- A Schengen travel visa is required for U.S. Citizens if they plan to stay in the Schengen Zone for more than 90 days.
- The Schengen visa application requirements include having travel insurance that covers a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses and covers the cost of repatriating you to the United States in the event of a medical emergency.
- As of 31 March 2024, Romania and Bulgaria have joined the Schengen zone.
- In most cases, private U.S. health insurance or Medicare won’t cover medical expenses incurred overseas, so even if you don’t opt for a Schengen visa, it’s still a good idea to purchase travel insurance when visiting Europe’s Schengen area.
- Travel insurance for Schengen visits can cost around $1 per day for basic coverage.
- To find the right travel insurance for your trip to the Schengen Zone, we recommend using our online comparison tool. This will give you a clear overview of what’s available so you can easily compare your options.
When you buy something using links found on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. This content is reviewed & supervised by The Los Angeles Times Commerce Team.
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- Schengen visa travel insurance requirements
- More details on the best Schengen travel insurance policies
- What is Schengen travel insurance?
- What does Schengen travel insurance cover?
- How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
- Schengen visa requirements
- Tips for buying Schengen travel insurance
- Schengen travel information & requirements
- FAQs - Schengen Travel Insurance
- Related topics
On This Page
- Key Takeaways
- Schengen visa travel insurance requirements
- More details on the best Schengen travel insurance policies
- What is Schengen travel insurance?
- What does Schengen travel insurance cover?
- How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
- Schengen visa requirements
- Tips for buying Schengen travel insurance
- Schengen travel information & requirements
- FAQs - Schengen Travel Insurance
- Related topics
Schengen Travel Insurance: Coverage for your Schengen Visa Application
Leigh Morgan - Personal Finance
+ 1 other
Reviewed By
Blake Esken - Los Angeles Times
Our top 3 choices for Schengen travel insurance
Best Overall Coverage
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$500,000
Best Coverage on a Budget
Generali Global Assistance
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000
/
$250,000
Best for Non-Medical Evacuation Coverage
Travel Insured International
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$1,000,000
Schengen visa travel insurance requirements
Travel medical insurance for a Schengen visa has the following requirements:
- It must be valid in all Schengen Zone countries and remain in effect until the end of your trip.
- It must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses.
- Your insurance policy must cover repatriation due to medical emergencies. Repatriation is the technical term for returning to your own country.
More details on the best Schengen travel insurance policies
Advertiser Disclosure
Tin Leg
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Gold
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$500,000
/
$500,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Tin Leg is known for offering high-quality travel insurance coverage at a competitive, reasonable price.
All Tin Leg policies have an A- rating or better for their financial strength from AM Best. We like the Tin Leg Gold plan because it offers great medical and evacuation coverage limits at an affordable price.
This plan comes automatically with trip cancellation and interruption coverage for coronavirus and other covered instances, as well as up to $500,000 in emergency medical expense protection and up to $500,000 in coverage for emergency medical evacuation, just in case something were to happen while on your Italy trip.
You may also qualify for travel delay protection, baggage insurance, and insurance that protects against missed connections on your way to the Schengen area.
PROS
- Excellent primary coverage for medical expenses
- High limit for emergency evacuation coverage
- Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage available
- Comes with coverage for hurricanes and inclement weather
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions is available if purchased within 14 days of the trip deposit
CONS
- Baggage delay coverage requires a 24-hour waiting period
- Low coverage limits for baggage and personal effects
Generali Global Assistance
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Standard
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$50,000
/
$250,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Generali Global Assistance offers high coverage limits for medical expenses, emergency dental expenses, emergency medical evacuation coverage, and more for your trip to the Schengen zone.
This travel insurance provider has an A rating from AM Best and offers three tiers of travel insurance coverage to suit your needs:
- Standard plan
- Preferred plan
- Premium plan
If you’re looking for basic coverage at an affordable price point, the Standard plan may be just what you need. This plan offers coverage for up to 100% of the insured trip cost for cancellation and up to 125% of the insured trip cost for interruption. It also offers $1,000 per person in baggage coverage, up to $50,000 in medical coverage, and $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage.
PROS
- Lowest cost of all Generali Global Assistance plans
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
- Telemedicine included
CONS
- Lower coverage than other Generali plans
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Standard plan
- No coverage for accidental death and dismemberment during on-land travel
Travel Insured International
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Worldwide Trip Protector
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$100,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
Travel Insured International offers two plans, Worldwide Trip Protector Edge and Worldwide Trip Protector. Of these two, we recommend the Worldwide Trip Protector plan for your trip to the Schengen area due to its superior coverage.
Worldwide Trip Protector covers 100% of the insured trip cost due to cancellation, 150% of the insured trip cost due to interruption, and $1,500 for trip delays and $500 for baggage delays after only 3 hours. It also includes $100,000 of secondary medical coverage and $1 million of evacuation coverage. it also offers $150,000 worth of non-medical evacuation coverage, providing transportation during a natural disaster or civil or political unrest.
PROS
- Travel delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
- Generous $150,000 non-medical evacuation coverage
- 24/7 emergency travel assistance included
CONS
- CFAR and IFAR coverage not included
- Baggage delay coverage only kicks in after 12 hours
- No rental car coverage
AXA Assistance USA
GET A QUOTE
via Squaremouth’s secure website
Preferred Plan
Platinum
Covers COVID
YES
Medical & Evacuation Limits Per Person
$250,000
/
$1,000,000
Why We Like It
Editor's take
AXA Assistance USA is a highly-rated travel insurance company that offers comprehensive travel insurance plans with a ton of benefits for your trip to the Schengen area. This means the coverage you purchase from them includes medical evacuation protection as well as baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption coverage, travel delay coverage, and more. The company also offers three tiers of coverage you can choose from based on your needs and your budget.
We recommend the Platinum plan from AXA Assistance USA due to its superior medical evacuation coverage and robust limits in other categories. This plan comes with up to $1 million in protection for emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains, up to $250,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, $300 per day (maximum of $1,250) in trip delay coverage, $3,000 in insurance for baggage and personal effects, and more. Optional cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage is also available as an add-on with this plan.
PROS
- High coverage limits in every category. Extremely comprehensive
- Includes identity theft coverage & non-medical evacuation coverage
- CFAR coverage reimburses 75% of prepaid travel expenses
CONS
- Coverage cannot be extended unlike other plans
- Medical limit is lower than other cheaper plans, but still sufficient
What is Schengen travel insurance?
Schengen travel insurance is simply a travel insurance plan that offers coverage while you’re traveling in Europe’s Schengen area, which now excludes the UK. This type of insurance is required for certain Schengen travel visas.
Typically, travel insurance plans offer coverage for certain destinations or areas of travel, and can sometimes exclude other destinations as part of the plan. Therefore, Schengen travel insurance refers to plans that offer coverage for travels within the Schengen area.
When do I need Schengen travel insurance?
It’s a good idea to have travel insurance any time you travel to this region, whether it be places such as France, Spain or Germany since most traditional health plans won’t work abroad, but you definitely need health insurance for a Schengen visa as noted by travel.state.gov) if you plan to apply for a longer stay.
Having valid Schengen travel insurance is a basic requirement for applying for a Schengen visa. In other words, you cannot get a visa for the Schengen area unless you buy travel insurance for the length of your stay.
That said, we recommend buying travel insurance any time you travel to this region, regardless of if you plan to apply for a Schengen visa.
What does Schengen travel insurance cover?
Every insurance policy is a little different, but travel insurance usually covers these expenses:
-
Medical expenses:
If you want a Schengen visa, your policy must include medical insurance. This type of insurance covers expenses arising from certain illnesses and injuries. Read your policy carefully, as Schengen travel health insurance typically excludes pre-existing conditions.
Regardless of whether you require a Schengen visa or not, having medical insurance is a must for anyone traveling outside of the US. Medical insurance is generally broken down into two categories; emergency medical coverage, and emergency medical evacuation coverage.Schengen medical insurance covers you for things such as hospitalization, emergency room treatment, X-rays, emergency dental care, and more. Emergency medical evacuation coverage will cover you for any transportation you require to receive medical care. This can include an ambulance to the nearest hospital or a pricey evacuation via a helicopter or plane.
-
Lost/damaged luggage:
Many Schengen visa travel insurance plans cover lost and damaged luggage. Your policy may even reimburse you for the cost of purchasing essential items while you wait for your delayed bag to arrive. -
Cancellations:
Comprehensive travel insurance usually covers trip cancellations, giving you extra peace of mind in the event you have to cancel your plans due to severe weather, illness, serious medical problems, natural disasters or legal obligations. According to the Department of Financial Services, Schengen visa insurance won’t cover cancellations due to COVID-19 in most cases unless you have COVID-19 travel insurance. This is because it’s no longer an unforeseen complication. -
Delays:
Some types of travel insurance cover losses arising from trip delays. This coverage kicks in if you experience a delay while traveling via one of these common carriers: airline, passenger railroad, ferry or long-distance bus service. Your policy may cover meals, hotel accommodations, toiletries and other related expenses.
What doesn’t Schengen travel insurance cover?
Travel insurance coverage depends heavily on the plan you choose. The more comprehensive your plan, the more things you will have covered.
That said, there are some common things not covered under travel insurance that extend to Schengen visa travel insurance.
Schengen visa travel insurance may not cover:
- Some scenarios relating to pregnancy – such as childbirth (see pregnancy travel insurance)
- Some pre-existing conditions – depending on the plan and waiver criteria
- Some COVID-19 scenarios – such as self-imposed quarantine
- Anything mentioned in the “Exclusions” section of your specific plan – always read the fine print.
It’s important to review all the specific inclusions and exclusions of the plan you choose as there can be loopholes and exceptions to each of these scenarios.
For example, pre-existing conditions, which are health problems that existed before you purchased your policy, typically aren’t covered. However, there is often a limit to how far back this applies and certain criteria for waiving the exclusion.
How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
Schengen travel insurance can cost as low as around $1 per day for the most basic coverage.
For more comprehensive travel insurance, you can expect to pay around $4 per day.
That said, the exact cost of travel insurance depends on several factors, including:
- Your age
- The duration of your trip
- The cost of your trip
- The coverage limits you select
- The destination of your trip
For example, medical insurance usually costs less for younger people than it does for older people, so a 65-year-old can expect to pay more than a 23-year-old.
Let’s walk through a real-world example comparing coverage types. We got travel insurance quotes for the following trip information:
- Age: 35 years old
- Destination: Schengen area
- Trip Length: 14 days
- Trip cost: $3,000
- Date: September, 2024
The requirements for Schengen visa travel insurance are quite simple, so you can get a relatively inexpensive plan. In this first table, we got price quotes for basic Schengen travel insurance.
Example Where Plan Doesn’t Reimburse the Full Trip Cost
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tin Leg | Luxury | $19 | $0 / $0 | $100k / $250k |
| Generali Global Assistance | Standard | $35 | $0 / $0 | $50k / $250k |
| Travel Insured International | Worldwide Trip Protector | $40 | $0 / $500 | $100k/ $1 million |
| AXA Assistance USA | Platinum | $64 | $0 / $1,000 | $250k/ $1 million |
While you are at it, you may want to opt for more comprehensive benefits. For the example below, we chose plans that will reimburse the full cost of your trip.
Example Where Plan Does Reimburse the Full Trip Cost
| Provider | Plan Name | Plan Cost | Cancellation / Interruption Limits | Medical / Medevac Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXA Assistance USA | Platinum | $127 | $3,000/$4,500 | $250k/ $1 million |
| Generali Global Assistance | Standard | $139 | $3,000/$3,750 | $50k / $250k |
| Tin Leg | Gold | $160 | $3,000/$4,500 | $500k / $500k |
| Travel Insured International | Worldwide Trip Protector | $189 | $3,000/$4,500 | $100k/ $1 million |
When you purchase travel insurance, it’s up to you whether you want to stick with the required minimums or give yourself a little extra peace of mind. That can have a big impact on the cost of your policy. For example, it costs a lot more to purchase €100,000 in medical insurance than it does to purchase the minimum €30,000 in medical insurance.
Where can I purchase Schengen travel insurance?
Where you ultimately purchase Schengen visa travel insurance is up to you.
If you are going as part of a larger tour or study program, you may be able to purchase Schengen visa travel insurance through your tour operator.
That said, you may be able to find a better deal buying Schengen travel insurance online. Most major travel insurance providers offer plans that match the Schengen visa requirements.
You can also have a look at an online comparison tool. To see Schengen visa travel insurance plans you can enter your trip details in the tool below. Once you reach the quote pages, there is a filter to select “Schengen Visa” under the preset filter options. This will highlight all the plans that match the Schengen visa requirements from multiple travel insurance companies at once.
Schengen visa requirements
Before you travel, you may need to obtain a Schengen visa. Here’s what you need to know about the visa requirements.
Who needs a Schengen visa?
Any American citizen who intends to stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days must obtain a visa before traveling. This includes both business travelers and leisure travelers.
How does a Schengen visa work?
A Type D Schengen visa, also known as a national long-stay visa, allows you to stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period. It also allows you to travel from one Schengen country to another Schengen country.
If you need to travel to the Schengen Area several times, you may be able to obtain a 3-year, multiple-entry Schengen visa or a 5-year, multiple-entry Schengen visa.
It’s important to note that if you plan to get a Schengen visa, you must have valid Schengen travel insurance for the entirety of your stay within the Schengen area. Multi-trip insurance insurance can be especially beneficial in such cases.
Schengen visa requirements for children
Age criteria for Schengen Visa:
- Children aged 6 and over will often require their own Schengen Visa. This specific age can vary from country to country, so it is important to check the specific age requirements of the Schengen country you plan to visit.
Application Process:
- Minors need to pass through the same Visa application process as adults. This process generally contains the following stages:
- Applicants must complete a Schengen visa application form.
- You must gather the appropriate supporting documents (see below).
- Schedule an appointment with the respective embassy or consulate.
- Pay the Visa fee.
Required Documentation:
- A child’s Schengen Visa application requires the following documents:
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages.
- A completed Schengen Visa application form. Parents or legal guardians must ensure they sign this form for young children.
- A recent passport-sized photo.
Parental Consent:
- When a minor is traveling without one or both parents, it is important to provide a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian(s). This letter contains information such as the child’s name, the names of the traveling and non-traveling parents or guardians, the travel dates, and a brief explanation of the trip’s purpose.
How do I apply for a Schengen visa?
To apply for a Schengen visa, follow these steps:
1
Type of Schengen visa.
Determine what type of Schengen visa you need.
2
Submit your Schengen visa application.
If you plan to visit one country, submit it to the consulate or embassy for the country you’ll be visiting. If you plan to visit multiple Schengen countries, submit it to the consulate or embassy for the first country on your itinerary.
3
Purchase travel insurance.
Make sure your policy meets the minimum requirements.
4
Submit documents.
Submit your passport, proof of financial insurance and proof that you’ve met all Schengen visa requirements to the embassy.
Advertiser Disclosure
Tips for buying Schengen travel insurance
Travel insurance is a worthwhile expense, but not all plans offer the same level of protection, so it’s important to shop around.
Follow these tips to find a policy that meets your needs.
Decide what type of travel insurance you’d like
Remember, your U.S. health insurance won’t cover medical expenses incurred overseas, so you’ll need to purchase a Schengen insurance plan that includes medical coverage.
You should also consider the following types of travel insurance.
-
Medevac:
Medical evacuation insurance, commonly called medevac coverage, covers the cost of transporting you to a medical facility if you get into an accident or develop a serious illness while you’re traveling. -
Rental car insurance:
If you decide to rent a car while traveling in the Schengen, rental car insurance covers you in the event of an accident. Many policies also cover theft and vandalism. -
Cancel-for-any-reason insurance:
CFAR insurance allows you to recoup some of your expenses if you have to cancel a trip for a reason that’s not covered by your standard insurance policy. For example, if you encounter financial difficulties, you may have to cancel your trip to save money.
Compare plans
Several companies offer insurance plans designed to meet the minimum requirements for a Schengen visa. Before you purchase coverage, use the LA Times comparison tool to find the best plan for the best price.
Check the limitations of your policy
Most insurance policies have limitations. Before you apply for a Schengen visa, review your policy to make sure it meets the minimum requirements. During your review, make sure you have coverage for common travel scenarios.
See if your credit card already provides trip insurance
Some travel credit cards offer rental car insurance, trip interruption insurance and other types of insurance coverage. Before you travel, check your credit card terms to find out if you have any of these benefits available to you. If you have certain types of coverage through your credit card company, you won’t have to purchase them.
Advertiser Disclosure
Tips for visiting the Schengen area
Where is the Schengen area?
Named after a small village in Luxembourg, the Schengen Area is the largest free travel area in the world, according to the European Council. As of 2024, there are 27 Schengen countries, most of which belong to the European Union. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are in the Schengen Area, but they aren’t in the EU. As part of the Schengen Borders Code, these countries don’t perform border checks unless there’s a specific threat.
Do I need a passport to visit the Schengen?
Yes. All U.S. citizens must obtain a passport before traveling to the Schengen Area. You’re allowed to enter the Schengen countries as long as your passport doesn’t expire until at least 90 days following your planned departure date. For example, if you plan to leave the Schengen countries on September 1, your passport should be valid until at least December 1. However, if you’re looking for places to travel without a passport, you might consider exploring countries and destinations that don’t require
Do I need to be vaccinated to enter the Schengen?
You don’t have to get vaccinated before traveling to the Schengen countries. However, scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting routine vaccines before you travel outside the United States. For example, the CDC says you should have vaccinations for chickenpox, influenza, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio, shingles and measles-mumps-rubella before traveling to France.
Schengen travel information & requirements
This is some important travel information you should know before visiting the Schengen.
| Query | Details |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa required? |
Yes, if your stay exceeds 90 days in any 180-day period. You don’t need a visa for stays lasting from 1 to 90 days. |
| Passport requirements | You must have a U.S. passport that’s valid for at least 90 days past your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area. |
| Vaccine requirements | None |
| COVID test required? | No |
| Travel advisory level | Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) in Austria, Finland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Hungary, Slovakia, Portugal, Slovenia and Croatia Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain and Belgium |
| Emergency services phone number | 112 |
| Accepts U.S. health insurance? | Most U.S. health insurance plans don’t cover expenses incurred overseas. |
| Travel insurance required? | If you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you must purchase Schengen visa insurance as a condition of getting your visa. If you don’t need a visa, you don’t have to purchase Schengen travel insurance, but it’s recommended. |
FAQs - Schengen Travel Insurance
What is Schengen travel insurance?
Schengen insurance protects you when you’re traveling in the Schengen Zone, a group of 27 European countries. If you have a covered loss, the insurance company reimburses you for certain expenses. If you need a visa for travel to the Schengen Zone, one of the requirements is having travel insurance that will cover you in this part of the world. This is often referred to as Schengen insurance or Schengen travel insurance
What type of insurance is required for a Schengen visa?
At minimum, your travel insurance must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses. It must also cover your repatriation costs. If you purchase a comprehensive policy, it may also cover losses arising from trip delays, trip cancellations, lost baggage or damaged baggage.
Do I need travel insurance to visit the Schengen?
You’ll need travel insurance if you plan to stay in the Schengen Zone for more than 90 days. Although you don’t need a short-stay visa for trips lasting 1 to 90 days, you do need a visa for longer trips. See more at travel.state.gov.
Does Schengen insurance cover countries that are not part of the Schengen Area?
No. Your Schengen visa insurance only covers the 23 EU and four non-EU countries in the Schengen Zone.
Per travel.state.gov,{:rel=’nofollow’ target=’_blank’} the following countries are members of the Schengen Zone: 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, Switzerland
About the Author
Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.
In the last five years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.
In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.
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