Schengen travel insurance, compare and buy online

Applying for a Schengen visa means you need compliant travel insurance. This guide explains what that is, who needs it, what it covers, and how much it costs, so you can compare plans and buy your policy with confidence.

What is Schengen travel insurance, and who needs it?

The quick definition: Schengen travel insurance is mandatory medical cover of at least 30,000 euros, required for anyone applying for a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C). It needs to be valid across all 29 of the Schengen countries for the entire length of your trip, and include repatriation guarantees. Without it, your visa application will be refused.

Who needs it	Who does not
Certain non-EU travelers on a tourist visa	EU or EEA citizens
Students on specific study visas (check your visa’s specific requirements)	Students who do not require visas
Business visitor needing a Type-C visa	Holder of a valid EU residence permit
Many non-EU nationals, for short stays	Visa-exempt travelers, though still advised
Exceptions you may not know. If you hold a valid residence permit for an EU/Schengen country, or your nationality allows visa-free entry (such as the United States or Canada), you do not need a Schengen visa. Instead of being a legal entry condition, most governments simply recommend that you have it.

Schengen visa travel insurance requirements

In short, travel insurance is a mandatory part of any Schengen visa application. Your policy has to cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses, be valid across all 29 Schengen countries, include repatriation guarantees, and cover you for your entire stay. Without it, the embassy will reject the file.

Requirement	Official minimum	In practice
Emergency medical coverage	30,000 €	Emergency hospital care plus repatriation
Geographic validity	All 29 Schengen states	Not only your destination
Time validity	Your full stay	Dates must match your visa application
Visa refusal	Policies on Insurte can be refunded	Full refund available

Insurance requirements for Schengen visa applicants

These rules aren’t random; they come from the European Union’s Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. Typically, your official certificate has to show the amount of coverage you have, the dates the policy is active, and list the countries you’re covered in. A policy that only covers your destination isn’t compliant, meaning it doesn’t meet the requirements set out by the zone. Your policy must meet every single requirement.

Do visa-exempt travellers need Schengen travel insurance?

No, not as a legal condition. If your nationality allows visa-free entry, Schengen travel insurance isn’t a strict requirement. It is still wise to take out, since medical care in Europe is often expensive for non-residents, and up-front payment is sometimes required for care. On top of that, some countries can require travelers to take out policies. For instance, France asks that all travelers be insured, Schengen visa or not.

Compare Schengen travel insurance plans

Different policies are available for travelers with different needs. All of our policies are fully compliant, so whether you pick the most affordable option or the most comprehensive, you know that the policy will meet the minimums set out by the Schengen area. When the cheapest plan is enough. For travelers who simply want to meet the bare minimum requirements, the cheapest plan will work when you purchase through Insurte. We always recommend getting a policy that covers what is important to you (in addition to it meeting the requirements). If you’d like coverage for common issues like delayed or lost luggage, personal liability, assistance for lost passports, or other common travel risks, we offer compliant policies that include them, too.

What does Schengen travel insurance cover?

Typically covered. Emergency medical expenses from 30,000 euros, hospital care, medical repatriation, repatriation of mortal remains, and more. Premium plans can include coverage such as assistance for lost papers (like passports), sports, personal liability, legal assistance, delayed/lost/stolen luggage, and more. You can use our comparison tool at the top of this page to look at policies apples to apples to see what works for you.

Coverage	Always included in our policies	Optional
Emergency medical	Yes, 30,000 € min	Higher limits
Repatriation	Yes	Limits vary
Delayed/lost luggage	No	Yes, some policies include
Personal Liability	No	Yes, some policies include it
COVID-19	Yes	Coverage varies by policy
Sports Coverage	Yes	Coverage and exclusions vary by policy
What it does not cover. Travelers often assume that everything is included. If there’s an accident? Covered. However, every policy has exclusions, regardless of where you purchase it. Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, adventure sports, pregnancy beyond a certain week, and cosmetic/elective care. Make sure you read the terms and conditions before you purchase, and pay special attention to the exclusions so you understand both what is covered and what isn’t.

Medical expenses and emergency repatriation coverage

Medical expenses and repatriation are the heart of the policy. It pays for sudden illness or injury during your trip and, if needed, your medical transport home or to another facility to receive the care you need. This is actually the part of the coverage that the visa rules specifically target.

How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?

In short. Travel insurance policies typically start at a few dollars/euros a day. Then, the final price depends on the length of stay, the number of travelers, and the cover level you choose. The real cost of skipping it. A few days in a European hospital can run into several thousand euros for a non-resident. A two-week policy costs about the price of a meal out. If you look at it that way, it seems like an easy decision. Plus, it’s mandatory for all Schengen visa applicants. Choosing not to include travel insurance will result in a visa application rejection, meaning your trip gets set back, or worse, canceled altogether.

How to get your Schengen travel insurance certificate

On our website, buying a policy and getting an insurance certificate only takes a few minutes and steps. First, fill out your details in the search tool at the top of this page. Next, compare policies and purchase the one you want (all of them are visa application compliant). Third, receive your certificate instantly. Fourth, print it out and add it to your visa file. Fifth, keep a copy with you during your trip so you can quickly and easily get a hold of support if it’s needed. What the embassy checks on your certificate. The embassy will check that the policy meets the minimum Schengen visa requirements. They’ll check that it is your policy (make sure your name matches the name on your passport), the dates that your policy is active (it needs to cover you for your entire stay), that it’s valid across the entire Schengen Area, and that it provides at least 30,000 euros in emergency medical coverage, including repatriation and hospitalization. Our insurance certificates meet Schengen requirements. Schengen compliance is not a magic approval button. While Schengen visa insurance is mandatory, having it doesn’t mean your visa application will be automatically approved. Visa officers review your entire application as a whole, and make sure that all of the present documents meet the requirements.

Schengen vs Europe travel insurance: key differences

In short. Schengen travel insurance covers all 29 Schengen countries and is required for a Schengen visa. Europe travel insurance typically covers countries outside of the Schengen Area, too, like the UK or Ireland. In the insurance world, the two can be the same thing, but if you’re applying for a Schengen visa, it’s important that your policy explicitly covers the entire Schengen Zone.

Frequently asked questions about Schengen travel insurance