SchengenVisaSupport
Do I Need Travel Insurance for a Schengen Visa?
Short answer: Yes. Travel insurance is legally mandatory for every Schengen visa application under Article 15 of the Schengen Visa Code. There are no exceptions. Applications submitted without a valid insurance certificate are refused.
This page explains exactly what qualifies, what doesn't, and where to get a compliant policy quickly.
The Legal Basis
The requirement comes from EC Regulation No 810/2009 (Schengen Visa Code), Article 15:
"Applicants for a uniform visa shall present proof of possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment 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."
This applies to all third-country nationals applying for a short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa. It is not discretionary — consulates cannot waive this requirement.
Exactly What Insurance You Need
5 Mandatory Requirements
- Minimum €30,000 medical emergency coverage — check the medical limit specifically, not total policy value
- Valid for the entire Schengen Area — must say "Schengen Area" or list all 29 member states, not just "Europe"
- Covers your full travel dates — from arrival day to departure day inclusive; even a 1-day gap causes refusal
- Includes medical repatriation — transport back to your home country if medically necessary
- From an authorised insurer — the insurer must be authorised to operate in a Schengen member state
What Counts — and What Doesn't
| Insurance Type | Accepted? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated Schengen travel insurance (EKTA, AXA Schengen) | ✅ Yes | Meets all requirements; certificate format designed for visa applications |
| General travel insurance (if it meets all 5 requirements) | ✅ If compliant | Check certificate wording carefully; many exclude Schengen-specific language |
| Home country health insurance | ❌ No | Covers domestic treatment only; no repatriation; no Schengen certificate |
| Credit card travel insurance | ⚠️ Usually not | Doesn't produce a Schengen-compliant standalone certificate; conditional coverage |
| Employer group insurance | ⚠️ Rarely | Must explicitly cover Schengen Area internationally with repatriation and certificate |
| EU/EEA citizen's EHIC card | ❌ No | EHIC is for EU citizens in other EU countries — not for visa applications |
Do You Need Insurance for the Whole Visa Validity or Just Your Trip?
Only your trip dates. If you're applying for a 90-day multiple entry visa but only traveling for 10 days on the first visit, your insurance needs to cover just those 10 days.
For future trips under the same multiple entry visa, you buy separate insurance each time. You do not need one policy covering the full 90-day validity period.
→ Guide to qualifying for a multiple entry Schengen visa
When Do You Buy It?
Before submitting your visa application — insurance is part of the required document set. You cannot submit first and add it later.
The practical order:
- Book refundable/on-hold flights and hotel (or use our reservation service)
- Purchase travel insurance with a visa refusal refund clause
- Assemble full application including insurance certificate
- Submit to consulate or VFS/BLS
If the visa is refused, reputable Schengen insurers (EKTA, AXA Schengen) will refund the premium provided the travel dates haven't started. Always check the refund terms before purchasing.
What the Certificate Must Show
When you buy travel insurance, you'll receive a certificate (PDF). The embassy or VFS officer will check it against this list:
| Required Element | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Your name | Must match your passport exactly |
| Coverage dates | From arrival to departure date inclusive |
| Territory | Must say "Schengen Area" — not just "Europe" |
| Medical coverage amount | At least €30,000 |
| Repatriation | Must be explicitly mentioned |
| Insurer details | Company name, policy number, emergency contact |
→ Full guide: what your insurance certificate must say
How Much Does It Cost?
Less than most people expect. A basic compliant policy for a 2-week trip costs €15–€35 for travellers under 60. You can get a compliant policy from around €0.80/day with EKTA.
→ Full price guide: Schengen travel insurance cost
Complete your visa file
Travel insurance is one of three mandatory documents embassies always verify — along with hotel bookings and flight reservations. Make sure the dates match across all three.
Most Questions Asked by Visa Applicants
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa?
Yes, legally mandatory. Article 15 of the Schengen Visa Code requires travel insurance for every short-stay visa application. No exceptions. Applications without it are refused at submission.
What insurance do you need for a Schengen visa?
A policy with: minimum €30,000 medical emergency cover, valid for the entire Schengen Area, covering your exact travel dates (arrival to departure), with medical repatriation included, from an authorised insurer. The insurer must issue a certificate — verbal confirmation is not accepted.
Can I use my travel insurance from my home country?
Only if it explicitly covers the entire Schengen Area for at least €30,000 medical cover plus repatriation, and the insurer can provide a written certificate in the required format. Most domestic health or travel insurance doesn't meet all these criteria. It's safer to buy a dedicated Schengen policy.
Does credit card travel insurance count for a Schengen visa?
Rarely. Even if the coverage amount is sufficient, credit card companies usually don't issue the standalone insurance certificate embassies require. Most consulates won't accept a credit card benefits summary page as proof of insurance.
Do I need travel insurance for the full Schengen visa validity or just my trip?
Just your trip. If you're applying for a 90-day multiple entry visa but only traveling for 10 days initially, your insurance must cover those 10 days. You'll need separate insurance for each subsequent trip under the same visa.
What's the cheapest travel insurance that meets Schengen requirements?
EKTA Traveling consistently offers the lowest prices — from ~€0.80/day. For a 2-week trip, that's roughly €11–€15. The certificate is Schengen-compliant and delivered instantly. See our full cost guide for comparison by provider and trip length.
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