{"id":37385,"date":"2024-12-09T08:05:50","date_gmt":"2024-12-09T08:05:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/?p=37385"},"modified":"2025-06-25T06:56:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T06:56:45","slug":"do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Need Special Health Insurance for an Internship Abroad?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad\/#Why_is_health_insurance_important_for_an_internship_abroad\" >Why is health insurance important for an internship abroad?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad\/#Which_countries_require_health_insurance_for_international_interns\" >Which countries require health insurance for international interns?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad\/#How_to_secure_health_insurance_for_your_internship_abroad\" >How to secure health insurance for your internship abroad<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/do-i-need-special-health-insurance-for-an-internship-abroad\/#Tips_for_choosing_the_right_health_insurance_plan_for_your_internship_abroad\" >Tips for choosing the right health insurance plan for your internship abroad<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you start planning your outfits for your exciting internship abroad, let\u2019s take care of the essentials. Aside from applying for internships and securing housing, getting health insurance should be at the top of your list.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what you need to know about health insurance for international internship programs, whether you&#8217;re headed to France, South Korea, or another destination.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_health_insurance_important_for_an_internship_abroad\"><\/span><b>Why is health insurance important for an internship abroad?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical emergencies can happen anywhere. In fact, between <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5825178\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6% and 87% of travelers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> become ill during or after their trips. Without insurance coverage, the costs for treatment or hospitalization\u2014or repatriation, even\u2014can be extremely expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to international interns, many countries actually require health insurance as part of the visa application process. But mandatory or not, we say it\u2019s better to invest in it now than risk straining your budget later.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_countries_require_health_insurance_for_international_interns\"><\/span><b>Which countries require health insurance for international interns?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a breakdown of what to expect in some of the most popular internship abroad destinations:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Schengen countries<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your internship is in a country in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/schengen.news\/schengen-area-member-countries\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schengen Area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014like France, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, or Poland\u2014it\u2019s very likely that you\u2019ll need to follow the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/home-affairs.ec.europa.eu\/policies\/schengen-borders-and-visa\/visa-policy\/applying-schengen-visa_en\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requirements for a Schengen visa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It will all depend on where you are coming from.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance is a mandatory part of the Schengen visa application, but it must meet specific criteria, too:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coverage for emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">minimum coverage amount of \u20ac30,000<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Validity in all Schengen member states<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coverage for the entire duration of your stay<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>South Korea<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The health insurance requirements for international students doing an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/seoul-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">internship in South Korea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depend on the duration of your stay and whether your internship is paid or not.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><i>Unpaid<\/i><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students may enter the country on a simple tourist visa. Health insurance is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhis.or.kr\/english\/wbheaa02900m01.do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not required for tourists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> staying less than six months, but, if you exceed that window, you will be automatically enrolled in South Korea\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhis.or.kr\/english\/index.do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong><i>Paid<\/i><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A special visa is required for paid internships. The specific type of visa depends on multiple factors including if your internship employer subscribes to NHIS. If they do, health insurance coverage under NHIS will be mandatory for you, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Singapore<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re planning a Singapore internship, you\u2019ll need to secure either a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/work-holiday-programme\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work Holiday Pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/training-employment-pass\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training Employment Pass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mom.gov.sg\/passes-and-permits\/training-work-permit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training Work Permit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. None of these visas require health insurance\u2014but don\u2019t get too comfortable just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore has a stellar healthcare system, ranking first in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/1450462\/apac-health-index-by-country\/#:~:text=In%20the%20health%20index%202023,by%20Japan%20and%20South%20Korea.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2023 health index<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, it\u2019s known for being costly, with the city consistently ranking as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eiu.com\/n\/singapore-and-zurich-top-the-list-as-the-worlds-most-expensive-cities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">world\u2019s most expensive<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the Singaporean government <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.channelnewsasia.com\/singapore\/healthcare-subsidies-pchi-household-income-cna-explains-4653516\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">offers financial support<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for its citizens and permanent residents, tourists don\u2019t have access to these. So, if you\u2019re heading to Singapore for your internship abroad, we suggest getting private health insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not sure where to secure one? We can help you make a sound purchase should you be accepted to our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/programs\/singapore-internships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Singapore Internship Program<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Keep reading!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep in mind that policies change all the time. Make sure to double check each destination\u2019s requirements by contacting the respective embassy or consulate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_secure_health_insurance_for_your_internship_abroad\"><\/span><b>How to secure health insurance for your internship abroad<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>There are plenty of options available for securing insurance. Let\u2019s cover a few of them:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><b>International insurance providers<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for insurance providers that specialize in coverage for travelers and interns. Many international companies offer plans specifically designed for internships, student travel, or working abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><b>University programs<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re a student, check with your university. Many schools offer health insurance plans for students interning abroad, sometimes at a discounted rate!<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><b>Travel insurance<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another option is travel insurance, which may offer medical coverage for emergencies, repatriation, and even basic healthcare. Compare this against more comprehensive health plans to ensure it covers your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><b>All-inclusive internship programs<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing health insurance can be intimidating. We at Absolute Internship offer comprehensive assistance with your international travel insurance as part of our program. Our coordinators will guide you through the process so you can meet all necessary requirements for your destination without having to worry too much.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_choosing_the_right_health_insurance_plan_for_your_internship_abroad\"><\/span><b>Tips for choosing the right health insurance plan for your internship abroad<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When selecting a specific health insurance plan for your internship abroad, it\u2019s essential to find one that meets your specific needs. Here are a few tips to guide you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check visa requirements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider other important features<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what you need<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Talk to people<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your budget in mind<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><b>Check visa requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do this first and foremost. List down the mandatories for your destination\u2019s visa application, and round up insurance plans that cover all of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Consider other important features<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Outside visa requirements, you may want to look into the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">24-hour emergency hotline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Availability of customer support in a language you\u2019re comfortable with<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coverage for emergency dental care<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergency evacuation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plenty of accredited medical care providers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freedom to choose the hospital or doctor for your treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Think about what you need<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re getting health insurance, might as well secure one that aligns with your personal needs and plans for your internship abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you need regular check-ups or mental health support? Look for plans that include those services. Planning to try bungee jumping or other adventurous activities on weekends? Choose a plan that covers sports-related accidents.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Talk to people<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply ask around. Reach out to peers who recently interned abroad in the same destination and ask for their recommendations. If they relied on the same health insurance plan, that&#8217;s a green flag.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may also seek advice from our top-notch coordinators when you get accepted into our internship program. We offer assistance with your visa application, and are happy to help make your experience as seamless as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Keep your budget in mind<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for plans that balance affordability with comprehensive coverage. Try not to go over your budget, but don\u2019t compromise on essentials like emergency evacuation, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Go get your health insurance!<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health insurance is a must-have for international internships, whether required by law or simply recommended. Make sure you understand the requirements for your destination country, secure the appropriate coverage, and ensure it meets your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your internship abroad is a unique and valuable experience\u2014the peace of mind provided by proper health insurance will help you make the most of it! To ensure you truly maximize your time, check out our blog post on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/blog\/3-factors-to-maximize-your-summer-internship-abroad-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 Factors to Maximize Your Summer Internship Abroad Experience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for tips on getting the most out of your journey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can seem overwhelming to keep track of all the nitty-gritty details, but don\u2019t worry\u2014internship programs like Absolute Internship offer health insurance and visa application assistance, making the experience even smoother for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before you start planning your outfits for your exciting internship abroad, let\u2019s take care of the essentials. Aside from applying for internships and securing housing, getting health insurance should be&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6168,"featured_media":37386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[920],"tags":[1059,1060,127,1041],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-37385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international-internship","tag-health-insurance","tag-insurance-plan","tag-internship-abroad","tag-internship-programs"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37385\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37385"},{"taxonomy":"table_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/absoluteinternship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/table_tags?post=37385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}