Definition
Travel medical insurance that meets Schengen visa rules: at least €30,000 cover for emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid across all Schengen countries for your whole stay. It is mandatory for the visa application.
The rules your policy must meet
- Minimum cover of €30,000 (about ₹30.6 lakh) for emergency medical expenses
- Includes hospitalisation, emergency treatment and repatriation for medical reasons or death
- Valid in all Schengen countries, not just the one you apply to
- Covers every day of your planned stay
Overseas travel policies from Indian insurers generally qualify, as long as the policy document shows these points.
What it costs
For an adult under 40 on a 10-day trip, a Schengen-compliant policy from an Indian insurer typically costs ₹700–1,500. Premiums rise steeply with age: travellers over 70 may pay three to five times as much, and some plans stop at 70 or 80.
Example
A Delhi family of four applies for a Swiss visa for a nine-night trip from 12 to 20 May. They buy a family policy covering 11 to 21 May, a day either side in case flights change. The policy shows medical cover of USD 100,000, comfortably above €30,000, and lists the Schengen countries as covered, so the visa centre accepts it.
Practical advice
- Buy after fixing your dates but before the visa appointment, because the policy goes in the file.
- If the visa is refused, most Indian insurers refund the premium, sometimes minus a small fee, when you send the refusal letter before the start date.
- Check the deductible and pre-existing disease terms, especially for parents.
- If your dates change, ask the insurer to endorse the new dates before you travel.
See our Schengen visa guide and compare policies through our travel insurance service.