If you're traveling to Europe, understanding the proper travel insurance requirements and coverage can be a crucial first step in your journey. And that's because not only is Schengen travel insurance highly recommended, it's also often mandatory for travelers entering the Schengen Area. On the other hand, with the right coverage, you can visit not just one but dozens of European countries - safely, securely, and worry-free.
So below, we'll explore what part of Europe (and beyond) Schengen travel insurance gives you access to, why it should be an essential part of your travel plans, and everything else you might need to know before your trip.
What is Schengen travel insurance?
Essentially, Schengen travel insurance is a type of insurance policy specifically intended for travelers visiting any of Europe's Schengen countries.
Similar to any proper travel insurance plan, Schengen travel insurance is designed to ensure you and your family are always in good hands when abroad by providing quality support, assistance, and coverage in case of accidents, medical emergencies, and other travel-related risks.
However, non-Schengen travel insurance policies - while often offering similar benefits - may not always meet some countries' specific visa requirements (and/or cover you beyond one particular destination country).
Whereas Schengen travel insurance aims to adhere to the Schengen visa requirements of not one but rather all the countries within the Schengen Area. Thus, it offers mandatory medical coverage both in and across all of these countries, and is designed to cover you for the entire duration of your trip - wherever in the Schengen Zone you may be.
Do I need Schengen Travel Insurance?
That depends on both where you're going and where you're coming from. Because - even though the Schengen Zone itself has all but abolished internal border checks - most visitors from outside the Schengen Zone (and/or the European Union) need to have a valid Schengen visa to cross (and/or stay within) any of its member states' borders.
And to be granted your Schengen Visa, having the proper Schengen Travel Insurance is a mandatory requirement. In other words - if you need a Schengen visa, you need to have Schengen Travel Insurance.
Do I need a Schengen visa?
You do if you're coming from outside of the Schengen Zone (and/or the EU) and if your home country has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the EU. And this applies to citizens of nearly 100 countries - such as China, India, Russia, any African nation, most Middle Eastern ones, and so on.
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Fortunately, AXA can tell you whether you need a Schengen visa in no time. And if you do, we can also help you answer all of the following:
- Which type of Schengen visa do I need?
- How much does a Schengen visa cost?
- How do I apply for a Schengen visa?
- How can I track my Schengen visa application?
- How long is a Schengen visa valid?
- Can I extend my Schengen visa?
So click around!
Who doesn't need a Schengen visa?
However, if you're already a citizen of a Schengen country, a non-Schengen European Union country, and/or a non-EU country* or territory that has signed a visa exemption agreement with the EU - then you do not need a Schengen visa to enter the Schengen.
*This includes roughly 60 nations - such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. In other words, citizens of these nations can travel to any Schengen country visa-free - so long as it's for stays of less than 90 days in any 180-day period (PRO-TIP: AXA can help you wrap your head around the somewhat tricky 90/180-day Schengen visa rule too!).
*NOTE: The European Commission, meanwhile, provides full lists of countries with and without visa waiver agreements with the EU. But it's also best to double-check with the other proper channels too - such as the official website of the European Commission, as well as with those of your destination and home countries.
And to help you do just that, the European Commission's official website also provides links to all Schengen diplomatic missions worldwide!
I don't need a Schengen visa. Should I still opt for Schengen travel insurance?
If you're traveling to one or more of the countries in the Schengen Zone and don't require a visa, we say having Schengen Travel Insurance is still a good call.
Europe is an amazing, beautiful, and endlessly culturally diverse place. That said, it can also often get quite complicated - especially from border to border, and in terms of medical care, bureaucracy, and so on.
Plus, no matter which Schengen destination(s) you choose, traveling abroad will no doubt come with a few surprises. And though we hope all of them are good ones, it's never a bad idea to be duly prepared in case something goes wrong.
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What are the requirements for being approved for Schengen Travel Insurance?
Schengen travel insurance is available to travelers of any nationality (and any age) who require coverage for their trip.
However, in order to be eligible for a Schengen Visa*, your Schengen Travel Insurance policy must meet the following criteria:
- be purchased from an insurance company validated by the consular authorities of all Schengen countries;
- have a minimum coverage of €30,000 in medical expenses (such as hospitalization, emergency treatment, and repatriation, including in case of death);
- cover you in all Schengen member countries (not just the one you plan to visit).
- be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area.
These are the stipulations set forth by the European Commission (see "Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009/Article 15" for a slightly longer and more formal phrasing).
*IMPORTANT: And keep in mind that your insurance plan should also be purchased before you apply for your Schengen visa, as proof of coverage is a mandatory part of the visa application process itself.
Which countries are covered by AXA Schengen Travel Insurance?
As discussed above, Schengen Travel Insurance generally covers all the countries within the Schengen Area. Meanwhile, we here at AXA specifically provide coverage across a broad range of Europe (depending on the plan you choose), including:
- all Schengen Area countries;
- all European Union (EU) countries (including non-Schengen EU countries like Cyprus and Ireland);
- the United Kingdom.
And the European microstates of:
- San Marino;
- Andorra;
- Monaco;
- Vatican City.
So, again, any AXA plan you choose will definitely cover you in not just one but all the Schengen states (as, again, is stipulated by the EU).
However, to make things even smoother for you, we can also help you out with affordable, top-quality AXA Schengen Travel Insurance for each individual Schengen member state (in alphabetical order - and with plenty of other helpful travel tips for each country to boot!) below:
Which European countries are not covered by Schengen Travel Insurance?
Meanwhile, here's a list of European countries not covered by Schengen Travel Insurance (as they are not part of the Schengen Area):
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Russia
- Serbia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
BONUS PRO-TIP
AXA knows better than most that European geography can get a bit tricky, border-wise. That's why we can also help you understand the differences between Europe, the EU, the Schengen zone, the Euro Zone, and the EEA in no time too!
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance can take care of you
Travel Insurance for Schengen visa and Europe from €5*
Get a quoteWhy choose AXA for my Schengen Travel Insurance?
A few reasons to go to Europe with AXA by your side are that our plans:
- Meet all the criteria required by the EU for a Schengen visa
- Are accepted by all Schengen embassies, consulates, and visa application centers worldwide
- Are refundable in case your Schengen visa is denied
- Offer quick and easy online subscription
- Provide a certified, world-renowned travel insurance certificate (sent instantly by email)
- Have no age limit
- Offer coverage of medical and repatriation costs for up to €2 Million
- Include civil and personal liability insurance
- Include death and disability coverage
- Offer baggage insurance (either included or optional - depending on the plan)
- Are tailor-made, offering multiple upgrade options
- Are valid for the Schengen area + the European Union + the United Kingdom (depending on the plan, that is - see below)
- Offer flexibility - i.e., are available for just one day, up to six months, or even as an annual subscription
- Provide 24/7 emergency assistance
- Offer free remote medical consultation - in English and a number of other languages - with our unique Doctor, Please! feature
- Can be purchased on behalf of someone else (without unnecessary complications)
- Offer the confidence and assurance of knowing you and your family are supported by AXA - a first-class, world-renowned, decades-trusted name!
What options does AXA Schengen travel insurance offer?
And, finally, here's a quick breakdown of AXA's actual plans:
AXA SCHENGEN BASIC: our quick and easy standard plan for Schengen visa application - covering you in all Schengen countries + European microstates (San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City).
AXA SCHENGEN ESSENTIAL: complete, reliable coverage meeting all EU Schengen visa requirements and covering you in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates above + the UK.
AXA SCHENGEN PREMIUM: our all-inclusive plan for the most stress-and-worry-free travel imaginable. Meets all visa requirements and covers you in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates + the UK.
AXA SCHENGEN ANNUAL: and our unique annual plan - best suited for frequent travelers and/or holders of (or applicants for) multiple-entry visas. Provides coverage across all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the microstates + the UK, and offers one contract for a full year of travel!
So once you've picked a European destination or two, be sure to compare AXA's different options and get a free, zero-obligation AXA quote!
Because no matter where in Europe you're going, chances are that AXA has that country - and, therefore, you and your loved ones - covered from start to finish!
