Repatriation

You must always contact the AXA Emergency Hotline before a repatriation!

The guarantee of repatriation to your home country is an essential part of all AXA Schengen plans and offers travelers the highest level of protection – especially in situations where quick and professional help is crucial.

👉 Important: In case of a need for repatriation, travelers must always first contact AXA Assistance so that the organization of the return transport can be handled by AXA. A repatriation organized independently without prior coordination will not be covered. For this, please call the international emergency hotline +32 2 55 2 53 98.

Learn more about coverage for medical repatriation to the home country in the following article: What is covered, what is excluded. How does repatriation work, and what should you pay attention to?

Table of Contents:

• Explanation of the repatriation guarantee by AXA Schengen
• Repatriation guarantee is mandatory for a Schengen visa
• Cases where the AXA repatriation guarantee applies
• Benefits of AXA in a repatriation
• All AXA Schengen plans with repatriation at a glance
• Step by step: Organization of a repatriation
• Costs of medical repatriation without insurance
• Signing up for AXA Schengen insurance with repatriation
• Prices for AXA Schengen insurance with repatriation guarantee
• FAQ

What does "repatriation guarantee" mean at AXA Schengen?

In short:

• Repatriation is a central AXA Assistance service that in an emergency ensures the organization and execution of the return journey to your home country and covers the costs.
• It applies if you, during your stay in the Schengen area, due to a severe illness, accident, or another medical emergency, cannot be adequately treated on site or a return is medically sensible.
• In case of death, a repatriation of the body is organized.

Unlike classic cost reimbursement, this is a organized assistance by AXA. This means: A specialized medical team assesses your situation and takes care of the entire process – from selecting the appropriate means of transport (e.g., scheduled flight, air ambulance, or land ambulance) to medical care during the repatriation.

The repatriation guarantee covers not only the transport itself, but also important additional services such as the coordination with doctors and hospitals, the accompaniment by medical personnel, and the support of your relatives, if necessary.

Why is a repatriation guarantee mandatory for a Schengen visa?

• Every travel insurance for a Schengen visa must guarantee medical repatriation to the respective home country. Without this proof, the visa application is usually rejected.
• This is one of the central requirements for the application of a Schengen visa, as it ensures that travelers can receive medical care in emergencies and, if necessary, be repatriated to their home country.

The Schengen States demand this protection to avoid bearing high costs for medical emergencies or return transports from their own health systems.

Furthermore, a Schengen insurance must meet the following criteria:

• Repatriation to home country in case of accident, illness, or death
• Minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and hospital stays
• Valid for the entire Schengen area
• Valid for the entire duration of your trip
• Must be an insurance company accepted by all embassies of the Schengen countries

👉 All AXA-Schengen insurances meet these requirements and offer support that goes beyond the legal provisions.

In which cases does the AXA repatriation guarantee apply?

The repatriation guarantee always applies when a return journey is necessary and sensible for medical or severe reasons. The prerequisite is that the situation is assessed by AXA's experts as necessary .

Medical repatriation in the event of illness or accident

If you fall seriously ill or suffer an accident during your trip and the treatment on site is not sufficient, or further treatment in the home country seems sensible, AXA organizes your repatriation. This is particularly applicable in cases of complex procedures, extended treatments, or lack of medical infrastructure.

Repatriation in severe health conditions

Even if treatment is fundamentally possible on site, repatriation can occur if your health condition requires specialized care in the home country or is medically recommended.

Repatriation in case of death

In the event of death, AXA takes over the organization of the repatriation of your mortal remains to the burial place in your country of residence or alternatively assists with the burial on site.

Support for family members and fellow travelers

The repatriation guarantee also includes organizational help for:

• Escorts or family members
• unaccompanied minor children, who need to be safely brought home
• Relatives who are informed and supported in an emergency

What are the benefits of AXA during repatriation?

The AXA repatriation guarantee ensures that travelers are optimally supported not just medically, but also organizationally in emergencies.

24/7 Emergency Assistance Service

A key advantage is the around-the-clock AXA Assistance service that provides immediate support in serious cases. Travelers receive quick assistance in assessing the situation, selecting suitable medical facilities, and initiating repatriation.

Complete Organization of Repatriation

AXA handles the entire coordination of the return journey – from medical evaluation to transport planning and execution. This relieves travelers and their families of the complex organization in an already stressful situation.

Repatriation of Luggage

In the event of your repatriation, we naturally also organize and manage the transport of your luggage to your country of residence.

Support for Families and Relatives

In the ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, and PREMIUM plans, repatriation also includes comprehensive support for family members. These include organizing the return journey for accompanying persons and assisting with the care and repatriation of minor children.

Special Support for Solo Travelers

If you have opted for ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, or PREMIUM plans, we organize and pay for the travel of a relative who can visit you if you are hospitalized for more than 5 days (2 days if the person is under 18 years old).

Additionally, we cover:

• the accommodation costs for this person in a local hotel (up to 75 Euros per night, max. 750 Euros)
• We provide this person with the AXA Schengen "Basic" travel insurance for the duration of the stay, up to a maximum of 15 days.

Safety in Medical Emergencies Worldwide in the Schengen Area

Whether it's an accident or sudden illness, the AXA repatriation guarantee ensures that you are not left on your own in emergencies, but can quickly return to a suitable medical environment in your home country.

Which AXA Schengen plans offer inclusive repatriation?

In short: All plans! This means that travelers can rely on the organization of a repatriation by AXA Assistance in any medical emergency, regardless of the chosen package.

The main plans – BASIC, ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, and PREMIUM – primarily differ in the level of minimum medical coverage and additional services. Here is a brief overview of the different policies:

AXA Schengen Basic

• Repatriation of the insured person and luggage repatriation included ✅
• Coverage amount: up to 30,000 € for emergency treatments and hospital stays
• Meets the minimum requirements for a Schengen visa
• Suitable for stays up to 180 days in the Schengen area and the European microstates San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City
• No repatriation of co-travelers insured or no coverage for a relative's visit if you are hospitalized.

AXA Schengen Essential

• Repatriation of the insured person and luggage repatriation included ✅
• Repatriation of the insured accompanying persons of the victim
• Special support for solo travelers: Coverage of costs for a relative's visit if you are hospitalized.
• Coverage amount: up to 100,000 €: Extended coverage amount in case of severe illnesses or accidents. Higher reimbursement limits for hospital costs and medical services.
• Suitable for short stays up to 180 days in all Schengen countries, EU countries, European microstates, and the United Kingdom.

AXA Schengen Premium

• Repatriation of the insured person and luggage repatriation included ✅
• Repatriation of the insured accompanying persons of the victim
• Special support for solo travelers: Coverage of costs for a relative's visit if you are hospitalized.
• Coverage amount: up to 2,000,000 €: high coverage amount for all types of medical emergencies. Covers the costs of complex treatments, extended hospital stays, and expensive procedures.
• Suitable for short stays up to 180 days in all Schengen countries, EU countries, European microstates, and the United Kingdom.
• Especially suitable for older travelers or those seeking high security

AXA Schengen Annual

• Repatriation of the insured person and luggage repatriation included ✅
• Repatriation of the insured accompanying persons of the victim
• Special support for solo travelers: Coverage of costs for a relative's visit if you are hospitalized.
• Coverage amount: up to 100,000 €: extended coverage amount in case of severe illnesses or accidents.
• Annual insurance: covers any number of trips up to 90 days within one year
• Perfect protection also for holders of a Schengen visa with multiple entries
• Valid in all Schengen countries, EU countries, European microstates, and the United Kingdom.

💡 Our tip: To find the best option for you, use the opportunity to compare all AXA plans side by side and get a free, non-binding offer.

Step by Step: How is repatriation organized at AXA?

The medical repatriation is structured so that you receive quick and structured assistance in an emergency. It is crucial that the repatriation is always organized and accompanied by AXA for the service to be fully effective.

1. Medical Emergency Occurs

An accident or severe illness requires treatment abroad. It is determined on-site whether repatriation to the home country is medically sensible or necessary.

2. Immediate Contact with AXA Assistance

Travelers or relatives must contact AXA Assistance as quickly as possible. The emergency center is available 24/7 at +32 2 55 2 53 9 and coordinates the next steps. Alternatively, you can also report on our medical emergency support page.

3. Medical Evaluation of the Case

The medical director at AXA assesses your health status and decides whether:

• repatriation is necessary,
• a transport is possible,
• which type of transport is suitable (e.g., scheduled flight with an escort or ambulance transport).

In case of a repatriation, we first check whether the original ticket for your return journey can be used. If this is not possible or deemed medically inappropriate, we organize and pay for your back transport to your place of residence.

Good to know: As soon as you receive our approval for a return transport, we cover the travel costs for your repatriation to your place of residence, including the costs of any necessary medical escort.

4. Organization of Repatriation

AXA organizes the entire return journey:

• Selection of the appropriate means of transport,
• Coordination with doctors and hospitals,
• Planning of the medical escort personnel (if necessary).

📌 Good to know: When our medical director sets a date at which your repatriation is sensible and feasible, but you decide against a repatriation, our obligation to provide services is limited to the performance we would have provided in the case of your repatriation from that date onwards.

5. Execution of the Return Transport and Care

The repatriation is carried out, and you are medically cared for during the entire transport. Relatives can also be organizationally supported if they travel or need to be informed.

6. Support for Other Insured Co-travelers

If you opt for our ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, or PREMIUM plans, you and your co-travelers benefit from extensive help in an emergency. Should you be repatriated, we also assist your co-travelers.

1. Insured Children & Minor Co-travelers: If you are traveling with minors and are physically unable to care for them, and no other co-traveling insured person can take care of the children on-site, we provide support for your under 18-year-olds:
   1. You can name a friend or close relative who will take care of accompanying your child. This person will be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable travel costs and accommodations.
   2. If you cannot name a person, we will select a suitable companion for your under 18-year-olds.
   3. If the booked original ticket for the child's return journey cannot be used, we cover the costs for a one-way economy journey to bring the child home.
2. Other Co-travelers Also Insured by AXA: If you need to be repatriated due to a medical emergency, we organize and cover the costs for the early repatriation of other co-travelers insured by AXA Schengen who traveled with you. This applies, however, only if they cannot return to their place of residence using the originally planned means of transport or tickets.

What are the costs of medical repatriation without insurance?

Medical repatriation to the home country is one of the most expensive services – and is significantly underestimated by many travelers. Without insurance, affected individuals must completely bear the costs themselves.

The amount of the costs depends heavily on the health condition, distance, and type of transport. Especially for intensive transports by air ambulance, very high sums are quickly incurred:

• A medical return transport from neighboring European countries can already cost several thousand euros.
• Transports to Turkey often range around 30,000 euros.
• Transports from Germany to Africa cost around 160,000 euros.
• Transports from Germany to Asia cost around 200,000 euros.
• Especially costly are long-distance intensive transports, for example to North America or Australia, which can reach up to 350,000 euros.

Important to know: If life-sustaining medical devices are used during transport, costs increase further.

These examples clearly show: Even short or seemingly "near" return transports can quickly become a significant financial burden – especially in more severe medical cases requiring specialized transport or medical supervision.

How can you sign up for AXA Schengen insurance with repatriation?

The repatriation guarantee is automatically included in all AXA Schengen insurance plans and is not booked separately. Therefore, you conclude it directly as soon as you have found a suitable AXA Schengen Insurance for yourself.

1. Online Conclusion in Just a Few Minutes

The conclusion is entirely online via the AXA Schengen website. Simply select the desired plan (e.g., BASIC, ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, or PREMIUM), enter your travel dates, and complete the insurance directly. The entire process usually only takes a few minutes.

2. Immediate Insurance Confirmation

After the conclusion, the insurance certificate is immediately issued digitally for you and sent by email. This is important for the application of a Schengen visa, as it serves as an official proof of a Schengen-compliant insurance.

Direct Protection from the Start of the Trip

The insurance protection starts from the date specified in the policy and is valid during the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area.

📌Important: Repatriation only applies in emergencies and is exclusively organized through AXA Assistance. Therefore, even non-visa travelers should ideally conclude the insurance before the start of their journey to benefit from seamless protection.

How much does the AXA Schengen insurance with repatriation guarantee cost?

Starting from 4.90 € per day, AXA Schengen BASIC protects you throughout your entire trip in the Schengen area, making it one of the most cost-effective options to meet the requirements for a Schengen visa.

📌Good to know:

1. The longer your stay, the lower the daily price.
   Thus, your AXA Schengen insurance becomes even more affordable with a longer travel duration.
2. Prices do not vary depending on the destination within the Schengen area.
   You enjoy the same protection whether you travel to France, Italy, or any other Schengen country.
3. Use our price overview to compare the prices of different Schengen insurances and find the right option for your budget and travel plans.

Note: The mentioned prices serve as a guideline. They can vary depending on the profile, duration of stay, chosen services, and additional options.

What services does AXA offer in addition to repatriation?

The AXA Schengen Travel Insurance goes beyond just covering the costs of repatriation to the home country. Travelers benefit from additional services that make their stay abroad significantly safer and more comfortable.

1. 24/7 Medical Assistance

• Access around the clock for medical advice, hospital referrals, and emergency assistance
• Helps with language barriers, finding specialists, or getting second opinions.

2. Daily Hospital Compensation

• In the Essential, Premium, and Annual plans, you receive a flat-rate compensation of 50 € for each day you spend in the hospital.

3. Emergency Transport within the Host Country

• If needed, hospital transfers or travel to specialists are covered

4. Assistance with Authorities and Formalities

• AXA Assistance helps with contacting clinics, authorities, and embassies, if necessary

5. Additional Insurance for Liability and in Case of Disability or Death

• Private liability coverage for personal or property damage during the trip up to 10,000 €
• Insurance for permanent disability and death up to 10,000 €

6. Optional Coverages and Included in Specific Plans

• Luggage insurance (lost, stolen, damaged, delayed delivery)
• Search and rescue costs

7. An Insurance Certificate, Issued Immediately

• Immediate dispatch of the insurance certificate by email after completing the AXA Schengen insurance online, recognized by all embassies and consulates
• Simply attach it to the visa application and, if necessary, present it to the medical personnel to simplify formalities and accelerate cost coverage

8. Insurance 100% Refundable if Visa is Denied

• Submit your application online with the official letter of refusal for a full refund

These articles might also interest you

• Compare Schengen Insurances: Which Insurance to Choose?
• How Much Does Insurance for a Schengen Visa Cost?
• EU and Europe Check: Terms Simply Explained

FAQ

Is the repatriation insurance valid in all Schengen countries?

Yes, the repatriation guarantee is valid in all Schengen countries. It is designed for medical emergencies throughout your stay within the Schengen states.

Is the repatriation guarantee also valid for a visa with multiple entries?

Yes, the service also applies to a visa for multiple entries, as long as the insurance period coincides with the stays in the Schengen area.

When should I purchase the insurance with repatriation?

Ideally, the insurance should be purchased before starting your trip. This ensures that the protection is valid from the first day of your stay abroad and meets visa obligations.

Do I always need to contact AXA first in case of an emergency?

Yes, absolutely. AXA Assistance must be informed first so that the repatriation can be organized. Only then does the full service apply.

What happens if I organize the repatriation myself?

Self-organized repatriations without prior approval from AXA are generally not covered. The service is exclusively for organized assistance cases.

Are family members and children also insured?

Yes, depending on the situation, accompanying persons and minor children can also be included in the organization of repatriation.

Is repatriation also covered in the event of death?

Yes, the repatriation guarantee also includes the organization in case of death, including repatriation to the home country or alternative organizational measures.

How quickly does AXA organize a repatriation?

The organization is carried out as quickly as possible after a medical assessment by the Assistance team. The specific duration depends on the health condition and the complexity of the transport.