Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements

For Schengen visa applications, travel insurance is not optional — it is a mandatory requirement and your application will be rejected without it. Understanding the specific requirements saves both time and money. Minimum medical coverage: the policy must provide at least EUR 30,000 (approximately Rs 27-28 lakh at current rates) in medical expenses coverage.

This minimum is set by the Schengen Agreement and covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, and emergency medical repatriation back to India. Geographic validity: the policy must be valid across all 26 Schengen member countries, not just your primary destination. If your itinerary takes you through France to Germany, your policy must cover both.

Policy validity: coverage must be valid for the entire requested visa validity period, including a small buffer. Most consulates require at least one day beyond your return date. Repatriation coverage: emergency repatriation, including medically supervised flights home, must be specifically included in the policy.

This is a separate requirement from standard medical cover. Recognized insurers: the insurer must be recognised in the country you're applying to. Most major Indian travel insurance providers — Bajaj Allianz, TATA AIG, HDFC ERGO, Reliance General, and Star Health — issue Schengen-compliant certificates.

Documentation: you'll receive an insurance certificate (not just a policy document) that must be submitted with your visa application, showing the minimum cover amount, validity dates, and the words Schengen or all Schengen countries. Cost: Schengen travel insurance for a 15-day trip typically costs Rs 800-2,500 depending on coverage, age, and insurer. Annual multi-trip policies covering unlimited Schengen trips cost Rs 5,000-12,000 and are cost-effective for frequent European travellers.