A Schengen visa requires travel insurance with a minimum of EUR 30,000 medical coverage, valid in all Schengen countries, covering emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation of remains, for the entire duration of your stay. A basic policy costs roughly Rs 1,500-3,500 for a 15-day Europe trip for travellers under 60. It is one of the cheapest parts of the trip and one of the most common reasons applications get delayed.
The Mandatory Requirements
Your policy must satisfy every one of these. Missing any single item can get the application returned.
- Minimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage (approximately Rs 27-28 lakh at typical rates)
- Valid across all Schengen member states — not just the country you are applying to
- Covers the entire stay, ideally with a few extra days of buffer on either side
- Covers emergency medical treatment and hospitalisation
- Covers repatriation of remains and medical evacuation — this specific clause is checked, and generic domestic policies often omit it
- Issued by an insurer recognised for Schengen purposes
- Certificate in English, stating coverage amount in Euros
Why Insurance Trips Up Schengen Applications
Insurance is rarely the reason for an outright rejection, but it is a frequent cause of a returned or delayed file. The recurring problems:
- Coverage stated in rupees, not Euros. A policy for Rs 25 lakh may technically exceed EUR 30,000, but if the certificate does not state a Euro figure, some consulates will not accept it.
- Date gaps. Policy starts on the day of departure but the visa is requested from a day earlier. Always add 2-3 days of buffer at both ends.
- Missing repatriation clause. The certificate must explicitly mention repatriation of remains and medical evacuation.
- Geographic scope too narrow. A policy covering only Italy is insufficient for a multi-country itinerary.
- Buying insurance after booking the appointment, then discovering the policy does not meet requirements the day before submission.
StreetRomeo reviews the insurance certificate against the consulate checklist before a client submits, because a returned file in peak season does not just cost you a fee — it costs you your biometric appointment slot, and rebooking can take 4-6 weeks.
What It Costs
| Traveller Age | 15-Day Trip, EUR 30,000 Cover | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40 | Rs 1,200 - 2,200 | Cheapest bracket |
| 40-60 | Rs 1,800 - 3,500 | Standard |
| 61-70 | Rs 4,000 - 8,000 | Medical questionnaire likely |
| Over 70 | Rs 8,000 - 20,000+ | Pre-existing conditions must be declared |
Indicative ranges. Actual premiums vary by insurer, coverage level and declared health conditions.
Why the EUR 30,000 Minimum Is Not Enough in Practice
EUR 30,000 satisfies the visa. It does not necessarily cover a real medical emergency in Europe.
- A cardiac event with a few days in a European private hospital can run EUR 25,000-50,000
- Air ambulance repatriation to India costs EUR 30,000-80,000 depending on distance and medical escort requirements
- A simple fracture with surgery and a few nights of hospitalisation can reach EUR 10,000-15,000
For travellers under 50, EUR 50,000 to EUR 100,000 coverage is sensible and typically costs only a few hundred rupees more. For travellers over 65, StreetRomeo recommends going well beyond the minimum — the incremental premium is small relative to the exposure, and this is the group most likely to need it.
What Else Should Be in the Policy
Beyond the visa mandate, these matter for a real trip:
- Trip cancellation and interruption — covers non-refundable bookings if you cannot travel
- Baggage loss and delay — checked baggage delays on Gulf connections are common
- Passport loss — covers the cost and logistics of an emergency travel document
- Flight delay and missed connection
- Personal liability — relevant if you are renting a car or skiing
- Adventure activity cover — standard policies routinely exclude skiing, paragliding and similar. Switzerland trips very often involve exactly these.
How Claims Actually Work
- Call the emergency assistance number first — before treatment where possible. Many policies require pre-authorisation for cashless treatment.
- Save the number offline in your phone and on paper. You may not have data when you need it.
- Keep every document — prescriptions, bills, discharge summaries, and the police report for theft.
- Theft claims need a police report filed within 24 hours in most policies. No report, no claim.
- Reimbursement claims are typically filed within 30 days of return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much travel insurance is required for a Schengen visa?
A minimum of EUR 30,000 in medical coverage, valid across all Schengen countries, covering emergency treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation of remains for the full duration of your stay. Higher coverage is recommended but EUR 30,000 is the mandated floor.
Can I buy Schengen travel insurance online from India?
Yes. All major Indian insurers offer Schengen-compliant policies online with instant certificate issuance. Verify the certificate explicitly states the coverage in Euros, lists Schengen-wide validity, and includes the repatriation clause before submitting it.
Is travel insurance refundable if my Schengen visa is rejected?
Most insurers refund the premium if you provide the visa rejection letter, though some deduct an administrative fee. Confirm the refund policy before purchase — it varies meaningfully between insurers.
Do senior citizens need different Schengen insurance?
The legal requirement is identical, but premiums rise steeply after 60 and insurers usually require a medical questionnaire. All pre-existing conditions must be declared — undeclared conditions are the most common reason claims are denied at the point of need.
Does my corporate or credit card travel insurance qualify for a Schengen visa?
Sometimes, but check carefully. Many credit card policies fall short on coverage amount, omit repatriation, or restrict validity periods. Get the certificate in writing and check it against the consulate list item by item rather than assuming it qualifies.
Visa file submit karne se pehle insurance check karvana hai? StreetRomeo ko bhejo — hum consulate checklist ke against verify kar denge.