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A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows visitors to travel freely between 29 European countries that are part of the Schengen Area, without the need for border checks.
This visa is required for travelers who plan to visit any of these countries for tourism, business, or any other purpose for up to 90 days in a 180-day period and requires Schengen visa insurance.
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. ItâÃÂÃÂs designed to protect you and ensure that European healthcare systems are not financially burdened by visiting travelers.
Yes. If you're visiting from a non-visa-exempt country for tourism, business, or family reasons for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, Schengen visa insurance is mandatory.
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. YouâÃÂÃÂll 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 doesnâÃÂÃÂt require travel insurance, itâÃÂÃÂs 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:
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 âÃÂì30,000 (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, thereâÃÂÃÂs no need to stress about whether your plan meets Schengen visa requirements. As soon as you indicate that youâÃÂÃÂre heading to a Schengen country, youâÃÂÃÂll be matched with policies that are fully compliant with the visaâÃÂÃÂs insurance guidelines.
Immediately after purchase, youâÃÂÃÂll receive a Confirmation of Coverage Visa Letter from your selected insurance provider. This official document confirms that your plan meets all the necessary criteriaâÃÂÃÂincluding coverage limits and eligible benefitsâÃÂÃÂand 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 youâÃÂÃÂre 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.
The 29 countries in the Schengen Area that require travel insurance are:
Currently, Ireland and Cyprus are not included in the Schengen area for Visa requirements and the EU members Bulgaria and Romania only apply some of the Schengen provisions, but if you have a valid Schengen visa, you can still enter and visit these countries without a visa.
Although most of Europe is part of the Schengen Agreement, some countries remain outside of it. These include:
These countries may not require Schengen visas and, therefore, do not require travel insurance. However, travelers visiting these countries should still check the specific entry requirements, as they may differ significantly from Schengen visa policies and requirements.
Having a Schengen visa can be extremely advantageous for travelers who wish to explore multiple countries in Europe, as it allows for greater flexibility and ease of travel. Schengen visas are categorized based on the purpose and duration of the intended stay.
There are three types of Schengen visas:
Type A visas or Airport Transit Visas allow travelers from non-Schengen states to transit through the international zone of an airport in a Schengen country, without entering the country.
The type C visa is issued by the visa services of a country within the Schengen area and allows the holder to stay or travel freely within the Schengen area.
To determine if you need a Type C Schengen visa, you can refer to the Schengen visa entry requirements. Depending on the purpose of your trip, the Type C Schengen visa can be one of the following types:
The Type D visa is a long-stay visa required for those wishing to live, study, or work in a Schengen country for more than 90 days.
The travel purposes which can justify applying for a category D visa are:
The consular authorities of the intended Schengen country issue the national visa or type D visa in accordance with national legislation. Thus, it is essential to contact the country's services to learn about the various conditions and formalities that must be fulfilled. Depending on certain circumstances, it may be granted as a single or multiple-entry long-stay visa.
Multiple-entry visas are also available for one, three, or five years.
Important: All types of Schengen visas have to adhere to the 90/180 Schengen Visa rule, which limits a traveler's stay to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
If youâÃÂÃÂve secured a Schengen Visa travel insurance plan, itâÃÂÃÂs important to remember that there may be coverage exclusions in your policy. This means that there are some instances in which your medical expenses will not be eligible for coverage. Common Schengen insurance exclusions include:
Each planâÃÂÃÂs exclusions will vary, so itâÃÂÃÂs important to review your Schengen visa insuranceâÃÂÃÂs coverage details in full to understand any possible restrictions or limitations.
If you require travel insurance for your Schengen visa, it is important to note that not all travel insurance out there will meet the set requirements for a Schengen visa.
When you purchase through VisitorsCoverage, you get the following benefits:
Ready to get insured? Check out our Schengen visa travel insurance plans today!
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Website was easy to navigate, and contained a lot of information so I could make an informed decision. Also I thought the rates were very reasonable considering the peace of mind the policy will give me.
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Very easy to compare between options and choose from. Was able to complete the purchase in 10 minutes.
At VisitorsCoverage, you can easily compare Schengen Visa Insurance plans and buy them online, quickly and without excessive paperwork. Schengen Visa Insurance plans can help protect you from unforeseen circumstances and let you travel with peace of mind.
Disclaimer
Plan features listed here are high level, provided for your convenience and information purpose only. Please review the Evidence of Coverage and Plan Contract (Policy) for a detailed description of Coverage Benefits, Limitations and Exclusions. Must read the Policy Brochure and Plan Details for complete and accurate details. Only the Terms and Conditions of Coverage Benefits listed in the policy are binding.
