Schengen Visa Insurance from the DRC: Compare Offers & Get an Instant Compliant Certificate
Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for any short-stay visa application (type C) submitted from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Consular authorities will check that your insurance certificate meets the main requirements set for the Schengen area: medical coverage of at least €30,000, medical repatriation, validity across all Schengen countries, and dates that match your planned trip . If the certificate is considered unclear or incomplete, it may lead to processing delays, a request for corrections, or, in some cases, a refusal .
To avoid avoidable issues, you can compare Schengen visa insurance plans and get an instant compliant certificate here: https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/schengen-visa
- Travel insurance is mandatory to obtain a Schengen visa.
- Refusals are frequent: in 2024, the rejection rate is estimated at ~29.9%. (source: DG HOME – Schengen Visa Statistics 2024, “by nationality”).
- The most common reasons for refusal include: insufficient financial means, non-compliant travel insurance, and doubts about the applicant’s intention to return.
- A refusal can be costly (visa fee + application center + transport + insurance), totaling around €185. For reference, €185 ≈ 483,000 CDF (approx. conversion 1 € ≈ 2,613 CDF).
- Your insurance certificate must clearly show: minimum €30,000 coverage (≈ 78,390,000 CDF), emergency and hospitalization cover, medical repatriation, validity across the entire Schengen area, exact travel dates, and personal details that match your passport exactly.
- In practice, insurance is one of the easiest elements to reject if the certificate is not perfectly clear and compliant (coverage amount / Schengen area / dates), even when the rest of the application is strong.
Is Schengen insurance certificate mandatory when applying from the DRC?
Yes. For a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) application filed from the DRC, travel insurance is required . At the visa center and at the embassy/consulate, insurance is often among the first documents checked . If anything is unclear, you risk a correction request (lost time, new appointment stress) or a rejection .
What visa centers/consulates most often check on your certificate (DRC)
- Medical coverage ≥ €30,000 (amount clearly shown in euros)
- Medical repatriation (explicitly mentioned)
- Valid for the entire Schengen Area (not “France only”)
- Dates exactly matching your declared trip (flights + accommodation)
- Official PDF , readable and verifiable (insurer identified, policy/reference number, assistance contact)
- Full name identical to the passport (spelling, order, double names)
HelloSafe helps DRC applicants (or relatives abroad who pay for them) generate a Schengen-compliant PDF certificate quickly, with the ability to adjust dates if your appointment or flight changes . Depending on the policy terms , a refund may apply if the visa is refused upon submission of the official refusal notice. If you want the full refund procedure and what proof is needed, see: https://hellosafe.com/fr/travel-insurance/schengen-visa/rejection
Best Schengen visa insurance from the DRC (a “zero-argument” certificate)
In the DRC, many applicants search for a “cheap” policy or a “fast certificate”. The real risk is not only the price: it’s whether the certificate is Schengen-compliant and easy to verify . Delay and refusals often happen when the certificate is incomplete , ambiguous (e.g. “Europe” without “Schengen”), or difficult for the visa officer to validate quickly.
The plans offered via HelloSafe are built to match Schengen requirements and provide an instant certificate with the expected wording and structure. Depending on policy terms , your insurance may be refundable if your visa is refused (official proof required). Compare offers here: https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/schengen-visa
| Coverage | Impatriés Schengen (Mutuaide) | Europax (MGEN) | Impatriés Plus (Mutuaide) | Cap Schengen (Vyv) | Incoming Classic (AIG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🩺 Medical expenses | €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) | €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) | €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) | €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) | €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) |
| 🚑 Medical repatriation | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs | Actual costs |
| 🧾 Clear Schengen certificate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ⚡ Certificate delivery | Instant (PDF) | Instant (PDF) | Instant (PDF) | Instant (PDF) | Instant (PDF) |
| 💳 Refund if visa refused | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 🎒 Baggage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 🔄 Early return | Actual costs | Yes | Actual costs | Yes | Yes |
| 📝 Trip cancellation | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Consular reality in the DRC: higher refusal pressure → you need a flawless certificate
In the DRC, refusal rates vary a lot by Schengen country/consulate. This matters because, in a “high-refusal” environment, any quick-to-reject document (especially an unclear insurance certificate) becomes a real risk. The safest approach is to submit an insurance certificate that is immediately readable and strictly compliant (amount in euros, “Schengen”, exact dates, repatriation).
- Belgium – Kinshasa: 42,458 applications, ~23.6% not issued
- Belgium – Lubumbashi: 5,001 applications, ~11.8% not issued
- Greece – Kinshasa: 6,428 applications, ~59.9% not issued
- Spain – Kinshasa: 4,317 applications, ~56.8% not issued
- Switzerland – Kinshasa: 2,341 applications, ~63.0% not issued
These are indicators from DG HOME (2024). Rates can vary depending on profiles, seasonality, and the Schengen country you apply for. The “insurance certificate” remains a part of the file you can secure 100% before submission.
If your visa is refused, check refund steps and required proof below.
What must a Schengen visa insurance policy cover?
Schengen insurance is not only a visa formality: once in Europe, emergency care and hospitalization can quickly represent tens of millions of CDF . The legal minimum is €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF ), but the key for your visa is that the certificate is clear, complete, and verifiable .
A Schengen insurance policy generally includes:
- Mandatory protections required by the Schengen Visa Code (without them, your application can be rejected)
- Useful add-ons for peace of mind (baggage, early return, cancellation)
| Coverage | Required for visa? | Limit / coverage | 💡 Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🩺 Emergency medical expenses | ✅ Yes | ≥ €30,000 (≈ 78,390,000 CDF) | The minimum must be visible in euros on the PDF. |
| 🚑 Medical repatriation | ✅ Yes | Actual costs | Important if medical return to the DRC becomes necessary. |
| ⚰️ Repatriation of remains | ❌ (but appreciated) | Depends on plan | Helps strengthen credibility for sensitive files. |
| 🎒 Baggage | ❌ | €500–€1,500 | Useful on connecting flights. |
| 🔄 Early return | ❌ | Actual costs or capped | Relevant for family emergencies in the DRC. |
| 📝 Trip cancellation | ❌ | Depends on trip costs | Helpful if flights/hotels are non-refundable. |
| 🤝 Personal liability | ❌ | Varies | Recommended for stays with relatives, rentals. |
| 💬 24/7 assistance | ❌ | Included | Helps navigate emergencies and paperwork remotely. |
Before your appointment, open the PDF and confirm: “Schengen” written clearly, €30,000 shown in euros, exact dates, repatriation, and name identical to the passport. These simple issues cause many avoidable delays/refusals.
What Schengen visa insurance usually does NOT cover
Even if your insurance is Schengen-compliant, it does not cover everything. Most claim disputes come from exclusions: non-urgent care, pre-existing conditions, alcohol-related incidents, expenses outside insured dates, and stays longer than 90 days.
| ❌ Common exclusion | 🔍 Simple explanation | 🎯 Example |
|---|---|---|
| Undeclared pre-existing conditions | A condition known before departure is often excluded. | Chronic condition with complication in Europe: risk of non-coverage. |
| Planned / non-urgent care | Schengen policies focus on emergencies, not convenience care. | Planned dental check-up: not covered. |
| Alcohol/drug-related incidents | Claims under influence are frequently denied. | Accident after a night out: likely refusal. |
| Outside the insured dates | Coverage starts/ends on the certificate dates. | Insurance 10–20, arrival on 9: day not covered. |
| Stay > 90 days | Type C visa is short stay only. | Studies/family reunification: you need a different plan. |
How much does Schengen visa insurance cost from the DRC?
Pricing depends on age, travel dates, and options. For a local currency benchmark: €20 ≈ 52,000 CDF and €40 ≈ 105,000 CDF (indicative conversion €1 ≈ 2,613 CDF ). The examples below are reference prices in euros with an indicative CDF equivalent.
| Offer | Insurer | 25 years — 1 week | 30 years — 2 weeks | 50 years — 1 week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impatriés Schengen | Mutuaide | €17 (≈ 44,000 CDF) | €26 (≈ 68,000 CDF) | €17 (≈ 44,000 CDF) |
| Europax | MGEN | €17.70 (≈ 46,000 CDF) | €23.90 (≈ 62,000 CDF) | €17.70 (≈ 46,000 CDF) |
| Impatriés Schengen Plus | Mutuaide | €20 (≈ 52,000 CDF) | €30 (≈ 78,000 CDF) | €20 (≈ 52,000 CDF) |
| Cap Schengen | Vyv | €30 (≈ 78,000 CDF) | €40 (≈ 105,000 CDF) | €30 (≈ 78,000 CDF) |
| Incoming Classic | AIG | €55 (≈ 144,000 CDF) | €80 (≈ 209,000 CDF) | €120 (≈ 314,000 CDF) |
Who applies the most from the DRC? Practical guidance by profile
On DRC-related discussions, two themes come back constantly: a strong desire to “do it legally”, and fear of a system perceived as tougher on African applicants. Below are the most common profiles and the insurance choices that reduce avoidable friction.
👨🎓 If you are a student or young professional (20–40) going to Belgium/France for a short program , you need a certificate that is perfectly aligned with your documents : Schengen wording, €30,000 in euros, exact dates, and a PDF that is easy to verify. Many applicants ask whether funds must be shown in CDF or euros : insurance is one of the few parts you can make clean and unquestionable .
🧑🧑🧒🧒 If you are visiting family (invitation by a relative in Belgium/France) , you often worry about “who must show the money” and how to reduce refusal risk. In this situation, use an insurance certificate that is immediately readable and avoid any ambiguity like “Europe” without “Schengen”. If your relative pays from abroad, you still need the insured person’s identity to match the passport exactly.
🤝 If you are part of the Congolese diaspora in Europe helping someone in Kinshasa/Lubumbashi , you typically ask: “Can I buy insurance from Europe and send it to my family in the DRC?” Yes, the key is that the certificate includes the required Schengen mentions and the insured traveler’s passport identity. Choose a process that sends the PDF instantly by email so your relative can print it for the appointment.
✈️ If you are transiting via Brussels, Paris, or Amsterdam , you often ask whether the “entry country” matters. For the visa file, what matters most is that your insurance is valid for the entire Schengen Area and covers the exact dates you declare (including any transit day if it falls within your trip).
🤨 If you hesitate between Schengen countries (“which one is easiest?”) , discussions show Belgium is seen as the “natural” route because of the diaspora, but still perceived as strict. Some applicants mention very high non-issuance rates for certain consulates. Whatever the country, the safest move is a certificate valid for all Schengen countries , not just one. For another example of a country-specific guide, see: https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/schengen-visa/from-morocco-to-schengen
How to get a Schengen-compliant certificate from the DRC with HelloSafe
Goal: generate a Schengen certificate ready to submit in minutes, with the exact wording and structure visa centers and consulates expect. Start here to compare plans and generate your PDF: https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/schengen-visa
1️⃣ Enter the DRC as your country of residence
Select DRC as your residence country so you see policies that can produce a usable Schengen certificate , not a generic “travel insurance” PDF that fails on wording or format.
2️⃣ Choose the Schengen country you apply for (or where you stay the longest)
Enter the Schengen country you are applying to, or if you visit multiple countries, the one where you spend the most days (it should match your visa application logic).
3️⃣ Fill in the exact travel dates (must match your visa file)
Enter your exact dates. Important: these dates must match your visa form, flights, and accommodation. One missing day on the certificate can block your submission.
4️⃣ Select your option and subscribe online
Pick the plan that generates a clear Schengen certificate with: €30,000 minimum , repatriation , Schengen wording , and passport-identical identity . Then subscribe online (multiple secure payment methods are accepted).
5️⃣ Receive your PDF certificate instantly by email
You receive your official PDF certificate immediately: readable, printable, and verifiable for your visa appointment.
6️⃣ If your visa is refused: request a refund (depending on policy terms)
If your Schengen visa is refused, you can request a refund by sending the official refusal notice. This proof is required to prevent abuse. Full refund steps are available here: https://hellosafe.com/fr/travel-insurance/schengen-visa/rejection
- Send the refusal document to hellotravel@hellosafe.fr or via HelloSafe chat (WhatsApp: coming soon).
- The team checks the validity of the proof.
- Once validated, the refund is triggered via Stripe .
- The amount is usually credited within 2–3 days .
Common mistakes (DRC) that waste time — or trigger a quick rejection
| ⚠️ Frequent mistake | 🔍 Why it blocks |
|---|---|
| Dates don’t match => Flight on the 09 / insurance starts on the 10 | File inconsistency |
| “Europe” without “Schengen” => “Europe” certificate rejected as unclear | Zone not explicit enough |
| Coverage amount not clear in euros => Local currency shown but € amount not visible | Non-compliance risk |
| Repatriation missing => Certificate without repatriation wording | Key requirement |
| Blurry document / screenshot => Phone photo instead of official PDF | Not acceptable |
| Name differs from passport => Spelling or order of names differs | Fraud/error suspicion |
FAQ
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