Travel insurance for Russia: what to know first
For a trip to Russia, choose a travel medical policy that covers emergency treatment and hospital care inside Russia, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, and round-the-clock multilingual assistance. Confirm the policy is valid for your entire stay and covers the regions and activities on your itinerary (such as skiing or other high-risk sports), and check how it handles pre-existing conditions before you buy. Whether insurance is mandatory depends on your visa type and nationality, so verify the current rules for your case on an official source — but medical cover is strongly recommended either way, because foreign visitors generally pay out of pocket at Russian hospitals without it.
Plans range from basic emergency-only cover to comprehensive worldwide policies. The table further down shows what a good Russia policy should include to help you match a plan to your trip and budget.
Why most Western travel insurance won't cover you in Russia
This is what catches travellers out. Because of sanctions, most Western insurers — including big names such as Allianz, AXA and World Nomads — no longer provide usable cover inside Russia, even on policies advertised as "worldwide". The practical problem is payment: a Western insurer generally cannot pay a Russian hospital or reimburse a Russian provider, so a "covered" claim can still leave you out of pocket. Before you rely on an existing policy, read its territorial exclusions and ask the insurer directly, in writing, whether it pays claims incurred in Russia.
What actually works: your real options
- A Russian insurer. Major Russian companies — Ingosstrakh, SOGAZ, AlfaStrakhovanie, Soglasie — issue travel-medical policies that bill Russian hospitals directly, which is exactly what you want in an emergency.
- A platform that sells Russian cover to foreigners. Several services now let non-residents buy a Russian medical policy online with a foreign card and issue the certificate consulates accept. This is the simplest route if your home insurer can't pay inside Russia.
- The few Western options that still pay in Russia. A small number of international providers continue to cover Russia; if you use one, get written confirmation that treatment and evacuation inside Russia are honoured.
Insurance and the Russian e-visa
If you enter on the unified e-visa, travel medical insurance valid in Russia and covering your whole stay is part of the requirements, and consular (paper) visa applications usually require an insurer's certificate too. Buy the policy before you apply so the certificate is ready. For the visa itself, see our Russia e-visa guide.
What a good Russia travel-medical policy should cover
Match the policy to your trip, not just the price. At a minimum, look for:
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Medical & hospital | Emergency treatment and inpatient care inside Russia; aim for at least €35,000 of cover |
| Evacuation & repatriation | Air ambulance and medically supervised return home; check the limits and number of evacuations |
| Assistance | 24/7 multilingual line that can coordinate with Russian hospitals; direct billing preferred |
| Validity & region | Valid for your entire stay and every region on your route, including remote/Trans-Siberian legs |
| Activities | Explicit cover for skiing, snowboarding or other high-risk activities you plan |
| Pre-existing conditions | Disclosed and covered, or a rider added — undisclosed conditions void claims |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need travel insurance to visit Russia?
Whether insurance is mandatory depends on your visa type and nationality, so check the current requirements for your case on an official source. Regardless of the rules, travel medical cover is strongly recommended: foreign visitors generally pay out of pocket for treatment at Russian hospitals, and many Western policies exclude Russia.
What should a travel insurance policy for Russia cover?
Prioritise emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation inside Russia, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, and 24/7 multilingual assistance. Also confirm the policy is valid for your whole stay and covers the regions and activities on your itinerary, plus trip interruption, delays and baggage if you want broader protection.
Does travel insurance for Russia cover pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are often excluded or subject to a waiting period. Disclose all conditions and current medications honestly when you apply — failing to do so can void a claim — and consider a specific pre-existing-condition rider or a higher-tier plan if you need that cover.
Are emergency medical evacuation and repatriation included?
Comprehensive plans typically include air ambulance, transfer to a suitable hospital and medically supervised repatriation under defined conditions. Check the limits and the number of evacuations covered — this matters most for long or remote routes such as the Trans-Siberian — and keep your policy documents handy for border and hospital checks.
