Schengen Visa Insurance: Complete Guide & Comparison of the Best Compliant Policies
Obtaining a Schengen visa requires compliant travel medical insurance, covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses, including medical repatriation, and valid across the entire Schengen Area.
When you submit your application, visa centers such as TLScontact or VFS Global carefully check the consistency of the insurance certificate: your identity must match your passport exactly, coverage dates must align with your trip, the certificate must explicitly mention the Schengen Area, and the required minimum limit must be clearly stated.
Any mismatch or vague wording can lead to an immediate hold, a request for correction, or even application refusal—including after submission at the consulate or during border checks.
- 📊 14.8% of Schengen visa applications are refused worldwide (≈ 1 in 7).
- ⚠️ Non-compliant insurance is a major refusal reason: ~15% of cases (up to 40% depending on the consulate).
- 📄 Insurance is mandatory from the moment you submit your file (TLScontact / VFS / consulate).
- ✅ A compliant certificate = ≥ €30,000 medical cover + medical repatriation + full Schengen Area coverage + exact travel dates.
- 🧾 Strict consistency is required: passport-matching identity, aligned dates, and a verifiable policy/insurer.
- ⛔ An unclear or incomplete document = file put on hold or possible refusal.
What are the best insurance options for a Schengen visa?
For a Schengen visa (France or any other Schengen country), the “best” insurance is not necessarily the cheapest—it’s the one that provides an immediately usable certificate that strictly meets official requirements: at least €30,000 in medical expenses, medical repatriation, validity across the entire Schengen Area, dates aligned exactly with your trip, and an identity that matches your passport.
Compliant insurance does not guarantee visa approval (the decision depends on the full application), but it greatly reduces the risk of your file being put on hold, a correction request, or a refusal due to a non-compliant or unclear document.
Here is a selection of insurance offers specifically designed for Schengen visa applications.
On HelloSafe, you can compare plans from reputable insurers, selected for their ability to issue a clear, readable, and immediately verifiable certificate for TLScontact, VFS Global, or the consulate—fully aligned with application requirements—at competitive prices.
Compare Schengen insurance plansIs Schengen visa insurance mandatory?
Yes. Schengen visa travel insurance is mandatory for any short-stay Schengen visa application, and it is required from the moment you submit your file to TLScontact, VFS Global, or the consulate.
Any mistake or lack of clarity on the certificate (misaligned dates, missing “Schengen” wording, an unclear limit, or a name that differs from the passport) can immediately block your application, trigger a correction request, or result in a visa refusal.
Minimum requirements for Schengen visa insurance
Item checked by the consulate | Official requirement |
|---|---|
💶 Medical expenses | ≥ €30,000 (emergency care + hospitalization) |
🚑 Medical repatriation | Mandatory, actual costs covered |
🌍 Coverage area | Entire Schengen Area |
📅 Validity dates | Exactly aligned with the declared trip |
🧾 Certificate | Clear, verifiable, unambiguous |
👤 Identity | Must match the passport exactly |
❌ Deductible | Some consulates do not accept deductibles |
Schengen visa insurance requirements are set by the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Article 15), which imposes a minimum coverage of €30,000, including emergency medical care and repatriation, valid across the entire Schengen Area.
Nationalities most often subject to this requirement
Travellers holding a non-EU passport must provide a compliant certificate—especially when they are nationals of countries such as:
🌍 Region | 🌐 Examples of countries | 📄 Schengen visa insurance mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Africa | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and more | ✅ Yes |
Asia | India, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh and more | ✅ Yes |
Europe (non-EU) | Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and more | ✅ Yes |
Middle East | Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and more | ✅ Yes |
Americas | Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba and more | ✅ Yes |
Consulates only accept fully compliant certificates that explicitly mention the coverages listed above.
On HelloSafe, you get access to a selection of policies designed specifically for Schengen visas, including:
- 📄 an immediate PDF certificate by email,
- 🧾 clear documentation,
- 💸 reimbursement in case of visa refusal (subject to policy terms and an official refusal notice).
What does Schengen visa insurance cover?
As explained above, to be accepted in a short-stay Schengen visa application, travel insurance must meet a strict baseline of requirements, systematically checked by submission centers (TLScontact, VFS Global) and by consulates.
The certificate must state unambiguously:
- a medical expense limit of at least €30,000,
- medical repatriation,
- validity across the entire Schengen Area,
- coverage that matches exactly the full declared trip duration.
These elements are essential to submit your file. Other benefits are not required by regulation, but can be highly useful depending on the traveller profile, trip length, or risk level.
Coverage | Required for the visa | Expected limit / requirement | Expert analysis & advice |
|---|---|---|---|
Medical expenses | ✅ Yes | ≥ €30,000 (emergency care, hospitalization, medically necessary treatment) | A higher limit (€50,000 to €100,000) adds a safety buffer, especially for older travellers or longer stays. |
Medical repatriation | ✅ Yes | Included, actual costs covered | Check that repatriation is medically justified, organized, and covered by the assistance provider. |
Full Schengen Area validity | ✅ Yes | All countries in the Schengen Area | Coverage limited to a single country may be considered non-compliant, even if the trip is localized. |
Exact trip dates | ✅ Yes | From the first to the last declared day | Any mismatch with flights or accommodation can trigger a correction request. If plans change, request an endorsement. |
Repatriation of remains | ❌ No | Depends on the policy | Often included automatically. Useful to avoid ambiguity about the scope of “repatriation.” |
Personal liability | ❌ No | Variable | Strongly recommended, especially when staying with family/friends, renting, or using Airbnb. |
Baggage | ❌ No | Variable | Useful for multiple connections or long transit itineraries. |
Trip cancellation | ❌ No | Based on prepaid costs | Helpful if flights or accommodation are non-refundable before the visa decision. |
Early return | ❌ No | Depends on the policy | Relevant if a serious event requires an unexpected return home. |
24/7 multilingual assistance | ❌ No | Depends on the policy | Helps with medical procedures and coordination in emergencies abroad. |
- Verifiable certificate: clearly shows the insurer, policy/contract number, and assistance contact details.
- Passport-matching identity: spelling, accents, hyphens, and name order must match exactly.
- Overall consistency: certificate in French or English, no ambiguous deductible wording, and ideally a limit > €30,000.
How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?
The price of Schengen visa insurance typically starts around €10 for a short trip that meets official requirements. This cost remains low compared to the overall travel budget, but it mainly depends on:
- the trip duration (up to 90 days),
- the level of benefits selected (medical limit, options),
- and, depending on the policy, the traveller’s age and/or country of residence.
In all cases, the price should be assessed against the primary goal: obtaining a clear, immediately usable certificate that strictly meets consular requirements. Here is an estimate of the price of the best Schengen plans by trip length for a traveller.
Compare prices for all Schengen plans instantly.
Get Schengen visa insurance from €1/dayFor travellers who need a Schengen visa, insurance cost can weigh on the application budget—especially when arranging coverage for a parent or close family member. HelloSafe provides negotiated rates with specialized insurers, helping reduce the final price for travellers from the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, or other third countries. Payment is made directly in the traveller’s local currency (MAD, XOF, XAF, CDF, HTG…), with no conversion fees. The compliant certificate is sent immediately after purchase, and the policy is refunded if the visa is refused—fully protecting the budget committed.
Who buys Schengen visa insurance?
Applicants by country of application (proxy for nationality/residence)
Official Schengen statistics for 2023 (published in 2024) show that more than 11.7 million visa applications were filed worldwide. Over half come from a handful of countries with particularly strong travel demand to Europe.
The figures below reflect the country where the Schengen consulate receiving the applications is located, which largely mirrors the applicants’ country of residence—and therefore, in most cases, their nationality.
Country | Number of applications | Share of global applications | Refusal rate |
|---|---|---|---|
🇨🇳 China | 1,779,255 | 15.2% | 4.6% |
🇹🇷 Turkey | 1,173,917 | 10.0% | 14.5% |
🇮🇳 India | 1,108,239 | 9.5% | 15.0% |
🇲🇦 Morocco | 606,800 | 5.2% | 20.1% |
🇷🇺 Russia | 606,594 | 5.2% | 7.5% |
🇩🇿 Algeria | 544,634 | 4.6% | 35.0% |
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 505,455 | 4.3% | 5.9% |
Schengen visa insurance is intended for any traveller who must provide a compliant medical insurance certificate to submit an application. Read our full study on Schengen visa refusals to learn more.
Typical applicant profiles
Schengen visa insurance is intended for any traveller who must provide a compliant medical insurance certificate to submit an application.
Here are the most common applicant profiles seen on HelloSafe among travellers who need to provide a Schengen visa insurance certificate (compliant, readable, and aligned with the application file).
Applicant profile | Typical situation | Trip length | Insurance priorities | Consular watchpoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
👨👩🦳 Family visit (parents & grandparents) | Older relatives invited by family living in Europe | 2 to 4 weeks |
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🎓 Students living in Europe | International students in France/EU travelling within Schengen | 7 to 14 days |
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🌍 Expats & workers outside Europe | Residents in third countries (UAE, Qatar, Turkey, etc.) travelling to Europe | 1 to 3 weeks |
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💍 Fiancé(e)s or spouses joining a partner | Family-sensitive trips often reviewed in detail | Variable (often 2–4 weeks) |
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💼 Business travellers (events, assignments) | Short trips organized by an employer | A few days to 2 weeks |
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What is NOT covered by Schengen visa insurance?
Even when insurance is Schengen-compliant, certain situations are not covered, which can surprise travellers. Exclusions vary by insurer, but they almost always include:
- ❌ Pre-existing conditions that were not declared or were known before departure
- ❌ Scheduled care (e.g., elective consultations or routine check-ups)
- ❌ High-risk activities (extreme sports, competitions, advanced trekking) if not included in the policy
- ❌ Incidents related to alcohol or illegal substance use
- ❌ Costs related to staying beyond the insured dates
- ❌ Deliberate acts, such as intentionally endangering oneself or misrepresentation/fraud
These exclusions highlight why it’s important to read both the certificate and the policy terms before filing, since some refusals stem from incomplete documents or coverage that is not suited to the traveller’s profile.
Why choose HelloSafe for your Schengen visa insurance?
For a Schengen visa application, the goal is simple: obtain a clear, compliant certificate—with no mistakes regarding coverage area, dates, or identity.
With HelloSafe, you get access to a selection of offers tailored to Schengen visa requirements (medical expenses ≥ €30,000, repatriation, Schengen Area coverage, exact dates, subject to policy terms), including:
🛡️ Schengen compliance and consular acceptance
HelloSafe offers policies specifically designed to meet Schengen visa requirements. The certificates issued strictly follow the EU Visa Code rules: minimum €30,000 medical cover, hospitalization, emergency care, medical repatriation, explicit mention of the full Schengen Area, and exact trip dates.
These documents are recognized by consulates and submission centers such as TLScontact, VFS Global, and Visametric when included in a complete application file.
This immediate compliance eliminates common administrative errors: insufficient limits, incorrectly stated coverage area, wrong dates, or an incomplete certificate.
⚡ Instant PDF certificate by email, ready for TLS/VFS
Once the purchase is completed, the certificate is sent instantly by email in PDF format—ready to print and include in your consular application.
A proof of payment is included with each purchase, which helps with administrative, professional, or accounting steps.
Everything is done fully online—no travel, no postal delays, and no additional intervention.
💸 Refund in case of visa refusal (with supporting document)
If your Schengen visa is refused, you can request a refund by providing the official refusal notice (required to prevent abuse).
How does it work in practice?
- Send the refusal document to hellotravel@hellosafe.fr or via HelloSafe chat (WhatsApp: coming soon).
- After verification, the refund is processed via Stripe.
- The refund is typically completed within 2 to 3 days.
🌍 Buying insurance for a family member from anywhere
Many travellers are not comfortable with online procedures. That’s why HelloSafe lets you purchase insurance for a parent or family member who remains in their home country.
You can pay for your mother, father, spouse, brother, or sister, receive the certificate immediately, and then forward it to the traveller for their consular appointment.
If there is an error in the name, date of birth, or travel dates, a corrected certificate can be issued upon request so that the document matches the passport and the application file perfectly. This flexibility helps keep the file consistent and acceptable.
Visa applications involve many sensitive steps—but insurance shouldn’t be one of them. HelloSafe provides compliant plans, an instant certificate, and responsive support for any correction or question linked to your file, whatever your country of residence. It’s a simple way to secure this key step and avoid refusals caused by non-compliant or poorly worded insurance documentation.
Get your Schengen travel insurance certificate in 2 minutes
How to avoid a visa refusal due to insurance
In a Schengen application file, insurance is often checked “word for word.” An unclear certificate can lead to a hold or a correction request (and sometimes jeopardize submission when timelines are tight).
⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid
🚫 “Non-compliant” insurance: the 5 most common refusal reasons
- Medical limit below €30,000
- Repatriation missing or poorly stated
- Coverage area too limited (e.g., one country instead of the full Schengen Area)
- Dates not aligned with the declared trip (flights/accommodation/form)
- Certificate not verifiable (unclear insurer/assistance/reference details)
The figures cited come from the DG HOME – European Commission portal (Visa Statistics 2024) and from internal HelloSafe aggregations/calculations (Barometer 2025).
See the full methodology and calculation assumptions on our page about Schengen visa refusals.
💸 The average cost of a refusal
A refusal can represent around €185 in losses on average according to our barometer (visa fees, service center fees, insurance, preparation), not counting lost time and postponed travel.
📝 Checklist before your appointment (TLS/VFS/consulate)
✅ To verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Identity matches the passport | Any difference (accent, hyphen, middle name) can make the certificate inconsistent |
Exact dates (first to last day) | Mismatch = correction request / file put on hold |
“Schengen Area” wording | Too restrictive an area may be considered non-compliant |
≥ €30,000 + repatriation | Minimum baseline for a short-stay Schengen visa |
Insurer/assistance clearly stated | Certificate must be verifiable (reference + contact) |
If dates change: endorsement possible | Avoids filing with an outdated document |
Depending on policy: refund if refused | Limits financial risk with an official refusal notice |
The simplest option is to choose a “Schengen visa” plan that issues a clear, instant PDF certificate. On HelloSafe, you can compare offers, choose the one best aligned with your file (area, dates, €30,000, repatriation), and select a refundable option if the visa is refused.
Choose insurance with a refund if your visa is refusedReal testimonials from travellers who obtained their Schengen visa
💬 “Visa approved for my mother in Morocco—certificate received in seconds”
“I purchased the insurance for my mother from abroad. The certificate arrived immediately by email, compliant for TLS, and her visa for France was approved without any issues. Thanks for how simple it was.”
— Youssef, family originally from Morocco
💬 “Living in France, I found the clearest and most affordable option”
“I needed to travel to Spain with my residence permit. The certificate was ready instantly, clearly written and compliant. The price was very reasonable.”
— Carine, resident in France
💬 “Perfect when you live in the Gulf: easy payment and instant certificate”
“I live in Dubai and travel often to Europe. Online payment from my country of residence, instant certificate for the consulate. Very reliable.”
— Samir, resident in the United Arab Emirates
💬 “Date changes handled stress-free before my consular appointment”
“My VFS appointment was rescheduled and I had to change my insurance dates. The update was done quickly. It saved me from a refusal.”
— Hana, originally from Tunisia
💬 “I was able to buy insurance for my father in Africa with no difficulty”
“He wasn’t comfortable with online steps, so I handled everything remotely. The certificate arrived in seconds and was perfectly compliant.”
— Didier, family originally from Côte d’Ivoire
Results may vary depending on the completeness of the application file.
FAQ
Yes. Anyone whose nationality requires a visa to enter the Schengen Area must provide travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000, including emergency care, hospitalization, and medical repatriation. Without a compliant certificate, the file is automatically considered incomplete at submission because the consulate systematically checks the Schengen coverage area, the exact travel dates, and the minimum amount required by EU rules.
At submission, TLS/VFS (and then the consulate) mainly check the consistency and readability of the certificate:
- The name(s) match the passport exactly.
- The insurance dates cover the entire declared period (with no gaps).
- The Schengen Area wording is clearly stated.
- The ≥ €30,000 limit and repatriation are clearly mentioned.
- The certificate is understandable and verifiable (identifiable insurer, reference, assistance contact).
- If there is a mismatch, they may request a correction before the file is fully accepted, depending on the case.
A “Schengen visa” certificate must allow verification, without ambiguity, of:
- The insured person’s identity, matching the passport exactly (name(s)).
- The coverage period: from the first to the last day of the declared trip.
- The validity area: explicit wording “Schengen Area” (not “France only”).
- The medical expense limit: at least €30,000 (emergency/hospitalization).
- Repatriation: a clear mention of medical repatriation.
- Verifiable references: insurer name, policy/contract number, and assistance contact details (ideally 24/7).
Yes. The “Schengen visa” plans available via HelloSafe generate a certificate that meets the requirements of centers such as TLScontact, VFS Global, or Visametric, provided the rest of the application file is consistent. Checks focus mainly on explicit Schengen Area wording, exact date alignment, and a medical limit of at least €30,000 including medical repatriation.
Yes. You can purchase from anywhere, as long as the insured person’s name is entered exactly as shown on the passport. The certificate is emailed immediately after purchase, so you can print it locally and send it to your family member or simply forward the PDF if they have internet access.
If the consulate refuses the visa, the contracts offered via HelloSafe provide a refund upon presentation of the official refusal document issued by the embassy or the TLS/VFS center. The refund applies when the trip did not take place and the certificate was not used, helping avoid financial loss linked to preparing the application.
No. Compliant insurance does not guarantee visa approval, because the decision depends on the full application. However, a clear and compliant certificate reduces the risk of refusal due to a missing or inconsistent document.
Yes. The “Schengen visa” insurance options available via HelloSafe are eligible for many nationalities, including applicants from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, or DR Congo. You simply enter your current country of residence, nationality, and trip dates to obtain a compliant certificate to attach to your consular file.
A residence permit may allow short stays within the Schengen Area under applicable rules, but it does not replace travel medical insurance. Coverage is still strongly recommended to handle unexpected expenses such as medical bills, hospitalization, or repatriation—especially for international students and multi-day tourist trips where healthcare costs can be high.
If your appointment or travel dates change, you can request an adjustment of the coverage dates to receive a new certificate that matches the updated information. The insurer issues an endorsement accordingly, preventing date inconsistencies from jeopardizing the application at submission.
It must cover the entire Schengen Area, even if you only plan to visit a single country such as France, Spain, or Italy. Authorities consider that you can move freely between member states during your stay, so the certificate must be valid for the full zone. A policy limited to one country can be rejected by the consulate.
Only if the insurer provides a visa-specific certificate that clearly states the Schengen Area, the exact trip dates, a medical limit of at least €30,000, and medical repatriation. Many annual policies do not issue this dedicated document. In that case, the simplest and safest option is to purchase short-stay Schengen visa insurance via HelloSafe to obtain a compliant certificate immediately.
