Travel Insurance for Portugal
Explore Portugal with confidence and check out some of the things travel insurance may cover.
- As featured in:
As featured in:
Article at a glance
- Medical costs in Portugal can be high for non-EU visitors; travel insurance may help cover hospital stays, emergency care, and repatriation.
- Australian travellers, including those travelling for work/volunteering, staying for more than 90 days should check visa requirements and policy limits.
- Adventure activities covered: surfing, hiking, cycling and more (depending on plan and options selected).
- Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to understand what’s included and excluded. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the PDS.
- No Reciprocal Health Care Agreement exists between Australia and Portugal — travel insurance for overseas medical expenses should be strongly considered.
Portugal offers a mix of medieval history and vibrant culture with a side of blissful beaches and fantastic fare. But before you hop your flight, consider how travel insurance for Portugal might help protect your trip.
From medical emergencies and travel delays to stolen luggage and natural disasters, your dream Portugal holiday can flip on its head quicker than a flight delay announcement.
- What's covered
- Why should I consider travel insurance for Portugal?
- Does travel insurance cover medical care in Portugal?
- What to look out for when travelling to Portugal
- What’s not covered
- Travel tips for Australians in Portugal
- FAQs for a trip to Portugal
What's covered
World Nomads travel insurance for Portugal offers cover (up to the policy limits) for:
- Delayed or stolen baggage
- Cancellation and trip interruption
- Natural disaster
- Overseas emergency medical, including medical evacuation and repatriation
- More than 220 activities and sports
- Some coronavirus-related events
- 24/7 Emergency assistance
We offer two travel insurance plans: Standard and Explorer. Each policy offers different levels of coverage and benefits. Consider the PDS and whether this product is right for you.
Why should I consider travel insurance for Portugal?
Travel insurance for a Portugal trip may come in handy for unplanned events like:
- Overseas medical emergencies: Lisbon is a great city to explore on two wheels, but if you have a hiking accident and fracture your ankle (or worse) travel insurance may help cover costs.
- Stolen belongings: Pickpocketing is a common reason for travel insurance Europe claims, especially in Portugal's busy areas like Porto's São Bento Station.
- Trip cancellation: If your trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, like a natural disaster, our travel insurance for Portugal may be able to help recover costs.
- Luggage delays: If you arrive in Farro but your luggage doesn’t, our travel insurance may help put clothes on your back.
- Adventure activities: Surfing in Algarve, wine tasting in Douro, or hiking in Madeira? We cover more than 220 activities, so you can explore more.
This is a summary only. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the PDS.
Planning to travel to multiple European destinations? Explore our multi-trip travel insurance article.
Get an instant travel insurance quote.
Additional European travel insurance cover pages for Australian residents:
Does travel insurance cover medical care in Portugal?
Without a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and Portugal, travel insurance for overseas medical emergencies should be considered.
Just keep in mind that travel insurance covers overseas medical emergencies, not routine or ongoing care. It may include cover for GP visits, hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, repatriation, and more, if you suffer a sudden illness or serious injury while on your trip.
Call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team first if you’re sick or injured abroad.
What to look out for when travelling to Portugal
Pickpockets and scammers
Stay alert in crowded tourist hotspots like Lisbon's Tram 28 and Porto's bustling Ribeira waterfront. If you fall victim to a crime, report it immediately to authorities.
Ocean safety
The ocean is a magical place, but it can also be a dangerous one. Portugal's Atlantic coast has powerful rip currents, especially around the Algarve and Nazaré. Always swim in patrolled areas and heed warnings.
Travel to Portugal during shoulder seasons
Travel during Portugal's shoulder seasons of Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) and you'll be rewarded with cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds.
What’s not covered
Travel insurance is not blanket cover-all and there are some things we do not cover. It’s important to read your PDS carefully to ensure you fully understand what is and isn’t covered. Some of the things we do not cover include:
- Personal belongings that are lost or stolen while unattended.
- Existing medical conditions unless they are automatically covered.
- Participating in sports or activities that are excluded, or any activity where you haven’t selected the appropriate level of cover and paid the additional premium, like skiing or snowboarding.
- Incidents resulting from reckless behaviour, or if you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
This is a summary only. Cover is subject to the terms, conditions exclusions and limitations of the PDS. Contact us if you have questions about coverage or exclusions.
Travel tips for Australians in Portugal
Embrace relaxed evenings and late dinners
While Australians typically dine around 7pm, Portuguese restaurants don't even open until 7pm. Embrace the late-night dining culture and enjoy leisurely meals that often stretch past 10pm. Note: Tipping 10% is standard.
Must-visit destinations in Portugal (beyond Lisbon and Porto)
While Lisbon and Porto are essential stops, expand your itinerary to include quieter stops like Sintra, Óbidos, and Sagres where you’ll discover fairy-tale palaces, medieval charm, and breathtaking natural landscapes.
EU entry and exit travel requirements coming soon
The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) for all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen Area is expected to start in October 2025. Stay informed with Smartraveller for country-specific alerts.
This is not a full list of what's covered and not covered. Other terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions may apply so please read your PDS carefully. If you’re not sure if something is covered or how to claim, contact us and we’ll let you know.
FAQ for a trip to Portugal
Here are our most frequently asked questions about travel insurance for Portugal. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask our customer service team
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Do I need a visa to visit Portugal from Australia?
Australian citizens don't need a Schengen visa if they’re travelling in Portugal for 90 days or less. However, if you plan to extend your trip you’ll need to apply for a Schengen visa. For any information related to the latest travel updates and travel requirements visit smartraveller.gov.au
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When should I buy travel insurance for Portugal?
Consider buying travel insurance as soon as you book your flights. This way, you may also be covered for cancellations that occur before departure.
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How do I make a claim?
You can make a claim online from anywhere in the world.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel companion unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need medication?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Hurt abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical assistance or emergency evacuation, our teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact the teamAwards and accolades
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Best for Adventure Travel Insurance Winner
WeMoney Travel Insurance Awards, 2026
Best Travel Insurance Companies Gold Badge Winner
U.S. News & World Report's Best Travel Insurance Companies Ratings, 2026
Best Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Gold Badge Winner
U.S. News & World Report's Best Travel Insurance Companies Ratings, 2026
Best Annual Travel Insurance Gold Badge Winner
U.S. News & World Report's Best Travel Insurance Companies Ratings, 2026
Best for Adventure Travel Winner
Men's Journal Travel Awards, 2025
Travel Insurance – Overall Product Gold Award Winner
Travel Magellan Awards by Travel Weekly, 2025
Travel Services Marketing – Campaign Gold Award Winner
Travel Magellan Awards by Travel Weekly, 2025
Best Customer Service Winner
British Youth Travel Awards, 2025
Best for Adventure Travel Insurance Winner
WeMoney Travel Insurance Awards, 2025
Best for Adventure Travel Insurance Winner
WeMoney Travel Insurance Awards, 2024
GRIST Service Excellence Award Winner
Auscontact Awards, 2024
Customer Experience Initiative of the Year – Process Transformation Winner
Auscontact Awards, 2023
Social Impact Award – The Footprints Network Finalist
The Bessie Awards, 2024
Extraordinary Experience Winner
Global Youth Travel Awards, 2023
Best Responsible Tourism Campaign & Outstanding SDG Contribution Winner
WYSE Travel Confederation's Global Youth Travel Awards, 2021
Service Excellence Award Winner
Auscontact Awards, 2022 & 2021
Best Travel Safety Initiative Winner
WYSE Travel Confederation's Global Youth Travel Awards, 2019
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica Video Shortlisted
Animal & Wildlife category, Shorty Social Good Awards, 2019
Best Use of Social/Mobile Media – Silver Award Winner
British Youth Travel Awards, 2018
Travel Insurance for Chile
Essential travel tips for Canadians visiting Chile
- As featured in:
As featured in:
At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Chile. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Chile like horse riding, surfing and skiing.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip interruptions and lost luggage.
From the stark terrain of the Atacama Desert to the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia, Chile is home to some of South America’s most dramatic scenery – all within easy reach for Canadian travellers. Running along the continent’s western edge, Chile is framed by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, with landscapes shifting between mountain ranges, valleys and coastline. Santiago and Valparaíso bring culture, colour and energy, while the Casablanca and Colchagua valleys offer a slower pace. Come for the scenery, stay for the rhythm of daily life – and a calendar of festivals that bring people together. Just don’t forget to get travel insurance before you leave.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. We offer four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – each with different coverages or levels of coverage.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to Chile. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Chile
Getting active outdoors is an essential part of the Chile experience. In the north, the Atacama Desert is the place to go for sandboarding, stargazing under some of the clearest skies on earth and exploring salt flats and geysers at high altitude. Further south, Patagonia is all about scale – think multi-day treks in Torres del Paine, glacier hikes and kayaking past icebergs. You can also ride horses across wide-open plains or take on challenging climbs in the Andes. Along the coast, world-class waves roll into places like Pichilemu, while offshore waters are ideal for diving. Skiing in Chile is also world-class.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Chile
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be thankful you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Fell off a horse in Patagonia? Wiped out on a mountain bike descent and ended up in hospital? Ate ceviche past its prime and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation can be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having in Chile, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to Chile
- Distances can be surprisingly long, so plan driving routes carefully
- Pack for changing conditions, especially if you’re visiting places like Patagonia or the Atacama where temperatures can vary widely
- Take care at altitude in northern Chile and allow time to acclimatise if visiting high-elevation areas
- Watch out for petty crime – pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles happens in cities and tourist areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Chile. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Chile?
Canadians don’t need a visa for short stays in Chile (typically up to 90 days), but you may need to show proof of onward travel. Entry requirements can change, so check before you go.
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Is Chile safe for tourists?
Chile is considered one of the safer countries in South America, but petty theft can occur, particularly in cities like Santiago and Valparaíso. Stay aware of your surroundings and take standard precautions. You may want to consider travel insurance for those unexpected situations that arise.
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What is the best time to visit Chile?
Chile’s seasons vary by region. Summer (December to February) is ideal for Patagonia, while spring and autumn are great for central regions. The Atacama Desert can be visited year-round.
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Can I drink tap water in Chile?
Tap water is generally safe to drink in cities, but in remote areas it’s best to check locally or stick to bottled water.
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What currency is used in Chile?
Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). Credit cards are widely accepted in cities, but it’s useful to carry cash for smaller purchases and rural areas.
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What is the best way to get around Chile?
Domestic flights are the quickest way to cover long distances, while buses are reliable and affordable. Car hire is useful for exploring certain regions at your own pace.
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Do I need travel insurance for Chile?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Been working hard for your trip?
We'll work hard to protect it.
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Expenses
Feeling fit and healthy? What if you get sick or injured?
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need meds quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Transportation
Know where the nearest hospital is?
Don’t stress, we’ll get you there quickly.
Evacuation and Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Love photography, filming or sport?
Cover your bags, tech or gear.
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Overseas Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation
- Trip Cancellation or Interruption
- 24-Hour Assistance Services
- Baggage
- And more (depending on your country of residence)
