- Travel medical insurance is required for those who need a Schengen Visa, including citizens of China, India, the Philippines, and other required countries
- To meet the Schengen Visa travel insurance requirements, your insurance must include at least €30,000 in medical coverage, a $0 deductible, and coverage for your entire stay
- U.S. citizens do not need a Schengen Visa for a trip that is less than 90 days, but travel insurance is still highly recommended
- According to our licensed insurance experts, the best-selling travel medical insurance plans for a Schengen Visa are Europe Travel Plus, Atlas International, and Atlas Essential International
Who Needs Schengen Travel Insurance?
Whether you need Schengen travel insurance depends on your citizenship, not where you currently live. The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that share the same entry rules, so the same requirements apply no matter which country you enter first. Here is a quick look at who needs travel insurance for a Schengen Visa:
| Traveler Type | Is a Schengen Visa Required? | Is Schengen Visa Insurance Required? | Examples of Nationalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-required countries | Yes | Yes, mandatory to apply | India, China, Philippines, Nigeria |
| Visa-exempt countries | No (stays under 90 days) | Not required, but highly recommended | U.S., Canada, UK, Japan, Australia |
| EU and Schengen citizens | No | No | France, Italy, Spain, Germany |
| Dual citizens | Depends on the passport you travel on | Follows the passport used | If you enter with a passport from a visa-exempt country, no visa is needed |
Even if you have a layover in a Schengen country, you may still be required to show proof of compliant travel insurance, so it is always worth checking your destination country's consulate before you apply.
Do U.S. Citizens Need a Schengen Visa?
U.S. citizens do not need a Schengen Visa for stays of 90 days or less. You will need a valid U.S. passport and ETIAS authorization, which is expected to launch in late 2026.
However, U.S. citizens planning a trip of more than 90 days must secure a long-term Schengen visa or residency permit directly from the country where they will be staying the longest.
While that means travel insurance isn't a requirement, a travel insurance plan is still worth it for the Schengen Area to protect both your medical expenses and the financial investment you made in your trip.
Which Countries Are Part of the Schengen Area?
You will need travel medical insurance if your itinerary includes any Schengen member countries. The area currently includes the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Because the Schengen Area is treated as one travel area, your policy needs to be valid across all of these countries, not just your primary destination.
What Are the Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements?
Travel medical insurance is required for a Schengen visa, but it must meet specific requirements. If you get a travel medical insurance plan that doesn't meet these rules, your application can be delayed or denied.
To satisfy the Schengen Visa insurance requirements, a travel medical insurance plan needs to:
- Provide a minimum of €30,000 (roughly $50,000 USD) in emergency medical coverage
- Carry a $0 deductible, so eligible costs are covered from the start of a claim
- Include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
- Include an official visa letter or certificate provided by your insurance
- Be valid in all Schengen countries for the entire length of your stay, with no gaps between your policy dates and your travel dates
Before you apply, go through each of these requirements and confirm your plan covers them. Missing even one can delay your application.
Best Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Plans
- Best Schengen Visa Insurance for High Medical Coverage: Atlas International
- Best Overall Schengen Visa Insurance: Europe Travel Plus
- Best Budget Schengen Visa Travel Insurance: Atlas Essential International
How Much Does Schengen Visa Insurance Cost?
The good news is that Schengen travel insurance plans are usually one of the more affordable parts of a trip to the area. Your price depends on a few things: how long your trip is, where you are going, your age, and the coverage amount you choose.
The following table compares the average pricing for our top-selling Schengen travel insurance plans: Europe Travel Plus, Atlas International, and Atlas Essential International. These estimates include the required minimum medical coverage for a Schengen Visa and a $0 deductible for a 17-day trip:
| Traveler Type | Atlas International | Europe Travel Plus | Atlas Essential International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo, age 35 | $21.93 | $18.87 | $16.15 |
| Solo, age 45 | $37.40 | $31.62 | $27.71 |
| Couple, ages 45 and 50 | $101.15 | $90.27 | $74.97 |
Pricing as of June 9, 2026
Because pricing is personalized, the most reliable way to see your price is to enter your travel details and get a quote rather than relying on a flat estimate. A quick comparison lets you see several Schengen-compliant plans side by side and choose the balance of price and coverage that fits your trip.
How Do I Give Proof of Schengen Travel Insurance?
To prove you have travel insurance in your Schengen Visa application, you must have a visa letter or official certificate from your insurance provider.
Right after you purchase your policy, you will receive an official certificate confirming that it meets all Schengen requirements. This is what you will submit in your visa application as proof of the proper insurance.
This official visa letter will 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 the right insurance or if you forget this visa letter, consular officers will likely reject your visa application, regardless of how strong the rest of your application may be.
How Can I Find and Buy the Best Schengen Travel Insurance?
Finding the right plan is simple. VisitorsCoverage offers plans built specifically for the Schengen Area, so you can compare Schengen visa insurance plans side by side and pick the one that fits your trip and your budget.
If you have questions, our licensed travel insurance experts are available to help you every step of the way.
