The Schengen visas have made traveling to European Schengen countries much easier for international travelers. With Schengen visas in hand, they can explore multiple European countries within the Schengen Area without having to obtain multiple tourist or business visas. We’ll go through the important areas to note and provide more in-depth information on what type of Schengen travel insurance you’ll need to get your visa approved.
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Jumping Ahead
The Schengen Countries
The area now known as the Schengen Area is comprised of 29 countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within this area as a single country. The Schengen Agreement enables citizens of these countries to live, work, and travel short-term without the need for border checks.
The area covers the majority of European Union countries, except for Ireland and Cyprus. Bulgaria and Romania were recently partially added to the Schengen Agreement, but land border checks are likely until things are finalized.
Who Needs A Schengen Visa?
Citizens outside the Schengen area are required to obtain a Schengen Visa to enter the Schengen Zone. However, there are some countries considered “visa-free”, where you don’t need a Schengen visa.
Do U.S. Citizens Need Schengen Insurance?
No, citizens of the U.S. don’t need to obtain a Schengen visa because the U.S. is considered a “visa-free” country.
Types of Schengen Visas
Depending on the length and reason of your trip to the Schengen area, you might need specific types of Schengen visas.
There are four basic types of Schengen Visa:
It might be helpful to use the Schengen Visa Wizard to help you determine which visa you might need. The price of a visa will depend on your age and perhaps the country you’re from. Once your application is submitted, you’ll get approved or denied usually within 15 days.
Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements
If you’ve determined you need to apply for a Schengen visa and which type you need, you’ll need to submit proof of appropriate travel insurance with your application. Here’s what your travel insurance policy will need to include coverage for:
Typically, the coverage you might already have in your country of residence may not extend to other countries. Even if it does, it might not meet the Schengen visa travel insurance requirements. Below, we’ll outline where you can find the best travel insurance.
How Do You Show Proof of Schengen Travel Insurance?
Once you purchase your insurance, there are a few ways you can show proof you have the necessary Schengen travel insurance as part of your application. In many policies that offer this coverage, you’ll often get what’s called a “visa letter” or “embassy letter”. This letter indicates the travel insurance you purchased meets the medical insurance necessities for the Schengen visa application.
What Type of Schengen Travel Insurance Policy is Best?
Since there isn’t much room for error when applying for a Schengen visa, it’s best to make sure you have the right travel insurance initially. Aside from the normal necessities, you can often find travel insurance policies that include coverage for other areas of concern you might have. Check out the different types of coverage that might be best for your situation.
Travel Medical Insurance
This type of coverage is best for those taking single trips to the Schengen area that are shorter in length. However, these plans can often cover single trips up to a year in length. Not only do many travel medical plans meet the requirements, but they might also provide additional benefits:
- Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation
- Baggage Loss or Delay protection
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage
The price of travel medical insurance policies will vary depending on your age and trip length. Usually, you can opt to increase or decrease your medical maximums and deductibles on the policy to find a price that works for you. Get a quote here.
Policy Recommendation: Trawick International offers a policy called the Safe Travels International plan that would meet the Schengen travel insurance requirements.
Long-Term Insurance
If you plan on becoming an expat or global citizen and need longer-term insurance coverage, there are some plans out there that can be renewed annually. Or, if you plan on taking multiple trips within a year (or more) to the Schengen area, some travel insurance policies exist to meet this need.
Due to longer trip lengths, premiums for long-term coverage might be more expensive than single-trip plans. However, some insurance companies allow you to select to pay monthly, which might be a more manageable option for some people.
Policy Recommendation:IMG’s Patriot policies meet the Schengen travel insurance criteria and offer a few options that can protect longer trips. Students can find specific policies for study-abroad travelers via IMG as well.
COVID Insurance Coverage
Although the COVID pandemic has lessened over the years, contracting the illness is still a concern for many travelers. The good news is most travel insurance providers still treat COVID-19 as a covered medical event. Getting an insurance policy with COVID coverage can ease any worries, but it’s not needed for the Schengen Visa application. Get a quote here.
What Happens if my Schengen Visa Application was Refused?
If you don’t submit all the necessary documents, your visa can be rejected by the consular officers. It’s important to understand why your application was denied in the first place because that can help you out the next time you try to apply for a visa.
The refusal letter should give more detail as to why your application was denied. Also, you must pay attention to all criteria because there is no room for minor mistakes. Before applying you should check your application thoroughly.
Now that you know about the necessity of Schengen travel insurance, visit Yonder for a free Schengen Visa Travel Insurance quote.
Kate's authoritative voice in travel writing is backed by years of extensive travel experience, allowing her to infuse her writing with the tips and tricks she has gathered over time. This wealth of experience enhances her ability to write authoritatively on travel-related topics.
