SchengenSure is a free-to-use platform that connects travelers with destination-based travel medical insurance providers and eSIM providers. We do not sell insurance, we help you find and purchase destination based travel medical insurance directly from trusted local insurers and eSIMN providers
Mandatory visa-compliant coverage – €30,000 minimum
Why local insurers make a difference
Step-by-step guide for travelers
Common mistakes and how to prevent them
Why coverage matters – real cost data
SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENT · EU REGULATION (EC) NO. 810/2009 · ARTICLE 15
Minimum Medical Cover
€30,000
Emergency Medical Treatment
Mandatory
Emergency Hospitalization
Mandatory
Medical Repatriation
Mandatory
Geographic Validity
All Schengen States
Duration
Full Travel Period
Document Required
Certificate of Insurance
Any traveler applying for a Schengen visa must hold a valid travel medical insurance
policy that meets EU-defined minimum standards. This is a legal requirement under
Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009 — not an optional recommendation.
A policy must explicitly cover emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and
repatriation, with a minimum insured sum of €30,000, valid across all 27 Schengen
member states for the full duration of the visa period.
Certificate of Insurance required – Embassies need the insurance certificate, not just a brochure or summary. The certificate must state the policy holder’s name exactly as it appears in the passport, coverage dates, coverage amount in EUR, and all Schengen states covered.
Common rejection triggers – Coverage below €30,000, missing repatriation clause, incorrect travel dates, coverage valid for only one country, coverage stated in INR without EUR equivalent, name mismatch with passport.
Credit card insurance is not accepted – Policies bundled with credit cards almost universally exclude emergency medical evacuation and do not provide a standalone Certificate of Insurance in an embassy-accepted format.
Destination-based insurers – Plans from insurers based in the destination Schengen country are typically better aligned with local healthcare systems, hospital networks, and embassy documentation standards.
COVERAGE SOURCE MATTERS
When buying travel medical insurance, travelers can choose between insurers in their home country or insurers based in the destination. Here’s how the two approaches compare.
Local provider in your destination country
Strong local hospital partnerships; cashless treatment more widely available
Often easier and faster; hospital bills settled directly with the insurer
Local support teams familiar with local hospitals, ambulances, and healthcare protocols
Better coordination with local hospitals; fewer translation delays during emergencies
Often faster with local billing integration; no cross-border processing delays
Policies frequently designed specifically for Schengen visa requirements; embassy-accepted formats
Direct settlement with hospitals possible; travelers avoid paying upfront
Indian or origin-country provider
Limited or indirect local partnerships; may depend on third-party assistance networks
May require reimbursement; travelers often pay upfront and claim later
Support may operate remotely; less familiar with destination healthcare systems
Possible communication delays; translation may be needed for hospital documentation
Cross-border processing may take longer; additional documentation often required
Some plans may need extra verification; not always formatted for embassy submission
ravelers typically pay first and claim reimbursement after returning
FOR TRAVELERS
If you face a medical emergency in Europe, here’s the short version of what to do – see our full step-by-step claims guide on the blog for the complete document checklist and timeline.
Visit the nearest hospital or call 112 (EU
emergency). Inform the hospital you have
travel insurance. Health is the priority –
paperwork comes second.
Call the 24/7 emergency number on your policy. Share your policy number and location. Ask for a claim reference number. Delays can complicate your claim.
Hospital admission and discharge summary, doctor’s diagnosis, prescriptions, original bills and receipts, diagnostic reports (X-ray, MRI, blood tests).
Fill the claim form accurately. Submit within 7–30 days of treatment (check your policy). Track your claim status via the insurer portal. Respond promptly to document requests.
WHY COVERAGE MATTERS
European healthcare is among the most expensive in the world for uninsured international travelers. Understanding these costs shows why adequate coverage is essential – not optional.
APPROXIMATE COST RANGES FOR UNINSURED TRAVELERS
Emergency Room Visit
€300–€1,500
Hospital Admission
€2,000–€10,000+
Surgery
€5,000–€50,000
ICU Treatment
€2,000+ / day
Medical Evacuation
€15,000–€100,000
Repatriation to India
€20,000+
Source: General estimates from travel insurance providers and industry reports. Actual costs vary by country,
hospital, and treatment required.
Data published by the Association of British Insurers reflects the cost environment
international travelers face when visiting Europe.
Source: Association of British Insurers (ABI) — www.abi.org.uk. Data covers UK travelers; used as a reference point for the general cost environment Schengen-bound Indian travelers may also face. ETTravelWorld’s report of an 18.95% rise in Q1 2025 Indian travel to Schengen countries suggests growing exposure to this risk.
HOW IT WORKS
SchengenSure is a free platform to find destination based travel medical insurance and eSIM. We do not sell or underwrite insurance. We connect travelers with destination-based insurers so they can purchase directly
Select your Schengen country, travel dates, date of birth, and type of trip. Add any pre-existing conditions for more relevant results.
We connect you with insurers based in your destination country – not home-country
plans. Results show coverage details as provided by the respective insurers.
You purchase the policy directly from the insurance provider – not through SchengenSure. There is no additional cost to using SchengenSure. You read the full policy document before purchasing.
Your Certificate of Insurance and any supporting documents are issued by the insurance provider. For visa applications, use the documents issued by the insurer – not any SchengenSure-generated output.
A free platform – not an insurer
Schengensure is a referral platform for travel medical insurance from destination insurance providers. We do not provide insurance advice. All policy terms, coverage, pricing, and claims handling are the sole responsibility of the respective insurance providers.
SchengenSure is a referral platform for travel medical insurance and eSIM providers. We do not sell, underwrite, or provide insurance advice. All policy terms, coverage, pricing, exclusions, and claims handling are the sole responsibility of the respective provider. SchengenSure may receive a referral commission from providers listed on this platform.
This content is based on publicly available information from EU regulations, industry data, and insurer documentation. Regulatory requirements, coverage terms, and market information may change. Schengensure makes no warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of this information. Nothing on this platform constitutes legal, financial, or insurance advice. Travelers are responsible for verifying all policy terms and visa requirements independently before travel.
GET STARTED
Find plans from local insurers at your destination — free of charge. Schengen visa compliant documentation included
