Schengen Visa Travel Insurance from India | Best Mandatory Travel Insurance 2025
In 2024, over 1.1 million Indians applied for a Schengen visa — 15% were rejected, costing travellers ₹1.36 billion in lost fees. One of the top reasons for Schengen visa refusal is missing or invalid travel insurance.
Peak application months (April–June, Diwali, December) mean VFS India slots fill up fast. Having your insurance certificate ready can make the difference between approval and rejection.
Instead of navigating dozens of insurers on your own, many Indian travellers now rely on HelloSafe, a comparison platform that displays only Schengen-standard policies, shows prices in INR and EUR, and provides an instant PDF certificate accepted by all consulates and VFS centres in India. The journey takes just a few minutes, and you can choose plans that include a visa-refusal refund for added peace of mind.
Is Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Mandatory for Indian Travellers?
If you're an Indian passport holder planning to visit Europe, getting Schengen travel insurance is not optional — it's a mandatory requirement for obtaining your visa.
When you apply for a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) — whether from New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Bengaluru — the consulate will ask you to provide:
- A travel insurance certificate covering a minimum of €30,000 in medical expenses.
- Validity in all 29 Schengen countries.
- Coverage for your entire trip (from arrival to departure dates).
- Repatriation and emergency medical evacuation.
Without this document, your visa application can be rejected immediately.
Choose insurance with a refund if your visa is refusedBest travel insurance for Schengen Visa from India
While Indian insurers such as Tata AIG, HDFC Ergo or Reliance do offer travel insurance, their certificates are not consistently accepted by all Schengen consulates. Acceptance varies by embassy, and formats may require manual verification.
HelloSafe works primarily with trusted European insurers (Axa, Allianz, Mutuaide, VYV) whose certificates are standardised, consulate-friendly, and frequently automatically validated during the visa process.
All plans listed here are approved by European embassies, accepted by VFS India, and meet mandatory Schengen requirements:
- €30,000 medical coverage.
- Repatriation & medical evacuation.
- Full validity across all Schengen countries.
You also benefit from baggage protection and 24/7 multilingual assistance. This results in faster processing, fewer rejections, and a smoother visa experience.
Plan | Medical Coverage | Repatriation | Personal Liability | Baggage / Return | Extra Benefits | Visa Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Europax (MGEN) | €30,000 | Actual cost | €4,575,000 | Included | Search/rescue €1,500, online claims | Accepted |
Impatriés Schengen (Mutuaide) | €30,000 | Actual cost | — | Included | Teleconsultation, fast reimbursement | Accepted |
Impatriés Plus (Mutuaide) | €30,000 | Actual cost | €3,500,000 | Included | Daily allowance €600 | Accepted |
Cap Schengen (Vyv) | €30,000 | Actual cost | — | Included | Refund if visa refused, embassy-ready PDF | Accepted |
Cap Academy (AIG) | €150,000 | Actual cost | — | Included | Student cover, €30,000 home coverage | Accepted |
Incoming Classic (AIG) | €30,000 | Actual cost | €50,000 | Included | €1,000 dental & outpatient | Accepted |
How much is travel insurance for a Schengen Visa?
The cost depends on trip length, age, and coverage, but it’s generally affordable for Indian travellers. Basic plans start around ₹1,000–₹5,000 for 1–2 weeks, while premium plans with added protections cost more.
Price Table by Duration (All Schengen Countries)
Plan | 15 Days | 1 Month | 3 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
Impatriés Schengen (Mutuaide) | €26–€30 (₹2,340–₹2,700) | €45–€51 (₹4,050–₹4,590) | €74–€83 (₹6,660–₹7,470) |
Europax (MGEN) | €30.20 (₹2,718) | €55.10 (₹4,959) | €84.20 (₹7,578) |
Cap Schengen (Vyv) | €46 (₹4,140) | €58 (₹5,220) | €96 (₹8,640) |
Cap Academy (AIG) | — | €122 (₹10,980) | €173 (₹15,570) |
Incoming Classic (AIG) | €55 (₹4,950) | €80 (₹7,200) | €240 (₹21,600) |
Short trips: Europax & Impatriés offer strong compliance at low cost.
1-month stays: Cap Schengen is excellent value with visa-refusal refund.
3-month/study trips: Cap Academy offers €150,000 cover for longer stays.
Pro tip: Ensure your plan clearly states at least €30,000 medical coverage — the minimum for Schengen approval.
Get Schengen visa insurance from €1/dayWho Needs a Schengen Visa from India and in Which Situations?
Every Indian passport holder travelling to Europe for up to 90 days must apply for a Schengen Type C visa. Applications generally fall into four groups:
👨👩👧 1. Tourism & Family Visits
Indian travellers frequently apply for a Schengen visa for:
- Holidays in France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain.
- Family reunions.
- Multi-country Europe trips.
This accounts for over 65% of Indian Schengen applications.
💼 2. Business Trips & Conferences
Professionals travelling to Europe for:
- Meetings.
- Trade fairs.
- Events and conventions.
- Short-term training.
Business visas tend to be processed faster, but insurance compliance remains mandatory, even for sponsored trips.
🎓 3. Short-Term Study, Internships & Summer Schools
Any stay below 90 days for:
- Academic short programs.
- Exchange modules.
- Professional training.
🏥 4. Medical Treatment & Accompanying Relatives
Some Indian travellers request a Schengen visa for:
- Consultations.
- Surgery.
- Scheduled medical treatment.
These files are highly scrutinized, and consulates require strong proof of insurance and clear coverage dates.
Where to find travel insurance for Schengen Visa?
The fastest way to get your Schengen visa insurance is through HelloSafe, a platform specialised in embassy-approved Schengen insurance.
- Compare top European insurers side by side.
- Get personalised quotes.
- Choose 100% Schengen-compliant insurance.
All plans are accepted by European consulates and VFS India, include at least €30,000 cover, and deliver an instant PDF certificate.
All our plans are:
✅ Fully accepted by European consulates and VFS India
🧾 Schengen-compliant (€30,000 minimum coverage)
📩 Certificate needed for visa application delivered instantly by email
💳 Payable in INR or EUR 💰 Refund available if the visa is denied (upon refusal letter)
How it works:
- 🖱️ Click on the HelloSafe link.
- 🌍 Enter your destination, travel dates, and age of the travellers.
- 🧾 Get a list of pre-approved Schengen plans.
- 🛡️ Choose your preferred coverage
- ✅ Receive your insurance certificate in just 2 minutes — ready to attach to your visa file.
Get your Working Holiday insurance certificate in 2 minutes
Typical Insurance Mistakes That Lead to Schengen Visa Refusals (India)
❌ Common Mistake | 📌 Why It Causes a Problem |
|---|---|
Coverage below €30,000 | EU minimum not met → rejection |
Not valid in all Schengen states | Single-country cover not accepted |
No repatriation | Mandatory element missing |
Dates not matching trip | Even 1 day missing invalidates the file |
Incorrect personal details | Must match passport exactly |
Certificate unclear or not in English | Must be internationally readable |
Deductibles applied | Schengen requires zero deductible |
No visa-refusal refund | Not a cause of refusal, but leads to unnecessary loss |
Policies purchased via HelloSafe automatically avoid these pitfalls — all certificates include €30,000 medical cover, repatriation, all Schengen countries, correct dates, and a clear English PDF accepted by consulates and VFS India.
Timing Tips for Indian Travellers: When to Buy Your Insurance
Timing your visa application can make a big difference. In India, these factors matter:
- 🪔 Festivals (Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas): Indians often travel during these periods, so VFS India appointments can take 4–6 weeks to secure.
- 🌸 Summer vacations: Peak Schengen travel from India happens between April and June.
- 🏛️ Bank holidays in India can affect payment timelines and appointment availability.
✅ Best practice: Buy your insurance at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Attach it directly to your visa application. This increases your chances of approval — consulates like complete files.
Schengen Visa & Indian Travellers — 2025 Snapshot
🇮🇳 1.1 million Schengen visa applications were submitted from India in 2024 — 9.5% of global applications.
✅ 84.5% approval rate (936,748 visas issued) but ❌ 15% rejected, costing travellers over ₹1.36 billion in lost visa fees.
🇨🇭 Top destinations: Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy.
📈 Demand expected to grow +29% in 2025.
🕒 Peak periods: April–June (summer), Sept–Oct (Diwali), December (winter holidays).
⚠️ VFS India appointment slots (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru) fill up fast during these months — early prep is key.
Get your instant, compliant Schengen visa certificateFAQ
Yes. All Indian citizens applying for a Schengen visa must show proof of at least €30,000 medical coverage valid in all Schengen states.
Plans start around €55 (₹4,950) and increase depending on benefits like baggage or teleconsultation.
Yes. Payment is available in INR via card or UPI, or in euros.
You can request an insurance refund by sending your official refusal letter to hellotravel@hellosafe.fr or via the HelloSafe chat. Refunds are processed through Stripe within 2–3 days.
Yes. VFS India accepts emailed PDF certificates.
Yes. All 27 countries are included.
Yes. Stays over 90 days or academic programs require higher medical limits and specialised plans.
Ideally 4–6 weeks before travel to align with VFS appointment timelines.
Some local insurers offer travel plans, but they are not always accepted by all consulates. European insurers via HelloSafe guarantee compliance.
A valid certificate includes full name, trip dates, €30,000 coverage, Schengen-wide validity, insurer details and emergency contacts.
