Updated April 26, 2021
As of February 2020, the Schengen Visa is changing in important ways for travelers. A Schengen Visa is required for citizens of 104 countries to visit many of the countries in Europe including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
The largest change concerns the price of the visa. As of February 2020, the fees increased from 60 euros to 80 euros. This price increase is substantial, but hopefully not enough to force travelers to cancel their plans.
Also, the Schengen Visa is now allowing travelers to apply for the visa up to six months in advance of their planned arrival date, up from only three months in the past.
Due to the United Kingdom’s recent exit from the European Union, British citizens will be subject to stricter regulations in the future. However, they won’t be required to obtain a Schengen Visa. The U.K. was never a member of the Schengen program, so if you’re planning to visit the British Isles, you will need to look at the British Visa webpages for information about those documents.
After 2022, passports of non-EU travelers entering the Schengen borders will no longer be physically stamped. Schengen countries are currently experimenting with digital and other types of passport documentation.
Do you need travel insurance for the Schengen zone? Schengen Visa applicants must still provide proof of adequate travel medical insurance covering the duration of their visit in order to have their visa application approved. Obtaining travel insurance for the Schengen visa doesn’t have to be difficult.
Check out a list of options that are available to you. Insurance companies will provide a letter of assurance that acts as proof of purchase for travel insurance that includes the Schengen area.
If you have questions about your Schengen visa or other travel insurance for your Europe trip, please reach out to our Customer Success Team.
