Travel insurance for a Schengen visa
If you're applying for a Schengen short-stay visa, insurance isn't optional — you must show a policy with at least €30,000 of medical cover. Here's what that means and how to get a compliant one.
The €30,000 rule, in plain English
To be granted a Schengen visa, your travel medical insurance must:
- Cover a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses;
- Be valid in all Schengen countries for the entire period of your stay;
- Include emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation (including repatriation of remains).
You'll usually attach the insurance certificate to your visa application. Buy a policy that explicitly states it meets Schengen requirements so the certificate is accepted.
What to look for (visa or not)
Even if your passport enters visa-free, good cover matters. Compare on:
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Medical & hospital limit | €30k is the Schengen minimum; higher is better for the US/Asia |
| Repatriation / evacuation | Required for Schengen; genuinely important everywhere |
| Duration & renewals | Long trips / nomads need monthly-renewable cover |
| Pre-existing conditions | Often excluded — read the fine print |
| Adventure activities | Diving, skiing, motorbikes are frequently excluded |
Which type fits you?
| Policy style | Best for | How it works | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling subscription | Open-ended trips, nomads, multi-country routes | Renews every four weeks like a membership; you can buy or extend it while already abroad, and stop when you're home. | SafetyWing ↗ |
| Fixed single trip | One trip with known dates — incl. Schengen visa applications | Priced for your exact dates and destinations; issues a certificate stating it meets Schengen requirements — the wording consulates want to see. | EKTA ↗ |
Neither is "best" outright — the shape of your trip decides. We don't rank by commission (see what we use & how we earn), and prices change too often to print here — get a current quote on the insurer's site.
General information, not insurance or immigration advice. Requirements can change and policies differ — confirm the current rule with the consulate you're applying to and read the policy wording before buying.