India does not require travel insurance at entry, but treatment at a private clinic and a medical repatriation involve costs that the French health insurance system does not cover. A medical flight from India can exceed $25,000 depending on the patient’s condition. Yupwego compares the right insurance policies so you can travel with complete peace of mind.
Get my quoteIs travel insurance mandatory for India?
Travel insurance is not required to enter India. It remains essential: private hospitals bill foreign travellers directly, the French health system covers nothing outside France, and a medical repatriation can exceed $25,000 depending on the patient’s condition.
Why take out travel insurance for India?
- Medical costs entirely your responsibility: India’s private clinics, favoured by foreign visitors for their quality, charge high rates: a hospital stay can reach several thousand euros per day. No bilateral agreement will reimburse these costs on your return.
- Expensive medical repatriation: A medical flight from India can cost between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on the patient’s condition and distance. Travel insurance covers this expense and coordinates the return to France.
- Tourist areas with limited healthcare infrastructure: Agra, Varanasi and the Kullu-Manali valley lack the facilities needed for complex care. Transfer to a major private hospital may be unavoidable, adding further costs.
- Health risks throughout the country: Dengue, malaria, rabies and typhoid are active across India. Hospitalisation or prolonged treatment generates significant costs without adequate cover.
- Theft and loss of luggage: Indian airports and railway stations are high-risk areas for personal belongings. Travel insurance can compensate for lost or stolen baggage, subject to your policy terms.
What your India travel insurance covers with Yupwego
For India, Yupwego recommends a minimum cover of 500 000 € to handle medical expenses, repatriation and the main travel emergencies.
- Medical expenses and hospitalisation: Yupwego pays the private hospital directly: you pay nothing upfront, even for surgery or intensive care.
- Medical repatriation: In the event of a serious emergency, Yupwego organises and funds your medical return to France.
- Trip cancellation and curtailment: Illness, bereavement or an unforeseen event: non-refundable costs are reimbursed to you in accordance with your policy.
- Third-party liability abroad: Damage caused to a third party in India: Yupwego covers you up to the limits set out in your policy.
- Luggage and personal belongings: Theft by break-in or loss by the carrier: your policy may compensate for missing items, subject to conditions.
Health and healthcare in India
India’s major cities have good-quality private hospitals, but popular tourist destinations such as Agra, Varanasi and the Kullu-Manali valley lack the infrastructure for complex care: transfer to a private facility may be necessary. The main health risks are dengue, malaria, rabies (India accounts for more than a third of global cases), typhoid and waterborne diseases. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends, depending on the regions visited and length of stay, the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, meningitis ACWY and Japanese encephalitis vaccines. No vaccine is compulsory to enter India from France: consult your doctor before departure.
Entry requirements for India
French nationals must present a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the visa expiry date, with a minimum of two blank pages. A visa is compulsory and must be obtained as an e-visa through the official website indianvisaonline.gov.in. Since 1 October 2025, an e-Arrival Card is also required: it must be completed online within 72 hours before arrival. For an extended stay or an expatriate assignment, see our long-stay travel insurance: tailored cover or our expat insurance: medical protection abroad.
Car hire and road accidents in India
Hiring a vehicle in India is common for regional touring. Check whether an international driving licence is required and always take out the rental company’s insurance (CDW or excess waiver): damage to the hired vehicle is not covered by your Yupwego travel insurance. In the event of an accident, your Yupwego policy covers your medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation (personal injury), as well as third-party liability in accordance with your policy terms. India is among the world’s most dangerous countries for road travel: do not travel without this protection.
