Schengen visa insurance from Thailand (2025 Guide & Requirements)
For Thai residents applying for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C), travel medical insurance is a mandatory document. It is one of the very first elements checked at VFS Bangkok and VFS Chiang Mai before your file is forwarded to the embassy. Fortunately, it is also the easiest part of the application to get right: a clear certificate in English showing at least €30,000 emergency medical cover, repatriation, and validity across the entire Schengen area.
Thai applicants come from very diverse backgrounds — young travellers, Thai–EU couples, parents visiting family members in Europe, professionals attending conferences. What all these profiles have in common is the need for an insurance certificate that leaves no room for interpretation. A mismatch in dates, an unclear geographical zone, or medical limits not shown in euros can slow down or weaken an otherwise strong visa application. The good news: a fully compliant certificate can now be generated online in just a few minutes, ready to print for VFS.
- Mandatory: Schengen travel insurance is required for every Thai applicant submitting a type C visa at VFS.
- €30,000 medical + repatriation: must appear clearly on the certificate and cover all Schengen countries.
- Exact date matching: insurance dates must match your itinerary — even one missing day can cause issues.
- Instant Schengen-ready PDF available online, ready to print for VFS Bangkok or Chiang Mai.
- Visa refusal refund available on selected plans when the official refusal letter is provided.
Many Thai applicants — and also European sponsors paying for a Thai relative or partner — now use HelloSafe to compare Schengen-compliant plans side by side. All offers generate an instant PDF certificate with the exact wording consulates expect, helping avoid technical refusals linked to non-compliant insurance documents.
Why Schengen insurance is mandatory for Thai applicants
Every Thai applicant submitting a short-stay Schengen visa (type C) must include a fully compliant travel medical insurance certificate. This is not optional: VFS Bangkok and VFS Chiang Mai will not forward your application to the embassy without it. Consulates verify the certificate line by line, and the assessment is very strict:
- the €30,000 minimum medical coverage must be written clearly *in euros*,
- repatriation must appear explicitly,
- the policy must be valid in all Schengen countries,
- and the dates must match your itinerary exactly.
A missing day, an unclear limit, or a vague geographical zone is enough to trigger a correction request — which delays your file and increases stress right before your appointment. The advantage: unlike financial proof or travel purpose, insurance is a purely technical requirement that can be secured perfectly in minutes.
Get your instant, compliant Schengen visa certificateWhat Schengen travel insurance covers for Thai applicants
A Schengen policy is designed to protect travellers during short stays in Europe by covering unexpected medical expenses and emergencies. While only part of the coverage is *legally required* for a visa, most insurers include additional protections that make travel safer and more comfortable. The table below shows the main benefits included in Schengen-compliant plans and whether each one is mandatory for VFS and embassy checks.
🩺 Coverage & Benefits | ✔️ Mandatory for visa? | 🔍 What it means for Thai travellers |
|---|---|---|
Emergency medical expenses (minimum €30,000) | Yes | Covers hospitalisation, urgent treatments, ambulance fees and emergency care anywhere in the Schengen area. Must be shown in euros on the certificate. |
Medical repatriation to Thailand | Yes | Pays for medical evacuation or return to Thailand if you cannot continue your trip. Consulates require this to be mentioned explicitly. |
Validity across all Schengen countries | Yes | One policy must cover the entire Schengen Area — single-country insurance is not accepted. |
Coverage for the entire stay | Yes | Insurance must match the exact travel dates declared in your VFS application, flights and accommodation. |
Zero deductible (no excess) | Yes | Schengen law requires that travellers are fully covered without paying out-of-pocket for emergencies. |
Repatriation of mortal remains | No (but recommended) | Covers transportation back to Thailand in case of death. Often appreciated for family-visit visas. |
Baggage insurance | No | Compensation for loss, theft or damage to luggage — useful on connecting flights through Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam. |
Travel delay / missed connection | No | Provides reimbursement when delays cause extra costs. |
Return home due to family emergency | No | Covers early return to Thailand if a close relative becomes seriously ill or dies. |
Personal liability | No | Covers accidental damage caused to others during your stay in Europe. |
Most consulates focus strictly on the mandatory elements, but the optional protections can make a real difference once in Europe — especially for first-time travellers or those visiting multiple countries.
Best Schengen Visa Insurance for Thai applicants
Before comparing available plans, a quick note:
While some Thai banks and local insurers offer “Europe travel insurance”, their certificates are often not standardised for Schengen visas. Wording may be unclear, amounts may not appear in euros, or the policy may mention “Europe” rather than “Schengen area” — a common reason for technical rejections.
For this reason, many Thai travellers — and European sponsors paying on their behalf — prefer internationally recognised Schengen-focused insurers whose certificates follow the exact format expected by consulates.
Below is the comparison of the most reliable Schengen-compliant insurers available through HelloSafe.
⚖️ Guarantee | Mutuaide – Impatriés Schengen | ACS/MGEN – Europax | VYV – Cap Schengen | AIG – Incoming Classic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical coverage | €30,000 | €30,000 | €30,000 | €30,000 |
Repatriation | Included | Included | Included | Included |
Schengen validity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Certificate format | Clear PDF, embassy-ready | Clear PDF | Clear PDF | Clear PDF |
Issue time | Instant email | Instant email | Instant email | Instant email |
Visa refusal refund | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* | Yes* |
Upon presentation of the official visa refusal letter, according to each insurer’s conditions.
All insurers compared through HelloSafe automatically include every mandatory Schengen requirement, ensuring your certificate is accepted by VFS Bangkok and Chiang Mai. You can get an instant PDF certificate, ready to print for your appointment — and some plans even include a visa refusal refund if your application is rejected.
Get your Schengen travel insurance certificate in 2 minutes
How much does Schengen visa insurance cost from Thailand? (THB & EUR)
For most Thai travellers, Schengen travel insurance is far more affordable than expected. Prices vary according to age, length of stay and the level of protection selected, but even fully compliant plans remain inexpensive compared with the overall cost of a Europe trip (visa fees, VFS service fees, flights, accommodation).
Below are realistic price ranges commonly seen for Thai applicants purchasing Schengen-approved policies.
Typical insurance prices based on trip length
🗓️ Trip length | 💶 Approx. price (EUR) | 🇹🇭 Equivalent in THB* | 📄 What this usually includes |
|---|---|---|---|
7 days | €15 – €25 | ~600 – 1,000 THB | €30,000 medical cover + repatriation + Schengen-wide validity |
15 days | €20 – €40 | ~800 – 1,600 THB | Full compliance across all Schengen states, zero deductible |
30 days | €35 – €70 | ~1,400 – 2,800 THB | Higher ceilings available + optional extras like baggage |
- Indicative conversion; exact THB value varies with exchange rate.
These figures come from the most commonly chosen plans among Thai applicants, including Mutuaide, ACS/MGEN, VYV and AIG — all of which deliver Schengen-ready certificates instantly.
How age affects Schengen insurance prices
Age is one of the strongest pricing factors because medical risk increases over time. Below are typical price brackets for Thai travellers.
👤 Age group | 💵 Typical price range (THB) | 🔍 What to expect |
|---|---|---|
18–40 years | 600 – 1,800 THB | Cheapest range; ideal for young tourists and Thai–EU couples |
41–59 years | 900 – 2,500 THB | Slight increase due to higher medical risk |
60–69 years | 1,800 – 4,000 THB | Fewer insurers available; enhanced medical limits recommended |
70+ years | 3,500 – 7,000 THB | Limited plans; prices rise due to significantly higher risk |
Even at higher ages, the cost of insurance remains modest compared with potential European hospital bills — which can reach €400–€900 for an ER visit and several thousand euros for a short hospital stay.
When you compare plans on HelloSafe, the tool automatically displays prices in both EUR and THB and filters out any policy that does not meet Schengen requirements. This means you only see options that VFS and Schengen consulates will accept, making it easier to choose a plan that fits your trip — and your budget.
Get Schengen visa insurance from €1/dayUnderstanding Schengen visas for Thai applicants: approvals, mistakes & perceived “easy” countries
Schengen visa trends for Thai travellers (2024 data) 📊
Thai applicants generally enjoy higher approval rates than many other nationalities, especially for short tourist or family-visit stays. Most applications are submitted through VFS Bangkok and VFS Chiang Mai, with France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries among the most frequent destinations.
Several consulates — including those of Northern Europe — show very high acceptance levels, often above 90%, especially for well-documented tourism or family-visit cases. Couples where a Thai partner regularly travels to Europe also tend to receive favourable outcomes when their files are consistent and complete.
Even with good global approval trends, consulates continue to examine every document closely. This is why insurance certificates that lack clarity on dates, coverage amounts or geographical scope remain a recurring cause of technical delays.
Common mistakes Thai applicants make with Schengen insurance ⚠️
Despite being the simplest document to secure, insurance is one of the elements most frequently flagged by VFS and consulates. Below are the errors that appear repeatedly in rejected or delayed files.
⚠️ Frequent error | 🔍 Why it causes problems at VFS/embassy |
|---|---|
Insurance dates do not match flights | Even one missing day means part of your stay is uninsured. Consulates may request correction or place the file on hold. |
Certificate mentions “Europe” but not “Schengen” | Too vague. Consulates require explicit reference to the Schengen Area. |
Coverage not shown in euros | The €30,000 limit must be visible and readable; THB-only certificates may be rejected. |
No explicit mention of repatriation | Repatriation is a mandatory element under the Visa Code. If missing, the certificate is considered non-compliant. |
Name does not match Thai passport | Differences in order, middle names or spelling can raise suspicion of error or fraud. |
Screenshot instead of PDF | VFS requires a clean, printable PDF with policy number, insurer details and assistance contact. |
These mistakes are easy to avoid with a properly formatted policy, but they remain among the top reasons for VFS correction requests, especially during peak travel seasons.
Which Schengen country is considered “easiest” for Thai citizens? 🇳🇴🇳🇱🇩🇪
Many Thai applicants wonder whether applying through certain Schengen countries increases their chances of approval. In practice:
- There is no officially “easiest” country, and consulates process applications according to identical EU regulations.
- That said, Nordic countries (Norway, Finland, Sweden) and some Western European states often display very high approval rates, especially for Thai tourists and Thai–EU couples with well-structured itineraries.
- France, Germany and Italy receive the largest number of applications from Thailand, and although approval rates remain solid, the review process may be more detailed due to higher volumes.
Regardless of destination, the quality and consistency of your application — purpose of stay, financial proof, ties to Thailand, correct insurance certificate — matter far more than the country you choose.
How to buy Schengen visa insurance from Thailand with HelloSafe
Getting the right Schengen travel insurance is not only about price — it’s about receiving a certificate that VFS, TLScontact and consulates will accept instantly.
HelloSafe does the filtering for you and delivers a visa-ready PDF in minutes, no matter where you apply from.
🧭 Step 1: enter your details and see only Schengen-compliant options
You start by entering your 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.
📄 Step 2: compare guarantees that consulates check line by line
HelloSafe only displays insurance plans that meet all Schengen consular requirements: you can compare them side by side and subscribe online in just a few clicks. Every option shown is fully compatible with visa rules:
- €30,000 medical coverage in euros
- repatriation included
- valid in all Schengen countries
- dates matching your itinerary
- your identity exactly as on your passport
You can then choose the plan that fits your budget, with optional add-ons if you want extra protection (higher medical limits, baggage, cancellation). All payments are made through a secure checkout, available in your local currency (PKR, INR, AED, etc.).
⚡ 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 to the card used for the original payment.
- The amount is usually credited within 2 to 3 days.
Using HelloSafe ensures that every policy you compare is already approved for Schengen visas, removing the guesswork that often leads to VFS delays. The instant PDF delivery also helps applicants who receive a last-minute VFS appointment or need to correct their certificate quickly.
Choose insurance with a refund if your visa is refusedFAQ
Yes. Every Thai citizen applying for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C) must present a Schengen-compliant travel insurance certificate. VFS Bangkok and Chiang Mai check it before forwarding your file to the embassy. The policy must include at least €30,000 emergency medical coverage, repatriation, and validity across all Schengen countries. If the certificate is unclear, incomplete or missing key wording, VFS may request a correction, which can delay the entire application process.
No — credit card insurance is not accepted for Schengen visa applications. Thai bank cards may include basic travel protection, but these policies do not meet EU visa requirements: they cannot issue a personalised certificate with your full name, exact travel dates, €30,000 medical coverage, repatriation wording, and Schengen-wide validity. Because of these missing elements, VFS and embassies systematically reject credit card insurance. For a visa application, you must provide a dedicated Schengen-compliant policy.
Yes. Many Thai applicants have a partner or relative living in Europe who pays for the policy. The payment location does not matter: what is important is that the insured person’s name matches the Thai passport exactly. HelloSafe is commonly used in these situations, because the payer can purchase online from Europe while the Thai applicant receives the instant Schengen-ready PDF by email.
Yes. All Schengen-compliant policies must cover the entire Schengen Area, regardless of where you apply or which country you visit first. This means a single policy is valid for itineraries such as Thailand → Germany → France → Italy → Spain. Even if you list one country as your main destination in your visa form, the insurance automatically applies to all 29 Schengen states.
If you purchased a plan that includes a visa refusal refund, you can request reimbursement by sending the official refusal letter to the insurer (via HelloSafe customer support). After verification, the premium is refunded — usually within 2–3 business days. This protects Thai applicants from losing both the visa fee and the insurance cost. Note that only some insurers offer this feature; always check the conditions before purchasing.
Yes. VFS centres accept digital Schengen insurance certificates in PDF format, as long as the document is clear, printable and includes all mandatory mentions: €30,000 minimum medical cover, repatriation, Schengen-wide validity, correct dates and full insured name. Screenshots or low-resolution images may be rejected. HelloSafe policies come with an instant clean PDF designed for embassy submission.
No. Your insurance certificate must be included in the application you hand in at VFS. Submitting your file without it results in an incomplete application, which VFS will not forward to the embassy. If your appointment is approaching and you still do not have insurance, purchasing a plan with instant certificate delivery is essential to avoid rescheduling your submission.
Generally no. Schengen policies are designed to cover unforeseen medical emergencies, not chronic conditions or treatments planned before departure. If you have a known medical condition (e.g., heart issues, diabetes complications), you may face limitations or exclusions. However, sudden and unexpected deterioration of a stable condition may still be covered depending on the insurer. Always check the wording before purchasing.
Most basic Schengen policies exclude high-risk activities such as skiing, scuba diving, motorbike accidents, trekking at altitude, and similar sports. If your trip involves winter sports or outdoor adventures in Europe, check whether the insurer offers an optional “sports add-on” or a dedicated plan. For standard tourism — city trips, road travel, family visits — the regular Schengen policy is more than sufficient.
€30,000 is the legal minimum required for Schengen visas and is accepted by all consulates. While European healthcare can be expensive (ER visits can range from €400 to over €900), the minimum threshold usually provides sufficient emergency protection for short stays. Travellers seeking extra peace of mind can choose higher limits (e.g., €50,000 or €100,000), which are available from insurers like Mutuaide, VYV, ACS/MGEN and AIG.
In most cases, yes. Several insurers available through HelloSafe allow free date adjustments as long as the policy has not started yet. This is very useful for Thai applicants whose VFS appointment is rescheduled or whose flight dates change. Updating the certificate ensures that your insurance still matches your documented itinerary — a requirement consulates take very seriously.
If you remain airside and do not exit the international transit zone, you may not need a Schengen visa — and therefore not need Schengen insurance. However, Thai travellers often require a Transit Schengen Visa (Type A) depending on the country and connection. When a transit visa is required, insurance is usually requested as part of the file. Always verify the rules for the specific Schengen airport you will transit through.
