Do you need travel insurance for France?

France is a cornerstone European trip for Ontario travellers — Paris, the Riviera, the wine regions, the Alps. For short visits Canadians need no visa and no insurance by law, which is exactly why coverage gets left off the list. A few facts make it worth adding.

The European health card doesn’t apply to you

Many travellers have heard of the EHIC or GHIC — the European Health Insurance Card. It lets EU and UK residents access public healthcare across member states. As a Canadian visitor, you are not covered by it. France has a strong public health system, but it is not free for tourists, and you would be expected to pay for care you receive.

The OHIP gap

OHIP pays very little for care outside Canada and never pays up front; most out-of-country coverage ended in 2020. So a French hospital or clinic bill is not something OHIP will cover in any meaningful way. Your private emergency medical policy is what stands behind you.

What to look for in a France policy

• Adequate emergency medical coverage for a hospital stay and, if needed, a medical return to Canada.
• 24/7 assistance that can help you find care and coordinate payment, with language support.
• The right trip length for your stay, whether a week in Paris or a month touring the regions.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption if you have prepaid flights, trains or accommodation.

Our Emergency Medical shelf (Single-Trip or Multi-Trip Annual, Worldwide) suits a France trip, with 24/7 assistance in multiple languages and claims through our claims team.

Health questions and age

There are no medical questions for travellers under 60. At 60 and over, you complete a medical questionnaire that sets your premium and determines how stable pre-existing conditions are handled — it affects price, not eligibility. Answer it accurately, because an error can affect a future claim.

Beyond medical

France trips often involve a chain of prepaid bookings — flights, high-speed rail, hotels, tours. Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage protects that money when a covered reason stops you travelling or forces you home early. Baggage coverage helps with lost or delayed luggage on a multi-city itinerary. These are optional, weighed against what you have prepaid.

If you need care in France

Contact your insurer’s 24/7 assistance line early — the team can direct you to an appropriate facility and arrange payment, which is valuable when you are unwell in another language. Keep every bill and record for a complete claim, and use telemedicine for minor issues where appropriate. We offer telemedicine, 24/7 assistance, and claims through our claims team.

Risks worth a thought

France covers a lot of ground, and the risks shift with the trip. City breaks mean long days on foot on old streets, where slips happen; driving is on unfamiliar roads; and summer heat can be intense in the south. If your plans include skiing in the Alps, cycling, or other adventurous pursuits, note that standard emergency medical plans may limit some activities — we offer an optional Sports & Activities add-on for exactly that. Matching your coverage to what you will really do, rather than to a generic trip, is the best way to avoid a gap when it matters.

So — do you need travel insurance for France? Not by law for a short visit, but because the European health card is not yours and OHIP will not fill the gap, yes. Once you have your dates and travellers, you can get a quote based on age and length of stay.