Travelers to Europe should be able to handle and pay for medical care in the event of an accident, injury, or other unexpected incident. Having travel insurance to cover unforeseen expenses that emerge while travelling has been shown to provide financial support and comfort, allowing travellers to continue their adventure without worry.
Insurance Requirements for Schengen Visas
For a Schengen visa, medical insurance must meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of 30,000 EUR in coverage is required (equivalent to 35,200 USD as of March 2021).
- It should apply to all Schengen Area member states.
- Cover all costs associated with medical repatriation, emergency medical attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment, as well as death.
The necessary insurance certificate required when applying for a Schengen visa can be provided by travel insurance providers such as AXA, MondialCare, and Europ Assistance.
Despite the fact that travel health insurance is recommended for all visitors to Europe, it is not necessary. Only travellers who need to apply for a Schengen visa are required to purchase travel insurance. This category of travellers must always have adequate coverage for the duration of their stay in Europe, regardless of whether they are there for business, tourism, research, vacation, or other reasons.
Foreign visitors to Europe who enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen zone can purchase their chosen travel insurance policy if they like; however, while it is strongly recommended, it is not necessary.
The travel insurance plans Schengen Plus from Europ Assistance and Europe Travel from AXA give not just the mandatory insurance certificate required for a Schengen visa, but also extended coverage wherever you travel in the Schengen area or the EU. The Schengen region is covered, as well as EU countries Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
When applying for a Schengen Visa, you must have travel insurance.
The following is an excerpt from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009,” which became effective on April 5, 2010:
“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.
The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000”” (…)
Who is required to purchase European travel health insurance?
Anyone visiting Europe on a temporary basis from a nation that requires a visa, whether it is an individual or a group, a tourist or a business traveller.
What Companies Offer Schengen Travel Insurance?
To begin with, the health insurance coverage that you may already have through your job contract may cover overseas medical emergency expenses; however, there are usually restrictions on what is covered. As a result, if you have a medical problem in Schengen territory, you should know what to expect and what not to expect.
Typically, travellers obtain an individual Schengen travel insurance coverage from the appropriate insurance provider for the days they want to spend in Europe.
Make certain that the company you choose is licenced and accepted in the Schengen countries to which you are travelling.
We propose AXA, MondialCare, or Europ Assistance for Schengen visa insurance.
All of these businesses are recognised by European embassies and consulates around the world. If you have documentation that your visa has been rejected, you can also cancel it for free.
What Is the Cost of Schengen Insurance?
The price of Schengen travel insurance varies from one provider to the other.
Please visit the AXA, Europ Assistance, or MondialCare websites for further information on selecting the appropriate Schengen insurance plan for your needs.
When I get Schengen visa travel insurance, would I be protected for Covid-19?
The majority of travel insurance policies are designed to protect consumers against unforeseen catastrophes such as sudden illnesses or bodily injuries. Epidemics and/or infectious diseases like CoVid-19 are usually ruled out.
In most European countries, you will receive free medical care in an emergency. So, in the instance of Covid-19, you might be covered by National Health Services, but you wont be able to seek a refund from your insurer if costs are applied.
Can I extend my Europe travel health insurance if I need to extend my vacation due to an airport closure or official travel restrictions?
Each Travel Insurance company has its own set of guidelines. For further information, contact their customer service/support team. You should be able to request a refund for your current insurance or have your current travel coverage extended.
What Does a Typical Europe Travel Health Insurance Policy Include?
The following expenses should be covered by a decent European travel insurance policy:
- A medical emergency (accident or illness)
- Evacuation in case of emergency
- Repatriation of body parts
- A minor trip cancellation has returned.
- Interrupted journey
- Benefit for accidental death, injury, or disablement
- Funeral costs in other countries
- Baggage, personal possessions, or travel papers that have been lost, stolen, or damaged
- Baggage that was delayed (and emergency replacement of essential items)
- Due to an airline schedule mishap, a flight connection was missed.
- Weather-related travel disruptions
- When travelling during the first trimester, most insurers cover pregnancy-related expenses. Following that, insurance coverage differs from one insurer to the next.
Should all Schengen countries be covered by a travel visa insurance policy?
Yes, all EU member states should be covered by a travel health insurance policy: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In a standard Schengen insurance policy, what is most often excluded or optional?
Every travel insurance company is different, although some do offer to cover additional expenses if needed. If this is not the case, supplementary insurance must be acquired to cover specific costs such as:
- Pre-existing ailments (e.g. Asthma, diabetes)
- Sports with a high level of danger (e.g. skiing, scuba diving)
- Travel to high-risk countries (due to war, natural catastrophes, or terrorism) is not recommended.
- Acute onset of pre-existing conditions – This is when pre-existing medical issues appear suddenly and without notice from a health care expert. If you have pre-existing ailments, make sure you have this coverage to protect yourself from any emergency situations that happen as a result of such conditions, even if youre taking care of them.