Schengen Visa Insurance: The EUR 30,000 Requirement Explained
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Schengen visa insurance is the mandatory travel insurance required to apply for a short-stay visa to the Schengen Area (most of the European Union plus a few associated countries). The exact requirement is a minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000, valid for the entire length of your trip and across the whole Schengen territory.
Not just any policy qualifies. The embassy checks that the certificate clearly states the amount in euros, that it covers hospitalization and repatriation (including funeral repatriation), and that the dates match your declared visa itinerary exactly.
What exactly does the embassy require?
- Minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000 per person.
- Coverage valid across every Schengen country, not just your country of entry.
- Validity covering every day requested on the visa, not a single day less.
- Medical and funeral repatriation coverage.
- A certificate in an accepted format, usually a PDF with the insurer's logo and details, in English or the consulate's language.
Common mistakes when buying Schengen insurance
The most frequent mistake is buying a policy denominated in US dollars that, once converted, falls short of the EUR 30,000 requirement due to exchange rate swings. Another common error is buying coverage for fewer days than the actual trip, or for dates that don't line up exactly with the submitted itinerary. Some certificates also fail to explicitly mention "Schengen" or the euro amount, which raises red flags at the consulate.
Which countries are in the Schengen Area?
It includes most of the European Union (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and others) plus associated countries like Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. For the official, up-to-date list, check the European Commission's Schengen Area page or the website of the consulate handling your visa.
How Assist-365 meets this requirement
Assist-365 plans include 24-hour medical assistance and medical and funeral repatriation, and the digital certificate is issued immediately after purchase, making it easy to attach to your visa application within the consulate's deadlines. When you get a quote, confirm that the plan explicitly shows coverage in euros and covers the exact days of your Schengen itinerary; if you're unsure whether a specific plan qualifies, confirm it before paying.
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Minimum Schengen insurance requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum amount | EUR 30,000 in medical coverage |
| Validity | Must cover every day of the declared itinerary |
| Territorial coverage | Valid across the entire Schengen Area |
| Repatriation | Medical and funeral, mandatory |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum coverage for a Schengen visa?
EUR 30,000 in medical coverage, as required by the EU Visa Code.
Can I use a USD-denominated policy for a Schengen visa?
It can work if, converted to euros at time of purchase, it exceeds the EUR 30,000 requirement, but it's safer to choose a plan that shows the amount directly in euros.
Does Schengen insurance cover every EU country?
No. It only covers Schengen Area countries, which isn't identical to the EU, since some EU countries sit outside Schengen and some non-EU countries, like Norway or Switzerland, are inside it.
Should I buy the insurance before or after my consulate appointment?
You need it ready before submitting your visa application, since the certificate is one of the mandatory documents for the process.
What if my visa is denied after I've already bought the insurance?
Check the insurer's cancellation or refund policy before buying; many allow you to cancel the policy if the visa is denied and you provide proof of the rejection.
