Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa [Updated May 2025] – Requirements, Tips & Best Providers
Introductory Hook
You’re about to embark on your dream European adventure. The Eiffel Tower, rustic canals of Venice, the crisp Alpine air—your heart races. But lurking behind every magical moment is a tiny voice of worry: “What if… something goes wrong?” That’s where travel insurance for your Schengen Visa steps in, offering peace of mind that’s just as priceless as your journey.

Table of Contents
- What Is Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?
- Why It’s Mandatory
- Minimum Requirements You Can’t Miss
- What Does It Cover?
- How to Choose the Right Policy
- Top Providers
- FAQ
- Key Takeaways
- Conclusion
1. What Is Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance for a Schengen Visa is not optional—it’s a strict requirement for non-EU travelers. It must cover at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalization, medical evacuation, and repatriation—and remain valid throughout the entire Schengen Area for the duration of your stay. (Insubuy, Forbes, Get Itinerary)
2. Why It’s Mandatory
Established under EU Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, this insurance protects both travelers and host countries—ensuring you won’t be a financial burden in case of medical emergencies. Without it, your visa application can be denied. (Schengen Insurance Info, Get Itinerary, Feather Insurance)

3. Minimum Requirements You Can’t Miss
Requirement | Details |
---|---|
Coverage Amount | At least €30,000 in medical and repatriation coverage (Insubuy, International Citizens Insurance) |
Geographic Validity | Must cover all 29 Schengen countries (Feather Insurance, Netherlands Worldwide) |
Duration | Valid for your entire stay in the Schengen Area (AXA Schengen, TLScontact, GovAssist) |
4. What Does It Cover?
A compliant policy typically includes:
- ⭐ Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- ⭐ Medical evacuation and repatriation
- ⭐ Repatriation in the event of death
- ⭐ Optional: Trip cancellation, baggage loss, and delays (generalicentralinsurance.com, Feather Insurance, GovAssist)
5. How to Choose the Right Policy
Here’s your go-to checklist:
- Meets the minimum coverage and validity requirements
- Valid across all Schengen countries
- Covers your full travel dates
- Offers a smooth claims process
- Adds helpful extras like trip cancellation or baggage insurance, if needed (Feather Insurance)
6. Top Providers Worth Considering
- AXA Schengen – Affordable, meets visa requirements, and offers refunds if your visa is rejected (Wise)
- IMG, Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Trawick – Trusted global insurance providers for Schengen visas (American Visitor Insurance)

7. FAQ
Q: Can my domestic health plan cover me?
A: Usually not—most domestic or credit-card travel insurance plans fall short of Schengen’s strict criteria. (Get Itinerary, Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
Q: Do U.S. citizens need Schengen travel insurance?
A: No—U.S. travelers typically don’t need a Schengen visa. However, private insurance is still wise. (Squaremouth Travel Insurance, Forbes)
Q: Can I use a credit card insurance?
A: Not unless it explicitly meets all requirements, including the €30,000 coverage and Schengen validity. Most do not. (Get Itinerary, Squaremouth Travel Insurance)
8. Key Takeaways
- Required by EU law (Regulation EC 810/2009)
- Must cover ≥ €30,000, including repatriation, for your full stay across all Schengen countries
- Top providers include AXA, IMG, Seven Corners, WorldTrips, Trawick
- Always double-check policy validity and claims process
9. Conclusion
Securing travel insurance for your Schengen Visa isn’t just ticking a box—it’s your safety net when exploring the heart of Europe. Whether you’re sipping espresso in Rome or hiking Swiss trails, this insurance allows you to travel with peace of mind.

Sources
- InsuBuy, Schengen Visa medical coverage details (Insubuy)
- Feather Insurance, why it’s mandatory & coverage breakdown (Feather Insurance)
- AXA Schengen requirements page (AXA Schengen)
- Generalicentral Insurance, policy details and extras (generalicentralinsurance.com)
- UHCSafetrip guide on requirements (SafeTrip)
- Wise review of AXA Schengen plan (Wise)
- SchengenInsuranceInfo on EU regulation (Schengen Insurance Info)
- GetItinerary for EU policy reasons (Get Itinerary)
- Netherlands visa-insurance requirements (Netherlands Worldwide)
- 2025 guide to Schengen insurance (Insurte)
- TLS Contact breakdown of requirements (TLScontact)
- American Visitor Insurance provider list (American Visitor Insurance)
- GOV Assist detailed criteria (GovAssist)
- Squaremouth on FAQs & US-citizen situation (Squaremouth Travel Insurance)