Do I Need Travel Insurance For a Schengen Visa?

If you plan to travel to Europe on a Schengen visa, travel insurance is required by law; it may also be beneficial if travelling without one as it will cover medical expenses should any unforeseen incidents arise during travel.

Your citizenship determines if and when you require Schengen visa travel insurance. As of now, citizens from 61 countries can enter the Schengen zone visa-free for up to 90 days out of every 180 day period; these countries include the US, Mexico, Canada, Australia and several Asian nations – British nationals may even remain visa free after Brexit!

Schengen visa travel insurance policies must meet certain minimum criteria, including medical coverage of at least 30,000 euros and being valid across all the countries in the Schengen zone. Furthermore, other benefits may be provided such as financial emergency assistance and loss/theft of checked luggage/travel disruption benefits.

Your Schengen visa travel insurance plan can easily be subscribed online. Once purchased, the insurance company will issue you an Insurance Certificate which can be presented at Embassy offices to present for visa application processing. Your certificate also contains a unique reference number allowing you to keep tabs on its progress at any given moment.