How to Find the Best Coverage for Your Visa Application
If you plan to travel to Europe, you must meet specific travel medical insurance requirements to obtain a Schengen visa. This mandatory coverage is a crucial part of the application process for most travelers.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Schengen visa insurance, including the required coverage limits and essential policy benefits. You’ll also learn how to choose a plan that meets all criteria, so you can apply confidently and travel with peace of mind.
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Understanding the Schengen Area and Insurance Requirements
The Schengen Area consists of 29 European countries that allow travelers to move freely across borders with a single Schengen visa. Once you have this, you can visit any of these countries without having to undergo repeated border checks.
However, before your visa is granted, you must meet several requirements, one of the most critical being valid travel medical insurance that covers your entire stay and is accepted throughout the Schengen Zone.
Whether you are traveling for leisure or business, alone or with a group, this insurance is mandatory for your application.
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements
To meet the requirements for the visa, your travel policy must:
- Be valid throughout the entire Schengen area
- Cover the whole duration of your stay
Some countries also require an official letter from your insurance provider confirming that your policy meets the requirements.
This letter usually includes your full name (as on your passport) and date of birth. Check with the embassy or consulate of your destination to see if this letter is needed.
The typical coverage requirements include:
- Minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000 (approximately USD 32,800)
- Valid coverage within the Schengen region for the entire travel period
- Coverage for medical repatriation, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment, and death
Always verify with your embassy or consulate if additional health insurance requirements apply, as these can vary.
For most travelers staying less than 90 days, this insurance is mandatory. However, even if it’s not required for entry, having travel medical coverage is a smart way to protect yourself abroad.
Schengen Visa Insurance Letter
One great benefit of the recommended plans above is that they automatically generate a visa insurance letter immediately after purchase.
This letter confirms that your policy meets the requirements and is emailed to you along with your insurance documents, including your policy, cards, and other relevant information. You can submit this letter with your application to the embassy or consulate.
The Benefits of Travel Medical Insurance
Travel medical insurance offers temporary health coverage for you and your traveling party. These plans can help you avoid expensive medical bills if you require urgent care while abroad.
Typical benefits include:
- Freedom to seek treatment with a hospital or doctor of your choice
- Medical coverage limits ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000
- 24/7 access to an emergency medical assistance hotline to speak with medical experts
- Deductible options from $0 to $2,500
- Renewable coverage up to 24 to 36 months
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
When planning your trip, it’s essential to research your coverage options carefully and invest in adequate insurance.
Doing so lets you relax and enjoy planning your adventure, knowing you can access any assistance you might need while traveling.
The Best Travel Plans for a Schengen Visa
Here are some recommended travel medical plans that meet the requirements:
Best for All Nationalities Traveling to Europe
Our top-tier Schengen visa plan, IMG Patriot Platinum, is designed for international travelers and offers the highest policy limits, extensive global medical benefits, and expedited documentation, making it ideal for extended trips or premium coverage needs.
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
The Trawick Safe Travels International plan offers excellent value for international citizens visiting Europe. It includes Schengen visa-ready coverage, substantial emergency medical benefits, no U.S. residency requirement, and an instant visa letter upon purchase.
Safe Travels International
- Designed for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country (excluding the U.S.)
- Coverage for an unexpected recurrence of a Pre-Existing Condition
- Coverage from 5 days to 364 days – extensions are available
WorldTrips Atlas is a reliable and budget-friendly option ideal for visa applicants worldwide. It meets Schengen requirements with customizable coverage and an instant letter.
Please note that this plan is not available to residents of Australia or Canada; however, Australian and Canadian citizens are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement.
Atlas Travel Insurance
- Emergency medical, evacuation, and repatriation benefits
- Choose between basic or more extensive coverage
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
Best for US Citizens and Residents Traveling to Europe
U.S. citizens can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days. However, by the end of 2026, you must obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before departure.
If you are a U.S. resident but not a U.S. citizen, such as a green card holder, you may still need a Schengen visa depending on your country of citizenship. Check the current requirements based on your passport nationality before planning your trip.
BCBS Global Solutions Single Trip Platinum provides premium travel medical insurance for U.S. citizens and residents who have primary health coverage. It includes up to $1,000,000 in benefits, covers pre-existing conditions, and provides access to a trusted global network, making it an ideal choice for safe, worry-free travel abroad.
Single Trip Platinum Travel Insurance
- For U.S. citizens and residents up to age 95
- Includes pregnancy coverage, baggage loss, trip interruption & more
- 24/7/365 service and assistance
Trawick Safe Travels Outbound is a popular travel medical plan for U.S. citizens traveling to Europe. It offers up to $500,000 in coverage for medical emergencies, along with benefits for evacuation, trip delay, and lost baggage, providing solid protection for international trips.
Safe Travels Outbound
- For U.S. citizens and residents traveling abroad
- Up to $500,000 in emergency medical coverage
- Flexible trip lengths up to 180 days
The Best Trip Cancellation Plans for Traveling to Europe
Trip cancellation insurance covers the cost of your trip if you or a traveling companion cannot travel, while also meeting the medical coverage requirements. It’s especially valuable in cases of illness, accidental injury, stolen passports, or unexpected events, such as a terrorist incident at your destination.
The Trawick Pathway Premier plan is available only to U.S. citizens and residents traveling within the U.S. for up to 90 days and abroad. It is ideal for costly international trips, for trips booked well in advance, or for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In addition to trip cancellation, the plan protects against medical emergencies, travel delays, lost baggage, and other unforeseen disruptions, helping you safeguard your investment and travel with greater peace of mind.
Pathway Premier
- Comprehensive Travel Protection and Travel Medical Insurance
- Available to U.S. residents traveling for up to 90 days within the U.S. and internationally
- Optional CFAR, IFAR, Rental Car Damage, and Adventure Sports coverage
How Much Does Coverage Cost?
The cost of travel insurance for your Schengen visa depends on several factors, including your age, trip length, destination, total trip value, and the coverage limits you select.
Plans that include trip cancellation coverage generally cost more. On average, trip cancellation insurance costs about 5% of your total trip price. This is higher if you are older, and lower if you are younger.
Although the visa sets minimum insurance requirements, purchasing extra coverage, especially for longer trips, is a smart way to better protect yourself.
A 30-year-old U.S. citizen purchasing the Trawick Pathway Premier plan for a 10-day trip to Costa Rica with a total trip cost of $2,500 would pay approximately:
- $90 ($9 per day), or
- $135.90 ($14 per day) with optional CFAR coverage
You can also buy coverage on a daily or monthly basis, with costs typically ranging from $1 to $5 or more per day, depending on your age, trip details, and selected benefits.
Plans with lower medical limits and higher deductibles will be less expensive, while those with higher limits and lower deductibles will be more expensive.
Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Meet Schengen Visa Requirements?
Most U.S. Medicare and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans do not meet the required medical coverage criteria for a Schengen visa.
While some Medigap plans offer limited emergency coverage for foreign travel, they often fail to meet the Schengen criteria. For example:
- Coverage is typically limited to a $50,000 lifetime maximum
- You may need to pay a $250 deductible plus 20% coinsurance
- These plans often exclude benefits like emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, which are mandatory under Schengen rules.
To meet the requirements, you must have at least €30,000 in medical coverage that is valid throughout all Schengen countries, including emergency care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Most U.S.-based Medicare Supplement plans don’t fulfill these criteria.
If you’re applying from the U.S., consider purchasing a travel medical plan that meets the requirements of your visa.
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Kamela Hutzley is a seasoned writer and editor from New Jersey, now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She writes on health, education, travel, and cultural integration, holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College, and is a certified somatic therapist with her own practice.
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