will EU countries deny entry because I have no health insurance?

A

American2008

Registered Users (C)
when I had only a US greencard, I had to apply for a Schengen visa in order to visit EU countries. since I don't have health insurance, my visa request was always denied by German and French consulates. but I bought temporary travel health insurance and showed it to the consulates and they immediately granted me Schengen visas.

now that I am a US citizen, I still do not have health insurance. however, I can now visit EU coutries visa-free. I haven't made any trips there yet... but I was wondering if I will be denied entry at EU airports if I cannot show them any evidence of health insurance?


P.S. I actually do have free health insurance, but it is a madatory free national health insurance which covers everything, including dental and even 95% of prescription drugs. (a hybrid system of the Swedish and UK systems) I am covered only in my country of origin. When I need anything, I just fly back and get whatever I need done. Obviously, it does not cover overseas(not in US and not in the EU).
 
EU entry

Nothing to worry at all about health insurance. Simply go and no one would ask you anything. However, it is generally a good idea to have some travel insurance coverage while in a foreign country. Call your credit card company to find out -- the coverage might be included already when you travel overseas or as you did last time just buy it for the duration of the trip. It is one thing to get sick here at home -- you know what to do -- but entirely different to get sick in a foreign country.
 
Ahm - nope.

There is a clear requirement that you need to have sufficient funds. Doesn't matter if you have to prove it upon entry or not. It is clearly stated on embassy web sites. Thus entering the EU, they assume you have and "Not knowing the law doesn't mean you don't have to follow it". It is a clear violation if you don't have coverage (via insurance or cash).

You will likely not be asked, but you violate the law if you don't have coverage.
 
And, they sometimes DO ask for proof of an onward ticket, insurance or sufficient funds, depending on how you look or whether or not they're having a bad day. You may be asked, you may not.
 
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