Haris Ashley
Travel medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for anyone travelling to the Schengen Area of Europe on a Schengen visa. This insurance ensures coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation during your stay in the Schengen Area. It is important to note that domestic health insurance will not be accepted in a foreign country. The cost of travel insurance for a Schengen visa depends on your personal details, the length of your trip, and the plan you choose. After purchasing a compliant Schengen health insurance policy, the provider will issue a certificate that serves as proof of coverage. This document is mandatory for your visa application.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mandatory | Yes |
| Cost | Depends on personal details, length of trip, and plan chosen |
| Minimum Coverage | €30,000 |
| Coverage | Emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains, unforeseen medical emergencies, illness, accidental injury, hospitalization, emergency medical care, personal liability, passport and baggage loss, flight delay, pre-existing conditions |
| Countries | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Certificate | Issued by the provider and acts as proof of coverage |
| Documents | Name and contact information of the provider, policy number and coverage specifics, confirmation that the policy is valid throughout the Schengen Area, personal details, coverage benefits |
| Cancellation | Full refund if the embassy or consulate refuses your visa |
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What You'll Learn
Mandatory requirements for travel to the Schengen Area
To enter the Schengen Area, you must fulfil several mandatory requirements. Firstly, you need a valid passport, defined as "having been issued within the previous 10 years from the day you enter the EU, and valid until the end of your stay, plus an additional three months". Secondly, you must obtain a Schengen visa if you are from a country without a visa-free entry agreement with the Schengen Area. This visa is a travel permit issued by Schengen Area members to third-country nationals for short-term stays, such as for tourism or business. It allows a maximum stay of 90 days within a 180-day period and can be extended only in exceptional circumstances, such as humanitarian or force majeure reasons.
To obtain a Schengen visa, you must provide proof of specific mandatory requirements. This includes showing proof of adequate Schengen visa medical insurance coverage, with a minimum of €30,000 in medical costs coverage. This insurance must be valid in all Schengen Area member states and for the entire duration of your stay. It should also include coverage for emergency medical care, medical repatriation, and hospitalisation. After purchasing a compliant Schengen health insurance policy, you will receive a certificate that serves as proof of coverage for your visa application.
Additionally, when entering the Schengen Area, you must carry documents supporting the reason for your visit, such as an invitation letter, proof of accommodation, a round-trip ticket, and proof of travel insurance. These requirements may vary depending on the country you are visiting within the Schengen Area, so it is essential to check the specific entry requirements for each country.
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How to purchase travel insurance for a Schengen Visa
Travel medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for anyone travelling to the Schengen Area of Europe on a Schengen visa. This insurance is necessary to protect travellers from unforeseen financial emergencies and ensure they have adequate medical coverage during their stay. The process of purchasing travel insurance for a Schengen Visa is straightforward, and you can follow the steps outlined below to obtain the necessary coverage.
Browse and Compare Available Plans
Firstly, you should research and compare the various travel insurance plans available for Schengen visas. Different providers will offer varying levels of coverage and benefits, so it is essential to review the details of each plan carefully. Websites like Insubuy and Policybazaar allow you to compare policies and obtain instant quotes based on your personal details, trip length, and chosen plan.
Choose a Suitable Plan
When choosing a travel insurance plan, ensure it meets all the necessary requirements for a Schengen visa. According to EU laws, your insurance must include the following:
- Medical coverage of at least €30,000
- Validity in all 29 Schengen Area member states
- Coverage for the entire duration of your stay
- Inclusion of medical repatriation, emergency medical care, and hospitalisation
Purchase the Selected Plan
Once you have found a suitable plan that meets all the requirements, proceed to purchase it. You can usually buy travel insurance for a Schengen visa online through the provider's website. After purchasing, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link to print your Schengen visa letter. This letter serves as proof of your insurance coverage and is required for your visa application.
Submit the Required Documents
When submitting your Schengen visa application, ensure you include all the necessary documents, including the Schengen visa letter from your insurance provider. Other required documents typically include a completed visa application form, recent passport-size photographs, a valid passport, copies of previous visas, biometric data, and travel-specific documents such as flight and hotel bookings.
Understand the Claims Process
Familiarise yourself with the claims process outlined by your insurance provider. In the event of an emergency or claim, you will need to know the steps to take to receive reimbursement for your medical expenses. Some providers may require you to submit claims through their website or mobile app, while others may have different procedures in place.
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What to do in case of a medical emergency
To obtain a visa for a country in the Schengen zone, you must provide proof of sufficient insurance coverage for your entire stay. This insurance covers emergency medical costs in the event of illnesses and accidents, as well as repatriation and assistance.
- Contact the Alarm Service, which is available in the event of emergencies such as repatriation, accidents, clinical treatment in a hospital, and hospitalization.
- Follow the instructions provided by the Alarm Service. This may include providing the Alarm Service with the complete contact details of the hospital or authorities.
- Pay all medical bills upfront for outpatient treatments (no overnight stay in a medical facility). This includes doctors, pharmacies, specialists, and hospital outpatient services.
- Initiate a claim by logging into your insurance account and filling out the necessary information.
- Upload a detailed invoice, proof of payment, and a brief statement about the medical issue and treatment received.
- After receiving all necessary documents, the insurer will start the refund process.
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How to claim a refund
To obtain a visa for a country in the Schengen zone, you must provide proof of sufficient insurance coverage for your entire stay. This mandatory requirement includes emergency medical costs within the Schengen zone in cases of illnesses and accidents, as well as repatriation and assistance. The minimum coverage required is €30,000, and it must cover emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
Now, to the main part: how to claim a refund. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Contact your insurance provider: In case of an emergency, you must contact the Alarm Service. Emergencies include repatriation, accidents, (outpatient) clinical treatment in a hospital, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Follow their instructions and they will guide you through the process.
- Submit your claim: You can submit your claim via email, your customer account, or the insurance provider's mobile app. You will need to provide details such as your policy number and coverage specifics, personal information, and information about the medical issue and treatment received.
- Provide supporting documentation: This includes detailed invoices, proof of payment, and any other relevant documents. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, as the insurer will only start the refund process once they have received everything.
- Wait for the refund: The refund process can take up to 30 days, but it may take longer during busy periods. If you haven't received your refund within 45 days, contact your insurer directly to follow up.
It is important to note that if your insurance coverage has already started, you cannot cancel and obtain a refund unless your visa application has been officially refused. In this case, you will need to provide the official refusal letter from the embassy or consulate to your insurance provider to initiate the refund process.
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Recommended insurance providers
Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for anyone travelling to the Schengen Area of Europe on a Schengen visa. This insurance is required to cover medical costs of at least €30,000, as well as emergency medical evacuation and repatriation. It is important to note that your domestic health insurance will most likely not be accepted in a foreign country.
- AXA: AXA is the leading provider of Schengen visa travel insurance and offers low-cost insurance plans that meet all the necessary requirements. Their plans cover medical expenses of up to €30,000 in all Schengen countries, and they provide 24/7 assistance and expertise. AXA also offers a range of other coverage options, such as their Europe Travel insurance and Schengen Multi Trip insurance.
- Insubuy: Insubuy offers affordable and reliable Schengen travel insurance plans that are accepted throughout Europe. Their plans provide comprehensive coverage, including medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and repatriation.
- Swisscare: Swisscare offers low-cost Schengen visa insurance that is widely accepted by embassies and consulates. Their plans cover emergency medical costs, repatriation, and assistance. They also provide a user-friendly app for easy access to your insurance information.
When choosing an insurance provider, it is important to consider your personal needs, the length of your trip, and the specific requirements of the Schengen visa. It is also recommended to review the coverage details and exclusions of each plan to ensure that it meets your specific needs.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum coverage required is €30,000 in medical costs. This includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains.
First, browse and compare Schengen medical insurance plans for your destination. Then, purchase a compliant Schengen health insurance policy. After purchasing, the provider will issue a certificate that serves as proof of your coverage. Finally, submit this certificate along with the rest of your visa application documents.
Some recommended providers include Swisscare, Insubuy, Coverwise, and AXA. Swisscare offers low-cost Schengen visa insurance that is widely accepted by embassies and consulates. Insubuy has licensed, USA-based agents standing by to assist you and offers easy comparison of policies on their website. Coverwise is backed by AXA and offers cheaper, Schengen-compliant insurance.
