If you’re going to Europe, then chances are your destination is one (or more) of the dozens of countries within the Schengen Zone. Which means you might be wondering about the proper Schengen travel insurance for your trip. And since that happens to be what we here at AXA do best, we’ve put together the comprehensive guide on the countless benefits of proper Schengen travel insurance coverage below. Exploring it will help guarantee that your upcoming European adventure is not only a safe one — but that it meets all the legal requirements for entering Europe too.
Get a quoteWhat is Schengen travel insurance?
Schengen travel insurance is a type of insurance policy designed specifically for travelers visiting one or all of the Schengen countries in Europe (as opposed to the non-Schengen European countries, that is).
Moreover, Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for anyone who needs a Schengen visa* to enter Europe.
Meanwhile, the Schengen travel insurance requirements to be granted that visa stipulate that your plan:
- be purchased from an insurance company validated by the consular authorities of all Schengen countries;
- have the minimum coverage required for a Schengen visa 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 ones you plan to visit;
- PRO-TIP: AXA can tell you more about Schengen visa rules for first point of entry too, by the way);
- be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area (that is, for the length of your Schengen visa’s validity).
AXA’s plans, of course, meet all the requirements above (but more on that below).
PRO-TIP
If you do need that visa, AXA can also gladly tell you more about the types of Schengen visas you have to choose from, how to fill out the Schengen visa form, Schengen visa tracking online (once you apply) — and much, much more. So click around!
And, finally — while offering many of the same benefits — Schengen travel insurance is somewhat unique when compared to most non-Schengen travel insurance plans. And that’s because it covers you in and meets the visa requirements of not just one specific European country — but, rather, throughout all the countries within the Schengen Zone (and sometimes beyond, but more on that below too!). In other words, even if you don’t need a visa, Schengen travel insurance is still a great call for almost any European trip!
What are the benefits of the free movement of persons within the Schengen area?
Since the Schengen agreement came into force in 1995, the abolition of internal border control within the area has allowed the free movement of people.
This means that any individual (EU, Schengen state or third-country national), once they have entered the territory of one of the Schengen states, can cross the borders of the other countries without any control.
| Benefits | Low Cost | Europe Travel | Multi trip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration of coverage | ||||
| Duration of coverage | Visa validity period up to 180 days | Visa validity period up to 180 days | Visa validity period up to 12 Months (maximum 90 consecutive days per trip) | |
| Geographical coverage | ||||
| Geographical coverage | All Schengen area countries | All Schengen area countries + UK, Ireland & Cyprus | All Schengen area countries + UK, Ireland & Cyprus | |
| 24/7 Medical Teleconsultation | ||||
| 24/7 Medical Teleconsultation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Refund in the case of visa refusal | ||||
| Refund in the case of visa refusal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Payment of medical expenses | ||||
| Payment of medical expenses | Maximum € 30,000 | Maximum €100,000 | Maximum €100,000 | |
| Medical and surgical fees, locally prescribed medications, hospital costs | ||||
| Medical and surgical fees, locally prescribed medications, hospital costs | Maximum € 30,000 | Maximum € 100,000 | Maximum € 100,000 | |
| Urgent dental care | ||||
| Urgent dental care | € 150 per insured party | € 150 per insured party | € 150 per insured party | |
| Assistance, repatriation or transportation following a medical incident or hospitalization | ||||
| Assistance, repatriation or transportation following a medical incident or hospitalization | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repatriation or transportation of the insured party | ||||
| Repatriation or transportation of the insured party | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repatriation of baggage | ||||
| Repatriation of baggage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repatriation of the other insured parties accompanying the victim | ||||
| Repatriation of the other insured parties accompanying the victim | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Assistance for an insured party travelling alone | ||||
| Assistance for an insured party travelling alone | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Prolongation of the insured party’s sojourn | ||||
| Prolongation of the insured party’s sojourn | X | X | ✓ | |
| Return after the date initially envisaged | ||||
| Return after the date initially envisaged | X | X | ✓ | |
| Search and rescue costs | ||||
| Search and rescue costs | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Assistance in case of death | ||||
| Assistance in case of death | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repatriation of the remains and burial | ||||
| Repatriation of the remains and burial | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Assistance with formalities | ||||
| Assistance with formalities | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Repatriation of baggage | ||||
| Repatriation of baggage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Early repatriation of the other insured parties | ||||
| Early repatriation of the other insured parties | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Intervention threshold for medical expenses | ||||
| Intervention threshold for medical expenses | Maximum €30,000 | Maximum €100,000 | Maximum €100,000 | |
| Excess: Charge for any reimbursement by bank transfer outside the European Union | ||||
| Excess: Charge for any reimbursement by bank transfer outside the European Union | € 20 | € 20 | € 20 | |
| Travel assistance | ||||
| Travel assistance | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Sending urgent messages | ||||
| Sending urgent messages | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Payment of communication expenses | ||||
| Payment of communication expenses | X | Maximum € 100 | Maximum € 100 | |
| Sending essential medicines, glasses, contact lenses and prostheses | ||||
| Sending essential medicines, glasses, contact lenses and prostheses | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Daily compensation | ||||
| Daily compensation | X | Maximum €500 | Maximum €500 | |
| Theft of identity and travel documents | ||||
| Theft of identity and travel documents | X | Maximum €100 | Maximum €100 | |
| Urgent early return of an insured person | ||||
| Urgent early return of an insured person | X | ✓ | ✓ | |
And now for a more detailed breakdown of each individual plan above:
AXA Low-Cost Schengen Travel Insurance
The first plan AXA has to offer you and your loved ones is our “Low Cost” option.
And it:
- meets all the requirements for being granted a Schengen visa;
- covers you in all the countries within the Schengen Zone + the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City;
- offers medical expenses of up to €30,000 and coverage in case of repatriation;
- is valid for trips of up to 180 consecutive days;
- is ideal for travelers who want the most basic coverage (and/or are traveling on a tighter budget).
AXA Europe Travel Schengen Travel Insurance
Our Europe Travel option:
- also meets all the requirements for being granted a Schengen visa;
- covers you in all the countries within the Schengen Zone + the European Union + the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City + the U.K.*;
- offers medical expenses of up to €100,000 and coverage in case of repatriation;
- offers additional benefits such as coverage for the loss of documents (and/or important items), as well as more serious issues — such as search and rescue, emergency communications, and more;
- is valid for up to 180 consecutive days;
- and is perfect for those traveling with families and/or planning somewhat more adventurous European getaways.
→ Learn more about our comprehensive Europe Travel plan.
*PRO-TIP: If the U.K. is on your list of places to visit, AXA can also tell you more about the U.K.’s post-Brexit relationship with the Schengen Zone.
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance for Schengen visa and Europe from €5*
AXA Schengen is perfect to obtain your Schengen visa. This travel insurance meets all the requirements demanded, covers you in all the countries of the Schengen Area as well as 4 European microstates (Andorra, Vatican City, Monaco and San Marino).
Get a quoteAXA’s Multi-Trip Schengen Travel Insurance
And our third is what’s known as the “Multi-Trip” option, and it also:
- meets all the requirements for being granted a Schengen visa;
- covers you in all the countries within the Schengen Zone + the European Union + the European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City + the U.K.;
- offers medical expenses of up to €100,000 and coverage in case of repatriation;
- offers additional benefits such as coverage for the loss of documents (and/or important items), as well as more serious issues — such as search and rescue, emergency communications, and more;
- Furthermore, our Multi-Trip plan is also:
- a great option for those who plan to travel to and/or throughout Europe regularly — from backpackers to businessmen (as well as anyone applying for a multiple-entry Schengen visa)
- valid for trips of up to 90 consecutive days.
(NOTE: Once the 90-day maximum Schengen visa period comes to an end, you’ll have to leave the Schengen area; however, your coverage will be reactivated as soon as you return — as it lasts a full year starting from the day you subscribe)
- a great way to save on travel insurance — as you don’t need a new plan each time you travel to the Schengen throughout the year!
Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance?
So those are just some of the countless benefits of the comprehensive, top-quality, affordable Schengen travel insurance AXA has to offer. But if you’re not convinced yet, here are just a few more reasons why AXA is the way to go when it comes to medical coverage in Europe.
First off, AXA’s plans:
- don’t require a medical exam;
- have no age limit;
- have zero deductibles;
- and include an annual plan (i.e., Multi-Trip, ideal for frequent travelers in Europe);
- COVID coverage when in Europe;
- top-quality, professional remote video and phone medical consultations — in English, French, and a number of other languages — with our unique and free “Doctor, please!” feature;
- a simple, straightforward application process (in fact, you can easily purchase your Schengen travel insurance plan online in a matter of minutes!).
- a Schengentravel insurance certificate that can be downloaded and printed instantly from anywhere in the world (and is accepted by all Schengen embassies, consulates, and visa application centers worldwide).
And last but not least.
Not only do all our plans meet the requirements for being granted a Schengen visa (as you already know). But our plans are also fully refundable in case your Schengen visa is refused.
We’ll only ask that you provide an official explanation as to why your visa was refused — from the relevant Schengen embassy, consulate, or visa application center.
In short, with AXA, you’re sure to be in good hands — from the day you start your European adventure (and/or Schengen visa application process) until your last day in the Schengen Zone.
So get your free Schengen travel insurance quote today!
How to get Schengen travel insurance FOR a specific country
Already got your sights set on a particular corner of Europe? Well, AXA can likely help you with the right travel insurance — as well as a bunch of helpful travel advice — for dozens of individual countries too. Just follow the link below and take your pick:
How to get Schengen travel insurance FOR a specific country.
AXA Schengen Travel Insurance can take care of you
Travel Insurance for Schengen visa and Europe from €5*
Get a quoteHow to get Schengen travel insurance FROM a specific country
And, finally, last but not least — the same goes for where you’re applying from. That is, we can help you get the proper Schengen Travel Insurance (for any Schengen country, as well as a few individual ones) from dozens of corners all over the world as well!
How to get Schengen travel insurance FROM a specific country.
So click around, and safe travels!
