Doing social volunteer work abroad

What is round the world travel insurance or long-term travel insurance?

• Round the world travel insurance means that you take out insurance that continues to provide coverage during all your activities abroad, and which is specifically intended for those who travel for long periods of time, such as world travelers, globetrotters, and nomads.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for a long trip abroad?

• Round the world travel insurance provides coverage for a much longer trip than regular travel insurance.
• World travel insurance is specifically intended for longer trips, whereas regular travel insurance may offer coverage on paper, but in practice handles it differently.
• World travel insurance is suitable for many types of activities, ranging from high-altitude trekking to more risky sports.
• World travel insurance continues to provide coverage if you start working during your trip, whether planned or unplanned. If you did not take out insurance before departure that allows you to work, there is no guarantee that you will be able to take out insurance that provides coverage while abroad.
• Long-term travel insurance continues to provide coverage when your home country's health insurance no longer does.
• Worldwide travel insurance also covers your medical expenses up to the actual cost, and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• Worldwide travel insurance can also continue to provide coverage if negative travel advice is issued.

What is important to insure when you are going to travel around the world?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the countries where you are going to travel and possibly work.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your full period abroad
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• That you are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you only insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• That you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work or voluntary work during your world trip.

What insurance do you need when backpacking abroad?

• See the advice guide to choose the most suitable insurance for you: International Insurances for Backpacking and Travel Abroad

What is insurance for working abroad?

• Insuring yourself for working abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your paid work abroad.

Why take out insurance, and when is normal travel insurance no longer sufficient?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for paid work abroad.
• During your work, local employers generally offer no or limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
• The risk of accidents is sometimes greater during your work, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
• During specific work abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only special insurance policies offer coverage during this type of work.
• During work, internships, or volunteer work abroad where you receive a salary or compensation (for example, food or housing), your local health insurance coverage will normally lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally do not provide sufficient coverage to apply for a work visa or working holiday visa.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally only cover stays abroad for a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that there will be no coverage for the entire travel period.
• Standard travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational travel without study, internship, or work. If you engage in activities other than recreational activities, this generally means that you will no longer be covered for the entire travel period.

What should you pay attention to in your insurance policy if you are going to work abroad?

• Make sure you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and working.
• Make sure you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• that you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• that your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), and not just for the standard costs. In most countries, healthcare costs are higher than in the Netherlands.
• that you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• that you are well insured against personal liability.
• that you are well insured in case of accidents.
• that you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
•  that you take care to choose the right coverage when working in healthcare, with wild animals, and with dangerous machinery.

What insurance do you need to work abroad?

• Check the info and advice guide on International Insurances for Working Abroad

What is insurance for an internship abroad?

• Insuring an internship abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your internship abroad
• Insurance for internships abroad are also referred to as internship insurance. This internship insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to work as an intern, take courses, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

• There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for an internship abroad.
• During internship activities abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only specific insurance policies offer coverage during these activities.
• During your internship, the risk of accidents is sometimes greater, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
• During your internship, local employers generally do not offer insurance, or offer limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
• During an internship abroad where you receive financial compensation (or, for example, food or accommodation), your home country's health insurance coverage will potentially lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally provide coverage for trips of a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that for the entire travel period, you will not be covered.
• Regular travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational trips without work activities.

What is important to insure when you are going to be an intern abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and doing your internship.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return in case something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
• That you are well insured against personal liability and, preferably, also for liability during your internship.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
• Make sure you choose the right coverage for internship work in healthcare, with wild animals, or with dangerous machinery!

Check out more about international insurances

• Why and where to take out travel insurances for abroad
• Why and where to take out insurances that cover medical expenses abroad
• Insurance for activities abroad when you are Dutch

What is an expat insurance?

• Expat insurance is insurance that continues to provide coverage if you go to work abroad for a local or international employer for an extended period of time.
• Expat insurance is not only intended for expats, but for anyone who has a more permanent job abroad.

What is an emigration insurance, or insurance for moving and living abroad?

• Emigration insurance is an insurance that continues to provide coverage if you move abroad permanently or for an indefinite period of time.
• Emigration insurance is not only intended for emigrants, but for anyone who leaves their home country for an extended period of time and does not intend to return in the foreseeable future.

Why should you take out specialized insurance for emigration or working as an expat abroad?

• Emigration or expat insurance not only provides coverage for acute assistance in the event of illness or accident abroad, such as travel insurance, but can also provide coverage for existing conditions and ailments or non-urgent care.
• Emigration or expat insurance does not require you to maintain valid health insurance in your home country.
• Emigration or expat insurance provides coverage for preventive care or costs related to pregnancy and childbirth.
• Emigration or expat insurance also provides coverage for long-term treatments and chronic conditions without you having to return to your home country.
• Emigration or expat insurance often has no restrictions on the duration of the insurance, unlike travel insurance.
• Emigration or expat insurance usually maintains coverage in cases such as negative travel advice or acts of war.
• Emigration or expat insurance offers various solutions in the areas of disability, home and household insurance, goods transport, and liability.

What is important to insure when you are going to move abroad?

• That you have insurance that is valid in the country or countries where you are going to live and/or work.
• That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your period abroad
• That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
• That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
• That you are well insured against personal liability.
• That you are well insured in case of accidents.
• That you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work with additional health risks

When can you also live abroad for a longer period of time with travel insurance?

• There are also special expiring travel insurance policies that provide coverage without you having valid health insurance in your home country, however, these travel insurance policies are not intended for emigration or expats, but for stays outside your home country of up to a few years, for study, temporary work, volunteer work, and longer trips.
• See the information at International Insurances for backpacking and travel abroad

What insurance do you need for emigration or working as an expat abroad?

• See the information at International Insurances for expats and emigrants