SchengenVisaSupport
Travel Insurance vs Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa — What's the Difference?
"I already have medical insurance — do I still need travel insurance for my Schengen visa?"
Yes, you do. We get this question every single day. Your medical insurance and Schengen travel insurance are two completely different things. Your health plan covers you at home. It does nothing for you in Europe — and the embassy won't accept it.
Let us explain in simple words what you actually need.
What's the Difference? (Simple Table)
Here's the easiest way to understand it:
| Your Medical / Health Insurance | Schengen Travel Insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it works | Your home country only | All 27 Schengen countries in Europe |
| What it covers | Doctor visits, hospitals, prescriptions at home | Emergency medical treatment in Europe + repatriation home |
| Minimum coverage | Varies by plan | Minimum €30,000 (many embassies now expect €50,000) |
| Repatriation | Not included | Included (transport you home if seriously ill) |
| Embassy certificate | Cannot produce one | Instant PDF certificate designed for visa submissions |
| Accepted for Schengen visa? | No | Yes |
Why Your Medical Insurance Won't Work
It doesn't matter how good your health plan is at home. The embassy will say no because:
- It doesn't work in Europe — your plan only covers you in your country
- No repatriation — they need a policy that flies you home if something serious happens
- No certificate — your health insurer can't give you the PDF the embassy checks
- Wrong wording — even if you have some travel cover, it won't say "all 27 Schengen countries"
- Wrong amount — Schengen needs at least €30,000 for emergencies, and your plan probably doesn't say that
What About Credit Card Insurance?
"My credit card has travel insurance — can I use that?" We hear this a lot. Usually, no:
- The coverage is too low — usually under €30,000
- Your card company can't give you the PDF certificate the embassy wants
- It doesn't mention repatriation or "all Schengen countries"
- It's secondary coverage — meaning they only pay after your main insurer pays first
Some expensive cards might technically qualify, but getting the right paperwork from them is a nightmare. It's much easier (and cheaper) to just buy proper Schengen travel insurance.
What About Your Company Health Plan?
Same story. Your company gives you health insurance for hospitals and doctors in your country. But it almost never:
- Covers emergencies in all 27 Schengen countries
- Has the repatriation wording embassies look for
- Gives you a proper visa-ready certificate in English
Don't waste time asking HR to write a Schengen letter — they can't. Just buy travel insurance online. It takes 5 minutes and costs less than lunch.
So What Do You Actually Need?
When you buy Schengen travel insurance, you get a certificate (a PDF). The embassy checks this certificate for:
- Your full name (same as your passport)
- At least €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies (€50,000 is even better)
- Works in all Schengen countries — not just one country, all 27
- Repatriation — they'll send you home if something serious happens
- Dates that match your full trip — from the day you arrive to the day you leave (add 1-2 extra days to be safe)
- Certificate in English (or whatever language your embassy needs)
Buy the right insurance in 5 minutes
EKTA is one of the cheapest options that works for Schengen visa — from about €0.80/day. You buy it, you get the PDF certificate right away, you submit it with your visa. Done.
Get EKTA Schengen insurance →How Much Does It Cost?
People always think travel insurance is expensive. It's not. Look:
- 7-10 day trip: around €10-€25
- 2 week trip: around €15-€35
- 1 month trip: around €25-€60
That's it. Less than a coffee a day. With EKTA, it starts from about €0.80/day.
And it's not just for the visa — it actually protects you. If you break your leg in Austria or need an ambulance in Paris, your medical insurance from back home won't help. Travel insurance will.
Quick Summary
- Your health insurance = only works at home. Embassy won't accept it.
- Credit card insurance = usually too low, no proper certificate. Won't work.
- Company health plan = same as above — only covers your country.
- Schengen travel insurance = this is what you need. Cheap, takes 5 minutes, instant certificate, and actually protects you in Europe.
Complete your visa file
Embassies cross-check every claim against your supporting documents. Lock in a refundable hotel, a flight reservation, and €30,000+ travel insurance so the file is consistent end-to-end.
Most Questions Asked by Visa Applicants
Is my health insurance enough for a Schengen visa?
No. Your health insurance covers doctors and hospitals at home — not in Europe. The embassy needs a special travel insurance certificate that shows €30,000 coverage across all Schengen countries, plus repatriation. Your health plan can't give you that. You need to buy separate travel insurance.
Can I use my employer medical insurance for a Schengen visa?
No. Your company health plan covers you in your country, not in Europe. It can't produce a Schengen certificate and doesn't have the right wording. Just buy travel insurance — it costs a few euros per day.
What is the cheapest Schengen travel insurance?
EKTA Traveling starts from about €0.80/day and gives you an instant PDF certificate that's ready for your visa submission. AXA Schengen and Allianz are also good but usually cost more.
Do I need travel insurance even if I have medical insurance?
Yes. They're two different things. Medical insurance = for home. Travel insurance = for Europe + the visa certificate the embassy requires. You need both.
Does credit card travel insurance work for a Schengen visa?
Usually not. Most credit cards can't give you the certificate the embassy wants. The coverage is often too low, it doesn't mention repatriation, and it's missing the Schengen wording. Just buy proper travel insurance — it's cheap and simple.