If you're planning to study in Europe, chances are you need a Schengen visa first. And that's because most popular European study destinations are within the Schengen Zone. This includes educational giants like Germany, France, Finland, Italy, Slovakia, and dozens more nations.

Who needs a Schengen visa to study in Europe?

Students from non-European Union/non-Schengen countries (i.e., "third-country nationals") that are not visa-exempt need a visa to enter and study in the Schengen Area.

💡 PRO TIP: AXA can quickly educate you on exactly who needs a Schengen visa.

Who does not need a Schengen visa?

Meanwhile, citizens of the Schengen, the European Union, and/or visitors from visa-exempt countries do not need to apply for a Schengen visa (for studies of 90 days or less in any 180-day period).

💡 PRO TIP: Learn who doesn't need a Schengen Visa in no time too.

👉 Third-country (i.e., non-EU/Schengen) nationals generally need a student Schengen visa for Europe.

How can I apply for a student Schengen visa for Europe?

Fortunately, AXA has also compiled a simple step-by-step guide on:

How to apply for a student Schengen visa for Europe

📌 IMPORTANT HEADS-UP:

- Note that even with a student Schengen visa, you can only study in the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

- If your studies in Europe last longer, you will usually need to apply for a national (aka "Long-Stay"/ Type D) visa and, in many cases, a residence permit.

🇪🇺 EU PRO TIPS: AXA continuously strives to bring you the latest and most accurate info regarding studies in Europe. However, you should always double-check with your educational institution and destination country, as well as:

• The European Commission
• The EU's official Study in Europe portal

Travel insurance requirements for a student Schengen visa

👉 Travel insurance is mandatory to apply for a student Schengen visa!

Moreover, as mandated by the European Union (in Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009), to be granted your Schengen visa, your medical travel insurance plan must:

• 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 (including hospitalization, emergency treatment, and so on)
• cover repatriation (including in case of death)
• cover you in all Schengen member countries
• be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area

📌 NOTE:

• Your insurance must also be purchased before starting your visa application, since the insurance certificate is one of the mandatory supporting documents.
• Your Schengen visa insurance plan must be taken out with a private, Schengen-compliant insurer. It cannot be purchased from embassies, consulates, or visa application centers.

💡 PRO TIP: Fortunately, all of AXA's plans meet the EU criteria above. And you get an instant online certificate upon purchase (via email)!

What AXA Schengen visa insurance covers

AXA gives you a top-notch plan that:

• Meets all Schengen/EU requirements for being granted a Schengen visa.
• Is accepted by Schengen embassies, consulates, and visa‑application centres worldwide.
• Lets you subscribe online in minutes.
• Provides an instant digital travel insurance certificate that you can download and print for your visa file.
• Covers you across all Schengen countries, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
• Offers a refund in case your Schengen visa application is refused.

Key benefits of AXA for students in Europe

AXA's Schengen plans are also designed with students in mind: no age limit, no deductibles, no medical exam required, and:

• Medical‑care coverage up to €2 million (with AXA PREMIUM), meaning you're protected for longer‑term (or more intense) treatment during your studies
• Emergency dental care.
• Repatriation coverage (including in the event of death).
• Personal liability insurance

💡 PRO TIP: Often explicitly requested or even required by European host institutions in countries like Austria, Germany, France, the Netherlands.

• Death and disability insurance.
• Baggage insurance (either included or optional, depending on the plan).
• Upgrade options (i.e., enhanced baggage protection and higher medical‑cost ceilings).
• Flexible coverage durations — from one day up to six months, or even a full year if you're making multiple trips (via AXA ANNUAL).
• 24/7 emergency assistance throughout your studies.
• Free remote medical consultation in English and other languages via Doctor, Please!

And all this helps you stay focused on your studies, not on what‑if scenarios!

🌐 DID YOU KNOW? According to Eurostat, more than 8% of tertiary students in the EU come from abroad — i.e., nearly 2 million foreign students in just one year!

What Schengen visa insurance options does AXA offer for students in Europe?

And when it comes to AXA's plans themselves, here are your multiple-choice options:

• AXA BASIC: Standard coverage that meets all the requirements for your Schengen visa and covers you in all Schengen countries + European microstates (San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, and Vatican City).
• AXA ESSENTIAL: comprehensive European coverage that meets all Schengen visa requirements, offers reliable, affordable protection, and insures you in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates above + the UK.
• AXA PREMIUM: complete, all-inclusive, premium coverage meeting all necessary Schengen visa requirements and guaranteeing a worry-free trip in all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the European microstates + the UK.
• AXA ANNUAL: best suited for multiple-entry Schengen visas/frequent travellers to Europe, meeting all Schengen visa requirements and covering all Schengen countries + all EU countries + the microstates + the UK under a single year-long contract!

📚 Popular coverage choices for students in Europe

Your budget, destination, school, and length of studies will ultimately determine the plan you choose. But here's a quick AXA study guide just in case too!

• AXA's BASIC, ESSENTIAL, and PREMIUM plans all cover you for up to 180 consecutive days, making them best for both short-term exchange or longer‑term study programs in Europe.
• PREMIUM is particularly reassuring for both students and families who want an all‑inclusive, 100% worry‑free plan with the highest coverage limits.
• Meanwhile, ANNUAL works best for those planning several short study trips — up to 90 days — within the same year (as opposed to those studying in Europe continuously).

So before you hit those books and/or start applying for that student visa, make sure to compare AXA's options and get a free zero-obligation AXA quote too!

How much does AXA Schengen visa insurance for students cost?

And when it comes to budget:

• AXA BASIC starts from just €4.90 per day.
• AXA ESSENTIAL starts from €8.90 per day.
• AXA PREMIUM starts from €23.90 per day.
• And for frequent, short-term study programs, AXA ANNUAL covers a full year of trips for around €350.

⭐ Good to know!

• AXA's daily rate actually decreases with the length of your trip. In other words, the longer you study, the cheaper your insurance becomes!
• Medical costs across Europe can differ greatly. AXA's plans, meanwhile, stay unchanged no matter where your classes are!

👉 Browse the AXA Schengen travel insurance costs to get a full picture of what's what too!

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

How to get your AXA Schengen visa insurance and your instant certificate online: 5 easy steps

AXA knows that students are busy. Fortunately, going with AXA means that both a Schengen visa-compliant insurance plan and your official certificate are just a few clicks away! Simply:

STEP 1: Choose your AXA plan
Browse the AXA Schengen plans above and pick the one that best fits your stay.

STEP 2: Get a free online quote
Fill in your details and get an instant, no‑obligation quote directly on the AXA website.

STEP 3: Enter your personal and payment details
When prompted, provide your personal information and payment details through our secure online portal.

STEP 4: Purchase your AXA plan
Review your information and complete the purchase.

STEP 5: Get your instant AXA insurance certificate
Once payment is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your AXA Schengen visa insurance certificate immediately. You can then:

• Save it as a PDF.
• Print it.
• Take a screenshot.
• Or keep it in your e‑wallet with your digital travel insurance card.

Once you've got your certificate, you're ready to submit your student Schengen visa application confidently. And then head to Europe with a trusted, first‑class AXA plan protecting you through every minute of your studies (and beyond).

How can I get a refund on my insurance if my student visa is refused?

💸 GOOD TO KNOW!

Unlike Schengen embassies or universities — which rarely refund application fees — AXA fully refunds your insurance premium if your Schengen visa is refused.

That's right! AXA will gladly refund you in most cases if your student visa is denied. And to get your money back, simply:

• Request and obtain an official refusal letter/document from the appropriate Schengen embassy or consulate.
• Visit AXA's Refund: Visa refusal page
• Submit your details via email (your full name, policy number, email address, and the official refusal letter)
• If everything is good to go, we'll send the refund and a confirmation email that it's on its way!

📌 NOTE: Reimbursement is generally processed within 14 days, via the same method used for the initial payment (i.e., credit card).

💡 FINAL PRO TIP: AXA can not only refund you — we've also got an in-depth guide on how to avoid Schengen visa refusal in the first place!

So, to sum up. With AXA, you clear the student Schengen visa hurdle and get 24/7 real-world protection once you're in Europe. And with our refund‑friendly policy and countless other coverage benefits, you can focus on your studies and new adventure abroad worry-free!

Related Articles

• Guide to travel insurance requirements for a Schengen visa
• How to choose the best Schengen travel insurance for your trip
• Safety tips for travel to Europe

FAQ

Do I need to declare pre-existing medical conditions for AXA Schengen insurance?

Yes. You should declare any pre-existing medical conditions when applying. AXA uses a quick, confidential questionnaire to assess your conditions and then offer an appropriate plan. However, undeclared conditions may lead to claim denials.

When should I buy travel insurance for my student Schengen visa application?

You'll want to purchase your plan early, since your travel insurance certificate is one of the primary documents to enclose with your visa application file. But remember — since AXA refunds you in case of visa refusal, your purchase is risk-free!

Can I travel to other parts of Europe with a student Schengen visa?

Most of it, yes. A short-stay/Type C visa will allow travel between all of Europe's Schengen countries (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). However, many European countries are not in the Schengen zone — and these will obviously have their own visa rules. AXA, meanwhile, can tell you all about the differences between Europe, the EU, the EEA, and the Schengen Zone.

Does AXA Schengen travel insurance cover studies in the United Kingdom?

Definitely! Even though the UK isn't in the Schengen Area or the European Union, most of AXA's plans (ESSENTIAL, ANNUAL, and PREMIUM) include UK coverage!
NOTE: The UK student visa is obviously different from the Schengen visa as well. However, AXA's plans above meet the travel insurance requirements for one too!

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

Definitely! AXA allows you to purchase a plan for your college-bound kid, loved ones, and anyone else visiting Europe. You'll only need to provide their personal info (DOB, address, passport number, itinerary) and they're good to go.

What should I do if I'm injured or ill in Europe?

If something does go wrong during your studies, just contact the AXA call center. Our medical professionals are standing by to provide 24/7 support and guidance.
IMPORTANT: When calling, you'll be asked to provide your policy number (starting with "SCH"), contact details, and dossier number (given during the first call).
Not an emergency? You can also use AXA's digital medical assistance tool (also available 24/7).