Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Irena Domingo
This article provides a quick guide on how to obtain medical insurance for traveling to Russia, suitable for entry with either an electronic visa (e-visa) or a traditional visa, including coverage for Covid-19.
Here’s what I’ll cover …
1. Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Russia?
Some countries require travelers to have medical insurance to enter. This ensures that in the event of an accident or medical emergency during your stay, your insurer will cover the costs rather than the local authorities.
Russia is among these nations. Thus, those arriving with either an electronic visa or a traditional visa must carry valid medical insurance throughout their time in the Russian Federation, which needs to meet specific conditions.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, many American and European insurance providers do not offer coverage that includes Russia. Conversely, many Russian insurers do provide coverage, but they usually do not accept payments from Western cards.
Having used various insurance providers for trips to Russia with both types of visas, this article outlines the required conditions for the insurance and how to acquire it online in just 5 minutes with a printable PDF.
2. Requirements for Travel Insurance for an Electronic Visa to Russia
When purchasing travel insurance for Russia, you should keep the following in mind:
- Purchase Before Your Trip: Insurance cannot be bought upon arrival in Russia, at the airport, or at any land or rail border crossing.
- The insurance policy must be provided in English or Russian only; other languages are not acceptable.
- The insurance can be purchased online in PDF format from any insurance provider. Ensure you print it before your trip to present it with your electronic visa.
- The insurance policy must include the following details:
- Insurance start date and coverage period.
- Policy number.
- Full names of the insured individuals (which must match those on the electronic visa).
- Details of medical coverage, including assistance and repatriation costs; I recommend a minimum coverage amount of $30,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.
- A clearly specified coverage area: it should indicate “World,” “Russian Federation,” or “Europe, including Russia” (it’s not sufficient to state only “Europe,” as Russia extends into both Europe and Asia).
- Signature of the insurance provider.
3. How to Get Travel Medical Insurance for an E-Visa to Russia in 5 Minutes
Currently, there are two travel insurance options available from Russian companies that can be purchased online in just 5 minutes, with the ability to pay using foreign cards:
- Atollo Assistance, a Russian insurer that offers policies from Solidarity Insurance.
- Cherehapa, another Russian provider that offers coverage through Sovkombank Insurance.
I personally use the insurance offered by Atollo Assistance, a firm specializing in travel insurance. Their policy is available in both English and Russian, and it meets all required conditions. This insurance is also valid for obtaining a traditional paper visa.
The advantage of this insurance is its excellent coverage (up to 35,000 euros), affordable pricing, and quick setup:
Step 1. Provide Your Personal Information
To obtain the insurance, visit their website and enter the traveler’s personal details: name, surname, and date of birth. You can include multiple travelers when purchasing the policy.
The policyholder will be the person who purchases the insurance, usually the traveler responsible for securing coverage for everyone involved. You will need to provide an email address to which the insurance policy will be sent.
Step 2. Input Payment Information
In the next step, enter your card details to process the payment. You can use cards from any country: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Maestro, UnionPay, etc.
Step 3. Download and Print the Policy as a PDF
After completing your payment, you can download your insurance policy in PDF format, ready to print. It will also be sent to your email. Currently, Atollo Assistance offers travel insurance from Solidarity Insurance in Russia.
4. What Coverage Period Should I Choose for Travel Insurance to Russia?
For a traditional visa, you need to obtain travel insurance that covers the duration of your visa. For example, if your visa is valid from July 1st to July 15th, you should have insurance for the entire 15-day period.
In the case of multiple-entry visas (for tourism or business), it’s unnecessary to have insurance for the entire visa validity. You only need it for the initial period of your stay. For instance, if your visa is valid for 180 days (from January 1, 2024, to June 29, 2024), and you first enter Russia from January 1 to January 15, only insurance for those 15 days is required. If you return from March 1 to March 20, you’ll need to purchase a new policy for that duration.
For the electronic visa, you must obtain insurance covering your entire stay. As e-visa holders are allowed a maximum stay of 16 days from the entry date, you’ll need insurance for that full duration if you plan to stay for 16 days.
5. Is Medical Insurance Required to Apply for a Visa?
Travel medical insurance is mandatory for citizens from the following countries applying for either a traditional or electronic visa:
- European Union countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden
- China
- Iran
- Iceland
- Israel
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Norway
- Switzerland
For travelers from other countries, while travel medical insurance is not mandatory for entering Russia, it is highly recommended due to potentially high healthcare costs here in an emergency.
The cost of insurance is minimal compared to the risks it mitigates. While it’s probable you’ll never need to use it, being prepared is always wise.
- Name of the Insurance Company: e.g., Solidarity, Ingosstrakh, Sovkombank, Alfa Strakhovanie, Gazprom Insurance, Tinkoff Strakhovanie, etc.
- Insurance Policy Number: This can be found at the beginning of the policy.
- Start Date of the Policy: The start date must match your insurance policy details.
- Expiration Date of the Policy: This must also correspond with your insurance details.
7. Is the Original Insurance Policy Required, or is the PDF Sufficient?
For the electronic visa, the PDF version is sufficient. You can display it on your mobile device if required; printing it is not necessary.
For traditional paper visa insurance in Russia, most consulates worldwide accept electronically signed PDF documents. This applies to consulates in European countries, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, South Africa, and others.
8. What Types of Visas Are Available with Solidarity Travel Insurance?
You can apply for any type of visa in Russia, including:
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Student Visa
- Visitor Visa (to see family or friends)
- Work Visa
- Humanitarian Visa
- Visa for Highly Qualified Specialists
- Visa for participation in scientific, cultural, social, political, economic, or sports events.
- Essentially, any type of visa.
I hope this guide has helped you obtain suitable and affordable medical travel insurance for Russia quickly.
