Medical insurance is a mandatory document for a Schengen visa. The requirements are the same for all Schengen countries and are set out in Article 15 of the EU Visa Code (Regulation No. 810/2009). If a policy does not meet them, the consulate may refuse the visa or ask for a different policy.

Mandatory requirements

  • Cover of at least EUR 30,000 or the equivalent in rubles.
  • Validity in all Schengen states, not only the country of entry.
  • The whole trip — from the entry date to the exit date stated in the application form.
  • Covered costs: emergency medical care, emergency hospital treatment, medical transport and repatriation for medical reasons, including in case of death.

In 2026 the Schengen area includes 29 states: 25 EU countries (all except Ireland and Cyprus) plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. A policy with the territory "Schengen" or "Europe" must cover all of them.

Multiple-entry visas

For a multiple-entry visa it is enough to show a policy for the first trip. The applicant then signs an undertaking in the application form to take out insurance for each subsequent trip. In practice many people buy an annual policy with a limit on the number of days of stay — for example, 90 insured days within a year. This is convenient if you travel often, as you do not need to buy a policy before every trip.

How to choose a policy

Sum insured

EUR 30,000 is the minimum for a visa. If you are going for a long time, with children or elderly relatives, it makes sense to choose a higher amount: treatment in European clinics is expensive, and anything above the limit you will have to pay yourself.

Deductible

The Visa Code does not expressly prohibit a deductible, but some consulates and visa centres are wary of it. To avoid unnecessary questions, it is better to choose a policy without a deductible for a visa.

Dates

The policy dates must fully cover the trip dates. If a delay is possible, take out the policy with a margin of a day or two — it is cheaper than buying a new one abroad.

Additional options

  • Active leisure and sports — skiing, snowboarding and diving usually require a separate option. Without it, an injury on the slopes may not be covered.
  • Exacerbation of chronic conditions — check whether it is covered and to what extent.
  • Trip cancellation, baggage, personal liability — not needed for the visa, but may be useful.

Assistance

An assistance company is the service that arranges help abroad: it takes your call, refers you to a clinic and guarantees payment. Check which assistance company the policy uses and whether it operates in the countries you are visiting.

How to buy insurance online

  1. Open the Schengen insurance section or the travel insurance calculator.
  2. Enter the countries, dates, travellers' ages and the options you need.
  3. Compare offers from insurance companies and choose a suitable one.
  4. Enter your details in Latin letters exactly as in your international passport and pay for the policy.

Online travel insurance on the website is arranged through Polis Re's partner, the Cherehapa service; the policy is issued by the insurance company you choose and sent to your e-mail. Print it for the visa centre and keep an electronic copy on your phone.

What affects the price

  • Age — the tariff is higher for older travellers, and some programmes have age limits.
  • Length of the trip — every day of the stay counts.
  • Sum insured — EUR 50,000 costs more than EUR 30,000, but the difference is usually small compared with the cost of the trip.
  • Options — sports, trip cancellation, baggage, chronic conditions.
  • Insurance company — insurers have their own tariffs, so it is worth comparing several offers.

Children and families

Every visa applicant needs insurance, including children. You can take out separate policies or one policy for all travellers — it then lists all insured persons with their dates of birth and passport details. A printout of a joint policy naming each family member is usually enough for the visa centre.

Insurance from a bank card

Some premium bank cards include travel insurance. Whether it is suitable for a visa depends on the terms: you need a certificate in the applicant's name with cover of at least EUR 30,000, the Schengen territory and the trip dates. If the bank does not issue such a document or the terms do not match, it is safer to buy a separate policy.

Common mistakes

  • The cover is less than EUR 30,000 or is stated in rubles without a euro equivalent.
  • The policy is valid in only one country, not the whole Schengen area.
  • The policy dates are shorter than the trip dates in the application.
  • A typo in the surname or date of birth.
  • For a multiple-entry visa there is no policy even for the first trip.

What to do if you need help

If you fall ill or are injured, first call the assistance company on the number in the policy — you will be referred to a clinic where payment is made directly. If you went to a clinic on your own, keep all medical documents and receipts: you can use them to claim compensation after you return. More on choosing and using a policy is in "Medical insurance for travel".

If your trip is extended, do not wait for the policy to expire: buy a new one for the extra days in advance — buying one after the old one has expired, while already in the country, can be more difficult.

All options for insurance for trips abroad are collected in the "Travel insurance" section.