One of the important requirements of Schengen visa is the travel medical insurance. The travel insurance for Schengen visa must meet certain coverage requirements. It must also be valid throughout the Schengen region for the entire duration of your stay.
There are a lot of travel insurance options available in the market. But finding the right policy for the Schengen visa can be difficult. If you choose the wrong policy, it might affect your visa result.
In this article, you will learn everything about Schengen visa travel insurance and how to choose the policy that complies with the visa requirements.
I have also aggregated some insurance companies and policies to make the process easy for you. So without further due, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
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What is Schengen Travel Medical Insurance?
Schengen travel insurance is a type of insurance policy for travelers visiting the Schengen area. This type of travel insurance is designed specifically to comply with the Schengen visa criteria of minimum coverage and validity requirements.
Schengen travel insurance is also a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa.
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Who Requires Schengen Travel Health Insurance?
Visitors from visa-required countries planning to visit any Schengen country must require Schengen travel insurance.
If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter the Schengen zone, you must have a valid travel insurance policy. You must buy travel insurance not only for your Schengen visa application but also for any or all trips that you take to the Schengen area.
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Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Schengen Visa?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for the Schengen visa. The European Commission’s 810/2009 Regulation mandates submitting valid travel medical insurance for Schengen visa applications.
Travel medical insurance is not only mandatory for the first trip, but also for all subsequent trips for multiple-entry Schengen visas.
At the time of visa application, you would only need to provide proof of insurance for the first entry.
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What are the Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements?
As per Article 15 of REGULATION (EC) No 810/2009, the Schengen visa travel insurance must meet the following three criteria:
- Must cover medical expenses up to a minimum of €30,000
- Must be valid for the entire duration of your stay
- Must be valid in all 29 Schengen countries
The policy must cover all medical expenses arising from:
- Emergency medical attention
- Treatment
- Hospitalization
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Repatriation due to medical reasons and/or
- Death
Let’s look at the criteria in detail.
1. Minimum Coverage
Your Schengen visa travel insurance must meet the minimum coverage requirement of €30,000. When purchasing Schengen visa travel insurance in USD, make sure the policy covers at least $50,000.
This minimum coverage is applicable for any medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
This minimum coverage is necessary to protect you financially in case of accidents, unforeseen illnesses, or any emergency situations during your trip in the Schengen area.
2. Validity Duration
The travel insurance for the Schengen visa must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.
This travel insurance policy should cover you from the day you arrive in the Schengen area until the day you leave.
In terms of a multiple-entry visa, the Schengen visa insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your first entry only.
Here is an example:
You are applying for a multiple-entry visa and your trip is from Jan 01 to Jan 14. Your Schengen visa insurance must be valid from Jan 01 to Jan 14.
If you take another trip on the same visa, say from May 01 to May 14, then you must purchase another Schengen travel insurance at the time of your second trip.
For your visa application, you would only need to provide insurance for Jan 01 to Jan 14.
3. Validity in the Schengen Zone
Lastly, the Schengen visa travel insurance must be valid in all 29 Schengen countries. This is to make sure that you have coverage regardless of which Schengen country you visit during your trip.
Most Schengen travel insurance providers such as VisitorsCoverage, offer insurance plans that are valid in the entire Schengen zone.
In fact, any insurance valid globally is acceptable for the Schengen visa. Provided, the insurance covers at least €30,000 in all medical costs and emergencies.
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What Does Schengen Visa Insurance Plan Cover?
Any Schengen visa insurance plan covers medical expenses, COVID-19 protection, and trip coverage.
These coverage options are designed not only to provide comprehensive protection but also to meet the Schengen visa insurance requirements.
1. Medical Coverage
Medical coverage is the most important aspect of Schengen travel insurance. It provides coverage for emergency medical expenses, accidents, and unexpected illnesses.
The coverage also includes hospitalization, emergency hospital treatment, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other necessary medical treatments that are considered emergency and necessary.
The policy must cover at least €30,000 for the visa. But depending on your needs and activities in the Schengen area, you can opt for policies with higher coverage.
2. COVID-19 Protection
COVID protection is not mandatory for the Schengen visa. But most Schengen visa travel insurance policies offer COVID coverage anyway. But keep in mind, the COVID tests and quarantine must be prescribed by a doctor to be eligible for the coverage.
That being said, you must review the policy details to make sure that COVID protection is included. Even though it’s not mandatory, it can provide some peace of mind during your trip.
3. Trip Coverage
Trip coverage is also not mandatory for the Schengen visa. But most travel insurance plans provide protection against flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage. Trip coverage will help with any expenses due to trip interruptions and baggage delays.
Before purchasing, review the policy details to make sure trip coverage is included.
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What Does Schengen Visa Insurance Plan NOT Cover?
Schengen travel insurance plans usually provide coverage for a wide range of scenarios. But there will always be some exclusions. One common exclusion is the coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.
Before purchasing, it’s important to understand the exclusions of the Schengen visa insurance policy.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions are generally not covered by Schengen visa insurance plans. If you have a medical condition that was present before purchasing your Schengen insurance policy, any medical expenses related to that condition during the trip will not be covered.
Review the policy’s terms and conditions to see if there is any exclusion of pre-existing medical conditions.
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Is COVID-19 Coverage Mandatory for Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?
No, COVID-19 coverage is not mandatory for Schengen visa travel insurance. But most Schengen travel insurance companies include COVID coverage in their policy.
Even though it’s not required, having COVID protection in your travel insurance can offer you some peace of mind during the trip.
It is always better to be prepared and have coverage than to face medical issues during the trip.
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How Much Does Schengen Visa Medical Insurance Cost?
The cost of Schengen visa medical insurance varies depending on factors such as age, trip duration, total coverage amount and the insurance company.
Schengen travel insurance from VisitorsCoverage for those up to 39 years of age will cost about a dollar a day. For a one-week trip, it would be about 7 USD. The cost goes up with age.
VisitorsCoverage is a US-based insurance seller offering Schengen visa insurance. If you prefer a Europe-based insurance company such as Europ Assistance, the prices are even higher. A one-week insurance policy can cost about €18.
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How to Choose the Right Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?
There are a ton of options available in the market. It can be very confusing. But mainly, you must consider the reputation of the insurance company, coverage limits, and customer reviews (very important).
1. Reputation of the Company
When looking for a travel insurance provider, evaluate their reputation in the market. A reputable insurance company will have a track record of providing quality coverage. It will also have reliable customer service.
You can assess the reputation of an insurance company by looking at its reviews and ratings on sites such as Trustpilot. VisitorsCoverage, for example, has a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot.
If you choose an insurance company with a strong reputation, you will have confidence in the coverage and support they provide throughout your trip.
2. Coverage Limits and Exclusions
Another important aspect to consider is the coverage limit. The policy must be Schengen visa compliant, meaning the policy must meet the minimum coverage requirement of €30,000.
Also, it’s important to review if there are any exclusions, such as pre-existing medical conditions or other limitations.
3. Customer Reviews and Ratings
Reviews and ratings can be invaluable when evaluating any product or service in the market. Travel insurance is no different. The reviews and ratings provide insight into the insurance provider’s customer service, claims process, and embassy acceptability.
The experiences of other travelers can tell you the quality and reliability of the insurance.
4. Schengen Insurance Certificate
Finally, the insurance company must issue a visa letter (also called a Schengen insurance certificate). Submitting a visa letter is a mandatory requirement for the Schengen visa.
The letter or certificate confirms that your insurance policy meets the Schengen visa criteria. The certificate must include:
- Your name (as the policyholder)
- Policy number
- Total coverage amount, which should be no less than €30,000 (or $50,000)
- Dates of validity (must cover the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area)
- Contact details for the insurance company, in case of emergencies
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Where to Purchase Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?
Travel insurance for Schengen visas can be purchased from online insurance providers, local insurance companies and travel agencies.
Local insurance companies and travel agencies may offer personalized advice. But with online platforms, you can compare prices and coverage options from multiple insurers.
Wherever you purchase, make sure the insurance policy meets Schengen visa insurance requirements and provides a visa letter.
My recommendation is to buy Schengen visa insurance from VisitorsCoverage. Their Europe Travel Plus policy is specifically designed for the Schengen visa. This policy meets the minimum coverage requirements and includes a downloadable visa letter.
Here is a comparison of various companies and policies for a 33-year-old, 7-day trip to the Schengen area.
| Insurance Company | Trustpilot Rating | Policy Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VisitorsCoverage | 4.7 | Europe Travel Plus | $7.63 |
| WordTrips | 4.4 | Altas International | $9.31 |
| Europ Assitance | 1.4 | Schengen | €18 |
| AXA Schengen | 4.4 | Schengen Low Cost | €22 |
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How to Purchase Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa
To purchase your travel insurance for the Schengen visa, go to the VisitorsCoverage’s Europe Travel Plus plan. Enter the following details.
- Destination Country
- Citizenship
- Residence/Home country
- Coverage Start Date
- Coverage End Date
- Arrival Date
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
Click on Continue. In the deductible and policy maximum, select $0 for the deductible and $50K for the policy maximum. Then click on Continue.
In the next steps, enter your details as per your passport. Complete the payment and purchase the policy. Once your purchase is complete, you can download your visa letter.
RELATED: How to purchase Schengen Travel Insurance from VisitorsCoverage: A step-by-step guide
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How To Find Cheap Schengen Travel Insurance?
Finding cheap Schengen travel insurance requires research and comparison of policies and companies. I have done this already for you. VisitorsCoverage was the cheapest in my research. If you are older than 50, then you might want to check other insurance companies to see if you can find a cheaper option.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Do US citizens need Schengen insurance?
No. US citizens do not require Schengen insurance when traveling to the Schengen area. This is because Schengen insurance is mandatory for those who require a visa for the Schengen area. And, US citizens do not require a visa for the Schengen area.
Is Schengen travel insurance refundable?
Yes. Most Schengen visa insurance companies offer reimbursement or free cancellation in the event of visa refusal. That being said, review the terms and conditions of the insurance policy before purchasing to make sure the policy is cancellable in case of visa refusal.
Can I purchase travel insurance after obtaining a Schengen visa?
No. You must purchase travel insurance before obtaining the visa. This is because travel insurance is one of the mandatory requirements for obtaining the Schengen visa. Without purchasing travel insurance, you won’t even be able to apply for the Schengen visa.
Are pre-existing medical conditions covered by travel insurance?
Pre-existing medical conditions are usually not covered by Schengen visa insurance plans. This means that any medical expenses arising due to pre-existing conditions will not be covered during your trip. Before purchasing, review the terms and conditions of the policy to determine the exclusions.
Can I extend my travel insurance coverage if my stay in the Schengen area is prolonged?
It may be possible to extend travel insurance coverage if your stay in the Schengen area is prolonged. But it depends on the insurance company and the policy type. Review the terms and conditions and also contact the insurance provider to inquire about extensions.
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