Travel insurance: Schengen

What is the Schengen area?

The Schengen area is a grouping of 26 European Union countries which all agreed to open their borders to one another, giving people travelling within them the right to move between them without border checks. It was formed by the Schengen Agreement, though the UK opted out.

What countries are in the Schengen Agreement?

The Schengen area, made up of countries in the Schengen Agreement, includes:

• Austria

• Belgium

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Greece

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Italy

• Latvia

• Liechtenstein

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Malta

• Netherlands

• Norway

• Poland

• Portugal

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

The Schengen Agreement excludes these EU countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. Citizens of these countries still have the right to freedom of movement within the EU.

Do I need a visa to travel to the Schengen area?

If you’re from outside the EU in most cases you’ll need a valid visa – including if you’re a citizen of one of the following nations:

How do I get a visa for travelling to the Schengen area?

If you’re from a non-EU country (not including the UK) and you’re applying for a visa to visit the Schengen area, here’s what you’ll need:

• Your completed visa application

• A valid passport

• Two identical passport photographs

• Your travel itinerary

• Documents that prove your financial means

These are the basic general requirements, but you may also need other documents depending on where you’re visiting. It’s advisable to contact your embassy to be sure.

Do I need a visa to travel to the Schengen area if I’m a UK citizen?

If you’re a UK citizen you can travel to all countries in the Schengen area without a visa – provided you are a tourist making a short trip of up to 90 days. This is the case even though the UK is no longer part of the European Union.

You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, to work or study or for business travel. Read the full rules before you travel.

Do I need travel insurance for the Schengen area?

In order to qualify for a Schengen visa you must have travel insurance in place, according to EU law.

If you don’t have to have a Visa (you are a UK resident making a short trip on holiday for example) then travel insurance is not a legal requirement, but it is advisable.

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

When you take out travel cover for your Schengen visa, at the minimum it’ll need to offer cover for:

• At least €30,000-worth of medical treatment

• All countries in the Schengen area

• Expenses that might result from repatriation or emergency care

What’s covered by travel insurance for European countries?

When you take out travel cover for trips to Europe, you’ll generally be able to add the following to your policy:

• Holiday disruptions: This pays out in the event your holiday is disrupted by cancelled flights or accommodation, missed departures, delayed flights, curtailment or involuntary abandonment

• Personal belongings: This covers you if your belongings, luggage, documents or cash (up to a certain amount) are lost or stolen

• Medical treatment: This is for when you become ill or injured while away and need emergency medical treatment

• Legal costs: This lets you claim for the cost of any legal fees for incidents where you weren’t at fault – while you might need personal liability cover for when you are to blame

What isn’t covered by a European travel insurance policy?

On a standard travel insurance policy you might not be covered for:

• Risky or adventurous activities: If you’re planning on taking part in any winter or water sports, the risk associated with these activities mean a standard travel policy won’t cover you – you’ll need to take out specialised insurance

• High-value items: You’ll also need to take out separate cover if you want to insure expensive items such as gadgets or jewellery, as they’ll be over the single-item value limit on many policies

• Undeclared items: If you have any items with you that you didn’t declare on your policy before you left, you won’t be able to claim for these if they are lost, damaged or stolen

• Undeclared pre-existing conditions: Likewise if you don’t tell your insurers about a pre-existing medical condition you have, such as diabetes, you won’t be able to claim for the cost of treatment if it flares up abroad. Adding a special policy for a pre-existing condition might cost a little more but it’s better than paying for expensive medical treatment. UK residents can still use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for emergency medical treatment in EU countries – even though the UK is not in the EU. This would also cover necessary or emergency healthcare relating to a pre-existing condition

• Work-related injuries: A standard travel insurance policy won’t include cover for business-related activities, so if you plan on doing some work while you’re abroad you’ll need to take out a separate policy to be covered

How much does travel insurance cost for countries in the Schengen area?

The cost of travel insurance if you’re travelling to the Schengen area will depend on a number of factors, including:

• Your age: You can generally expect the price of travel insurance to go up the older you get

• Your destination: Likewise your destination can affect your premiums due to local factors like the cost of medical treatment

• Your holiday length: As you’d imagine longer holidays mean longer-lasting insurance policies, so you’ll need to pay more for the extended cover

• Your holiday plans: If you’re getting up to any high-risk activities, like water or winter sports, insurance is generally more expensive due to the increased likelihood of you needing to claim

• Your medical conditions: If you require medical treatment abroad for a condition you already had before taking the policy out, you’ll have to declare it beforehand

• Your policy: Adding extras to your travel insurance policy is a good way to bolster your cover, but you’ll face higher premiums