Schengen Travel Insurance 2026: €50,000 Coverage Required

Quick Pick by Traveler Type

• First-time applicant: choose a simple Schengen-focused policy with clear certificate wording
• Family trip: check coverage per traveler and child emergency terms
• Business travel: align insurance dates exactly with itinerary and invitation schedule
• Multi-country itinerary: verify "all Schengen states" wording appears on certificate
• Unsure about dates: add 1-2 buffer days on both sides to avoid date mismatch

Schengen Insurance Requirements

Your travel insurance MUST meet these criteria:

1. Minimum Coverage: €50,000

• Also written as €50,000 or $60,000 USD equivalent
• This is for MEDICAL EXPENSES only
• Lower coverage = rejection

2. Valid in ALL Schengen Countries

• Must cover all 27 Schengen countries, not just your destination
• Example: Visiting France only? Insurance must still cover Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.
• Reason: You can travel freely within Schengen once you enter

3. Coverage Includes

• ✅ Medical emergency treatment
• ✅ Emergency hospitalization
• ✅ Medical repatriation (return to home country for treatment if needed)
• ✅ Repatriation of remains (in case of death)

4. Coverage Dates

• Must cover ENTIRE trip duration
• Start date: Day you ENTER Schengen (or before)
• End date: Day you LEAVE Schengen (or after)
• Recommended: Add 2-3 buffer days before/after in case of flight delays

Best Schengen Travel Insurance Providers

1. EKTA Traveling (Our Top Pick — Cheapest & Fastest)

Why we recommend it: EKTA was built specifically for Schengen visa travelers. The certificate is designed around what embassies actually check — clear Schengen-wide wording, repatriation included, your name spelled correctly, and dates that match your itinerary. It's also one of the most affordable options out there.

• Coverage: €50,000+ medical (meets and exceeds the requirement)
• Cost: From ~€0.80/day — often the cheapest compliant option
• Schengen Countries: All 27 covered
• Certificate: Instant PDF — emailed within minutes of purchase
• Pros: Very affordable, embassy-ready certificate format, instant delivery, no confusing add-ons
• Cons: Focused on Schengen travel — not ideal if you also need worldwide adventure coverage
• Refund: Check their visa refusal refund policy before purchase

Get EKTA insurance now →

2. Insubuy (Best US-Friendly Marketplace)

Why we recommend it: Insubuy is a US-based aggregator that lets you compare multiple Schengen-compliant insurers in one search. Pick by deductible, medical limit, or carrier, then check out in USD with an instant certificate.

• Coverage: €30k–€500k depending on plan selected
• Cost: Typically $35–$90 for a 10-day trip
• Certificate: Instant PDF after checkout
• Pros: Compare several carriers side-by-side, US billing, transparent benefit tables
• Cons: Plan wording varies — always preview the certificate before paying

Compare on Insubuy →

3. VisitorsCoverage (Best Comprehensive Coverage)

Why we recommend it: VisitorsCoverage curates international travel medical plans with higher medical ceilings and optional trip-cancellation add-ons. Worth it for longer trips, premium itineraries, or applicants who want more than the bare Schengen minimum.

• Coverage: €100k–€500k+ medical with cancellation add-ons
• Cost: Typically $40–$120 for a 10-day trip
• Certificate: Instant PDF after checkout
• Pros: Higher limits, broad plan ladder, trip-cancellation and baggage add-ons
• Cons: Pricier per day than EKTA — only needed if you genuinely want the richer coverage

Browse VisitorsCoverage →

4. AXA Schengen

Why Recommended: A well-known brand among embassy staff. AXA has been selling Schengen-specific policies for years, so the brand name on your certificate is familiar to consulates.

• Coverage: €50,000 (Low Cost plan) or €100,000 (Europe Travel plan)
• Cost: €22-€60 for 10-day trip (depends on plan and age)
• Schengen Countries: All 27 covered
• Certificate: Instant PDF certificate in English
• Pros: Embassy-trusted name, visa refusal refund on some plans
• Cons: More expensive than EKTA for the same basic coverage

5. Allianz Travel Insurance

Why Recommended: If you want comprehensive trip protection beyond just the visa requirement — trip cancellation, baggage, the works — Allianz has layered plans.

• Coverage: €50,000 to €1,000,000 (depends on plan)
• Cost: €25-€80 for 10-day trip
• Schengen Countries: All covered
• Pros: Great for families and seniors, 24/7 assistance, strong global network
• Cons: Higher cost, more menus to navigate during checkout

6. SafetyWing (For Digital Nomads)

Why Recommended: If you're hopping between countries for months, SafetyWing's subscription-style billing makes sense.

• Coverage: $250,000 USD (€200,000+ equivalent)
• Cost: $45/month (~€1.50/day)
• Schengen Countries: All covered
• Pros: Month-to-month, cancel anytime, popular with remote workers
• Cons: $250 deductible, some embassies may want a traditional single-trip certificate

7. World Nomads

Why Recommended: Best for adventure travelers who plan to ski, scuba dive, or do other activities that standard policies exclude.

• Coverage: €100,000 to unlimited (depends on plan/region)
• Cost: €30-€90 for 10-day Europe trip
• Schengen Countries: All covered
• Pros: Adventure coverage included, can buy after trip started
• Cons: Most expensive option for basic Schengen coverage

How Much Does Schengen Insurance Cost?

Cost by Trip Duration

Average: €1-3 per day of coverage

Factors Affecting Cost:

• Age: Under 30 cheaper, over 65 significantly more expensive
• Trip duration: Longer trips = higher cost
• Coverage level: €50,000 vs €100,000 vs unlimited
• Pre-existing conditions: May require premium plan or not covered
• Activities: Adventure sports increase cost

How to Buy Schengen Travel Insurance

Step 1: Choose Provider

For most people, EKTA is the simplest and cheapest way to get a compliant certificate. If you want a big-brand name on the paperwork, AXA or Allianz also work well.

Step 2: Enter Trip Details

• Coverage dates (add buffer days!)
• Destination countries
• Your age and nationality
• Number of travelers

Step 3: Select Plan

• Minimum: €50,000 medical coverage
• Optional extras: Trip cancellation, baggage loss, etc. (not required for visa but useful)

Step 4: Pay

• Credit/debit card
• PayPal (some providers)
• Cost: €20-€100 typically

Step 5: Download Certificate

• Instant PDF certificate emailed to you
• Print or save PDF
• Submit with visa application

What Your Insurance Certificate Must Show

Embassy requires certificate/policy document showing:

• ✅ Your full name (matching passport)
• ✅ Coverage amount (minimum €50,000)
• ✅ Coverage dates (start and end)
• ✅ Geographic coverage ("Schengen Area" or list of countries)
• ✅ What's covered: Medical emergency, hospitalization, repatriation
• ✅ Policy number
• ✅ Insurance company name and contact

Can I Get Refund If Visa is Rejected?

Depends on provider:

Refund Policies

• EKTA: Check their visa refusal refund terms at checkout — many plans allow cancellation
• AXA Schengen: Full refund if visa rejected (must provide rejection letter)
• Allianz: Varies by plan; some offer visa refusal coverage
• SafetyWing: Can cancel within first month for refund
• World Nomads: 14-day cooling-off period in some countries

How to Claim Refund:

1. Contact insurance provider customer service
2. Provide visa rejection letter from embassy
3. Provide proof you didn't travel
4. Refund processed within 7-14 days typically

Special Situations

Traveling with Family

Each person needs individual insurance:

• Parents: 2 separate policies
• Children: Individual policies (often discounted)
• Many providers offer family packages (10-20% discount)

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Standard policies may NOT cover pre-existing conditions. Options:

• Declare condition and pay higher premium
• Buy specialized medical travel insurance
• Get letter from doctor stating condition is stable

Common pre-existing conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer history

Seniors (65+)

Insurance costs increase significantly:

• Age 65-70: 2x normal price
• Age 70-75: 3-4x normal price
• Age 75+: 5x+ normal price, some providers won't insure

Recommended for seniors: Allianz and AXA tend to have better senior rates. EKTA is also worth checking — they may offer competitive pricing depending on your age bracket.

Already Have Insurance (Credit Card, Home Country)

Check if it meets Schengen requirements:

• ✅ €50,000+ medical coverage?
• ✅ Covers ALL Schengen countries?
• ✅ Includes repatriation?
• ✅ Valid for exact trip dates?
• ✅ Certificate in English or acceptable language?

If YES to all: You can use it. If NO to any: Buy Schengen-specific insurance.

Complete your visa file

Insurance is one piece. Embassies also want a refundable hotel proof and a flight reservation.

Most Questions Asked by Visa Applicants

View all FAQs →

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