Travel Insurance For Taiwan - What To Take Note of

As of 29 September 2022, Singporeans will not need to take a PCR test before departure, and there are no vaccination requirements upon entry into Taiwan.

As of 13 October 2022, travellers will no longer be required to quarantine themselves and will only have to undertake 7 days of Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention (which means taking one RAT every 2 days and wearing a mask).

No longer do visitors need to take a saliva PCR test upon arrival. They can serve their 7-day Self-initiated Epidemic Prevention term in an appropriate private residence that abides by the "one person per room" criteria.

As of 29 September 2022, Singaporeans are allowed to travel to Taiwan without a visa for up to 30 days.

Nationals of specific countries, Australia included, are now visa-exempt when entering Taiwan.

Please be aware that the typhoon season usually falls between May and November, and that flooding and mudslides are unfortunately common during this time.. Businesses and government offices often close on 'typhoon days', so please confirm your travel arrangements before leaving. Also, earthquakes happen frequently in this region which may cause disruptions to train services Get advice from locals or tour guides on what to do if you find yourself in an earthquake-prone area.

It is always advisable to take out travel insurance before you go on any trip. This will cover you for any medical expenses, lost or stolen belongings, and cancellations or changes to your itinerary.

Out-of-pocket medical expenses can amount to thousands of dollars if you do not have insurance coverage.

Getting around Taiwan can be convenient, but it also depends on the weather. A variety of transportation options are available, including trains, buses, domestic flights and ferries to the islands.

The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) is a reliable and cheap form of transportation in Taiwan that trains regularly stop at all major cities and towns. Though regular express TRA train rides take five hours between Taipei and Kaohsiung, the High Speed Rail only takes ninety minutes. Although, the latter only goes to main cities on the west coast while TRA covers both Western and Eastern areas for half the price as high-speed trains.

Note that there are 5 types of train classes in Taiwan: 自強 Zìqiáng (fastest and most expensive), 莒光 Jŭguāng (second fastest, with assigned seating), 復興 Fùxīng (third fastest, with assigned seating), 區間快 “Local Express” (qūjiān kuài) (Short- to medium-distance commuter train), and 區間車 “Local Train” (qūjiānchē) (Short- to medium-distance commuter train which stops at all stations).

The ticket prices will differ based on the comfortability and speed of the train.

While renting a car is a suitable mode of transportation in rural areas, it can be hectic and dangerous for first-time drivers in populated cities.

If you are renting a car in Taiwan and are a foreign tourist, you will need to have an international driver’s license as well as your passport. If the rental is for thirty days or less, this suffice; if it is longer than that period of time, then you'll need a local licence.

Taiwan has a single-payer healthcare system, which means that one public agency controls healthcare for the entire population. This system of universal healthcare was implemented in 1995 at the recommendation of adviser Uwe Reinhardt. He advocated for an equitable healthcare program that would cover all citizens without discrimination.

All Taiwanese citizens must be enrolled in the NHI program, as well as travellers staying in Taiwan for more than six months. The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) covers everyone in Taiwan.

Over 80% of Taiwan's hospitals are privatised, which means citizens have great access to quality healthcare, and since most facilities are signed up with the NHI program, all residents have access to these healthcare providers.

Although the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme is available for foreigners in Taiwan, some people might find that private health insurance better suits their needs. This is because private medical insurance can cover things that NHI does not, such as certain types of care.