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As stipulated by Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 July 2009, which entered into force on April 5, 2010, all foreign nationals who apply for a Schengen visa must submit proof of purchased travel insurance.
Here, we’ve broken down what exactly Schengen insurance is, how to get it, where to get it, its cost, and which are the best Schengen insurance options for you.
What Is Schengen Travel Health Insurance?
Schengen travel health insurance is a mandatory policy that you must purchase if you are applying for a Schengen visa.
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements
The Schengen visa travel insurance is different from “traditional” travel insurance because it needs to meet these requirements:
- The policy must be valid in all of the 29 Schengen countries.
- It must cover all emergency medical expenses that may occur during your visit to the Schengen Area and transportation back to your country of origin if necessary.
- It must cover a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses (approx. $32,842).
- It needs to be valid for your entire stay in the Schengen Area.
It’s important for you to understand the requirements that define “Schengen travel insurance” because if you buy the wrong insurance policy, then your Schengen visa will be denied.
Where Can I Get Schengen Health Insurance?
Here’s where you can buy your Schengen insurance policy that meets all the aforementioned requirements:
- AXA.
- Allianz.
- Europ Assistance.
- MondialCare.
- Dr-WALTER.
Other ways you can get your Schengen insurance include:
- Online via insurance brokers.
- In-person via a travel agency in your country if you booked your trip with a travel agent.
- In-person or online via local insurance companies in your country of residence.
Further reading: Find out more about how and where to buy your Schengen insurance policy.
A quick reminder!
Your current health insurance policy may have a built-in Schengen travel insurance plan. So, please check with your current provider and see whether they offer this kind of insurance. In this case, you don’t have to buy a new policy, but you can submit proof of having Schengen travel insurance from your health insurance provider.
How Much Does Travel Health Insurance for Schengen Visa Cost?
Schengen travel insurance costs can be as low as EUR 15 and as high as EUR 100. Of course, this price depends on many factors, such as the length of your trip, the number of people buying the policy, the level of coverage you want, and your age. Here is a list of the cheapest Schengen travel insurance policies.
How Do I Show the Embassy I Have Schengen Travel Insurance?
You will receive an insurance certificate from your insurance provider after you buy your travel insurance. One copy remains with your provider, one for you, and you can submit another copy for your visa application.
The insurance certificate will contain information about the type of travel insurance plan you have, which shows the embassy that you have the required Schengen travel insurance.
When Should I Buy My Insurance Policy?
You should buy your Schengen travel insurance as early as two weeks before you submit your Schengen application. While there is no set timeline for when to buy your insurance, you must do it before you apply for your visa.
Can I Get Schengen Travel Insurance if I Have a Pre-existing Condition?
Yes, in fact, you have no choice but to buy a Schengen travel insurance policy for your visa application, regardless of whether you have a pre-existing condition. In this case, however, you need to find a policy that also covers your pre-existing condition.
Expert tip:
Travel health insurance plans— whether Schengen insurance or not— rarely cover pre-existing conditions, but they may cover you for the “acute onset of a pre-existing condition.” What this means is that if you have an unexpected medical episode while traveling in the Schengen Area due to your pre-existing condition, your travel insurance will cover the medical costs you need for your treatment. It is important to mention that this kind of coverage can increase the overall cost of your insurance.
Further reading: How to pick a Schengen insurance policy?
What Happens if My Visa Application Is Denied?
If your Schengen visa application is denied, most insurance companies will refund you for the travel insurance. You will also need to provide proof to your insurance provider that your visa was denied.
Of course, a refund option may not be available with all companies—you need to discuss this possibility with your insurance provider before you buy your insurance.
Can I Be Exempted from Schengen Insurance?
According to Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 July 2009, also known as the Schengen visa code, you can be exempted from having travel insurance if you meet one of the following conditions:
- You belong to a specific professional group and are already covered by the same level of insurance as the Schengen insurance (e.g., seafarers who are already covered by medical insurance because of their profession).
- You are a holder of a diplomatic passport.
Please note that in some cases, family members of EU citizens can also be exempt from the insurance requirement. However, it’s still strongly recommended that you have insurance and verify this option with a corresponding Schengen embassy.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Schengen Travel Insurance?
There are usually no age restrictions for Schengen insurance, as all visa applicants must possess valid insurance regardless of age.
However, some insurance companies may be more hesitant to cover senior citizens. In this case, you need to find an insurance policy that offers specific coverage for seniors.
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