European regulation EC no. 810/2009 stipulates that anyone requiring a visa to stay in the Schengen area for less than 90 days must be covered by a travel insurance and assistance policy. I’ll tell you which minimum benefits must be included in the policy and give you a selection of insurance products that comply with European legislation.
What is Schengen travel insurance?
The Schengen area comprises the following countries and territories: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France (except overseas territories), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Under the Community Code on Visas, travelers requiring a uniform visa (type C “short-stay”) to enter the Schengen area are required to hold a travel insurance policy and provide proof of this in order to obtain their visa. This measure applies whatever the reason for the trip: tourism, family or private visit, business, etc. It also applies to children and babies.
The insurance policy must cover all costs relating to:
- emergency medical care and hospital treatment
- repatriation to the country of origin for medical reasons
- death of the traveler.
Coverage must be for a minimum of EUR 30,000 and be valid throughout the Schengen area.
In addition to basic coverage, travelers can choose additional options to suit their needs: higher compensation limit, geographical extension, baggage insurance, civil liability, etc.
The price of Schengen travel insurance varies according to:
- the traveler’s age and country of residence
- length of stay in the Schengen area
- the benefits chosen.
A certificate of insurance must be attached to the visa application. The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the stay for a single/double-entry visa, or for the duration of the first intended stay for a multiple-entry visa (also known as a “circulation visa”).
Passengers must carry this insurance certificate with them when they fly, as it may be checked on arrival by border police before entering the Schengen area. Failure to do so will result in the traveler being refused entry. Beneficiaries of a multiple-entry visa are required to subscribe to a new policy before each trip, or opt for an annual plan.
Schengen visa travel insurance comparison
The Schengen travel insurance policies presented below:
- comply with European requirements
- are offered by leading brokers and insurers
- can be purchased online
- certificates for consulates/embassies and border police are issued instantly
- epidemics/pandemics such as Covid-19 are covered.
Definitions, terms and conditions vary from one contract to another, so it’s a good idea to carefully scrutinize the documents provided by insurers: product information documentation (IPID), table of benefits, general terms and conditions.
Schengen visa travel insurance can be subscribed by the beneficiary himself, or on his behalf by the party inviting and hosting the foreigner (family, company, etc.).
Temporary Schengen travel insurance policies
A temporary travel insurance policy begins and ends on the departure and return dates declared at the time of application. Leaving the Schengen area immediately terminates the policy, even if there are still insured days remaining. A new policy must be arranged before each trip to the Schengen area.
| ACS Europax | AXA Schengen Low Cost | AXA Schengen Europe Travel | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| view product | view product | view product | ||
| Insurer | MGEN | AXA | AXA | |
| Price (from) | €17.70 | €22 | €33 | |
| Coverage area | Schengen | Schengen | Schengen + EU + UK | |
| Length of stay (max consecutive days) | 90 days | 180 days | 180 days | |
| Age of insured | Under 70 years old | No limit | No limit | |
| Application deadline before departure | D-0 (day of departure) | D-1 (day before departure) | D-1 (day before departure) | |
| Change of travel dates before departure | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Refund if visa refused | Withholding of €20 | Yes | Yes | |
| Emergency medical and hospital expenses | ||||
| Medical and hospitalization expenses | €30,000 | €30,000 | €100,000 | |
| Dental care | €92 | €150 | €150 | |
| Deductible | €30 | €20 | €20 | |
| Assistance and repatriation | ||||
| Medical repatriation or in case of death | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | |
| Repatriation of accompanying insured | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Search and rescue fees | €1,500 | No | €5,000 | |
| Relative at the insured’s bedside | No | No | Transportation + €75 per day (max 10 days) | |
| Prolongation of stay | No | No | €75 per day (max 10 days) | |
| Early return | No | No | Actual costs | |
| Civil liability | ||||
| Personal injury, property damage and consequential damage | €4,575,000 | No | No | |
| – of which property and consequential damage | €76,000 | — | — | |
| Deductible | €100 | — | — | |
| view product | view product | view product | ||
For people traveling as a family or in a group, each traveler – including a child or baby – must be covered by an individual policy. To benefit from cross-coverage, such as repatriation of accompanying persons, all trip participants must choose an identical insurance product.
Annual Schengen travel insurance policies
An annual travel insurance policy allows unlimited round-trip travel within the Schengen area for 12 months. However, the duration of each stay must respect the number of days authorized by the insurer.
AXA offers the AXA Schengen Multi Trip insurance product at €328 per year for travel up to 90 consecutive days, €100,000 medical coverage valid in the Schengen area, other EU member countries and the United Kingdom.
Do you have the compulsory insurance policy to travel with a Schengen visa?
