Germany promises many picturesque sights for tourists and several places to visit within its borders. However, since it falls under the list of Schengen countries, you will need to get travel insurance if you want to visit.
While it may be mandated, you can’t ignore the benefits you get under a travel insurance plan. It safeguards your trip and covers medical expenses in case of injury or hospitalisation. Unfortunately, medical fees in Germany can get pretty high, where even a short-term hospitalisation drains your savings.
Why Do You Need Travel Insurance For Germany From India?
Indians are among the most frequent travellers to Germany and other Schengen countries. Therefore, it is understandable why they would be required to get travel insurance. Even taking out the coverage it provides for medical expenses, a Germany travel insurance plan would still bring many benefits.
This can include reimbursement for losses like cancelled flights, loss or theft of luggage, loss of travel documents like your passport, etc. In addition, travel insurance for Germany offers travellers comprehensive coverage during their trip, so any risks that may arise during or before their trip can be handled.
You can book your travel insurance for Germany from any insurance provider in India in person by visiting their offline locations or through their official website. Reputed providers like Tata AIG; provide online and offline travel health insurance plans of several different types.
What You Need To Know About Travelling To Germany
Indian travellers must primarily apply for a German Schengen Visa to gain entry into the country. This is because Germany and other countries in the Schengen region are not visa-free countries, nor do they offer visa-on-arrival services to Indian travellers as of now.
The primary documents you will need when applying for a German visa are:
- Your passport
- A visa application form
- Photo ID
- Your travel insurance for Germany from India.
You can apply for a visa online through the German Consulate or Embassy. After applying, your visa application and other supporting documents will be assessed at the Consulate or Embassy, and you may also be called for an interview.
[Note: As of March 3, 2022, all passengers over 12 years old need to present proof of their Covid-19 status on entering Germany, and their PCR test must not be older than 72 hours before their planned entry. All visitors, including Indian nationals, must also provide proof of their vaccinations.]
Some Tips For Safety And Travel When Visiting Germany
Germany is a popular destination for Indian tourists due to its safety and convenience. However, you can never be too safe and travelling to a new country will pose its own challenges.
First, here are some quick facts about Germany to get you up to speed:
| Categories | Details |
| Capital | Berlin |
| Official Language | German |
| International Airports | Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport, Düsseldorf Airport, Berlin Schönefeld, Hamburg Airport. |
| Time Zone | Central European Time (UTC+01:00) Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00) during daylight savings. |
| Is Travel Insurance Required? | Yes |
| Dialling Code | +49 |
| Emergency Toll-Free Numbers | ● 110 for Police
● 112 for the Fire Brigade |
| Currency | Euros |
| Exchange Rate | INR 90.04 = 1 EU |
| Best Time To Visit | May to September (Peak season in July) |
Second, if you find yourself in a situation that requires legal aid or if you have lost your ID, reach out to the nearest Indian Embassy in Germany, and here is the address.
| Embassy Name | Contact Information |
| Embassy Of India, Berlin | Website: https://indianembassyberlin.gov.in/
Contact Numbers: ● +49-30-25795-0 (Telephone) ● +49-30-26557000 (Fax) |
| Consulate General Of India, Frankfurt | Website: https://cgifrankfurt.gov.in/
Contact Number:+49-69-1530050 For Emergency Cases: ● 0049-152-185-20313 (from outside Germany) ● 0152-185-20313 (from within Germany) |
| Consulate General Of India, Hamburg | Website: https://www.cgihamburg.gov.in/
Contact Numbers: ● 040 33 80 36 ● 040 32 47 44 ● 040 33 05 57 ● 040-32 37 57 (Fax) |
| Consulate General Of India, Munich | Website: https://cgimunich.gov.in/
Contact Number:+ 49 89 21023943 (from 09:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days) |
Some Additional Information About Germany:
Here are some things you should be aware of when you reach Germany to ensure you have an easier time navigating through different situations.
- Read up on German transportation if you plan to commute using the commuter rails and underground subways. This is especially true for Berlin, as the city has 3 fare zones.
- Be aware of their recycling policies, as Germany has stringent recycling and garbage disposal rules. Use the appropriate recycling depot and avoid plastic bags wherever possible.
- English is not spoken prevalently, so learning basic German phrases helps ease communication.
- If you’re travelling for work, ensure you have business travel insurance and follow the German code of conduct. Being late or too loud when out in public is considered very rude.
Conclusion
Usually, the best way to explore Germany would be on foot. This way, you get a more authentic experience when exploring the sights. So if you plan on visiting the country any time soon, get your hands on travel health insurance for Germany from India from a reputed insurance provider like Tata AIG.