Visa application requirement
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance &
Europe Incoming Insurance
Schengen Travel Insurance
One of the most important requirements while traveling abroad is to have a valid travel health insurance policy in place to combat any unforeseen medical emergencies. A person traveling to the Schengen zone or the citizens of any country within the Schengen area are highly recommended to purchase a suitable Schengen Travel Visa Insurance for the expecting visitor from another country as the guarantor of the visitor.
In this article
Insurance Requirements for the Schengen Visa Applicants
Schengen Visa Insurance coverage requirements have been designed to ensure high-quality medical benefits for individuals traveling within the European Union. To qualify, a Schengen Visa Insurance policy must provide comprehensive international health insurance with unlimited medical and emergency cost benefits. Coverage should include acute onset of pre-existing conditions, repatriation of mortal remains, both inpatient and outpatient care, hospitalization fees such as room and board, medications prescribed by a doctor, and more. To be eligible fore Schengen Visa insurance coverage all travellers must purchase coverage prior to their arrival in Europe that includes the entirety of their trip abroad and also demonstrates proof of eligibility before departure.
Health insurance for the Schengen Visa Application from an approved insurance company must meet the following requirements:
- Full Medical Coverage of at least Euro 30,000 to the policyholder
- Full coverage for the Medical evacuation/repatriation
Travelers visiting the designated Schengen area can easily buy the Schengen Visa insurance online with medical coverage in specified limits. The health insurance policy document should be presented at the Consulate from which you are applying for a Schengen Visa along with other Visa documents and should also be carried along on the trip to the Schengen countries.
The cost of Schengen Travel Insurance - Premium Comparison
Generally speaking, the cost of Schengen Visa Insurance can range from around $20 USD to upwards of a few hundred dollar depending on the length of your stay and the amount of coverage you require. You can purchase this insurance from a variety of providers, however, it is important to ensure the policy meets all requirements outlined by Schengen visa regulations before purchasing. Additionally, some insurance policies may also cover additional benefits that go beyond basic medical needs such as legal fees or lodging expenses, allowing travellers further peace of mind during their travels.
The cost of travel insurance to the Schengen zone depends upon several factors as discussed below-
- The duration of the trip– Higher the number of days of travel, more will be the premium
- Age and health of the insured- As the presumed risk increases with an increase in age, thus a higher age leads to higher premium
- Pre-existing medical condition– Conditions such as asthma or diabetes increases the cost of insurance
Several companies offer the benefit of availing add-on covers that enhance the coverage limits and inclusions thus adding to the final premium amount.
The importance of Schengen Visa Insurance
The majority of European countries come under the domain of Schengen regulations. The Schengen area includes-Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
All the above 27 countries mandatorily require Schengen travel insurance, without which it is not possible to obtain a Schengen Visa. Hence, anyone who is planning to travel to any country in the Schengen zone is needed to buy suitable Schengen travel visa insurance also known as Schengen Visa insurance or Schengen Visa health insurance.
Insurance Providers of Schengen & Europe Travel Insurance
Schengen Visa Insurance is a type of travel insurance that provides the traveller with coverage while they are visiting any of the Schengen Area countries. This insurance can provide coverage for a variety of scenarios such as medical emergencies, trip cancellation and interruption, loss or damage baggage and more. The reason why you need it for travel to a Schengen Zone country is because without it, you may be refused a visa into the country due to the Schengen Agreement’s requirement for visitors to have adequate documented proof that they have insurance that covers costs associated with their stay in the region. Having this insurance clearly demonstrates to the authorities that you will not be a financial burden on them if an unexpected event were to occur during your travels.
Make sure the insurance company you choose for your Travel insurance is licensed and accepted in the Schengen Area. Not every insurance provider is accepted by the embassy or consulate. There might be more companies, but the selected providers listed below are often reported to us that they are accepted by all European Embassies and Consulates worldwide and offer even more than the minimum requirements.
Allianz Schengen Travel Insurance
Learn more about Allianz Schengen Travel Insurance
AXA Schengen Visa Insurance
Learn more about AXA Schengen Visa Insurance
MAWISTA Schengen Visa Insurance
Learn more about MAWISTA Schengen Visa Insurance
Is Schengen Visa Insurance compulsory?
Schengen Visa Insurance is a requirement if you are planning on applying for a Schengen Visa to visit any of the 27 countries in Europe. The insurance covers any medical emergencies that you may have while in these countries, up to a certain amount.
Travelers who wish to visit Schengen zone need to factor in any kind of unforeseen expenses that might crop up. There are several reasons why it is inevitable and should be considered with due seriousness. The importance of the Schengen Visa Insurance can be summed by the significant excerpt from Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council in 2009, which is as follows.
“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.
The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000”.
Schengen Travel Insurance FAQ´s
One of the most commonly issued categories of the Schengen Visa is the short stay visa (category C) which is for the purposes of tourism, business, family or private visit. It is mandatory to have the travel insurance for this category.
The Schengen travel visa insurance in normal circumstances covers:
- Any kind of medical emergencies such as accident or sickness while in the Schengen Area
- Visa Insurance covers Emergency evacuation or repatriation of the mortal remains
- It covers Overseas funeral expenses in case of demise of the policyholder while in Schengen zone
Although the Schengen travel insurance insures you for most likely situations, not everything is covered in a Schengen travel insurance policy. Below are some of the exclusions-
- Any kind of pre-existing medical conditions unless it’s a life-threatening condition
- Any kind of expenses incurred due to any of the following conditions: a) Self-inflicted injuries or illnesses, b) Suicide attempt, c) Mental disorder, Anxiety, stress or depression, d) Alcohol/drug abuse, e) HIV/AIDS
- If the policyholder is traveling against the advice of physician and is hospitalized due to the negligence
- If the policyholder is specifically traveling to receive treatment abroad
- Theft or loss of passport due to negligence or if you don’t report the loss to local police authorities immediately
- Extreme situations such as War or nuclear threat in the country where you’re traveling
- Participation in high-risk activities such as extreme sports e.g., scuba diving, skydiving, etc., are generally not covered in the Travel insurance policies
Although the plan can be availed by most, there are some criteria for issuing a Schengen Visa travel insurance policy as mentioned below:
- The minimum and maximum age of the insured person which varies from company to company
- The person at the time of applying the travel health should be medically fit with no predetermined illnesses
This type of policy will typically provide comprehensive coverage and peace of mind not only while in the Schengen region, but also while in transit. Generally, these policies last up to 90 days and can be tailored to fit the needs of each individual traveller. It is important to understand that one single trip may not exceed the duration of 90 days – which means those planning multiple trips should consider purchasing a multi-trip Schengen Visa Insurance plan.
Yes, with the some of the insurance companies, the Schengen Visa Travel Insurance can be easily extended if your travel dates are changed due to any reason or your holidays are extended. This would not be possible with all insurance companies, so please clarify this option before you purchase an insurance cover.
Yes, various companies design travel insurance plans to meet both the requirements that of leisure and business based on the requirement. Individuals traveling abroad on business purpose can also avail the facility of overseas travel plan from the insurance company.
Each Schengen Visa applicant will need to be covered by a recognised travel insurance policy. Many of these policies offer products that provide protection for multiple members of a family, for example, the AXA Extended Protection Schengen Visa Insurance Policy.
When it comes to Schengen visa insurance, it is important to plan ahead and make sure you purchase the coverage prior to submitting your visa application.
