What travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
TL;DR: Schengen visa applicants must show travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states for the entire stay, covering emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation. No policy, no visa — it's a hard requirement of the Visa Code, and consulates check the certificate line by line.
This is the cheapest document in your application and the easiest one to get rejected over. Policies that exclude repatriation or cap coverage below €30,000 fail silently.
The non-negotiables
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | €30,000 for medical emergencies |
| Geographic scope | "Valid in all Schengen states" — must say so |
| Duration | Every day of the planned stay |
| Must cover | Emergency treatment, hospitalization, repatriation (including remains) |
| Deductible | Low/zero preferred; some consulates reject high-deductible policies |
Claim: Insurance gaps cause real refusals. Evidence: "Proof of travel medical insurance not provided/insufficient" is a standard refusal ground under the Schengen Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009, Article 15 sets the €30,000 floor and repatriation requirement).
Buying it right, step by step
- Buy a "Schengen-compliant" policy — insurers targeting visa applicants issue certificates worded for consulates.
- Match the certificate dates to your itinerary exactly, plus a buffer if your travel dates might shift.
- Check the exclusions page: pre-existing conditions, adventure sports, pandemic clauses — exclusions are fine unless a consulate says otherwise, but repatriation must be in.
- For multiple-entry visas, you attest you'll hold insurance for future trips; you only prove the first trip.
- Print the certificate showing your name, coverage amount, territory, and dates — a payment receipt is not a certificate.
Cost reality
Basic compliant policies for a two-week trip commonly cost in the tens of euros/dollars, varying with age and coverage level. Annual multi-trip policies often make sense past two trips a year.
FAQ
Does my credit card's travel insurance count? Only if the issuer provides a certificate meeting all requirements — many card policies can't produce consulate-ready proof.
Do refundable policies exist in case of refusal? Yes — many Schengen-focused insurers refund fully with proof of visa refusal. Buy one of those.
Do visa-free travelers (US, UK passports) need it? Not legally for entry today — but medical costs abroad make it wise, and ETIAS doesn't change the insurance rules.
Does insurance need to cover my whole multi-year visa validity? No — coverage must match the first planned trip; you declare awareness of needing it for later trips.
Get compliant in minutes: VisaSherpa.ai checks your policy certificate against your target consulate's checklist.
By Pinal Dave — Last updated: 2026-07-23