Schengen Visa Refusal: How do I claim an insurance refund?

Schengen travel Insurance is mandatory for your Schengen visa

Date: 02/07/2026

Is Schengen insurance refunded if my visa is refused?

With AXA — yes! After all, a visa refusal is never easy. Not only does it mean your travel plans have been thwarted, but it can also leave you staring at unused tickets, bookings, and often thousands of euros lost. Fortunately, your Schengen travel insurance doesn’t have to be part of that mess. And AXA’s refund guarantee makes sure of it!

In fact, if the consulate says no, AXA will refund your travel insurance in full, in no time, and with minimal questions asked. You’ll just need to meet some basic conditions and follow a few simple steps. So read on to learn how to ensure you get your money back below!

Your Guide to Schengen Insurance Refunds:

• Schengen Insurance refund guarantee for visa refusal
• Reasons to choose Schengen Visa Insurance with refund
• Choosing the right Schengen insurance for refund guarantee
• Cases covered by AXA Schengen refund policy
• Required supporting documents for Schengen Visa Insurance
• Refund Requesting a refund for AXA Schengen Insurance
• Processing time for Schengen Insurance refunds
• Cost of AXA Schengen Insurance refund guarantee
• Benefits of AXA Schengen Insurance for your European trip
• Tips to minimize Schengen visa refusal risk
• Schengen Visa Insurance Refund: Key Points
• FAQs on Schengen Insurance Refunds

What is the Schengen insurance refund guarantee in case of visa refusal?

The Schengen insurance refund guarantee is a straightforward promise from your insurer. It stipulates that if a consulate officially refuses your visa application, your travel insurance premium is refunded — provided you meet the required conditions and submit sufficient proof.

→ With this coverage, you only pay for your insurance if your visa is approved.

📌REMINDER: The European Union Visa Code requires all Schengen visa applicants to:

1. Take out valid travel insurance that must:
   ✔️ Cover unexpected medical and hospital expenses during the stay for at least €30,000
   ✔️ Include medical repatriation and repatriation in the event of death
   ✔️ Be valid in all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the stay
   ✔️ Be purchased from an insurance company approved by all Schengen consulates/embassies
2. Include a certified insurance certificate in their visa application file

💡PRO TIP: Meanwhile, not every Schengen insurer/insurance policy includes a refund guarantee. With AXA, however, you don’t have to worry: the refund guarantee is automatically included with every single plan!

Why choose Schengen visa insurance with a refund policy?

Simply put, a refund guarantee turns your mandatory Schengen insurance into a zero-risk purchase for the visa stage of your journey, giving you:

• Full financial protection: One less financial hit if the trip is cancelled, since you get your insurance costs back in full if the visa is refused.
• Peace of mind: You apply confidently, knowing that at least some of the money spent is refunded if the consulate denies your application.
• A trusted insurer: Only established names like AXA Schengen include this guarantee (proof in and of itself of our confidence, transparency, and expertise).
• Administrative simplicity: An efficient refund process requires just a few documents and clicks (i.e., no complex paperwork or delays).
• Reduced Schengen visa refusal risk: Submitting refundable and fully compliant insurance ultimately means better protection against visa denial!

📌IMPORTANT REMINDER: Your Schengen visa fees (and other service fees) will not be reimbursed in case of refusal — the refund covers only your insurance premium.

💡DID YOU KNOW? An average of almost 15% of all Schengen visa applications worldwide are refused annually. That’s nearly 2 million denied applications each year — resulting in hundreds of millions of euros gone!
PRO TIP: To boost your chances of not being one of those millions,
AXA can tell you: Which countries issue Schengen visas most easily.

Which Schengen insurance should you choose to get the refund guarantee?

AXA, of course! And in terms of which plan specifically? Well, that will depend on your budget and specific travel plans. PRO TIP: But fear not — they all come with the full refund guarantee! So click on each plan below to learn more:

• AXA SCHENGEN BASIC: our most standard coverage, BASIC meets all Schengen visa requirements and covers you in all Schengen countries
  + 4 European microstates (San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City).
• AXA SCHENGEN ESSENTIAL: our complete, affordable European coverage that meets all Schengen visa requirements and covers you in all Schengen countries, all EU countries, the European microstates above, and the UK!
• AXA SCHENGEN PREMIUM: our all-inclusive, worry-free coverage, PREMIUM comes with countless benefits meets all Schengen visa requirements, and also covers you in all Schengen/EU countries, the European microstates, and the UK.
• AXA SCHENGEN ANNUAL: and our yearly plan is perfect for multiple-entry Schengen visas and/or frequent travelers to Europe.
  It too meets all Schengen visa requirements, offers countless benefits, and covers you in all Schengen/EU countries, the European microstates, and the UK. But all this on a single contract for a full year!

📌 All AXA Schengen insurance plans meet the official requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa.

In which cases does AXA Schengen refund your insurance after a visa refusal?

AXA Schengen will refund your insurance in case of a visa refusal so long as:

• Your chosen consulate/embassy officially refuses your visa and issues a formal refusal letter (with your name, date, and stamp)
• You provide the above refusal letter, your policy number, purchase date, and visa review date via email to AXA (see below)
• Your coverage has yet to begin (i.e., there are no prior claims on the policy)

📌 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Remember that this refund covers the insurance costs only and excludes transaction/currency exchange fees (and/or visa fees).

Which supporting documents are required to obtain a refund for Schengen visa insurance?

For AXA to process your refund, you’ll need the following paperwork:

• Visa refusal letter (with your name, refusal date, and the consulate/embassy stamp)
• Your personal info (first/last name + date of policy purchase)
• Your policy number (provided with your purchase confirmation, starting with "SCH")
• Visa review date (i.e., the consulate decision date)

💡 Good to know!

A Schengen visa refusal must always be justified with very specific reasons and formally communicated to the applicant through an official standard document (Annex VI of the EU Visa Code), which must be included with your refund request.

How to request a refund for your Schengen insurance after a visa refusal?

Applying for a visa can be complex and time-consuming… but getting your insurance refund doesn’t have to be. With AXA, everything is quick and easy to do online.

Are all your documents ready? Great! Your refund is just a few clicks away. Here’s what to do next:

5 simple steps to getting your AXA insurance refund

1. Go to the AXA Schengen contact page and select the option “Refund: Visa Refusal.”
2. Submit your request by email
   Contact us by email including the following information and documents:
   • First and last name
   • Policy number
   • Date of insurance purchase
   • Date of visa refusal
   • Copy of the official document notifying you of the visa refusal, clearly showing your name, the refusal date, and the consulate or embassy stamp.
3. Confirmation and verification
   AXA acknowledges receipt and checks your documents.
4. Approval and refund processing
   If your request is accepted, AXA automatically processes the refund and sends you a confirmation email.
5. Refund via the same payment method
   You’ll receive the money through the same payment method used initially (credit card, PayPal, etc.).

• First and last name
• Policy number
• Date of insurance purchase
• Date of visa refusal
• Copy of the official document notifying you of the visa refusal, clearly showing your name, the refusal date, and the consulate or embassy stamp.

💡 PRO TIPS:

• To track the progress of your request, use the tracking link provided in the confirmation email you received when purchasing your policy.
• Check the “General Terms & Conditions” PDF from your purchase confirmation for official addresses and formal AXA contact info.

In which other cases does AXA refund Schengen travel insurance?

As stipulated uniformly in AXA’s aforementioned “Terms and Conditions,” we’ll refund your insurance costs if your visa is denied, and in two additional cases:

1. Cooling-off period: You can cancel your policy and get a full refund using your right of withdrawal.
   The process is simple: just fill out our online refund form—no explanation needed.

⚠️ This option applies only to policies longer than 30 days and must be used within 14 days of purchase.

1. Death of an insured traveller before departure: The request can also be made online.
   You must attach the deceased person’s death certificate.

📌 Note: Your refund request must always be submitted before your coverage starts and before your trip begins, as per your policy.

How long until you get your Schengen insurance refund after visa refusal?

AXA Schengen refunds typically take 5-10 business days after document approval.

Bank processing may add 3-5 extra days, so contact AXA support if no update after 15 days.

How much does the AXA Schengen insurance refund guarantee cost?

Fortunately, AXA’s refund guarantee doesn’t cost you a single penny — as it is automatically included in each of our plans! And as far as the plans themselves? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• AXA BASIC starts from €4.90 per day.
• AXA ESSENTIAL — from €8.90 per day.
• AXA PREMIUM — from €23.90 per day.
• AXA ANNUAL comes out to approx. €350 for a full year of covered trips.

💡PRO TIP: AXA’s daily rate actually decreases inversely to the length of your trip. That is, the longer you stay in Europe, the cheaper your AXA Schengen insurance becomes!
But you can also match and compare the math (without worrying about the refund!) with our comprehensive page on: AXA Schengen travel insurance costs

Please note: Prices are provided for information purposes only and may vary depending on your profile, length of stay, and selected coverage.

The benefits of choosing AXA Schengen Insurance for your European trip

AXA Schengen helps millions of international travelers a year to both get their visas and stay safe in Europe (and beyond). And our refund guarantee is just one of the countless testaments to our decades-trusted, world-renowned expertise. So here's why it pays to choose AXA:

• ✅ Trusted and Established Insurance: with over 65 years of expertise, AXA is a global leader in insurance and assistance, offering comprehensive coverage and excellent value.
• ✅ Accepted for Schengen Visas: AXA insurance is approved by the European Union and recognized by Schengen consulates for visa applications.
• ✅ Refund for Visa Refusal: If your visa is denied, your insurance premium is fully refundable according to the policy terms.
• ✅ Instant Online Certificate: The insurance document required for your visa application is generated automatically upon purchase.
• ✅ Easy Online Enrollment: Quick, secure, and fully digital subscription process.
• ✅ 24/7 Assistance: Customer service, support, and free medical teleconsultation available in multiple languages.
• ✅ Full Support: AXA is with you before, during, and after your trip.

→ In short, AXA gives you solid protection not just for your trip, but also flexible plans that don't lose you any money if the visa falls through!

Tips to avoid Schengen visa refusal

While there’s really no way of telling what a consulate might decide, a few key steps can greatly boost your Schengen visa odds. So stick to these basics:

• Submit all required documents in a timely manner — complete, accurate, signed, and clear (especially proof of funds and valid visa travel insurance)
• Match your travel purpose (i.e., tourism, business, school) with strong supporting evidence, like clear bookings and itineraries
• Apply early to the appropriate consulate/embassy/visa application center (you’ve generally got up to six months to start)
• Triple-check everything with official sources (i.e., your home country’s and destination country’s government websites, the European Commission, etc.)

💡PRO TIP: And, fortunately, AXA can not only refund you, but we’ve also got an in-depth guide on how to avoid Schengen visa refusal in the first place!

Schengen visa insurance refund at a glance: key points

So, to sum up, here are the essential takeaways on AXA’s refunds for visa refusal:

✈️ Visa denied? Full AXA Schengen premium refunded, regardless of chosen plan

📄 Docs needed: Official refusal letter + policy number + purchase proof

📧 How: Email to info.schengen@axa-schengen.com (track via confirmation link)

⏳ When: 5-10 business days post-approval (up to two-week wait)

• Avoid refusal: Apply early (with travel insurance!), submit complete paperwork, match trip purpose to docs, check requirements via official government sources

→ With AXA Schengen’s refund guarantee, a visa refusal doesn't mean losing your insurance costs. In other words, while we’re, of course, rooting for your Schengen visa, we've got you covered every step of the way regardless!

RELATED ARTICLES:

• How can I choose the best Schengen travel insurance for my trip?
• Step-by-step guide to getting your Schengen visa
• How much does a Schengen visa cost?

FAQ

Is the Visa insurance refund guarantee valid for all Schengen Area countries?

Yes, AXA's refund guarantee covers visa refusals from any Schengen country consulate, embassy, and/or certified visa application center.PRO TIP: And the same goes for Cyprus, Ireland, and the UK (provided you have an official refusal letter), which are non-Schengen but included in most AXA plans.Are my Schengen visa fees refunded too? No, AXA Schengen insurance refunds only your premium, not consulate or other visa fees.

Can I take out an AXA Schengen travel insurance plan on behalf of someone else?

Yes! AXA lets you easily buy a policy for guests, family, colleagues, and so on. You’ll only be asked to provide their personal details (name, DOB, address, passport number, and itinerary).

Can I still get a refund if I took out a plan for someone else?

Also yes! When the policyholder submits the visa refusal letter, AXA refunds to the original payer.

Can I request a partial refund if my stay in the Schengen is shortened?

No, AXA offers no partial refunds once you hit the road. Full refunds apply only to visa refusal, the cooling-off period, or pre-trip death. On the other hand, some AXA Schengen insurance plans include specific coverage for early return in case of an emergency, for example, due to a serious family matter.

Can I be refunded if I withdraw my Schengen visa application before the consulate’s decision?

No, the visa denial refund applies only to official visa refusals, not voluntary withdrawals.
PRO TIP: However, our cooling-off period refund might still work in case of the latter!