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Travel insurance for a Schengen visa.

A Schengen visa needs travel medical cover of at least 30,000 euros, valid in every Schengen country, with repatriation. Here is what passes, and what doesn’t.

The rules

What the Schengen area asks of visitors.

Checked against official sources on 23 October 2026. Entry rules change, so check again before you fly.

What care costs

If something goes wrong, this is the bill.

What a visitor pays without insurance. Prices vary by hospital and change every year.

What to look for

Choosing travel cover for Schengen visa.

Ankyro checks each of these on every plan, so you don’t have to read the fine print.

Before you land

Sort these before you fly.

Common mistakes

3 we see all the time.

Questions

People also ask.

How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?

At least 30,000 euros. It must cover medical costs, emergency and hospital care, and medical repatriation, in all Schengen countries, for your whole stay.

Does Schengen travel insurance have to cover all countries?

Yes. The policy must be valid in every Schengen state, even if you only plan to visit 1.

Do I need ETIAS to travel to Europe in 2026?

No. ETIAS is not in operation yet and no applications are taken. The EU will announce the start date several months ahead.

Do US citizens need travel insurance for Europe?

Not for a visa, as US citizens can visit without one for up to 90 days in any 180. It is still wise. Your home health plan may pay little abroad, and a flight home on a stretcher is costly.

Other trips

Going somewhere else?

01Singapore

Visiting Singapore? Care is excellent and expensive. Living here and going abroad? MediShield Life does not pay overseas. Here is what to check.

03Malaysia

Visiting Malaysia? Public hospitals charge foreigners full price. Living here and going abroad? Your cover at home stays at home. Here is what to check.

04Thailand

Thailand doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. But hospitals want a payment guarantee before they treat you, and private care is not cheap. Here is what to know.

05Japan

Japan doesn’t ask tourists for insurance yet. But visitors pay the full bill, and unpaid bills can get you refused entry next time. Here is what to know.

06USA visitors

The US doesn’t ask visitors for insurance. But a few days in hospital can cost more than a car. Here is what care costs, and what a visitor plan must cover.

07Bali and Indonesia

Indonesia doesn’t ask tourists for insurance yet. But a broken leg in Bali can cost over 160 million rupiah, and serious cases can need a flight out. Here is what to know.

08Dubai and the UAE

Dubai’s law says visitors must be insured, and the 5-year tourist visa asks for proof. Care is good but private, and an unpaid bill can stop you leaving.

09Vietnam

Vietnam doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. But private hospitals cost a lot, and a motorbike crash can stop you leaving the country. Here is what to know.

10Spain

Public care in Spain is free with an EHIC or GHIC. Private clinics, dental care and the flight home are not. Here is what the card leaves to you in Spain.

11Mexico

Mexico doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. Private hospitals in big cities are good, but most want payment first, and Medicare won’t pay.

12France

Care in France is not free, even with an EHIC or GHIC. You pay upfront, claim back part, and the flight home is never covered. Here is what to check.

13Italy

The EHIC and GHIC work in Italy’s public system, but you still pay fees, most medicines and any private doctor. Here is the Italian bill the card leaves you.

14Germany

With an EHIC or GHIC, most care in Germany costs little. Private extras, mountain rescue and the flight home are on you. Here is what to check.

15Portugal

Public care in Portugal is mostly free with an EHIC or GHIC. Private clinics, medicines and the flight home are not. Here is what to check before you fly to Portugal.

16Costa Rica

Costa Rica doesn’t ask tourists for insurance. Only first emergency care is free, private clinics want payment first, and extensions have their own rules.

17Colombia

Most tourists need no visa and no policy for Colombia. If you do need a visa, insurance is part of it. Private clinics want payment first.

18South Korea

Korea doesn’t ask tourists for insurance, and the national scheme is not for short trips. Hospitals expect you to pay on the spot, then claim.

19Australia working holiday

The 417 and 462 visas don’t make you buy health insurance. But you pay every medical bill yourself, unless your passport gets you limited Medicare. Here is who is covered and what to buy.

20New Zealand working holiday

Most working holiday visas for New Zealand require medical and hospital insurance for your whole stay, and you can be asked for proof when you land. Here is who is exempt and what to buy.