The honest picture
How Israeli travel insurance works for frequent flyers
If you've googled "annual travel insurance Israel" expecting a UK-style single annual premium covering unlimited trips, here's the honest answer: Israeli travel insurance does not work that way.
In the UK or US, annual multi-trip policies are common and let you take unlimited short trips under one annual premium. Israeli insurers do not offer this product. Every trip requires its own policy — bought before departure.
That said, frequent travellers from Israel have real options that reduce complexity and cost:
- Long-stay single policies — cover trips of up to 90 or 120 days in one policy
- Multi-purchase workflow — buying several short-trip policies becomes routine and efficient
- PassportCard — no per-trip reissue needed; a continuous cover model closer to annual-style
- Agent-arranged custom plans — for high-volume corporate or family travellers, negotiated blocks are sometimes possible
The UK/Israel difference in one sentence: In the UK you buy one policy and travel as many times as you like. In Israel you buy one policy per trip — but you can buy a policy that covers a very long trip.
Maximum trip durations
How long can a single policy last?
If you're travelling for an extended period — a few months working remotely in Europe, a long US family visit, a semester abroad — a single long-stay policy is the most efficient solution.
| Insurer | Under 60 | Age 61–70 | Age 71–75 | Age 76–80 |
|---|
| Harel | 120 days | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days |
| Phoenix | 120 days | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days |
| Migdal | 120 days | 120 days | 120 days | 60 days |
| Menora | 120 days | 120 days | 45 days | — |
| PassportCard | 180 days | 180 days | 60 days | 60 days |
Maximum single-trip duration. For trips longer than the maximum, a new policy must be purchased before expiry.
Extending a policy while abroad: Most Israeli insurers allow policy extensions while travelling, but only if you contact them before the original policy expires. Extensions cannot cover events that already occurred. Always plan ahead.
Cost comparison
When does a long-stay policy save money?
Per-day cost drops significantly on longer policies. Below is an indicative comparison between stringing together short policies vs. a single long-stay policy, for an adult under 60 travelling to Europe.
| Approach | Example | Approx. total cost | Per day |
|---|
| 4 × 2-week trips (separate policies) | 8 days × 4 | ~₪230 | ~₪7.2 |
| 2 × 30-day policies | 1 month × 2 | ~₪280 | ~₪4.7 |
| 1 × 90-day policy | 3 months | ~₪350 | ~₪3.9 |
| 1 × 120-day policy | 4 months | ~₪430 | ~₪3.6 |
Indicative rates, standard Europe plan, under 60. Rates vary by insurer and exact plan. Use the comparison tool for exact figures.
The takeaway: for a genuine long stay (3–4 months), the per-day rate is roughly half of multiple short-trip policies. For frequent short-trip travellers (same 2-week trip 4× a year), separate policies are almost the same total cost.
Short trips, often
4+ short trips per year
Flying to Europe several times a year for weekends or short business trips? Per-trip policies are straightforward and comparable in cost to any available alternative.
Long stay
1–2 trips of 2–4 months
Remote work from Europe, a long US family visit, a semester in the UK — a single 90- or 120-day policy covers everything in one purchase and saves ~30% per day vs. short policies.
→ Single long-stay policy via an agent
Custom / high volume
Corporate or family groups
Travelling with your team or a large family? Group policies and negotiated custom plans sometimes available. An agent is required — these are not available online.
PassportCard for frequent travellers
Is PassportCard closer to an annual policy?
PassportCard's model works differently from the other four Israeli insurers. Rather than issuing a new PDF policy for each trip, PassportCard issues a physical card that you reuse. You register each trip via their app before departure. This makes the workflow more like an annual-style product — one card, one relationship, multiple trips.
Benefits for frequent travellers:
- Same card and account reused across trips
- Pays hospitals and pharmacies directly — no fronting cash
- No deductible on any claim
- 180 days max per trip for travellers under 70
PassportCard is more expensive per day than the other four insurers. For frequent short-trip travellers, the per-trip cost difference adds up. For long stays or frequent USA trips, many travellers find the direct-payment benefit worth the premium.
Want to know if PassportCard fits your travel pattern?Free call, honest comparison
Learn more →
Practical tips
How frequent travellers keep travel insurance under control
- Buy each policy as soon as the trip is booked — trip cancellation cover starts from purchase, not from departure
- Use a long-stay policy for any trip over 30 days — per-day cost is significantly lower
- Don't let a policy lapse while abroad — contact your insurer before expiry to extend; most allow this
- Keep all policies in one place — a simple folder in your email labelled "travel policies" with the PDF and emergency number is enough
- Pre-existing conditions: buy the rider once per policy — don't assume it carries over from a previous trip
- For USA trips, always buy a dedicated USA plan — a Europe plan does not cover US healthcare costs
Flying frequently? Let's find the most efficient setup for you.15-minute call with a licensed agent
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Common questions
Annual & multi-trip insurance — questions we hear most
Is there annual travel insurance for Israeli residents?
Israeli travel insurance does not work the same as UK or US annual multi-trip policies. Israeli insurers issue per-trip policies. However, if you travel frequently, there are long-stay plans of up to 90–120 days, PassportCard's reusable-card model, and in some cases custom arrangements via a licensed agent.
How long can a single Israeli travel insurance policy last?
Standard Israeli travel insurance policies cover up to 90 or 120 days per trip (depending on the insurer and your age). PassportCard offers up to 180 days for travellers under 70. Beyond these limits, you need a new policy — ideally purchased before the first expires.
Is it cheaper to buy one long policy or multiple short ones?
Per-day rates drop significantly on longer policies. A 90-day policy works out around 30% cheaper per day than stringing together 90 days of short policies. For actual annual-style savings, the long-stay single policy is the closest Israeli equivalent.
Can I extend a travel policy while I'm already abroad?
Yes — most Israeli insurers allow this, but only if you contact them before the original policy expires. You cannot backdate a new policy to cover events that already occurred. Always plan ahead and extend early.
Does my employer or credit card cover travel insurance?
Some premium Israeli credit cards include basic travel cover, but medical limits are usually too low for USA travel or extended stays. Employer group policies vary widely — read the certificate of insurance, not the marketing summary. When in doubt, a dedicated policy is safer.
What is the best travel insurance for someone who travels every month from Israel?
For short monthly trips to Europe, per-trip policies via the
comparison tool are straightforward and efficient. For longer trips or USA travel, consider a single long-stay policy. For a continuous-cover feel across many trips, PassportCard's card model is the closest available option. A licensed agent can calculate the most cost-effective approach for your specific pattern.