Schengen Travel Insurance: Visa-Approved Cover You Can Buy Online
Applying for a Schengen visa requires providing a medical insurance certificate that meets strict rules: at least €30,000 in medical coverage, repatriation, and validity across all Schengen countries for the exact dates of your trip. VFS, TLScontact and consulates check these details carefully, and a simple mistake — a missing date, a limited coverage zone or a name that doesn’t match the passport — can delay or block the application.
This guide explains clearly and practically what a “Schengen-compliant” insurance policy must include, how consulates verify it, how much it usually costs, and how to avoid refusals linked to insurance.
- Schengen visa insurance is mandatory for all nationalities requiring a visa (see below table).
- Your certificate must show: €30,000 minimum, repatriation, full Schengen area, correct dates, exact passport identity.
- Errors in insurance documents are among the most common causes of refusals (wrong dates, missing repatriation, unclear zone).
- A compliant policy typically costs €10–€50, depending on trip length and country of residence.
- Choosing an insurer that provides an instant Schengen certificate and offers refunds if your visa is refused helps secure your application.
Is Schengen visa insurance mandatory?
Yes. Anyone who needs a short-stay Schengen visa must provide medical insurance covering at least €30,000, including emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation. Consulates and VFS/TLS check that the certificate clearly states the coverage amount, the Schengen Area, the exact dates of travel and the insured person's identity. Without a compliant certificate, the application is considered incomplete and cannot be accepted.
What your Schengen visa insurance must include
To be accepted by VFS, TLScontact or a Schengen consulate, your insurance certificate must follow a clear set of rules. Each point below must appear explicitly on the document.
💶 Minimum medical coverage of €30,000
Your policy must include at least €30,000 for:
- emergency treatment
- hospitalisation
- medically necessary care
- medical transport
The amount has to be written exactly on the certificate. Anything unclear, rounded oddly or listed in a different currency tends to trigger corrections.
🗺️ Valid in all Schengen countries
Your insurance must cover the entire Schengen Area, not just your entry country.
Acceptable wording includes:
- “Valid in the Schengen Area”
- “Coverage in all Schengen states”
Mentions like Europe, EU only or a single country are often considered non-compliant.
📅 Exact dates matching your trip
Your certificate must cover:
- the first day you enter Schengen, and
- the last day you leave,
with no gaps.
If your travel dates change, request an updated certificate before your appointment.
🪪 Clear identity and verifiable details
These elements must be easy to read, match your passport, and appear in English, which is the format accepted by VFS, TLScontact and consulates for international applicants:
- Full name exactly as written in the passport
- Coverage dates
- Schengen Area clearly mentioned
- €30,000 minimum
- Repatriation included
- Insurer name, policy number and 24/7 assistance contact
If the certificate is not in English, looks vague, incomplete, or cannot be verified, VFS/TLS may refuse to accept it.
🔁 Multi-entry visas and annual insurance
Multiple-entry visas
You only need to insure your first trip, not the full visa validity. But border officers may still ask for proof of insurance on future entries.
Annual travel insurance
Most annual policies are rejected because they don’t issue a Schengen-specific certificate with:
- exact travel dates
- €30,000 minimum
- explicit Schengen zone
- repatriation wording
A dedicated Schengen policy is generally the safest option.
🛂 When VFS/TLS and consulates check your insurance
Your certificate is reviewed twice:
- During the submission appointment: they verify your name, dates, Schengen Area wording and the €30,000 + repatriation requirement.
- At the border: officers may ask for proof of valid insurance, especially if travel dates changed or if you hold a multi-entry visa.
A certificate that is unclear, incomplete or misaligned with your itinerary often requires correction and may delay the entire application.
Most insurance-related refusals come from poorly written certificates, not from the coverage itself.
If you want to avoid corrections, a provider like HelloSafe issues visa-ready certificates with the correct wording, dates and Schengen zone — which makes the administrative part much smoother.
💵 How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?
The price of a Schengen visa insurance policy usually starts at just a few euros for short trips. Costs vary mainly according to the length of your stay (up to 90 days), the level of benefits, and sometimes the traveller’s age or country of residence.
🗓️ Typical prices for a Schengen-compliant policy
Trip duration | 💶 EUR (typical price) | 💵 USD (approx.) | 🇬🇧 GBP (approx.) | 🇮🇳 INR (approx.) | 🇳🇬 NGN (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7–10 days | 10.50 € – 18 € | 12 – 20 $ | 9 – 15 £ | 950 – 1 600 ₹ | 14 000 – 24 000 ₦ |
11–20 days | 20 € – 35 € | 22 – 39 $ | 17 – 30 £ | 1 800 – 3 200 ₹ | 27 000 – 47 000 ₦ |
21–30 days | 35 € – 50 € | 39 – 55 $ | 30 – 43 £ | 3 200 – 4 500 ₹ | 47 000 – 67 000 ₦ |
31–45 days | 45 € – 70 € | 50 – 78 $ | 38 – 60 £ | 4 000 – 6 300 ₹ | 61 000 – 94 000 ₦ |
46–60 days | 55 € – 90 € | 61 – 99 $ | 47 – 77 £ | 5 000 – 8 100 ₹ | 74 000 – 121 000 ₦ |
61–90 days | 65 € – 120 € | 72 – 132 $ | 55 – 102 £ | 5 900 – 10 800 ₹ | 88 000 – 162 000 ₦ |
💶 Schengen visa insurance prices: real-world examples (EUR + international currencies)
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*These ranges reflect typical prices observed for travellers applying from English-speaking countries such as India, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, the UK and the US.*
Even at the upper range (≈ 139 USD for 90 days), Schengen visa insurance remains one of the lowest costs in the overall visa application budget (visa fees, VFS/TLS charges, travel, etc.).
With a provider like HelloSafe, you can get a Schengen-ready certificate in minutes, without hidden fees, and in many cases benefit from a refund if your visa is refused — which transforms an “additional cost” into a risk-free safeguard for your application.
Who needs Schengen visa insurance — and who actually buys it?
Schengen medical insurance is mandatory for all travellers who require a short-stay visa (Type C). VFS, TLScontact and consulates check the certificate carefully, and a missing detail — name, dates, coverage zone or the €30,000 minimum — is enough to delay or block the file.
Visa-exempt travellers (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) do not submit insurance for a visa, but border officers may still request proof of coverage on arrival. It is therefore strongly recommended to have travel medical insurance, as it effectively becomes your health coverage while abroad — covering emergencies, hospitalisation and repatriation, which can be extremely costly without a policy.
🌍 Nationalities most often applying for Schengen visas
Based on 2024 Schengen statistics, several English-speaking or predominantly anglophone countries submit large numbers of applications — with refusal rates that vary widely. These travellers almost always need Schengen-compliant medical insurance.
Country | Visa applications (2024 approx.) | Refusal rate |
|---|---|---|
🇮🇳 India | 1,108,239 | ≈ 15% |
🇳🇬 Nigeria | 111,201 | ≈ 46% |
🇵🇰 Pakistan | 78,362 | ≈ 47.5% |
🇵🇭 Philippines | 218,301 | ≈ 6% |
🇿🇦 South Africa | 193,768 | ≈ 5.7% |
🇰🇪 Kenya | 66,329 | ≈ 29% |
🇬🇭 Ghana | 56,032 | ≈ 45.5% |
🇺🇸 USA | 201,602 | ≈ 4% |
🇬🇧 United Kingdom* | 470,569 | ≈ 6.9% |
UK travellers are visa-exempt but often choose travel insurance for medical protection or for border checks by airlines/immigration.
In countries with high refusal rates (30–40% and above), consulates examine documents word for word. A clear, compliant insurance certificate removes one of the simplest causes of administrative refusal.
👥 Traveller profiles who most often buy Schengen visa insurance
- ➡️ 👨👩🦳 Parents and grandparents visiting family in Europe: Travelling for 2–4 weeks, they prefer a very readable certificate with exact dates and clear Schengen wording. Older travellers may choose higher medical limits for peace of mind.
- ➡️ 🎓 Students travelling to or within Europe: They tend to choose the most affordable compliant option, as long as the certificate is instant and acceptable for VFS/TLS or airline checks. No extras — just a clean, Schengen-ready document.
- ➡️ 🌍 Expats and workers living in the Gulf (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia): They often need an instant PDF plus an invoice for HR. Precision is essential: correct spelling, exact dates, and explicit Schengen Area mention.
- ➡️ 💍 Partners or fiancés joining their loved one in Europe: These files can be reviewed closely, so applicants prioritise flawless certificates with correct identity, dates and repatriation. It doesn’t guarantee approval, but avoids unnecessary doubts.
- ➡️ 💼 Business travellers (meetings, missions, conferences): Their trips are short and tightly scheduled. They need a compliant certificate delivered quickly, often with 24/7 assistance and a document they can share with their employer.
Most problems with visa applications come from poorly written certificates, not from the insurance coverage itself.
Using a provider like HelloSafe helps travellers receive an instant, Schengen-ready document that meets the formatting consulates expect — reducing one of the most common sources of administrative refusal.
What Schengen visa insurance covers — and what it does not
Schengen visa insurance protects travellers in case of medical emergencies during a short stay in Europe. Consulates, however, require only a specific set of guarantees. The table below clarifies what is mandatory, what is recommended, and how each element strengthens a visa file.
🛡️ Mandatory and recommended guarantees for Schengen visa insurance
Guarantee | Mandatory for the visa? | What it means | Expert tip |
|---|---|---|---|
€30,000 minimum medical coverage | ✅ Yes | Required by all Schengen states; must appear clearly on the certificate. | Choose €50k–€100k if the traveller is senior or staying for several weeks. |
Emergency care + hospitalisation | ✅ Yes | Must be included under the medical limit. | Check that “emergency medical expenses” is explicitly written. |
Repatriation | ✅ Yes | Must be explicitly mentioned; missing this = non-compliant. | Ensure the wording references medical repatriation, not vague “assistance”. |
Coverage valid in the entire Schengen Area | ✅ Yes | “France only” or “Europe” is often rejected. | The certificate must say Schengen Area in English. |
Exact trip dates | ✅ Yes | Dates must match flights, forms, hotel bookings. | Update the certificate immediately if your VFS appointment or flight changes. |
Identity matching the passport | Required for verification | Consulates check name, surnames, spelling, order. | Make sure accents, hyphens and double names match exactly. |
24/7 medical assistance | Recommended | Helpful when travelling alone or in unfamiliar areas. | Prefer insurers offering multilingual support. |
Higher medical limits (€50k–€100k) | Recommended | Extra protection for long stays or medical risk. | Useful for parents, grandparents or travellers with health concerns. |
Baggage protection | Optional | Not required for the visa. | Only choose it if you have valuable items or long connections. |
Trip cancellation | Optional | Not considered in visa approval. | Only relevant if flights or hotels are non-refundable. |
⛔ What Schengen visa insurance does NOT cover
Insurance must meet Schengen rules, but it does not replace full international health insurance. Common exclusions include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions known before the trip
- Routine or planned treatments (check-ups, long-term care)
- Extreme sports or risky activities unless specifically included
- Alcohol- or substance-related incidents
- Costs after the insured dates (overstays)
- Intentional acts, self-inflicted harm or fraud
- Non-urgent medical procedures
These exclusions apply regardless of nationality and insurer.
How to choose a Schengen-compliant insurance policy in 10 minutes
Choosing insurance for a Schengen visa is not just about finding a low price — it’s about getting a certificate that VFS, TLScontact and consulates will accept immediately. HelloSafe simplifies the entire process so travellers can secure a compliant document in just a few minutes.
🧭 Step 1: enter your details and see only Schengen-compliant options
You start by entering your nationality, country of residence and travel dates.
HelloSafe automatically filters policies that can issue a certificate meeting the Schengen rules, which is especially useful for travellers from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa or the Gulf region, where refusals are more common.
Visa-exempt travellers (US, UK, Canada, Australia) can also use the tool for insurance recommended at the border.
📄 Step 2: compare guarantees that consulates check line by line
Each policy displayed meets the essential Schengen requirements:
- €30,000 medical coverage
- repatriation included
- Schengen Area clearly stated
- exact travel dates
- identity matching the passport
Optional extras (higher limits, baggage, cancellation) can be added, but are not required for the visa.
⚡ Step 3: get your visa-ready PDF instantly
Once purchased, the certificate is generated within seconds and sent by email as a PDF ready for your VFS/TLS appointment.
Travellers appreciate that they can:
- buy for themselves or for a parent abroad,
- receive the certificate immediately,
- request date or spelling corrections if their plans change.
This avoids one of the most common visa delays: a certificate that does not match the rest of the file.
💸 Refund if your visa is refused
If your visa is denied, the insurers available through HelloSafe offer a refund when the official refusal letter is provided. This protects applicants from losing money in regions where refusal rates are high.
How does the refund process work?
- You send the official refusal document to hellotravel@hellosafe.fr or via the HelloSafe chat (WhatsApp coming soon).
- The team checks the validity of the document.
- Once approved, the refund is issued through Stripe.
- The amount is usually credited within 2 to 3 days.
HelloSafe works only with insurers who issue Schengen-specific certificates, delivered instantly and already formatted for visa submissions.
If your travel dates or appointment change, you can request an updated certificate so your file stays perfectly aligned — a small detail that prevents many refusals.
Schengen visa refusals linked to insurance: mistakes to avoid
Insurance is one of the easiest parts of your visa file to get right — yet it remains a frequent cause of refusal. Most issues come from certificates that are unclear, incomplete or misaligned with the application.
⚠️ The 5 mistakes that lead to insurance-related refusals
- Coverage below €30,000: Even €29,000 or unclear currency conversions can make a certificate unacceptable.
- No explicit mention of repatriation: If “repatriation” isn’t written clearly, consulates treat the document as incomplete.
- Coverage limited to one country: “France only” or “Italy only” = automatically non-compliant for a Schengen visa.
- Dates that don’t match your travel itinerary: A one-day gap (arrival or departure) often leads to corrections or delays.
- Certificate not verifiable: Missing insurer details, no 24/7 assistance contact, wrong spelling of your name, or unclear formats.
These issues don’t depend on the traveller’s profile — they simply block the administrative process.
💸 What a refusal can cost you
A rejected visa means losing:
- the visa fee
- the VFS/TLS service fee
- the insurance cost
- time, appointments and potential travel bookings
Across common cases, the financial loss averages €150–€200, not counting the delay of the trip.
📋 Checklist before going to VFS/TLS/consulate
To check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Name matches passport exactly | Spelling, order, accents — even small differences cause issues |
Dates match your itinerary | One missing day = correction required |
“Schengen Area” clearly stated | A single-country policy is not accepted |
€30,000 + repatriation | Mandatory for all Schengen states |
Insurer + 24/7 assistance details | Certificate must be verifiable |
Updated certificate if dates change | Keeps your file coherent |
Print this checklist — it covers the most common reasons for administrative corrections.
Choosing a provider that issues visa-ready certificates greatly reduces these risks.
With HelloSafe, travellers receive a clear, compliant, instantly downloadable PDF, and can request quick corrections if a name or date needs updating — avoiding many of the mistakes above.
Will border officers actually check my insurance?
Even with an approved visa, Schengen border police can ask to see your medical insurance when you arrive. It’s not systematic, but it happens often enough that travellers should keep their certificate ready. Remember: a visa allows you to travel to the border, but entry is granted only if your situation still matches what you declared, including valid medical coverage.
The border check is different from the VFS/TLS or consulate check.
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- During the visa process, the focus is: “Does your insurance meet Schengen requirements?”
- At the border, the question becomes: “Is your insurance valid today and for this trip?”
Travellers report being asked for insurance most often when:
- they arrive on a different date than the one declared in their visa file,
- they use a multiple-entry visa for another trip,
- their stay seems longer than what the certificate covers,
- they come from a region where additional checks are common,
- or their itinerary raises questions.
Busy airports such as Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Amsterdam and Rome are frequently mentioned in traveller reports.
Typical scenarios where officers ask for insurance
Situation | Likelihood of being asked for insurance |
|---|---|
✈️ Entering on the exact dates declared | 🟢 Low |
📅 Entering earlier or later than planned | 🟡 Medium |
🔁 Using a multiple-entry visa again | 🟠 Medium–High |
🌍 Coming from higher-scrutiny regions | 🔴 High |
❓ Accommodation or itinerary unclear | 🔴 High |
Multiple-entry visas in practice
For the visa application, you only need insurance for your first trip.
But once you have the visa, border police may ask for proof of valid insurance on any later entry. Many travellers simply buy a short, affordable policy for each new trip, unless they use an annual plan that provides a Schengen-specific certificate with exact dates.
Tip to make border checks easier
A clear, easy-to-verify certificate helps avoid questions. With HelloSafe, travellers receive an instant PDF showing:
- exact travel dates
- “Schengen Area” clearly stated
- €30,000 medical limit
- repatriation
- 24/7 assistance contact
— everything a border officer may look for if they decide to check your documents.
Real stories from travellers who got their Schengen visa
Travellers using Schengen-compliant insurance through HelloSafe often highlight the clarity of the certificate and the simplicity of the process. Here are a few real-life experiences (results vary depending on each visa file).
🇮🇳 Parent visiting family in Europe
“I bought the insurance for my mother in India. The certificate arrived instantly and matched her passport and dates perfectly. Her visa for France was approved without any issue.”
— Ravi, Mumbai
🇵🇭 Traveller from the Philippines
“My Schengen appointment was coming up fast. I needed a clear certificate, and I received it in seconds. Everything was accepted, and I got my visa the following week.”
— Ana, Manila
🌍 Worker based in the Gulf
“I applied from Dubai and needed the certificate plus an invoice for my company. Both were provided immediately. The insurance was accepted with no questions asked.”
— Samir, UAE
💍 Partner joining spouse in Europe
“I wanted my documents to be flawless. The insurance matched my passport exactly, and I could update the dates before my appointment. My visa was approved.”
— Grace, Nigeria
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