Travel insurance for China from £17.05^
Key takeaways
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The average cost of travel insurance for China is £48.29
^ -
It can protect you if you have medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more
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British nationals need a visa for mainland China, obtainable from a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre
Do I need travel insurance for China?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to China is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost or stolen.
Travellers to China should consider major events, such as China's Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and the extended travel rush 40 days around it, known as Chunyun.
This is the world’s largest annual human migration, with billions of domestic passenger trips expected, and transport systems under intense pressure, leading to crowded trains, buses and flights, and fully booked services.
China has several other national public holidays that are popular travel periods:
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Qingming Festival (early April)
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Labor/May Day holiday (May)
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Dragon Boat Festival (June)
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Mid-Autumn Festival (September)
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National Day “Golden Week” (October)
These can all bring surges in domestic and outbound travel, high demand for transport and accommodation may mean delays, sold-out services and higher costs, highlighting the importance of travel insurance.
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
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British residents had to make 500,000+
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2025 -
The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528
^ -
In contrast, you can find travel insurance to China from just £17.05
^ a day
China travel advice
Still current at: 3 Jul 2026
When planning your trip to mainland China, remember that visa-free entry for tourism, business, or family visits is available for up to 30 days until December 31, 2026; for other purposes or longer stays, a visa is required before travel. Be aware that China's national security laws are broad and can lead to detention, even without intent to break the law, and it's crucial to always carry your passport as police conduct random checks. Travellers to Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions should be aware of specific permit requirements and heightened security, with limited consular assistance available in these areas.
When planning your trip to mainland China, remember that visa-free entry for tourism, business, or family visits is available for up to 30 days until December 31, 2026; for other purposes or longer stays, a visa is required before travel. Be aware that China's national security laws are broad and can lead to detention, even without intent to break the law, and it's crucial to always carry your passport as police conduct random checks. Travellers to Tibet and Xinjiang Autonomous Regions should be aware of specific permit requirements and heightened security, with limited consular assistance available in these areas.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
What type of travel insurance do I need for China?
China is typically covered under worldwide travel insurance policies.
The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to China only
If you are only visiting China, choose single-trip travel insurance and select China as your destination.
One trip to China and other countries
Combining a holiday in China with visits to other countries, perhaps on a backpacking trip ?
Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
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You don’t head home in-between countries. For that you need multi-trip insurance .
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You are not away for a long time (policy-dependent, but usually a month). For that, you need backpackers’ insurance .
Several holidays throughout the year
You might save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition , but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for China?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to China is
£38.07
|
Traveller(s) |
7 day trip |
14 day trip |
|---|---|---|
|
Individual |
£16
|
£26.86
|
|
Couple |
£29.60
|
£48.67
|
|
Family |
£74.89
|
£61.94
|
|
Group |
£49.80
|
£74.76
|
The figures in this table are averages of the costs paid by MoneySuperMarket customers over the last three months.
Can I get last minute travel insurance for China?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your China holiday.
What should my travel insurance policy for China include?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
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Illness and accidents
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Trip and activity cancellations
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Lost luggage (including your passport)
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Theft
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Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)
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Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)
🚩Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
What isn’t covered by travel insurance to China?
Typical exclusions include:
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Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
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'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes, and natural disasters
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Alcohol and drug-related incidents
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Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
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Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports , gadget cover and travel disruption cover .
Medical care in China
Healthcare in China can be expensive, particularly for visitors using private hospitals or requiring specialist treatment.
The UK does not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with China, so you won’t be able to use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or access free or subsidised medical care through the state system.
Because of this, it’s important to make sure your travel insurance includes adequate medical cover, as well as cover for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation back to the UK if needed.
Can I get travel insurance for China if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities .
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Do I need vaccinations to visit China?
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to China, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.
There are no other vaccines that are usually advised, but travellers may wish to consider hepatitis A; hepatitis B; rabies; tetanus; tick-borne encephalitis; and typhoid vaccines. Individuals at highest risk might also consider cholera and Japanese encephalitis vaccines.
Travellers aged nine months or over arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
Do I need a visa to visit China?
British nationals require a visa for mainland China. You must apply for this online, and then go into an application centre. Hong Kong and Macao have different visa requirements.
It’s worth noting that, to enter China, your passport must have an expiry date at least six months after the date you arrive and two blank pages for visas and stamping.
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
What travel insurance do I need to protect my belongings in China?
Most types of travel insurance will include some level of protection for your belongings and baggage . However, it is important to check what is and what isn’t covered.
You should make sure that your insurance has adequate coverage for your personal belongings. You can also consider add-ons such as gadget insurance and passport cover , which are not always included as standard.
What travel insurance do I need for hiking in China?
You may need to have adventure sports cover. There are many incredible hikes in China, including hiking along the Great Wall or in Tiger Leaping Gorge.
But standard travel insurance policies often will not cover hiking above a certain height or in riskier locations. If your hiking trip involves mountaineering or using climbing equipment, you'll almost certainty need extra cover.
You may be able to add adventure sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee. Travel insurers will also often bundle together adventure sports cover and winter sports cover.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
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Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
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If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
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Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Where can I get cheap travel insurance for China?
With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 42 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to
£5
Just sign up to our free
SuperSaveClub
💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub .
Author
Jake Edmonds
Former Senior Commercial Manager
Jake was a Senior Commercial Manager at MoneySuperMarket, overseeing the Travel, Business, and Landlord Insurance channels. Jake joined MoneySuperMarket over six years ago, he began his career here...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
