Insurance for language courses abroad 2027: when it is compulsory and what to check

Updated 28 October 2026 · General information from official sources, not insurance or legal advice

Whether you need insurance for a language course abroad depends on three things: where you go, how long you stay and which passport you hold. For a few destinations it is a visa condition (Australia, Ireland for non-EEA students, a Schengen visa); in others it is simply the sensible thing to do, because a hospital bill abroad or a course you cannot start can cost far more than the policy. This guide sets out the official rules we could verify, what the European health card does and does not cover, and what to check in a policy.

When is insurance compulsory?

The table summarises the rules that apply to students. They change, so always confirm on the official page and with your school before you buy anything.

Destination	What the rule says	Official source
Ireland	Non-EEA students must have private medical insurance (accident and disease, including hospital stays) to register with immigration. Insurance documents must be in English. A letter from the school can serve as proof if you join its group scheme. EEA citizens do not need a visa.	Irish Immigration Service
United Kingdom	Student visa: most applicants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with the application and then use the NHS. Short courses on a visitor route do not include that access, so travel or medical insurance is your own decision.	GOV.UK
Malta	For stays above 90 days Identità asks for private health insurance valid for the whole course, unless your institution is exempt (public bodies such as the University of Malta). Private language schools are not in the exempt list.	Identità Malta
Canada	The federal government does not pay the medical costs of foreign students; cover depends on the province and the school, which will tell you what applies.	Government of Canada
Australia	Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a condition of the student visa and must be kept for its whole length; you show it when you apply.	Australian Government
USA	J-1 exchange visitors must hold insurance that meets federal minimums. For F-1 students and short courses there is no single federal rule: many schools require or offer a plan, so ask.	US State Department (J-1)
Schengen area	A Schengen short-stay visa needs travel medical insurance valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, with a minimum cover of EUR 30,000. National long-stay visas have their own rules: check the embassy.	EU Visa Code (Reg. 810/2009)

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC and GHIC)

If you are insured in an EU state, the EHIC gives you the same rights to public healthcare as people insured in the country you visit, whether you are on holiday, on a business trip or studying abroad, for treatment that cannot wait until you get home. UK residents use the GHIC, with similar limits (GOV.UK). The official EU page is explicit about the limits:

It does not cover private healthcare, only the public system.
It does not cover rescue and repatriation: for transport home after a serious illness or accident you need separate insurance.
It does not cover planned treatment abroad.
You get the same treatment and the same co-payments as local people, and you may have to pay first and claim later.
It does not cover cancelled courses, lost luggage or a delayed flight.
Non-EU nationals cannot use it in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (with some exceptions).

Source: Your Europe, European Commission.

Travel insurance or health insurance?

They are different products and a course abroad may need either or both.

	Travel insurance	Health insurance for a long stay
Designed for	Trips of days or a few weeks	Months in the same country, as a resident or student
Typical content	Emergency medical care, repatriation, luggage, delays, sometimes cancellation	Doctor visits, hospital, often routine care and prescriptions
Usually accepted for a visa?	Schengen short-stay visa if it meets the EUR 30,000 minimum	Often required for student residence permits (Ireland, Malta)
Check	Pre-existing conditions, sports, how long a trip it covers	Start date, country, whether it covers outpatient care and your whole course

Course cancellation and the school closing

Cancellation insurance normally pays only for the reasons listed in the policy (such as your own serious illness or a close relative's) and usually not for a change of mind. Read the list of reasons, the deadline to buy it (often soon after you book) and whether it covers the course fee that is already paid. Check separately what happens if the school itself closes: some policies do not cover it, so ask the insurer before relying on it. Before buying, also read the school's own refund policy, which is the first line of protection.

Many schools sell their own insurance

A number of the schools in our catalogue offer insurance with the course, include it in a long-course fee or make it compulsory, and in Australia schools can arrange OSHC for you. Buying from the school is simple and may be required for the visa paperwork, but it is not always the cheapest or the widest cover. Ask what exactly it covers and compare it with a policy bought on your own.

Checklist before you buy

Does your visa or the school require insurance, and in what form (language, minimum amounts, start and end dates)?
Does the cover last from the day you leave until the day you return, including the days before and after the course?
Does it include medical care, hospital, repatriation and the medical limit you need?
Are pre-existing conditions, regular medication and sports or activities you plan covered?
What is the excess (deductible) and do you have to pay first and claim later?
What does it say about cancelling or interrupting the course, and about the school closing?
Keep the policy number and the emergency phone number where you can find them without Internet.

Need insurance for your course?

LanguageBookings.com is not an insurer or a broker and we do not recommend a particular company for now. If you tell us your destination, dates and nationality we can point out what the school and the visa ask for. Your question also helps us decide whether to offer this service.

Need insurance for your course? Ask us