Travel insurance needs differ a lot depending on your travel style. Most of the affordable options, at least in our home country Finland, are meant only for short holiday trips that you start from your home address. Such insurances are not a good option for extended trips, as the coverage usually ends after max. 3 months, and for digital nomads or other lifestyle travelers without a home base, they are not an option at all. In fact, finding an affordable coverage for longer journeys or living as a digital nomad can be surprisingly difficult.
For digital nomads and long-term travelers, finding the right insurance can be tricky because there are very few insurance policies specifically designed for location-independent lifestyles. Most of the time traditional insurance companies have tight limits for the duration of the trip, and if they do offer options for extended periods, the prices tend to be very high. Typically, a single trip is limited to a maximum duration of 45 days (sometimes 3 months) in the policy conditions, and the trip must start and end at your home address.
Some sort of a health insurance is really a must have (unless you are super rich), so if the domestic insurance providers are not an option, how to get covered for long trips? In this post we introduce three international options for travel insurances suitable for European long-term travelers.
Travel insurances for digital nomads and for long trips
Anyone planning a long trip or digital nomad lifestyle should definitely expand their search for insurance options and look for suitable options from international companies. Nowadays, there are several companies offering new types of insurance, some even specifically designed for digital nomads. We have compared several reputable insurance providers and will present a few travel insurance options suitable for (EU citicen) digital nomads below.
Genki
Founded at the end of 2021, Genki is a relatively new player in the health insurance market for nomads. Genki is a German company offers a subscription-based health insurance for location-independent nomads, covering medical expenses worldwide. Genki’s age limits are slightly lower than SafetyWing’s (that will be introduced next). According to their website, the insurance can be taken for a maximum of two years at a time, but the details for continuation are not clearly stated. Genki is purely health insurance and does not cover trip delays or cancellations. The insurer is Allianz. You can check your monthly premium using the calculator below.
During our six-month trip to Africa in 2023 and 2024, we had the chance to test the Genki Explorer nomad insurance. In Kenya, we had a tooth repaired in Nairobi, which was done quickly at a private clinic. Genki’s insurance covered the acute treatment, although the processing time was quite long. We paid the bill ourselves first and then applied for reimbursement from Genki afterward.
SafetyWing
Norwegian SafetyWing has significantly grown in popularity in recent years. The company offers travel insurance specifically designed for nomads, with a monthly fee and renewable coverage for up to a year at a time without interruptions. The insurance remains valid even if the insured doesn’t return to their home country. For those under 30, the cost of continuous insurance is almost the same as Genki’s, but it is cheaper for those aged 30-40. For those aged 40-50, the price unfortunately is significantly higher.
SafetyWing’s Nomad insurance also includes a small reimbursement for lost luggage and flight delays, though these benefits are minimal. The more expensive Complete option also covers theft and trip cancellation, but most importantly, it includes cancer screenings and treatments. The monthly cost of the Complete insurance is nearly three times higher than the basic insurance.
GlobeLink
During our previous trips outside the EU, we used GlobeLink, which is now registered in Cyprus. A few years ago, this company was the best option for us, but today there are several competitive players in the market. The biggest challenge with GlobeLink is that although they offer insurance even after the trip has already started, the price is double compared to purchasing the insurance before the trip. It could be a great option if you happen to visit the country you have an address in before a long trip abroad, just remember to get GlobeLink’s insurance before you leave.
GlobeLink’s travel insurance maximum duration is 18 months (15 + 3 months). For those under 50 years old, the monthly cost is under 45 euros without luggage insurance and about 50 euros per month with the cheapest luggage insurance, though the coverage amounts for luggage are quite small. Additionally, items like a phone can be insured separately. To get the insurance, you need to provide a home address.
GlobeLink has previously reimbursed us for dental expenses in Georgia and a theft in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, when cash was stolen from our hostel room.
Summary:
By comparing the options listed above, you’re likely to find a suitable insurance for longer trips or a nomadic lifestyle. Recently, we’ve primarily used Genki, as it has been the most affordable option when the trips have started outside of Finland. We’ve also tested GlobeLink twice abroad, and Genki covered dental expenses in Kenya. The ideal situation would be to have a separate insurance for luggage and devices, but we haven’t found such an option yet.
We recommend doing a thorough comparison of other options as well to find the best value for money. For example, domestic travel insurance for the first months of the trip and then either Genki or SafetyWing could be a good choice. However, it’s also worth comparing the total costs of GlobeLink’s Backpacker option for the entire trip. Have a great trip, and hopefully, you won’t need to use your travel insurance!