Travel insurance for China
China is not a member of the EU or the EEA, so the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. Moreover, it is one of the few destinations where a Lithuanian traveler cannot expect either on-site consular assistance or the ability to use their bank card.
Why is it worth having travel insurance when traveling to China?
There are high-level international clinics in China’s big cities, but they are expensive for a foreigner, and payment is often requested immediately. Added to this is the language barrier and distance — repatriation from Asia is one of the most expensive.
What to expect in China
- The EHIC is not valid — Lietuvos valstybinis draudimas does not cover the costs.
- International clinics in Beijing and Shanghai are expensive.
- In state hospitals, payment is requested upfront.
- English is used to a limited extent outside major cities.
- Repatriation to Lithuania is one of the most expensive scenarios.
What insurance does
- Covers essential medical aid up to the selected limit.
- The Assistance service contacts the clinic and provides a payment guarantee
- It facilitates communication and indicates which institution to contact.
- Organizes transportation and repatriation
- Operates 24/7 in Lithuanian or English.
What kind of protection should you choose for a trip to China?
Regarding coverage for China, the most important factors are not only the limit amount but also whether the insurer has an active assistance service capable of liaising with local medical facilities.
Essential
- Medical expenses — with a sufficient limit for international clinics
- Assistance service — this is the most important part of the policy.
- Repatriation and medical evacuation
- Accident insurance
It is worth considering.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment — flights and visa procedures paid for in advance
- Baggage — long routes with transfers
- Active pursuits — hiking, mountaineering, high-altitude regions
- Civil liability
Why the support service is more important in China than in other destinations
In many countries, an insurer’s assistance service is a matter of convenience: it handles payment and saves time. In China, however, it is often the only truly effective channel for assistance. There are three reasons for this.
On-site consular assistance is limited.
- The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in China, according to its own published information, operates remotely and does not perform consular functions
- In such a case, a European Union citizen may contact the diplomatic mission of any other EU country.
- This entails additional time and mediation, rather than direct assistance.
Payments may not work.
- The Lithuanian Embassy indicates that China is tightening the acceptance of foreign cards.
- A bank fee of 3–7% may be charged for card payments.
- Payments are primarily made via local digital platforms.
- Medical facilities often ask for immediate payment.
The third reason is language. English usage is limited outside major cities, and many Western online platforms and translation tools either function only partially or do not work at all in China. In an emergency, communicating with a doctor, an ambulance dispatcher, or hospital reception staff can prove more difficult than making a payment.
The assistance service resolves these three issues with a single call: it identifies the appropriate facility, contacts it directly, and provides a payment guarantee. Therefore, when choosing a policy for China, it is worth considering not only the price but also the assistance service offered by the insurer.
Important things to know before traveling to China
Five practical things worth sorting out while still in Lithuania.
- A visa is required. Lithuanian citizens require a visa to travel to China, and it must be obtained prior to departure. As visa issuance procedures for Lithuanian citizens have changed, it is essential to verify the current procedure when planning a trip.
- Arrival card. From 2025 A mandatory online entry registration form is required for those arriving in November for a short visit. It can be filled in advance.
- Registration of place of residence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that one’s place of residence in China must be registered with the local Public Security Bureau. Hotels usually handle this themselves, but private accommodations do not.
- Payments and connectivity. Get a local SIM card or eSIM and download the necessary apps while still in Lithuania. Also, have paper copies of important documents with you.
- Vaccines. Recommendations on the prevention of infectious diseases are published by the National Center for Public Health.
A sightseeing trip or a business trip?
Trips to China by Lithuanians generally fall into one of two categories, and their risk profiles differ fundamentally.
Sightseeing trip
- Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, The Great Wall of China
- Long train journeys and domestic flights
- Hikes along unguarded border sections and mountain routes
- Travel to high-altitude regions
- Digestive disorders caused by food and water
Protection for active pursuits is relevant more often than it seems—some popular routes are formally classified as hikes.
Business trip
- Exhibitions, trade fairs, factory visits, negotiations
- Short and frequent trips — it is worth considering a longer-term policy.
- Expensive equipment in luggage
- Tight schedules — flight or baggage delays come at a higher cost than on a leisure trip.
- The visa procedure and associated costs are paid in advance.
For business trips, trip cancellation and baggage protection are particularly relevant—not just medical coverage.
If you travel to China regularly — for example, several times a year for production or trade — it’s worth comparing the price of single policies and annual travel insurance. After a certain number of trips, the annual contract pays off.
What determines the cost of insurance for travel to China?
China is considered a distant Asian destination; the cost depends on the trip parameters, the chosen budget, and the activities involved.
- Duration of the trip. Routes in China are often longer than those to European destinations.
- Age and number of travelers.
- Medical expense limit. International clinics are expensive, so the minimum limit is not always enough.
- Planned activities. Hiking, mountains, and high-altitude regions are assessed separately.
- Route. Hong Kong and Macau can be considered separately from mainland China.
- Additional safeguards. Baggage, trip cancellation, civil liability.
- Insurer’s rate and assistance network. This is more important regarding China than elsewhere.
How do I purchase travel insurance for a trip to China?
1
Enter trip details
Dates, traveler ages, and number of travelers. The destination “China” has already been selected.
2
Compare offers
You will see the prices and coverage details of several insurers operating in Lithuania in one place.
3
Select guards
Add coverage for active pursuits, baggage, or trip cancellation, if needed.
4
Pay and receive the policy
You will receive the insurance certificate via email immediately after payment.
Important. The insurance contract must be concluded while you are still in Lithuania—we recommend doing so at least 24 hours before departure. It is also advisable to have a printed copy of the policy, as internet access in China may be limited.
What should you do in the event of an incident in China?
In China, order is more important than in many other destinations: first call the assistance service and only then go to the medical facility. This will avoid both payment and language problems.
1
Call emergency services.
The number is listed on your insurance certificate. The service operates 24 hours a day and speaks Lithuanian or English.
2
Let her contact the institution.
Assistance will point you to the right clinic and often arrange a payment guarantee directly.
3
Keep all documents safe.
Invoices, prescriptions, doctors’ reports, and receipts. Ask for a copy of the report in English as well.
4
Notify the insurer
Upon your return, submit the documents to the insurer. If you need assistance, contact “Man ramu”.
If you were to lose your documents. Since the Lithuanian Embassy in Beijing does not perform consular functions, if you lose your passport, you will need to contact the diplomatic mission of another European Union country. Therefore, it is advisable to keep copies of your passport and insurance certificate both on your phone and in paper form.
Insurance Terms and Documents
Before purchasing insurance, familiarize yourself with the chosen insurer’s terms and conditions—they specify the exact scope of coverage and the events that are excluded from coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Lithuanians need a visa for China?
Is the EHIC valid in China?
Can I pay with a Lithuanian bank card?
Why is this important for insurance?
Will the Lithuanian Embassy in Beijing help if something happens?
Are hikes along the Great Wall of China and in the mountains covered?
Is the insurance valid in Hong Kong and Macau?
Can I purchase insurance while already in China?
Calculate insurance for China
Compare offers from several insurers in a minute and purchase a policy immediately.