Schengen travel insurance: what embassies actually check
Your policy must meet three rules or your Schengen visa can be refused. Here's a simple checklist before you buy.
Unlocktravels Visa DeskPublished
Travel insurance is mandatory for a Schengen short-stay visa. A policy that doesn't meet the rules is treated the same as having no insurance at all.
The three rules
- Minimum cover of €30,000 for medical emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation.
- Valid in all Schengen states, not just the country you're applying to.
- Covers your whole stay, from the day you enter to the day you leave.
Common mistakes
- Buying a policy that starts the day after you land.
- Choosing a plan that excludes one of the countries on your itinerary.
- Forgetting to extend cover when trip dates change.
Our advice
Buy insurance after your itinerary is final but before your appointment, and print the certificate for your file. We can arrange a compliant policy through our travel insurance service, and check it against your Schengen visa file.