Have you ever dreamed of touring the Colosseum in Rome or looking out from the Eiffel Tower in Paris? To experience these wonders and more in a single European vacation, you may need a Schengen Visa. This tourist visa allows international travelers to enter and freely move within the 29 Schengen countries of Europe and, depending on your country of origin, you'll need appropriate travel insurance that meets specific requirements.
About Schengen Entry Requirements
The Schengen Agreement, established in 1985, created a zone where travelers can move freely throughout the area, from country to country, without passport checks.
This also means, then, requirements to enter any one of these countries are very strict.
Who Does Not Require a Schengen Visa?
Before diving into insurance requirements, it's important to determine if you need a visa at all. Individuals from certain countries are exempt from the Schengen Visa requirement for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period when visiting for business or tourism.
For example, U.S. passport holders traveling for leisure don't require a Schengen visa if their trip is less than 90 days. However, these same travelers will need to obtain a visa for longer stays, such as working or studying in a Schengen country.
For individuals with dual citizenship and multiple passports, your visa requirement depends on which passport you choose to travel with. If your passport is from a visa-exempt country, you won't need a visa. If not, you'll need to apply for one.
Permanent residents of certain countries, including U.S. green card holders, should note that their visa requirements depend on their citizenship, not their residency status. Your country of citizenship determines whether you need a Schengen visa, regardless of your permanent residency elsewhere.
The Schengen Area Countries:
You will need a Schengen visa, and therefore, a travel medical insurance plan that satisfies the visa requirements, if you are planning to travel to any Schengen member country. The following countries make up the Schengen Area:
Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements
Travel insurance is required for a Schengen Visa but it must meet specific standards. If you apply for a visa without suitable travel medical insurance, your Schengen Visa could be denied. You may also experience unplanned expenses when traveling to Schengen region countries.
So, what should your Schengen insurance cover? All expenses related to any injury or illness sustained while traveling in the region. This may include an ambulance ride, X-rays, surgeries, hospital stays, and even emergency medical evacuation. Here are some other requirements your travel health insurance for Schengen visa must meet:
- Offer coverage for the entire period of the traveler's stay or transit in the Schengen area (up to 90 days within a 180-day period)
- Be valid in all Schengen countries
- Have a minimum coverage amount of EUR 30,000
- Have a $0 deductible
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Urgent medical attention
- Return of mortal remains
- Emergency hospital treatment
When you get your Schengen Visa travel insurance from VisitorsCoverage, the required visa letter is automatically included and delivered instantly. No need to request it or wait!
Documentation Requirements
When submitting your visa application, you must include proof of insurance. Your insurance provider should supply a verification letter explicitly stating that your policy meets all Schengen requirements. This official insurance certificate must include:
- Your full name and passport details
- Policy validity dates (matching or exceeding your travel dates)
- Geographical coverage (must specifically mention "Schengen countries" or "Europe")
- Clear indication of the 30,000 minimum coverage
- List of benefits meeting the mandatory requirements
- Insurance company's contact information
Without proper insurance, consular officers will likely reject your visa application regardless of how strong the rest of your application may be.
Schengen Visa Travel Medical Insurance Benefits
Having travel insurance isn't only important because it's a requirement for some visas and countries, but also because with international travel comes additional risks that you may not typically face at home. Experiencing new and unknown foods, culture and environments is exciting but it can increase your risk of food poisoning and other unexpected accidents. Buying travel medical insurance lessens the risk of international travel. Here’s a look at other benefits of Schengen travel medical insurance benefits.
While the primary requirement that a Schengen Visa wants to make sure you satisfy is having strong medical coverage for injuries and illnesses sustained within the Schengen region, since you are getting travel insurance anyway, it is beneficial to know that travel insurance can cover many other helpful benefits at no extra cost! You should look for and ensure that your chosen plan also covers these additional benefits well:
- Flight delays or cancellations. Flight disruptions are all too common these days. Especially when it comes to international travel. If you acquire travel insurance, you could receive some financial reimbursement for costs related to flight delays or cancellations.
- Lost, delayed or damaged luggage. As more people return to international travel, baggage issues will likely become more common. Fortunately, travel insurance can protect you financially if you experience a baggage mishap.
- Travel agency/lodging accommodations coverage. If you’re using a travel agency to arrange your itinerary or have already booked your hotel in advance, travel insurance can help you recoup financial losses if those entities were to suddenly go out of business.
- Multi-trip coverage. Depending on the travel medical insurance plan you choose, you might be able to select single-trip or multi-trip coverage. If you’re just planning on taking one trip to the Schengen Area during the course of one year, single-trip is the right option for you. But if you’re planning on several Schengen trips throughout the year, a multi-trip coverage plan will make things a lot easier. As long as your length of stay in the Schengen Area doesn’t exceed the policy coverage duration limit, you can use one policy for the entire year.
What Schengen Visa insurance Doesn’t Typically Cover:
- Injuries or illnesses sustained outside the Schengen Area. Schengen visa insurance may cover you while you’re traveling country-to-country within the Schengen Area, but any time spent outside of the region would not be covered.
- Pre-existing Medical Conditions. Pre-existing medical conditions are those that have existed within the traveler prior to obtaining Schengen visa insurance. These health conditions may be known or unknown at the time a policy is purchased. If your doctor declares you fit for travel prior to taking your trip, you may be able to get some coverage, but it’s not likely.
- Hazardous sports. Sports that are considered high risk like skiing, skydiving and scuba diving are not included in your Schengen coverage, even if you are competing in a professional sports event. However, some travel medical plans that may satisfy the Schengen insurance requirements may have an add-on benefit or rider for adventure sports coverage.
- Substance Abuse. Schengen travel medical insurance will not cover medical issues caused by drug and alcohol abuse.
- War-Related Injuries. Any injuries from residing in a known war zone will not be covered.
- Mental health. Unless you are hospitalized for a mental health issue, mental health services are not covered by Schengen visa insurance.
Best Travel Health Insurance for Schengen Visa
EuropeTravel Plus Insurance: This plan satisfies all necessary insurance requirements for the Schengen visa and sends your visa letter directly to your inbox, saving you time and stress. Here’s a look at what the plan may cover:
- Customized travel protection plans
- Flight cancellation protection
- Emergency Medical Insurance
- Emergency medical transportation
- Repatriation of mortal remains
- Cover the loss of your bags, tech and gear
- Compliant with Schengen rules
- Instant policy delivery
- Online Claims
- For individuals and groups
- 24/7 Assistance
- Lost luggage coverage
- Lost or stolen passport/visa assistance
Tips for a Smooth Visa Application Process
Finding the Easiest Path Through the Visa Process
If you're flexible about where to begin your European journey, know that approval rates and processing times vary considerably between different Schengen countries' consulates. Experienced travelers often recommend applying through the consulate of the country where you'll spend the most time, or if time is evenly split, through countries known for more efficient processing.
Common Insurance-Related Visa Rejection Reasons
Consular officers frequently reject visa applications for these insurance-related issues:
Coverage amount below 30,000: Always verify your policy clearly states coverage meets or exceeds this amount.
Policy duration doesn't match travel dates: Ensure your insurance covers your entire planned stay, plus a few extra days for unexpected delays.
Missing the zero-deductible requirement: Many standard travel insurance policies have deductibles, making them unsuitable for Schengen visa applications.
Inadequate documentation: The insurance certificate must explicitly state it meets Schengen visa requirements.
Coverage exclusions for certain Schengen countries: Your policy must cover all 29 Schengen nations, not just the countries you plan to visit.
How to Buy Travel Insurance for Schengen
Ready to get the best Schengen Visa travel insurance for your trip? VisitorsCoverage has everything you need to get started. Compare Schengen travel insurance plans to find the right one that fits your needs and your budget. VisitorsCoverage offers specialized plans for travelers heading to Europe, with options tailored to meet Schengen visa requirements while providing comprehensive protection.
If you still have a few questions before you settle on a plan, don't worry. If you have questions on Schengen travel insurance or any other plans, our team of licensed travel insurance experts is happy to help you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do Americans need travel insurance for Europe?
While Americans don't need a Schengen visa for stays under 90 days, travel insurance is still highly recommended. Medical emergencies abroad can be an unnecessary hassle and one that you shouldn't have to pay for out of pocket if you can avoid it. Furthermore, U.S. health insurance plans (including Medicare) typically provide little to no coverage outside the United States.
Is travel insurance required for green card holders visiting Europe?
Green card holders must follow the visa requirements based on their citizenship, not their U.S. residency status. If you're from a visa-exempt country, you don't need a visa for short stays. If you're from a country that requires a Schengen visa, you'll need both the visa and appropriate travel insurance regardless of your green card status.
What is the best travel insurance for a European trip?
The best insurance depends on your specific needs, but quality plans for Europe should include:
- At least 30,000 in medical coverage (more is better)
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Zero deductible
- Coverage for all countries on your itinerary
- Trip interruption/cancellation benefits
- 24/7 emergency assistance services
How far in advance should I purchase travel insurance for Europe?
Purchase insurance as soon as you've made significant trip deposits or bookings. This maximizes your coverage period for pre-departure benefits like trip cancellation. At minimum, you need insurance before applying for your Schengen visa, which can be 3-6 months before travel.
Can I buy travel insurance if I'm already in Europe?
While it's not recommended to get travel insurance if your trip has already started, it is doable. But, typically, doing this means you may get less benefits than if you had bought travel insurance in advance and your claims process could get more complicated.
Does my insurance need to cover countries outside the Schengen Area?
The Schengen visa requirement only applies to the coverage you need within Schengen countries. However, if your itinerary includes non-Schengen European countries (like the UK or Ireland), you don't need travel insurance there. However, you should ensure your policy covers these destinations too.
What happens if I stay in Europe longer than my insurance coverage?
Overstaying your insurance coverage could invalidate your visa and leave you financially vulnerable. If you need to extend your stay, contact your insurance provider about extending your coverage period or getting a new policy that matches your extended dates.
Are there specific insurance requirements for different Schengen countries?
The 30,000 minimum coverage requirement applies uniformly across all Schengen countries. However, some countries' consulates may be more stringent in verifying insurance details, particularly France, Germany, and Switzerland. Always make sure to double check your destination country's consulate website to verify that you satisfy all their requirements.
How do I prove I have valid travel insurance when entering Europe?
Border officials may ask to see proof of insurance, especially if entering with a Schengen visa. Keep your insurance certificate and visa letter easily accessible in your carry-on luggage, both printed and in digital format. You will get both of these documents to download right after you purchase your policy.
What should I do if my visa is denied due to insurance issues?
If your visa is denied because of insurance deficiencies, request specific details about the rejection. Purchase a new policy that explicitly addresses those concerns, then reapply with the corrected documentation.
If it's still within your first policy's lookback period, you might even be able to cancel that first policy and get the new one that satisfies your requirements.
