Medical insurance in Seychelles: complete tourist guide for 2026

The Seychelles islands are a tropical paradise, but even in paradise, no one is immune to unforeseen troubles. Properly arranged medical insurance is not just a formality for entry — it is a guarantee that your trip to the Seychelles will be calm and safe. In this article, we will break down all the nuances of medical insurance for tourists and provide recommendations on choosing an insurance policy.

First of all, all foreign citizens traveling to the Seychelles are required to obtain an electronic travel authorization (Seychelles Travel Authorisation) through the official portal. We have written about this in detail in this article.

When filling out the application, you must provide information about a valid medical insurance policy. This is an unconditional requirement of the Seychelles Tourism Department, not merely a formality.

Key requirements for the insurance policy:

• The policy must cover medical expenses and quarantine costs related to COVID-19. This requirement, introduced during the pandemic, remains in effect today.
• The policy's validity period must cover the entire duration of your stay in the country.
• Insurance must be purchased before arriving in the Seychelles. If you take out a policy after entry, it will only become effective 6–7 days after purchase.

Officially, there is no established minimum coverage amount, but a liability limit of at least 50,000 USD is recommended. This figure is well justified, as, for example, the average cost of air medical evacuation ranges from 15,000 to 50,000 USD depending on distance and the complexity of transport.

Healthcare in the Seychelles: what tourists need to know

Citizens of the Seychelles receive medical care free of charge, but this rule does not apply to foreigners. The medical infrastructure in the country is limited: there are about six hospitals on the main island of Mahé, and one hospital each on Praslin and La Digue.

Therefore, every tourist should be aware that in the case of serious illnesses or the need for surgical intervention, patients are often referred abroad for treatment.

List of Main Hospitals and Clinics in the Seychelles

Seychelles Hospital (Victoria, Mahé Island):

• The largest hospital in the country with 421 beds, including surgical, psychiatric, pediatric, and maternity wards.
• Handles emergency cases.
• Address: Mont Fleuri, Victoria, Mahé
• Phone: +248 438 8000
• Location: Google Maps

Anse Royale Hospital (Mahé):

• A mid‑level hospital located in the south of the island, serving tourists.
• Phone: +248 437 8000
• Location: Google Maps

Baie Ste Anne Hospital (Praslin):

• The main hospital on Praslin Island.
• Phone: +248 423 2338
• Location: Google Maps

In addition to public hospitals, private clinics operate on the islands, offering a higher level of service and shorter waiting times.

Here are a few clinics recommended for tourists:

For colds or diarrhea: HEALTH CARE SPECIALITY CLINIC

Clinics with Russian‑speaking doctors (Sergey, Victor, Elena): Euromedical Family Clinic (Eden Branch) and Euromedical Family Clinic Providence

A consultation at these clinics typically costs around 500 rupees, but often they will prescribe medication that you need to buy at a local pharmacy, and you may not have to pay for the examination itself.

List of other private clinics that accept tourists but may require upfront payment. Keep in mind that services for tourists at private clinics can be 1.5 times more expensive than for locals.

1. Dr. Murthy’s Clinic (Victoria, Mahé) — Google Maps

2. Euro Medical Family Clinic (Mahé) — Google Maps

3. Victoria Health Clinic (Mahé) — Google Maps

Cost of medical treatment for foreigners

The minimum cost of a doctor's visit without insurance starts at around 100 euros, and if helicopter or boat transport to the main hospital is required, the bill can reach several thousand euros. Meanwhile, a consultation with a specialist at a private clinic may cost between 20 and 30 euros, but a full course of treatment is significantly more expensive.

Types of insurance policies: a comparative analysis

Two main categories of travel insurance are available on the market today.

Basic (Standard) policy

This is the minimum option, similar to insurance required for a Schengen visa. Such a policy costs 10–15 euros per year. It covers emergency medical care and hospitalization, but has significant limitations:

• Does not cover sunburn (except for children under 8 years old).
• Does not cover pregnancy‑related complications.
• Does not cover active recreation (diving, snorkeling, trekking, water sports).
• Does not cover expenses related to flight delays, lost luggage, or vehicle rental.

Extended (Comprehensive) policy

This policy costs 3–5 times more than the basic one, but the range of covered incidents is significantly broader. In addition to standard risks, it includes:

• Treatment of injuries sustained while engaging in active sports.
• Sunburn coverage for adults.
• Pregnancy‑related complications.
• Liability when driving a car, scooter, or bicycle.
• Compensation for flight delays and lost luggage.
• Incidental expenses (phone calls, taxis) during an insured event.

For those planning a hotel‑based vacation with minimal activity, a basic policy is sufficient to meet entry requirements. However, when renting a scooter or participating in water excursions, an extended policy becomes essential: injuries sustained from falling off a scooter or from contact with a coral reef will not be covered by basic insurance.

A standard rule for all travel insurance policies: injuries sustained while under the influence of alcohol are not covered by either basic or extended policies.

However, specialized products on the market bypass this limitation. In particular, EKTA insurance offers Gold and Max+ plans, in which blood alcohol content at the time of an insured event is not checked. This may be relevant for tourists planning to consume alcoholic beverages during their vacation.

Scooter rental deserves special attention — it is a popular mode of transportation among tourists exploring the islands. Road conditions in the Seychelles differ significantly from those in Asian resorts: narrow winding roads, limited visibility, and local driving habits create elevated risks. When planning to rent a scooter, extended insurance is an essential safety requirement.

What to do in the event of an insured incident in the Seychelles

If a situation arises that requires medical assistance, you should follow these steps:

1. Contact your insurance company (assistance service) using the number listed on your policy. Provide your policy number, location, the nature of the problem, and whether emergency assistance is needed. Obtain instructions and a guarantee of payment.
2. In an emergency, call 999 — this is the universal number for police, ambulance, and fire services. An alternative ambulance number is 151. Operators speak English.
3. If there is no immediate threat to life, go to a medical facility recommended by the assistance service. Do not begin treatment without prior approval from your insurer — this could result in denial of reimbursement.
4. Keep all documents: medical reports, discharge summaries, receipts, payment slips, prescriptions, as well as copies of your policy and passport.
5. If medical evacuation is required, your insurance company will arrange it. Arranging transport on your own does not guarantee compensation.

Where to purchase insurance: practical options

You can obtain a policy in several ways:

• At a physical office of an insurance company in your home country.
• Through a travel agency when booking your trip (package deals often already include basic insurance).
• Online — the most convenient method, allowing you to purchase a policy just before departure. The insurance voucher is sent to your email and is accepted when applying for entry authorization.

Among the well‑known insurance products that operate in the Seychelles are EKTA (three plans: Start, Gold, Max+), as well as policies from global insurers such as Allianz and ERV. You can also choose a local insurer in your own country.

We also recommend insurance from Global Rescue, which many of our clients use. For those who purchase a full tour from Boombastic, we will always assist in the event of any accident or illness — for example, on Eden Island, we can arrange for a doctor at any time of day or night.

Boombastic Tours — Your Premium Tour Operator in the Seychelles.