
Expert reviewed
Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents Maya Kallio and Marco Elsinger, who have helped over 15,000 expats in Spain since 2012.
Maya Kallio
Licensed Insurance Agent
Since 2012
Marco Elsinger
Licensed Insurance Agent
10+ years
Languages: English, Finnish, Spanish, German, Swedish
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.
Do Erasmus students need travel insurance?
It depends on your destination and situation, but most Erasmus students benefit from travel insurance. Even with EHIC access to public healthcare, travel insurance covers things EHIC doesn't—evacuation, repatriation, liability, theft, laptop protection, and trip disruption. If you're staying for a semester and travelling during weekends/holidays, proper travel cover can prevent expensive surprises. Check your university's requirements too—some require proof of insurance.
Is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) enough for Erasmus?
The EHIC gives you access to public healthcare systems in EU/EEA countries under local conditions, but it has limitations. It doesn't cover private medical care (often the fastest option abroad), evacuation/repatriation costs, trip cancellation, theft, personal liability, or weekend trips outside Europe. For a semester abroad with frequent travel, travel insurance fills the gaps EHIC leaves open.
What's the difference between student health insurance and travel insurance?
Student health insurance (for visa purposes) provides ongoing medical cover while living in a country—it's designed for residency. Travel insurance covers temporary trips and includes extras like trip cancellation, baggage, theft, liability, and emergency evacuation. For Erasmus, you may need student health insurance for your host country visa PLUS travel insurance for weekend trips and return journey protection. They serve different purposes and can complement each other.
Does student travel insurance cover my laptop?
Most travel policies include baggage cover, but electronics have sub-limits—often €300–€500 per item. Since student laptops typically cost €800–€1500+, standard cover may not fully protect you. Look for policies with higher electronics limits, or check if you can add a valuable items extension. Also check theft conditions: many require 'forcible entry' or police reports within 24 hours.
What electronics limits should students look for?
For proper laptop protection, look for policies with at least €1000 single-item electronics limits, or policies that allow you to specify higher limits for declared items. Also check phone coverage (often excluded from main limits) and whether 'unattended' exclusions apply in libraries, cafés, or shared accommodation—common student scenarios.
Does student travel insurance cover weekend trips?
Yes, if your policy covers your entire study period and multi-country travel. Most semester-length policies remain valid across Europe (or worldwide, depending on your plan) without needing separate cover for each weekend trip. Check that your destination countries are included and that activities (skiing, diving, hiking) are covered if you'll do them.
How long can student travel insurance last?
Standard 'holiday' policies typically max out at 30–90 days, but student/study-abroad policies can cover 6–12 months or more. For a semester abroad (3–6 months), you need a policy specifically designed for longer stays—not a standard short-trip plan. Some policies allow extensions if your study period runs longer than planned.
Does student travel insurance cover internships abroad?
Some policies cover study placements and internships, but many exclude 'work' activities—even unpaid ones. If your Erasmus includes an internship component, check whether the policy covers 'study placements', 'work experience', or 'voluntary work'. Liability cover becomes more relevant during internships since you may be in professional environments.
Do I need liability insurance as a student abroad?
Personal liability is often underrated by students but highly valuable. If you accidentally damage accommodation (flooding from a tap, fire from cooking, broken fixtures), cause injury to someone, or damage equipment during activities, liability claims can be expensive. Good policies include €1–2 million liability cover—a small cost that prevents large potential bills.
What documentation do I need for a student travel claim?
For theft: police report (usually within 24 hours), proof of ownership (receipts, photos, bank statements), and a list of stolen items. For medical claims: receipts, diagnosis documentation, and sometimes pre-approval from the insurer for non-emergency care. For cancellation: proof of the covered reason (illness certificate, flight cancellation confirmation). Save all receipts and report incidents promptly—delayed reporting is a common claim rejection reason.
Can I extend student travel insurance mid-semester?
Some policies allow extensions if requested before the original end date. Others require a new policy. If there's any chance you might extend your study period, choose a policy that explicitly allows extensions—and check the cost in advance. Buying a new policy while abroad may have waiting periods or exclude 'known' conditions that started during your initial stay.
Is student travel insurance worth it for Erasmus?
For most Erasmus students, yes. The cost is typically €100–€300 for a semester (€20–€60/month), and it covers risks that can otherwise cost thousands—medical evacuation, laptop theft, liability claims, cancelled flights. If you'll travel frequently, carry electronics daily, and live in shared accommodation, the value is even higher. The question isn't really 'if' you'll need it, but whether the cost of not having it is worth the risk.
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