Canada covers no medical costs for foreign visitors: a single hospital stay can quickly run to several thousand dollars. This page explains the risks of travelling to Canada without insurance, what level of cover to aim for, and which formalities to check before you leave.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance mandatory for Canada?
Travel insurance is not required at the Canadian border. However, the Canadian healthcare system is entirely at the expense of foreign visitors, and French national health insurance does not cover treatment received outside the European Union. Without insurance, every GP visit and every night in hospital is entirely at your own expense.
Why take out travel insurance for Canada?
- Very high medical costs: A GP consultation costs over $100, and a night in intensive care can reach nearly $2,000. Without insurance, you foot the entire bill yourself.
- Medical repatriation: In the event of serious hospitalisation, a medical evacuation back to France can cost tens of thousands of euros. Yupwego arranges and covers this transport with no upfront payment required from you.
- No public health cover: The Canadian government does not pay for any medical treatment for foreign visitors. French social security does not cover treatment received in Canada.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment: Illness, accident or a family emergency: cancellation insurance reimburses non-refundable flights and bookings if you cannot travel or must return home early.
- Luggage theft or loss: Lost in transit or stolen: your bags and personal belongings are compensated so you can continue your trip without significant extra costs.
What your Canada travel insurance with Yupwego covers
For a trip to Canada, Yupwego recommends a minimum cover of 900 000 €, in line with the high cost of medical treatment there.
- Medical expenses and hospitalisation: Yupwego pays the hospital or clinic directly, so you pay nothing upfront, even for surgery or an extended stay in intensive care.
- Medical repatriation: In the event of serious hospitalisation, we arrange your return to France by medical transport and cover the full cost.
- Third-party liability: If you cause bodily injury or property damage to a third party, your insurance covers the costs incurred, in accordance with your policy.
- Luggage and personal belongings: Theft or loss in transit: your belongings are compensated so your trip can continue without an unwelcome surprise.
- Cancellation and curtailment: Non-refundable flights and accommodation reimbursed if you need to cancel or return early for a reason covered by your policy.
Health and medical care in Canada
The Canadian healthcare system is of a high standard, but it is entirely at the expense of foreign visitors: a GP consultation costs around $103, a night in a hospital room around $545, and a day in intensive care can exceed $1,900. The main health risks are Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks in wooded areas (particularly in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia), West Nile virus via mosquitoes in summer, and respiratory illnesses in autumn and winter. No vaccines are required to enter Canada, but updating routine vaccinations before departure is recommended.
Entry requirements for Canada
French nationals are exempt from a visa for tourist stays of up to 6 months. However, the eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for all air travel to Canada: it takes just a few minutes to obtain online through the official Canadian government website, costs CAD 7, and is electronically linked to your passport for 5 years. A valid passport is essential. For a longer stay or a Working Holiday Visa, a long-stay travel insurance policy or a youth, student and WHV travel insurance plan is particularly well suited.
Car hire and road accidents in Canada
A car is the essential way to explore Canada’s wide open spaces. Your French driving licence is accepted for tourist stays. When picking up the vehicle, carry out a thorough inspection and take out the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) offered by the rental company: Yupwego travel insurance does not cover damage to a hired vehicle, so this protection must be arranged directly with the rental company. That said, if you are injured in an accident, your medical costs and repatriation are fully covered by your Yupwego policy. Third-party liability is covered in accordance with your policy.
