If you are applying for a Schengen visa, travel insurance is more than a document to add to your application. The policy has to meet specific requirements for medical cover, geographical validity, and the period of your stay. Knowing these requirements before you buy can help you avoid choosing a policy that does not meet the visa conditions.
What Does Schengen Travel Insurance Need to Cover?
For a Schengen visa, your travel medical insurance must provide a minimum cover of EUR 30,000 in coverage. It must cover the entire Schengen area and remain valid for the duration of your stay. The required cover includes emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation for medical reasons, including repatriation in the event of death.
These requirements apply to the insurance submitted with the visa application. Check the current requirements of the relevant consulate before applying, particularly if your circumstances or travel plans are unusual.
Does Your Entire Itinerary Need to Be Covered?
The insurance submitted for a Schengen visa must be valid across the Schengen area and for the period of your intended stay. This matters if you are planning to visit several countries during the same trip.
For example, if your itinerary takes you from France to Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, check that the geographical validity of your policy covers the full itinerary. You should also make sure the policy dates match the period for which you need cover.
What Else Should You Look at Beyond the Visa Requirement?
Meeting the visa requirement is only one part of looking at a travel insurance policy. You may also find benefits relating to trip cancellation or interruption, baggage loss or delay, loss of passport, personal accident, or emergency assistance.
The limits and conditions attached to these benefits can vary. If you have already paid for non-refundable flights or accommodation, for example, the cancellation and interruption sections may be worth reading carefully.
Do Your Activities or Health Conditions Need Extra Attention?
If you plan to ski in the Alps, take part in another adventure activity, or travel with a pre-existing medical condition, check the relevant sections of the policy before buying.
Do not assume that the same terms apply to every activity or medical condition. The policy wording should be your reference for the conditions that apply to your particular situation.
How Can You Check Your Policy Before Applying for the Visa?
Before submitting your application, check the certificate or policy documents against the requirements you need to meet. Look at the medical sum insured, geographical validity, period of cover, and the medical and repatriation benefits specified in the policy.
If you are applying for a multiple-entry Schengen visa, the European Commission notes that applicants need to have travel medical insurance covering their stays. At the application stage, proof is required for the period of the first intended visit, along with the relevant declaration for subsequent stays.
If you are unsure whether your policy meets the visa requirements, check with the relevant consulate or the insurer before submitting your application.
Conclusion
For a Schengen visa, the insurance requirement is quite specific, so getting the basic details right matters. Start by checking the minimum medical cover, geographical validity, and period of cover. Then look beyond the visa requirement at the other benefits and conditions included in your Schengen travel insurance. The visa requirement tells you what the insurance must meet; the policy wording tells you what else comes with it. Read both before you travel.
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