A Schengen visa is the short-stay visa for the 29 European countries in the Schengen area. Part of the application is proof of travel medical insurance, and the rule is specific. Here is exactly what the visa requires and how to meet it.
What the Schengen visa requires
For a short-stay (Type C) visa, the consulate asks for travel medical insurance that meets three conditions:
- At least €30,000 in cover for emergency medical care, hospital treatment, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation — including repatriation of remains.
- Valid across the whole Schengen area, not only your main destination. If you fly into one country and travel to others, all of them must be covered.
- Valid for the entire stay, from the day you arrive to the day you leave.
These are the standard requirements set out in the EU visa rules. The consulate wants to see that a medical emergency abroad won't be left unpaid, and that getting you home is covered.
What €30,000 means in dollars
€30,000 is roughly $33,000 to $35,000, depending on the exchange rate on the day. You don't have to match it to the dollar — a plan with a medical maximum at or above that level clears the minimum comfortably. Travel medical plans commonly offer $50,000, $100,000 and higher, so meeting the Schengen floor is rarely the hard part; choosing the right maximum for your trip is.
What to look for in a plan
- Emergency medical and emergency evacuation / repatriation — the two the visa rule is really about. See our medical evacuation guide for why that benefit matters.
- Coverage that applies throughout the Schengen area for the full length of the trip, including side trips within the zone.
- A document you can submit — a confirmation of insurance showing the coverage amount, the area and the dates.
Medical cover and trip cancellation are two different things
The Schengen rule is about medical cover and getting you home. Trip cancellation — getting your money back if you have to cancel — is separate and optional for the visa, though many travelers add it. If that matters to you, read our trip cancellation guide and our overview of what travel insurance covers.
Getting your proof of insurance
You submit the proof of insurance with your application, so buy before your visa appointment, once your dates are set. If you need help getting a confirmation of insurance that shows the coverage meets the Schengen requirement, call Protect Travel at 877-720-6696 (Mon–Thu 9am–5pm, Fri 9am–1pm ET) and we'll help you get the right document.
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Choose "Leaving the US", enter the travelers' ages, your trip dates and your destination in Europe, and compare travel medical plans. Pick a medical maximum at or above the €30,000 floor and make sure the plan covers your whole stay.
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Terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See the plan details on our website before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance required for a Schengen visa?
Yes. A short-stay (Type C) Schengen visa application must include travel medical insurance that covers emergency medical care and repatriation, with at least €30,000 of cover, valid in all Schengen countries for the whole trip.
How much coverage does a Schengen visa need?
At least €30,000 (roughly $33,000–$35,000, which moves with the exchange rate) for emergency treatment, hospital stays, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, including repatriation of remains. A higher medical maximum comfortably clears the minimum.
Does the policy have to cover every Schengen country?
Yes. It must be valid throughout the Schengen area — not only your main destination — for the entire period you will be there, including any connecting or side trips within the zone.
Is a US insurer accepted for a Schengen visa?
The consulate looks at the coverage, not where the insurer is based. Any plan that meets the €30,000 minimum, covers the whole Schengen area for your whole stay, and comes with proof you can submit will do.
How do I show proof of insurance to the consulate?
You submit a confirmation of insurance that states the coverage amount, the area, and the dates. Ask us and we'll help you get the right document to file with your application. Buy before your visa appointment, once your dates are set.
This guide is general information, not legal, medical or immigration advice. Visa rules can change; check the requirements of the consulate handling your application.
Terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See the plan details on our website before you buy.