A Schengen visa is the most common visa among travelers visiting Europe. This document is mandatory for certain travelers planning trips to some of the world’s most iconic destinations, including Italy, France, and Spain.
One crucial aspect of the Schengen visa application process involves purchasing travel medical insurance prior to departing for your trip.
To guide you through this process, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of everything you need to know about Schengen visa travel insurance.
What is a Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is an official travel document that allows non-Europeans to visit the Schengen Area, a group of 29 European nations that have agreed to abolish border controls between one another.
With this visa, you won’t be subject to border checks at internal Schengen borders. This provides more flexibility and freedom when visiting multiple destinations within the region.
During the application process, you may be required to submit documents such as your passport, proof of travel insurance, and a detailed travel itinerary. Some travelers may also need to attend an in-person meeting and provide biometrics to be approved for a visa.
The Schengen visa application process typically takes 15 days to complete and will cost travelers roughly $100.
What European Countries Are Part of the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area, sometimes referred to as the Schengen Zone, includes most European Union (EU) countries and several non-EU members.
Here is the full list of Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Notable countries that are not part of the Schengen Area: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, and Serbia.
What Are the Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements?
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for tourists who need to obtain a Schengen visa. The insurance coverage included within the policy must meet specific criteria to ensure the policyholder is adequately protected during their stay in the Schengen Area.
The insurance policy chosen must, at a minimum, meet the following conditions:
- Minimum Coverage: The travel insurance plan must provide a minimum of €30,000 (approximately $32,000 USD) in medical coverage.
- Covered Scenarios: It should cover emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, emergency evacuations, and repatriation (returning you to your home country) for medical reasons or death.
- Coverage Period: The policy’s coverage period should last for the duration of your stay in the Schengen Zone.
- Validity: The insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries regardless of your specific travel destination(s).
Although not a requirement, many travelers visiting Europe elect to purchase comprehensive travel insurance policies that include cancellation coverage. Click here to learn more about European travel insurance.
Do Americans Need A Schengen Visa to Visit Europe?
No, Americans generally do not need a Schengen visa when visiting European nations within the Schengen Area, as the United States has a visa waiver agreement with the Schengen countries.
As long as you have a valid U.S. passport, you can stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during an 180-day period. If you’re planning travel that exceeds the 90-day limit, you may be required to secure a long-term visa or residency permit directly with the nation where you will be staying for most of your trip.
Requirements aside, purchasing travel insurance that includes medical coverage is still highly recommended as most domestic health plans, such as Medicare or employer-sponsored plans, don’t offer protection overseas.
Which Countries Require a Schengen Visa?
While travelers from countries like the United States and Canada do not need to obtain a Schengen visa before heading to Europe, that’s not the case for most of the world.
Citizens from roughly 100 nations worldwide must complete the application process if they plan to visit popular European destinations.
This visa requirement applies to nations in Africa (e.g., Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya), Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan, China), the Middle East (e.g., Iran, Iraq, Syria), and parts of South America (e.g., Bolivia, Ecuador).
Official resources such as Schengen Visa Info or national embassy websites provide a full, updated list.
Where to Buy Travel Insurance For A Schengen Visa Application
There are more ways than ever to protect a trip to Europe. Even if a Schengen visa isn’t required for those traveling from the USA, purchasing a policy before your departure date can provide you with peace of mind and financial protection while overseas.
While Schengen visa requirements outline the amount of travel health insurance needed for application approval, they do not list specific plans or insurance companies that are accepted.
This means that you are free to choose the policy that meets the coverage demands as long as it meets the coverage demands.
Insurance costs and coverage can range widely from one policy to the next. When searching for travel insurance, we recommend using a comparison site, like Squaremouth, to view policies from multiple travel insurance providers side-by-side and find the best deal.
If you’re European travel, we recommend only considering policies that offer at least $50,000 in Emergency Medical coverage and $100,000 in Medical Evacuation coverage.
Does My Credit Card Provide Travel Protection to the Schengen Area?
It’s true that many travel credit cards now offer trip protection benefits to cardholders. Common benefits found in credit card insurance include Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, and Baggage Loss.
This coverage may be enough to satisfy the needs of travelers visiting Europe who aren’t impacted by Schengen visa requirements. However, most credit cards do not include coverage for medical emergencies or emergency medical evacuations that occur overseas.
With that in mind, credit card travel insurance will not cover unexpected medical costs and will not be accepted as proof of insurance as part of a visa application.
Documents U.S. Citizens Should Bring When Visiting the Schengen Area
Fortunately, visiting Europe is relatively straightforward for most Americans and U.S. resients. Below are some travel documents that should be considered when traveling to the Schengen Area.
Must-Have:
- Valid Passport: All U.S. travelers must provide a valid passport prior to boarding their flight and upon arrival. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date and issued within the last 10 years.
- Visa (For Long Stays): If your stay exceeds 90 days, you will need the appropriate visa or residency documents.
Should Have:
- Proof of Travel Purpose: While rare, you may be required to provide documents supporting your reason for travel. These can include booking confirmations, detailed itineraries, or business meeting details.
- Travel Insurance Certificate: While you may not be asked to provide this documentation upon entry, having your Certificate of Insurance handy can help if you encounter travel disruptions or need to contact your provider’s 24 Hour Emergency Assistance department while away from home.
- Emergency Contact Information: You never know when a disaster can strike. Having a list of emergency contacts can be helpful in parts of the world where phone service is limited.
The Bottom Line
The Schengen visa is an official document that gives non-Europeans the luxury of hassle-free travel when visiting multiple destinations within the Schengen Area. A key component of the application process is obtaining travel health insurance.
While this requirement doesn’t apply to U.S. passport holders, purchasing travel insurance is still highly recommended when traveling overseas. As you prepare for your trip, compare plans from multiple providers to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.