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?
Long trips & nomads
Subscription-style, monthly-renewable medical cover (e.g. SafetyWing) suits open-ended or multi-country travel. Meets the €30k medical minimum.
A single Schengen trip
A fixed-dates single-trip policy that issues a Schengen-compliant certificate is usually cheapest for one visit. Confirm it states "meets Schengen requirements".
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.