How Schengen Travel Insurance works

What is Schengen travel insurance?

Schengen travel insurance is specifically designed to meet the requirements for any travelers visiting any of the 29 countries within the Schengen zone. In order to qualify (and apply) for a Schengen short-term visa or long-term visa, travelers need to provide proof of adequate travel insurance.

What is the Schengen zone? The Schengen zone is the area of free movement within Europe, where citizens and travelers can move between countries without having to go through customs at every border or obtaining multiple visas. Therefore, Schengen travel insurance covers you for travel through all of these European countries that are part of the Schengen free movement area. This allows you to be flexible during your trip and visit multiple countries on your Schengen visa, should you choose to.

The Schengen area includes almost all of the countries within the European Union - with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland. It also includes a number of non-EU countries - Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - who joined the Schengen zone. The 29 countries within the Schengen area are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Do you need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

There are several types of Schengen visas available - the transit visa, the short-stay visa and national long-stay visa, but the most common is the short-stay visa. The short-stay visa allows you to stay up to 90 days within the Schengen Zone in a 180 day period.

One of the principle requirements for being granted a Schengen visa is to have a travel insurance certificate that covers you in all states within the Schengen area. This ensures that any potential fees relating to medical repatriation, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, are covered whilst you are staying in one of the Member States. Because of the free movement agreement between all of the countries within the Schengen area, having travel insurance for just one country is not adequate.

You’ll need to show proof of Schengen visa travel insurance when applying for your visa, well before your trip, so it’s worth being prepared and arranging this in advance. This means that you will need to obtain your Schengen visa travel insurance before you apply for your visa. Be sure to print off your travel insurance certificate to include in your visa application paperwork and bring it to your appointment.

What is Schengen travel insurance?

You’re free to pick an insurance policy of your choice, but you’ll need to check that the policy you choose is 100% compliant with the embassy, consulate, or visa center requirements where you are applying for your Schengen visa.

In order to be compliant with a Schengen visa, your travel insurance policy must meet specific criteria set out by the Schengen Agreement. There are three criteria that you need to pay close attention to. First, the insurance you choose must cover you for the entire duration of your stay. It also must be valid within all countries of the Schengen zone, and, lastly, it must have a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses or repatriation (Emergency medical).

However, every embassy is different, and there can also be additional demands made, depending on where you are applying for your visa. Some embassies, for example, require you to include Covid-19 coverage, or to take out an annual policy. You may also be required to choose an insurance policy with no deductible (excess), or one with no maximum day limit per trip.

Before taking out your Europe travel insurance, it’s worth checking with your visa center about any specific requirements to make sure you have the correct coverage.

What's the difference between Europe travel insurance & Schengen travel insurance?

Europe travel insurance and Schengen travel insurance are very similar and often confused. Many travelers searching for Europe Travel Insurance are, in fact, in need of Schengen visa travel insurance, or visa-versa.

Schengen travel insurance covers all of the European countries that are part of the Schengen free movement area. Like noted previously, this includes most countries within the European Union (again,with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland). Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein and are also included, since, while outside of the EU, they are a part of the Schengen zone.

However, if your trip includes European countries which are not included in the Schengen area - such as the UK, for example - you’ll need Europe travel insurance instead. This will insure you for all the Schengen member states, as well as those outside the Schengen zone. In short, if you’re planning to go to both France (which is in the Schengen Zone) and London (which is not), you will need to find a tailored solution that covers both.

A Schengen travel insurance policy is necessary in order to obtain the Schengen visa, but most European travel insurances meet the Schengen visa requirements as well as cover some additional countries. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of your Europe travel insurance policy to be sure that it meets the Schengen requirements.

Both Europe and Schengen travel insurance will cover you for a range of unforeseen travel expenses, including medical expenses, during your European trip.

What's the difference between Schengen travel insurance & Schengen travel medical insurance?

Schengen travel medical insurance is included within the Schengen travel insurance cover, and is the minimum requirement in order to apply for a Schengen visa.
Schengen travel insurance and Schengen travel medical insurance are essentially the same, except that Schengen travel insurance will also cover you for a range of additional guarantees, outside of medical coverage.

In addition to medical coverage, this broader travel insurance can cover other travel emergencies such as:

• Additional stay: Potential coverage of additional accommodation costs in case your return is delayed.
• Lost or stolen belongings: Coverage for the loss or theft of personal belongings, including luggage, passports, and other valuable items.
• Sports: Coverage for sport related injuries or accidents, including search and rescue costs for qualifying activities.
• Travel assistance: Access to 24/7 support services for travel-related issues, such as medical referrals, translation services, and travel advice, before and during your trip.
• Covid insurance: Specific coverage for Covid related expenses such as quarantine or additional medical expenses.

The exact coverage of your insurance will depend on the policy terms and any additional guarantees you select.

If I’m exempt from needing a visa, do I still need European travel insurance?

Not all travelers require a Schengen visa in order to visit the Schengen area. If you are exempt from needing a visa, having a European travel insurance policy is not a legal requirement.

Nonetheless, it is highly recommended to purchase insurance for your trip, since medical costs within Europe can be very expensive for non-citizens. Having European travel insurance in place gives you peace of mind during your travels, and allows you the flexibility of changing your travel plans and visiting different European countries during your trip, plus so much more.

Who is exempt from needing a visa?

If you meet one of the following requirements, then you may be exempt from needing a Schengen visa:

• You are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free arrangement with the Schengen zone, such as the USA, Australia, United Kingdom and Canada. Citizens from these countries can freely enter the Schengen zone without needing a visa and are permitted for short-term stays.
• You are traveling on a diplomatic passport, official passport or other type of special passport.
• You are a British citizen. Since Brexit, British citizens can stay within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days in a 180 day period, provided that you are visiting as a tourist or for certain other reasons such as journalism or medical treatment. You can travel to any number of countries within the Schengen area during this 180 day period, providing that your total time within the zone does not exceed 90 days.

How to find the best Schengen travel insurance

The easiest way to find the best travel insurance for a Schengen visa is to use a comparison tool. Insurte’s travel insurance comparison tool gathers information on multiple insurance providers to help you identify which policy is best suited to your needs.

With tools like this one, you can filter your results according to the type of trip you want, like asingle-trip or multi-trip, as well as the region(s) you want to cover - for example, worldwide cover if you’re globe-trotting.

Some of the most well known insurance providers offering Schengen visa travel insurance include Axa, Allianz, Europ Assistance and Mutuaide, which can be compared apples to apples on Insurte to ensure you’re getting the right coverage at the best price.

Where can I find the cheapest travel insurance for Europe?

It’s always worth shopping around when you are choosing travel insurance, especially if you are looking to find the cheapest insurance options available. There are also ways to reduce the cost of your insurance by modifying your requirements.

Using Insurte’s insurance comparison tool will allow you to compare prices of different policies and select the cheapest travel insurance for Europe.

The cheapest travel insurance options are going to be those that offer a more basic level of coverage. Reducing the length of your stay will also bring down your cost, as will increasing your deductible (or excess).

Ultimately, it's worth remembering that the cost of insurance is a relatively small expense compared to the potential financial risk of traveling without sufficient coverage.

Where can I find comprehensive Schengen travel insurance?

To ensure you have a premium policy that will protect you against all unforeseen events during your travels, you’ll want to opt for a comprehensive Schengen travel insurance.

Comprehensive options will have higher thresholds in the payouts they offer and may include more specific options, such as Covid coverage. They may also be deductible free, meaning in the moment of a crisis you don't need to pay anything yourself.

When searching for comprehensive insurance, be sure to review the policy terms and conditions carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered. Consider factors such as:

• Coverage limits: Opt for higher coverage limits to avoid any nasty surprises.
• Deductibles: Choose options without deductibles.
• Additional Benefits: Look for additional benefits like lost baggage protection and sports.
• Customer reviews: Check that previous customers have had a positive experience with the insurer.

How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?

The cost of your Schengen travel insurance will vary widely depending on which insurance provider you go with and the level of coverage you select. Overall cost will depend on the length of your stay, as well as specific guarantees that you want covered. Including high risk activities, such as skiing, can result in a more expensive policy.

On average you might expect to pay €21+ for a Schengen travel insurance policy for a short-term stay, but again, this can vary.

The cheapest options will include basic insurance policies that offer minimal coverage. More comprehensive policies come at a higher premium, but offer additional benefits and have higher cover limits.

With Insurte, the premiums we offer are not dependent on your age, nationality, country of departure or country of arrival. You can browse available insurance options without needing to fill out a health questionnaire - we offer minimum options to all customers on an equal basis, without discrimination.

Schengen travel insurance FAQs

Do you need travel insurance for Europe?

Do you need travel insurance for a Schengen visa?

Why compare Schengen travel insurance?

Where can I compare Schengen travel insurance?

When do I need to buy Schengen travel insurance?

Do I need deductible or no deductible insurance for my Schengen visa?

Can I insure my Schengen travel if I’m 65 years old, 75 years old or over 80 years old?

Do I have to buy my Schengen travel insurance from my country of departure?

Is my choice of Schengen insurance restricted based on my nationality?

Can I get a refund for my Schengen travel insurance in case of visa refusal?