Travel insurance decisions
Schengen Travel Insurance Requirements: €30,000 Rule
For a short-stay Schengen visa, Article 15 of the Visa Code requires travel medical insurance of at least €30,000 that covers medical repatriation, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, is valid throughout the Schengen states and covers the entire intended stay or transit. For a multiple-entry visa you show cover for the first trip and sign a statement that you know you need insurance for later trips. A certificate that meets these terms supports the application; the consulate decides the visa.
By DmytroUpdated 7 min read
Short answer
- Minimum cover: €30,000 of travel medical insurance, including medical repatriation, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
- Territory and dates: valid in all Schengen states for the entire intended stay or transit. A visa with limited territorial validity needs cover for the states it covers.
- Multiple-entry visa: cover for the first intended visit, plus a signed declaration that you know you need insurance for later stays.
- Before you submit, compare the certificate with the consulate’s current checklist and have the insurer correct any wrong date or name.
What Schengen travel insurance must cover
The points every certificate has to show.
Article 15 of the Visa Code sets the medical insurance rule for uniform short-stay visa applicants. The policy must cover at least €30,000, include the medical and repatriation or death-related expenses listed in the article, be valid throughout the Schengen states and run for the entire intended stay or transit. Consulates also assess whether claims against the insurer can be recovered in a Member State.
A baggage or cancellation limit does not count toward the medical minimum. Look for the medical amount and the covered risks on the certificate itself.
| Requirement | What the certificate must show |
|---|---|
| Amount | At least €30,000 of medical cover, separate from any baggage or cancellation limit |
| Risks | Medical repatriation, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death |
| Territory | All Schengen states, or the states covered by a visa with limited territorial validity |
| Period | The entire intended stay or transit, including the first and last day |
| Insured person | Your name as in your passport, and each traveler who needs cover |
| Format | The certificate format, language and submission route the consulate asks for |
Who the rule applies to
Short-stay visa applicants; other routes into Europe have their own rules.
The Article 15 rule is for short-stay visa applications. National long-stay visas, residence permits and visa-free travel have their own requirements, and specific exemptions exist. Work from your citizenship, residence, type of trip and the authority that handles your application, not from someone else’s experience.
Insurance dates and multiple-entry visas
The visa’s validity is not the policy’s period.
For a multiple-entry visa, Article 15 asks for proof of cover for the first intended visit and a signed declaration that you are aware you need insurance for later stays. Arrange cover before each later trip; an annual policy can still limit how long each trip lasts.
Example: your first stay is 10–20 October, but the policy starts on 11 October. The first day is not covered. Ask the insurer to correct the period and issue a new certificate; never change the PDF yourself. If your dates change after you apply, follow the consulate’s update instructions and keep both certificates.
How to check a certificate before you submit it
Reject a certificate with a gap before comparing prices.
Stop at the first missing point and ask the insurer to correct the actual cover. A cheaper certificate that starts a day late is not an alternative. Once two policies meet the requirements, compare exclusions, excess, the assistance service and the cost of changing dates.
If you already have cover through a card, an employer or a family policy, ask for its issued certificate and terms before buying another. Check who is insured, any activation condition such as paying for the trip with the card, and the maximum trip length.
| Certificate | Problem | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A: €30,000 of medical cover from 11 October | 10 October is not covered | Ask the insurer to correct the start date |
| B: correct dates, baggage amount only | The medical minimum and risks are missing | Ask for proper medical cover or choose another policy |
| C: medical cover, risks, territory, dates and name all shown | Full terms and the consulate’s format still to check | Read the wording and the consulate checklist, then submit |
Checklist
- The traveler’s name matches the passport.
- Medical amount, risks, territory and dates appear on the certificate.
- The certificate is in the format the consulate asks for.
- Full policy terms and the change or refund rules are saved.
- The assistance contact and a card that can pay medical costs are ready.
Submit it and travel with it
Send the unaltered document and keep a copy you can reach offline.
Upload or print the certificate exactly as the insurer issued it. If the insurer corrects a name or a date, note which version you submitted. The consulate decides the visa; the insurance is one document in the file.
During the trip, keep the policy number, the assistance contact and a copy of the certificate where you can reach them without your phone. In an emergency, get local medical help first and then contact the assistance service. Direct billing or reimbursement depends on the policy, so carry a card that can pay medical costs.
FAQ
What is the minimum travel insurance for a Schengen visa?
€30,000 of travel medical cover under Article 15 of the Visa Code, covering medical repatriation, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, valid in all Schengen states for the whole intended stay.
How do I get travel insurance for a Schengen visa?
Buy a travel medical policy whose certificate shows at least €30,000 of medical cover, the required risks, the Schengen territory, your exact dates and your name as in the passport. Check the consulate’s current checklist for the certificate format, then submit the document as issued.
Must insurance cover the whole validity of a multiple-entry visa?
No. The application needs cover for the first intended visit and a signed declaration that you know you need insurance for later stays. Arrange cover before each later trip.
Does credit card travel insurance count for a Schengen visa?
Only if it meets the same requirements and the provider issues a certificate. Check who is insured, any activation condition and the maximum trip length, and compare them with the consulate’s checklist.
Can I use a long-trip policy such as SafetyWing?
Yes, if its certificate shows the required medical cover, risks, Schengen territory and your dates in the format the consulate asks for. SafetyWing Essential lists a USD 250,000 overall limit with benefit sublimits (as of 7 Sep 2026); for the visa, what counts is what the issued certificate states.
Can I fix a wrong date on the certificate myself?
No. Ask the insurer to correct it and issue a new certificate. If you have already applied, follow the consulate’s update process.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), Article 15 — EUR-Lex
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance — SafetyWing
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