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Travel insurance for Curaçao

Travel insurance for Curaçao

Curaçao is outside the EU, so your EHIC card does not apply. Good travel insurance covers the gaps your health insurance leaves.

Photo: LASZLO ILYES from Cleveland, Ohio, USA, CC BY 2.0

Curaçao is a relaxed, well-organised island with a modern hospital in Willemstad, the Curaçao Medical Center. Medical care is good, but it is not free for visitors, and serious cases are sometimes flown to another country for treatment. That is why travel insurance is worth sorting out before you go.

Why your normal cover may not be enough

Because Curaçao is not part of the EU, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid there. If you live in the Netherlands, your basic health insurance (basisverzekering) generally covers urgent care abroad, but usually only up to the amount the same treatment would cost in the Netherlands; anything above that is yours to pay. Medical repatriation is normally not covered by basic health insurance at all. Check your own policy, and if you are insured elsewhere, find out what applies to you.

Good to know: if you already have an annual travel insurance policy, check that it covers worldwide travel (not just Europe) and that medical costs are included, as that is sometimes an optional add-on.

What to look for in a policy

  • Medical expenses and repatriation: the most important part. Look for generous limits and 24/7 emergency assistance.
  • Diving and water sports: Curaçao is one of the Caribbean's best dive destinations, but many policies exclude scuba diving or limit the depth. If you dive, check the conditions or consider specialist dive insurance.
  • Trip cancellation and interruption: useful for expensive flights booked months ahead, especially in school holidays.
  • Baggage and valuables: check limits for phones, cameras and dive computers, and what proof you need.
  • Rental-car excess: some policies reimburse the excess if your hire car is damaged, which can be cheaper than the rental desk's own top-up.

Comparing plans

Policies vary a lot in price and in what they actually cover, so compare the small print rather than just the premium. VisitorsCoverage lets you compare travel medical and trip insurance plans side by side and buy online. Check that the plan is available for your country of residence and fits your trip dates, activities and age.

Tip: save your policy number and the emergency assistance phone number in your phone and on paper, and share them with someone travelling with you.

Staying healthy on the island

  • Sun: Curaçao is close to the equator and the trade winds make the heat feel milder than it is. Use high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and drink plenty of water. Tap water is desalinated and drinkable.
  • Mosquitoes: use repellent, especially around dusk and in the rainy season.
  • Sea: the north coast has strong waves and currents and is not for swimming. Stick to the sheltered west and south coast beaches.
  • Emergencies: call 911 for police and emergencies or 912 for an ambulance.

More practical advice is on our travel essentials page, and our guide to safety in Curaçao covers everyday precautions.

Frequently asked questions

Is my EHIC card valid in Curaçao?

No. Curaçao is not part of the EU, so the European Health Insurance Card does not apply.

Does travel insurance cover diving in Curaçao?

Not always. Many policies exclude scuba diving or set depth limits, so check the conditions or take out specialist dive insurance.

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