Study abroad with peace of mind. An Erasmus semester, an internship, an academic year abroad, an international exchange, or a full degree program expose you to risks that French health insurance does not cover.
Medical expenses with no real cap in some countries, emergency repatriation that needs to be arranged, personal liability insurance required for housing, specific insurance needed to obtain a visa or enroll in a university…
At Geodesk, we design customized international student insurance tailored to your destination, the length of your stay, and the requirements of your host institution. You’ll enjoy comprehensive coverage including medical expenses, hospitalization, 24/7 assistance, repatriation, civil liability, and the essential protections you need to study with confidence anywhere in the world.
Studying abroad is a unique experience. But a simple health issue, an accident, or a hospital stay can quickly turn this plan into a financial burden if you aren’t properly insured. The French student health insurance system reimburses almost nothing outside of France, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is limited to public healthcare in Europe, and standard travel insurance often expires after just a few weeks.
Our solution includes coverage for medical and hospitalization expenses, as well as 24/7 assistance, medical repatriation, personal liability coverage abroad to cover damages caused to a third party, and—depending on your needs—coverage for lost luggage or interruption of studies, as well as additional benefits tailored to your situation: internship, university exchange, dual degree, gap year, or a full academic program abroad.
At Geodesk, we tailor coverage to your study abroad plans; each benefit is customized based on your destination, length of stay, and status—whether you’re heading to Europe for a few months, spending a year in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, or pursuing several years of study abroad.
Studying abroad is a unique experience—and one that often involves risks that are underestimated. Geodesk understands the realities on the ground and protects you against the unexpected.
“I thought I was fully covered thanks to my EHIC.”
An Erasmus exchange student in Austria believed she was covered by her European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). After an accident, she was hospitalized at a clinic. She discovered that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) only reimburses care covered by the Austrian public health system. She is responsible for paying any excess fees, care received at a private facility, and repatriation costs. Geodesk international student insurance would have covered all of these costs and, if necessary, arranged for her medical evacuation.
A student lands an internship abroad, but the host organization requires a certificate of civil liability covering the student’s activities there before signing the agreement. Without this certificate, the internship cannot be approved.
The policy purchased from Geodesk includes civil liability coverage for personal life abroad: a valid certificate is required, issued quickly, and ensures a safe departure.
The United States is among the countries with the highest healthcare costs in the world. A surgery or a few days in the hospital can be extremely expensive. Many universities require health insurance that meets very specific criteria or often have their own health plan unless proof of equivalent coverage is provided.
Geodesk verifies that the policy terms meet the criteria required by the institution to obtain a waiver and covers the actual cost of in-country medical care—including deductibles and coverage limits—as well as Geodesk assistance and support throughout the entire process.
Student mobility can’t be improvised—it’s a risk that’s often underestimated, since every plan involves different risks. Geodesk tailors each policy to your destination, the duration of your studies, your budget, the requirements of your university or school, and your student status.
Request your personalized quote today and head off to study abroad with coverage tailored to your situation.
Health insurance covers medical expenses, hospitalization, medications, and routine and emergency care at the actual cost in the country of study, subject to coverage limits, deductibles, and waiting periods tailored to the duration of the studies.
In the event of a serious illness, accident, or exceptional circumstance, our international assistance team will coordinate your care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If your condition requires it, your medical repatriation will be coordinated by specialized doctors to ensure you are referred to the most appropriate healthcare facility.
A support platform available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year coordinates medical referrals, advance payment of expenses, and logistics, regardless of the time difference in the country where you are studying.
Personal liability insurance for travel abroad—and, for internships, professional liability insurance—covers damages caused to a third party outside the destination country. Universities or funding agencies abroad often require proof of this coverage.
Home insurance covers housing abroad, whether in a dormitory or a rental property. We offer home insurance tailored to international students to protect your housing and your belongings, while meeting the requirements of landlords and educational institutions.
Coverage for luggage and personal belongings, as well as coverage for interruption or early return from studies due to family or medical reasons, protects against unforeseen events that disrupt the course of a student’s stay abroad.
For more than 30 years, Geodesk has been helping students, families, French schools, and businesses ensure the success of their international projects in more than 150 countries. You’ll receive coverage that meets the requirements of your destination and is tailored to your situation, including the exemption criteria of U.S. universities, the thresholds required for student visas, and the certifications requested by Erasmus and internship organizations.
At Geodesk, you’re not calling an anonymous number. A dedicated international student insurance representative handles your case from start to finish. Jennifer, our customer relationship manager who specializes in French schools abroad, international students, and individuals, supports students and their families both before departure and in the event of a claim.
Each policy is negotiated and tailored to your destination, the duration of your studies, and your status, following a review of your existing coverage. An Erasmus semester, a six-month internship or professional immersion program, and a full degree program in the United States do not require the same coverage, and Geodesk takes this into account. Before making any proposal, we analyze your situation to build a customized plan: international health insurance, emergency assistance and repatriation, liability coverage abroad, luggage and personal effects insurance, and coverage tailored to university and visa requirements.
Geodesk’s responsiveness is put to the test in real-life situations. Because one of our representatives was already familiar with the case, our team can respond in less than an hour to an international emergency in the field—since, when abroad, a medical issue, an accident, or a hospital stay can quickly become a source of stress for both the student and their family. It’s this combination of expertise and a human touch that our policyholders value most. With Geodesk’s international student insurance, you can study abroad with peace of mind.
We review the destination, the length of stay, the student’s status, and the requirements of the university, visa, or host company, and then we assess the coverage already in place to identify any gaps.
We design a customized international insurance policy for students that combines medical treatment, repatriation, assistance, and liability coverage, tailored to the actual coverage limits in the country of stay and the criteria set by the host institution.
We draft the terms and conditions and issue the international student insurance certificates required for signing the professional agreement, enrolling in college, or applying for a visa.
A dedicated representative for international student insurance is available throughout the duration of your studies, with 24-hour assistance in case of an emergency
Analysis of Your Needs
We review the destination, the length of stay, the student’s status, and the requirements of the university, visa, or host company, and then we assess the coverage already in place to identify any gaps.
Solution Architecture
We design a customized international insurance policy for students that combines medical treatment, repatriation, assistance, and liability coverage, tailored to the actual coverage limits in the country of stay and the criteria set by the host institution.
Deployment
We draft the terms and conditions and issue the international student insurance certificates required for signing the professional agreement, enrolling in college, or applying for a visa.
Follow-up & Support
A dedicated representative for international student insurance is available throughout the duration of your studies, with 24-hour assistance in case of an emergency
Pain Without Borders
Pain Without Borders
Pain Without Borders has been using Geodesk's services for several years. Geodesk regularly provides us with insurance solutions tailored to our experts' missions in our various areas of operation, particularly in Ukraine, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. Communication is always smooth, quick, and efficient, and we are fully satisfied with our collaboration and the availability of our account managers. "
URD Group
A. Lefevre
HR Director
“The travel of Better with Water employees is essential to the success of our field missions. Having a reliable insurance partner allows us to support them with peace of mind, wherever they are working. The quality of the support, the responsiveness of the teams, and the coverage tailored to our needs are a real asset for our organization and for the safety of our employees.”
GERES
X.ARNOULT
HR Director
“For several years, Geodesk and IECD have been developing a structured partnership to benefit the social protection of employees on international assignments. Present in 18 countries, IECD works to promote access to education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Geodesk's support helps to secure these initiatives in sometimes complex or fragile environments, particularly in Lebanon and Madagascar. This long-term partnership is based on a strong and shared relationship of trust between IECD and Geodesk, serving their common commitments on the ground.”
Reporters Without Borders
“RSF has been working with Geodesk for several years. We particularly appreciate the quality of their personalized support. Their teams are always responsive, available, and attentive to our needs. We appreciate their follow-up and always enjoy communicating with them.”
The Alexandre Dumas French Lycée in Moscow
Jean-Paul SCHÜTZ
Principal
“The Lycée Français Alexandre Dumas in Moscow , a school directly managed by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), places the safety and well-being of its students at the heart of its priorities. This is why we attach paramount importance to the quality of the school insurance we have purchased from CGEA GEODESK. Our school welcomes over 660 students, from preschool to the final year of high school, from numerous nationalities and spread across three separate campuses. In such a demanding international environment, we need a reliable partner. CGEA GEODESK fully meets this requirement. The “INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOOL INSURANCE” coverage protects our students during school hours, on educational outings, and during all extracurricular activities organized by the school, thus providing continuous protection tailored to our daily lives.”
CartONG
L. Cailloce
Administrative and Logistics Officer
“Your speed and responsiveness ensure that we always receive our insurance certificates on time for our employees working in the field, even when we notify you relatively late. This is something we greatly appreciate, and it’s a relief to know that we can count on you in this regard.”
Every year, thousands of students go on Erasmus programs, university exchange programs, or internships abroad, thinking they’re “already covered.” However, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid only in countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland—and only in public healthcare facilities. It reimburses at the local rate, which can leave you with a significant out-of-pocket expense. It does not cover care in private clinics, repatriation, or expenses incurred outside of Europe.
Outside the European Union, coverage is even more limited. The French Social Security system reimburses only a fraction of actual costs, based on French rates that bear no relation to the cost of care in the destination country.
International student insurance, on the other hand, covers the actual cost of care, eliminates the need to pay upfront for hospitalization, provides 24/7 assistance, and arranges emergency repatriation if necessary.
It is this difference—unnoticeable before departure but crucial in the event of a problem—that Geodesk explains and safeguards for every international student.
Coverage for one-time international assignments: administrative fees, liability insurance, and assistance throughout the entire duration of the business trip, with additional coverage for high-risk destinations.
Healthcare coverage worldwide, with direct billing, coverage limits tailored to the actual cost of local hospitalizations, and no disruption to the French healthcare system.
Coverage for the interruption of the stay, including arrangements for return transportation to France.
Comprehensive, long-term health and life insurance coverage for expatriate employees, either integrated with the CFE or providing coverage from the first euro, depending on the circumstances in the host country.
Continuing coverage for death, disability, and incapacity for your mobile workforce, anywhere in the world
A lump-sum payment and compensation specifically for personal injury accidents occurring abroad, in addition to medical treatment and assistance coverage.
Here you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about international student insurance. For more specific questions, please contact us: we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
There is no single insurance policy that suits all students. The right policy depends on your destination, the length of your stay, your host university, your visa requirements, and your status. For a study abroad program in Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is insufficient: it does not cover repatriation, civil liability, or many healthcare costs.
For study programs outside Europe—particularly in the United States, Australia, Canada, and Japan—international health insurance with high coverage limits is essential.
Educational institutions, host companies, or mobility organizations often require several types of coverage before your departure: international health insurance to cover medical expenses and hospitalization, 24-hour emergency assistance and medical repatriation, liability insurance for damages caused to third parties, and, depending on the situation, student housing insurance. In addition, depending on your needs, you may need coverage for lost or damaged luggage, accident coverage, and coverage for study program interruption or early return. For an Erasmus program, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) alone is generally not sufficient.
For an internship, the host organization almost always requires proof of liability insurance covering activities on-site, sometimes even before the agreement is signed. For an Erasmus program, the EHIC is not sufficient: it does not cover repatriation and reimburses only at the local public rate. Geodesk issues the required certificate and supplements the coverage with international student health insurance, assistance, and repatriation tailored to the host country.
The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world.
Many universities require students to have their own health insurance or accept private coverage only if it meets very specific criteria (“Waiver”). This equivalency must meet specific criteria regarding coverage limits and benefits. Geodesk verifies that the policy meets the institution’s requirements and covers the actual cost of hospitalization in the United States, which frequently amounts to tens of thousands of euros.
The comparison isn’t based on the listed price but on the actual scope of coverage: reimbursement limits relative to the cost of care in the country, deductibles and waiting periods, direct reimbursement or advance payment of hospitalization costs, the exact geographic coverage area and transit countries, and the quality and languages of the 24/7 assistance platform. Geodesk systematically analyzes these criteria during its audit to help you make the right decision.
The cost of international student insurance depends on the destination, the duration of studies, the student’s age, and the scope of coverage selected.
A semester in Spain will naturally cost less than an academic year in the United States or Canada. As with any insurance policy, certain events may be excluded or subject to limitations. The most common exclusions include undeclared pre-existing conditions, certain high-risk sports, medically unjustified procedures, waiting periods, and certain countries or geographic areas. Geodesk highlights these points in advance to help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Signing up is quick and easy. We’ll select the best solution for you.
You’ll receive your personalized quote.
Once you approve it, we’ll immediately issue the necessary certificates for your university, visa, or internship. You’ll work with a specialized advisor who will conduct a free needs assessment, and then Geodesk will design a customized solution for you and send you a personalized quote. After you approve it, Geodesk will issue the necessary certificates for university enrollment, your internship agreement, or your visa application.
Yes. Geodesk supports families whose children are enrolled in French schools and high schools abroad. Our solutions protect students during classes, after-school activities, field trips, educational trips, and vacations, depending on the coverage selected. Parents have a single point of contact to manage claims, policies, follow-ups, certificates, reimbursements, and emergencies.
