From Italy to France to the Netherlands, the Schengen region includes 29 beautiful and diverse European countries you can explore. If you’re planning to visit any of these Schengen countries, travel insurance for a Schengen visa is not just a recommendation. It is mandatory. In this guide, you will discover why travel medical insurance for a Schengen visa is important. You will also learn what to look for in a policy and how to choose one that fits your trip and budget.
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To apply for a Schengen visa, you need a travel insurance plan that meets Schengen-specific requirements, often referred to as Schengen travel insurance. This policy covers expenses such as emergency medical care, hospital stays, and travel-related issues, including lost baggage or delays while visiting any of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area.
If you are an Indian passport holder, Schengen travel insurance is one of the main documents needed to get your visa approved. Your travel policy must provide coverage of at least €30,000 and be valid across all Schengen countries.
Remember that the Schengen Area currently includes 29 countries: 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. When you buy travel medical insurance for a Schengen visa, your insurance must cover all these countries.
Let’s take a look at the complete list of the 29 Schengen countries, arranged in alphabetical order for your reference.
Austria | Liechtenstein | Belgium | Lithuania | Bulgaria | Luxembourg |
Croatia | Malta | Czech Republic | Netherlands | Denmark | Norway |
Estonia | Poland | Finland | Portugal | France | Romania |
Germany | Slovakia | Greece | Slovenia | Hungary | Spain |
Iceland | Sweden | Italy | Switzerland | Latvia | - |
It’s true that having a travel insurance plan is a mandatory requirement for getting your Schengen visa approved. But buying the best travel insurance for Schengen visa is not just about fulfilling a visa condition. It’s an important step to protect yourself from unexpected medical or travel emergencies while you're abroad. Here’s why it truly matters:
1. Mandatory for Visa Approval: Visa officials won’t approve your Schengen visa without it. The €30,000 minimum coverage across all 29 Schengen countries is a must.
2. Avoid Unexpected Financial Hits: From a minor accident or sudden illness, your hospital bills in Europe can easily run into tens of thousands of euros. A travel insurance policy can cover emergency care, hospital stays and treatment.
3. Go Beyond Health: It's not just about healthcare. Your plan also protects against trip cancellations, lost baggage or passport, flight delays, and more, the kind of unexpected situations that can make a great trip stressful.
These are some of the biggest benefits of having travel medical insurance for your Schengen visa.
Depending on how often you plan to travel to the Schengen area and the purpose of your visit, you can choose from the following types of Schengen travel insurance. These are a type of International Travel Insurance specifically designed to meet Schengen visa requirements.
Single Trip Schengen Travel Insurance
It is ideal for travellers who are visiting the Schengen area just once. This could be for tourism, business, or a short stay.
Multiple Trips Schengen Travel Insurance
Also known as multi-trip insurance, it is best suited for frequent travellers who visit Schengen countries several times a year.
Buying the right travel insurance for a Schengen visa ensures that you won’t have to purchase it again and again.
Whether you're planning a short trip or multiple entries into the Schengen Zone, here are some of the key documents you’ll need:
Disclaimer: Insurance policies may include exclusions, limitations, and specific conditions. It’s always wise to read the policy documents before purchasing or making a claim.
ACKO is here to make your Schengen travel insurance journey smooth, secure, and cost-effective. Here's why ACKO’s Schengen visa-compliant travel insurance plans are the ideal choice for Indian travellers:
ACKO’s policy is compliant with visa guidelines and is accepted by embassies of all Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and more.
All our travel insurance for Schengen visa plans includes COVID-19-related medical expenses, so you’re covered in case of illness abroad.
You can buy your Schengen travel insurance entirely online within minutes. The digital certificate is sent instantly to your email and is valid for visa submission.
ACKO's travel insurance starts at just ₹49 for a 5-day policy (around ₹10*/day), making it extremely affordable for all types of travellers.
Our travel insurance plan includes financial coverage for potential medical emergencies, including COVID-19.
Provide coverage for cases where you must cancel or reschedule per the policy terms.
We provide basic travel plans for only Rs. 49 for a five-day term, equivalent to approximately Rs. 10* per travel day.
Varun and Meera were finally going on their long-awaited trip to Europe. They had saved money for years and planned their trip for months. But things went badly when the hotel reservation was cancelled without warning.
After this scary event, Varun called ACKO's helpline right away and gave a full account of what had happened. Right away, ACKO refunded them for the costs they had to pay because the reservation didn't go through, which let them book another hotel room.
Varun said as he thought back on the event. "I was angry when we had trouble with our hotel on the first day of our trip. The hotel didn't do anything to help. ACKO was there for us. Thank you, ACKO, for helping us during those hard times."
When choosing travel insurance for your Schengen visa, keep these key factors in mind to ensure your policy meets visa requirements and protects you during your trip:
Buying the right travel insurance is essential, as it is a mandatory visa requirement. Here's how you can purchase it easily from India:
Note: This is a generic process and may slightly differ depending on the insurer.
To buy ACKO's Schengen visa travel insurance online, just follow these simple steps:
Open the ACKO mobile application or visit the ACKO website.
Log in to your account using your credentials, or create a new account if you don’t have one.
Choose your destination - in this case, select Schengen.
Specify your trip’s start and end dates.
Pick the type of coverage you want. (You can also compare plans and view the recommended one based on the treatment costs of medical emergencies in Schengen.)
Provide details about yourself and your fellow travellers, then proceed to make the payment.
An instant travel insurance policy will be generated and immediately sent to your email ID.
Filing a claim with ACKO's travel insurance for Schengen visa is easy. Just follow these steps to make a claim:
The Schengen visa is divided into four categories or types - A, B, C, and D. To travel across the Schengen region, Indian citizens must apply for the correct type of Schengen visa and provide proof of valid travel insurance for Schengen visa. Here’s a breakdown of visa types:
The best time to visit Schengen countries depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
Spring (March to May) | Fewer crowds make it perfect for relaxed sightseeing and strolls through historic towns. |
Summer (June to August) | This is the peak tourist season. It is warm and sunny, perfect for coastal destinations like Italy, Spain, Greece, and southern France. |
Winter (December to February) | It is an ideal time for snow lovers. If you're planning winter sports, make sure your policy includes adventure coverage when you buy travel insurance for a Schengen visa. |
Each Schengen country has something unique to offer. Here are some of the most visited cities and regions across the zone:
Paris, France | Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Seine River cruises. |
Rome, Italy | Home to the Colosseum, Vatican City, and timeless Roman history. |
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Known for canals, Van Gogh Museum, and tulip gardens |
Barcelona, Spain | Famous for Gaudí architecture, beaches, and tapas culture. |
Zurich, Switzerland | A gateway to the Alps and scenic train journeys. |
Vienna, Austria | A cultural capital with historic palaces, classical music, and art. |
Prague, Czech Republic | Medieval charm, castles, and affordable travel. |
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Disclaimer: The plans, services, features, processes, and other details mentioned on this page are subject to availability and changes. Please check the applicable policy wordings before making any insurance-related decisions. Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for any queries.