If you need a Schengen visa, the EU Visa Code asks for travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 of cover, valid in every Schengen country for your whole stay, covering repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment and death. The consulate checks the policy, including that a claim could be recovered in a Schengen country.
What the rule says
- At least €30,000 of cover.
- Valid in every Schengen country, not only the one you apply to.
- For the whole stay (or transit) you apply for.
- Covers repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment, and death.
That is Article 15 of the EU Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009). It is part of the visa application: travellers who don’t need a visa aren’t asked for it under these rules.
The 29 Schengen countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Cyprus and Ireland are in the EU but not in Schengen. (Checked 24 Oct 2026.)
What consulates check
- That the amount is at least €30,000, in euros or its equivalent.
- That the policy covers the whole Schengen area and your dates.
- That a claim against the insurer could be recovered in a Schengen country.
- Some consulates publish the insurers they accept. Ask yours before you buy.
Each insurer’s own page for this
SafetyWing has no page for this.
We earn a commission if you buy after following these links. It never changes what this page says, and we don’t give advice. Who each insurer is.
Questions
How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
The EU Visa Code asks for at least €30,000 of cover, valid in every Schengen country for the whole stay.
Does a Schengen visa policy have to cover all Schengen countries?
Yes: the rule says valid throughout the Schengen area, not only the country you apply to.
Do I need this insurance if I don’t need a visa?
The Visa Code asks for it as part of a visa application. Whether to buy cover otherwise is your decision; we don’t give advice.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, the EU Visa Code, Article 15 (EUR-Lex)
- European Commission: the Schengen area
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic: travel medical insurance for visa applicants
Rules checked against these sources on 24 Oct 2026.
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Updated 2026-10-24.