Schengen visa travel insurance is a specific type of medical insurance required to obtain a Schengen visa.

This type of insurance covers a range of unexpected travel-related expenses while you're in Europe, including emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, and often other benefits like emergency dental, lost baggage, and travel interruption. It's designed to protect you and ensure that European healthcare systems are not financially burdened by visiting travelers.

Is Travel Insurance Required for a Schengen Visa?

Whether travel insurance is required depends on your nationality.

If you are traveling to a Schengen country and your nationality requires a Schengen visa, then travel insurance is mandatory. You'll need to submit proof of adequate insurance along with your visa application. Without it, your application is likely to be denied.

Check the official Schengen page for more information on which nationalities are required to get a visa.

Even if you're not stepping off the plane or airport, such as having a layover in a Schengen country, you may still be required to show proof of compliant travel insurance.

U.S. citizens and other travelers from visa-exempt countries do not need a Schengen visa for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). However, starting in 2025, U.S. travelers will be required to obtain ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval prior to their trip.

ETIAS is not a visa, but it is a mandatory travel authorization designed to enhance border security and pre-screen travelers. While it doesn't require travel insurance, it's strongly advised to carry medical coverage while abroad.

To learn more, read our guide: Everything You Need to Know About ETIAS

For visa-exempt travelers to Schengen countries, European travel insurance might not be legally required, but it's still a wise precaution to prevent having to pay out of pocket if something goes wrong.

Schengen insurance must meet the following minimum requirements:

Must have coverage for:

• Medical coverage
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Repatriation
• Hospitalization

Policies should also cover any expenses that might arise with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death. Choosing a Schengen insurance policy that meets these requirements and provides adequate coverage for your specific travel needs is important.

Acute onset of pre-existing condition coverage is not required but definitely should be considered for older travelers who have a medical history.

The policy must also have a minimum coverage amount of €30,000 (or equivalent in other currencies) and be valid for the entire duration of the traveler's stay in the Schengen Area.

The insurance policy must be valid for the entire duration of your stay or transit within the Schengen area, and be accepted in all Schengen countries.

Some embassies may also recommend selecting a $0 deductible in the insurance application. It's advisable to carefully review the Schengen visa application document provided by the specific embassy or country you plan to visit to ensure compliance with their requirements.

While non-U.S. residents can only choose a travel medical insurance plan, U.S. residents may choose between travel medical insurance or trip insurance, whichever coverage is better for your specific needs.

When you buy travel insurance through VisitorsCoverage, there's no need to stress about whether your plan meets Schengen visa requirements. As soon as you indicate that you're heading to a Schengen country, you'll be matched with policies that are fully compliant with the visa's insurance guidelines.

Immediately after purchase, you'll receive a Confirmation of Coverage Visa Letter from your selected insurance provider. This official document confirms that your plan meets all the necessary criteria—including coverage limits and eligible benefits—and should be included with your visa application. Border control officials may also ask to see this letter when you arrive in Europe.

Unfortunately, fraudulent Confirmation of Coverage Letters do exist. These are sometimes sold by unauthorized parties and may not be recognized by embassies or border agents. To stay safe, always purchase insurance directly from a trusted source. If you receive a Confirmation of Coverage Visa Letter from a source other than your insurer, it may be fraudulent.

When you use a reliable marketplace like VisitorsCoverage, you can rest easy knowing you're only seeing plans from legitimate, globally respected insurers. This not only helps you avoid invalid documents but also ensures your policy will be accepted without issue.