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 27 Schengen countries of Europe and depending on your country of origin, you’ll likely need a travel medical insurance plan that meets specific requirements.
Who Does Not Require a Schengen Visa?
Before getting into the basics of Schengen visa and travel insurance, let’s determine who doesn’t require a Schengen Visa to travel to any of the member countries listed below. Individuals from certain countries are exempt from the Schengen Visa requirement if they’re visiting member countries for the purposes of business or tourism and will not stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days within an 180-day period. However, even individuals from those exempted countries will need to acquire a Schengen visa if they stay beyond that time, as in the case of people traveling to work in a member country or students studying in a member country. For example, A U.S. passport holder does not require a Schedgen visa if the trip is less than 90 days.
For individuals living in multiple countries, with multiple passports, whether you need a visa or not comes down to what passport you choose to travel with. If the passport is for a country that is visa-exempt, you don’t need to worry about the requirement. However, if you’re traveling with a passport for a country that is not exempt, you’ll need to apply for a visa.
Please note that for some visa-exempted countries, there are other stipulations and regulations in place. More information on that can be found here.
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 medical 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
Schengen Visa Travel Medical Insurance Benefits
Having travel medical 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.
The fundamental benefit of travel medical insurance is, of course, medical coverage for injuries and illnesses sustained within the Schengen region. But travel medical insurance that satisfies the Schengen visa requirements will also come with other advantages and coverage perks like:
- 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
How to buy Travel Insurance for Schengen
Looking to buy Schengen Visa travel insurance? VisitorsCoverage has everything you need to get started. Compare plans, get quotes and purchase a suitable travel medical insurance plan for your Schengen Area adventure today. Remember, if you have questions on Schengen travel insurance or any other plans, our team of licensed travel insurance experts is happy to help.
