SchengenVisaSupport
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance From Ireland (2026): Requirements and Best Providers
Every Schengen visa application from Ireland needs travel medical insurance. The minimum is €30,000 in medical expenses and emergency repatriation, valid across all 27 Schengen states. You’ll submit the certificate at VFS Global Dublin (or the relevant embassy) and missing or vague wording is one of the top reasons applications stall at the document check.
Minimum Requirements (€30,000 / Schengen-wide)
- Medical expenses: at least €30,000, printed in euros on the certificate.
- Emergency repatriation (medical evacuation and repatriation of remains) explicitly mentioned.
- Geographic validity: all 27 Schengen states — not just “Europe” (Switzerland is in Schengen but outside the EU).
- Trip dates: cover starts on or before your Schengen entry date and ends on or after your exit date. 1–2 buffer days each side helps with flight changes.
- Name match: exactly as on the passport you submit.
- English certificate: required by VFS Dublin and every Schengen mission for Ireland-based applicants.
EU/USA insurers vs. Irish providers — the honest comparison
Irish residents have an unusual advantage: you already use EUR, so the currency-mismatch issue that trips up applicants from India or the US doesn’t apply. The real question is which provider issues a certificate that sails through VFS Dublin without follow-ups.
| Factor | EU/USA insurers (EKTA, Insubuy, VisitorsCoverage) | Irish-domiciled (Multitrip, Allianz Assistance, AXA Ireland) |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen-specific wording | Templates built around Article 15 of the Visa Code — instantly recognisable to embassy staff. | Generic European travel templates; you sometimes need to request a “visa letter” PDF separately. |
| Issuance speed | Instant PDF after payment. | Usually instant, occasionally next business day for broker-distributed plans. |
| Price for a 10-day Europe trip | From ~€8 (EKTA), ~€25–55 (Insubuy / VisitorsCoverage tiers). | ~€25–80 depending on age and trip type. |
| Claims network in Europe | Direct EU-based 24/7 assistance, cashless tie-ups with European hospitals. | Strong — Allianz and AXA have well-established EU networks. |
| Visa refusal refund | EKTA and most marketplace plans offer it — read the terms at checkout. | Rare on standard Irish travel policies — refunds usually only before policy start date. |
| Best for | Budget-conscious applicants, fast-turnaround appointments, first-time Schengen applicants who want a clean certificate. | Comprehensive trip protection beyond visa requirement (cancellation, baggage), families, seniors. |
None of the Irish providers are wrong choices — they’re fine. The trade-off is usually price plus the small extra friction of getting a certificate that specifically says “valid in all Schengen states” rather than a generic European travel policy. If you already have a Multitrip or Allianz annual policy, request the Schengen visa letter for your dates — that’s usually sufficient.
Irish-domiciled providers worth knowing
- Multitrip.com — Dublin-based broker, single-trip and annual Schengen-compliant plans, English certificate with explicit Schengen wording on request.
- Allianz Assistance Ireland — well-known global brand; ask specifically for the visa letter PDF, not just the schedule.
- AXA Travel Insurance (Ireland) — embassy-familiar brand name on certificates; sometimes pricier than online-only competitors.
- Blue Insurance (sold via brokers) — affordable single-trip cover, verify Schengen-wide validity on the schedule.
- Chill Insurance — comparison portal; useful to benchmark pricing before deciding.
What doesn’t work: your VHI, Laya Healthcare, or Irish Life Health domestic policy. These cover you in Ireland, not as Schengen visa proof. Same for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — it’s not insurance and doesn’t include repatriation.
How to get the certificate (Dublin-friendly steps)
- Open EKTA (cheapest), Insubuy (marketplace), or VisitorsCoverage (richer cover).
- Enter your Schengen entry and exit dates — not your full trip including a Dublin departure day.
- Select cover with at least €30,000 medical and explicit repatriation.
- Pay with your Irish Visa/Mastercard. The charge appears in EUR — no forex conversion.
- Download the certificate PDF immediately. Check name, dates, EUR limit, and the Schengen wording.
- Upload to your VFS Dublin portal or print two copies for the appointment.
Common Mistakes from Ireland
- Bringing only the EHIC card to VFS — it’s not accepted as Schengen visa insurance proof.
- Using a UK travel policy without re-checking it lists “Ireland of residence” on the schedule (some UK-issued plans exclude Irish residents).
- Buying a generic European policy where “Europe” excludes Switzerland or Iceland — both are Schengen states.
- Insurance dates not covering layover days in another Schengen country before reaching your main destination.
- Submitting the policy schedule but not the visa-specific certificate — some brokers issue these as separate PDFs.
- Forgetting to ask the broker for an English-language certificate when buying through an annual policy add-on.
Complete your visa file
Before your VFS Dublin appointment, three documents matter most beyond your passport: a refundable hotel booking, a flight reservation, and a €30,000+ travel insurance certificate.
Most Questions Asked by Visa Applicants
Do I need travel insurance for a Schengen visa from Ireland?
Yes — every short-stay Schengen visa application requires travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation, valid in all 27 Schengen states. VFS Dublin will not accept your application without it.
Will my VHI, Laya, or Irish Life Health policy count?
No. Domestic Irish health insurance is for treatment in Ireland and does not include the international travel medical and repatriation cover the Schengen rules demand. You need a separate travel insurance policy.
Is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) enough?
No. EHIC gives access to public healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as locals — it’s not insurance, has no repatriation cover, and doesn’t meet the €30,000 minimum. Schengen requires a dedicated travel medical policy.
How much should I expect to pay?
EKTA starts around €8–15 for a typical 10-day Europe trip. Insubuy and VisitorsCoverage tiers run €25–55. Irish providers like Multitrip, Allianz Assistance, or AXA typically cost €25–80 depending on age and trip type.
I have an annual multi-trip Irish policy. Is that enough?
Often yes, if the schedule lists Schengen-wide validity and €30,000+ medical with repatriation. Ask your broker for a Schengen visa letter for the specific trip dates — this is usually issued free on request and is what VFS accepts.
What if my visa is refused?
Most EU/US providers (EKTA, marketplace plans on Insubuy/VisitorsCoverage) offer a visa-refusal refund if you cancel before the policy start date with a copy of the refusal letter. Irish-domiciled providers rarely offer this — check the cancellation clause before paying.