Hong Kong has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with France. Non-residents pay medical fees close to private rates, even in public hospitals: a standard room costs 7,400 HKD per day, intensive care 35,600 HKD. Before you book your flight, take a few minutes to compare the cover options suited to your trip.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance compulsory in Hong Kong?
Travel insurance is not compulsory to enter Hong Kong. No minimum cover is required at the border. Yet without insurance, every consultation or hospital stay comes entirely out of your own pocket, in one of Asia’s most expensive territories for medical care, where France has no reimbursement agreement in place.
Why take out travel insurance for Hong Kong?
- Very high medical costs for non-residents: In Hong Kong, non-residents pay rates close to the private sector even in public hospitals: 7,400 HKD per day for a standard room, 35,600 HKD in intensive care. Your insurance pays the provider directly on your behalf.
- No reimbursement from French social security: Outside the European Union, French social security does not cover medical costs abroad. Without travel insurance, you bear the full bill from the very first consultation.
- Costly medical repatriation: A medical repatriation from Hong Kong to France is a very significant expense. Travel insurance arranges and covers it in full under the terms of your policy.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment: Last-minute illness, the death of a loved one, an airline strike: cancellation insurance reimburses non-refundable costs on your flights and bookings.
- Lost or stolen luggage: Airports and transit hubs are high-risk areas for baggage. In the event of theft or loss by the carrier, your insurance reimburses you up to the limits set out in your policy.
What your Yupwego travel insurance covers in Hong Kong
For a trip to Hong Kong, Yupwego recommends a minimum cover of 500,000 € to meet the high costs of healthcare facilities, particularly in the private sector.
- Medical expenses and hospitalisation: Yupwego pays the healthcare provider directly, so you pay nothing upfront, even at Hong Kong private-sector rates.
- Medical repatriation: If your condition requires it, your return to France is arranged and fully covered under your policy.
- Third-party liability: If you cause damage to a third party during your stay, the resulting costs are covered under the terms of your policy.
- Luggage and valuables: Theft or loss by the carrier: your belongings are reimbursed up to the limits set out in your policy.
- Trip cancellation and delay: Trip cancelled due to illness, accident or another reason covered by your policy: Yupwego reimburses non-refundable costs.
Healthcare in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a public healthcare system managed by the Hospital Authority, which is high-performing but where non-residents pay rates close to the private sector. A specialist consultation costs approximately 850 HKD; a day in intensive care, 35,600 HKD. No vaccines are compulsory for French travellers, but keeping DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) and hepatitis A up to date is recommended. Air pollution and the humid summer heat can aggravate respiratory conditions: declare any relevant medical history when taking out your policy.
Entry requirements for Hong Kong
French nationals do not need a visa to stay in Hong Kong for up to 90 days: a passport valid for at least one month after the planned departure date is all that is required. If you plan to travel on to mainland China, a Chinese visa is needed and must be applied for before leaving France. For a longer stay or relocation, an expat insurance policy or a long-stay travel insurance policy is better suited than a standard tourist contract.
Car hire and road accidents in Hong Kong
Hong Kong drives on the left (the British rule): allow time to adjust if you hire a vehicle, even though public transport covers most of the territory. Before picking up the keys, always take out the collision damage waiver (CDW) offered by the rental company, as travel insurance does not cover material damage to a hired vehicle. If you are involved in an accident, however, your own medical expenses and repatriation (personal injury) are covered by your travel insurance, and third-party liability is covered under your policy.
