When insurance is needed for a visa and entry

For Russian citizens, the most common case where a medical policy is a must is the Schengen visa. Insurance is part of the mandatory set of documents, and the consulate checks it as carefully as your bookings and tickets. More about visa trips to Europe on the Schengen insurance page.

Besides Schengen, a policy is mandatory or required for trips to these countries:

  • Cyprus: a Cyprus national visa requires a policy with cover of at least 30,000 EUR;
  • Cuba: insurance is mandatory, see the country page for details;
  • Tanzania and Zanzibar: a local state policy is required, and your own policy does not replace it;
  • Georgia: insurance has been mandatory since 2026, see the country page for the conditions.

Rules change, so check the requirements on the consulate or visa centre website before submitting your documents.

Policy requirements for a Schengen visa

Schengen consulates apply the same set of requirements to the policy. Check each point before you pay:

  • Sum insured: at least 30,000 EUR.
  • Territory: all Schengen countries, not just the country of entry.
  • Term: the whole trip; the policy dates must cover every day from entry to departure.
  • Deductible: a policy with no deductible.
  • Cover: medical care and repatriation.
  • Details: first and last name in Latin letters, as in the international passport.

Since 7 November 2025 the EU, as a rule, issues single-entry Schengen visas to Russian citizens. That is why the policy is most often needed for the dates of one specific trip. If you are issued a multiple-entry visa, covering the first trip is usually enough, but confirm the exact requirement with the consulate. For frequent trips, see the annual multi-trip policy.

Examples of countries where Russians apply for a Schengen visa: Greece and Hungary. Their pages describe what to keep in mind on those trips.

Common mistakes when buying

  • The policy dates are shorter than the trip, for example the return flight day is missing.
  • Only one country is selected instead of the whole Schengen area.
  • The policy has a deductible.
  • The name is spelled differently from the international passport.
  • The sum is in US dollars and may turn out to be below the euro threshold. It is simpler to choose a sum in euros.

Any of these details can lead to your documents being returned for correction, so compare the policy with your application form before submitting.

The visa refusal option

A visa is applied for in advance, and tickets and hotels are often paid for even earlier. The calculator has a visa refusal option: it may compensate non-refundable expenses if your visa is refused. What exactly is reimbursed and which documents are needed is set out in the terms of the chosen insurance company. It is often combined with the trip cancellation option; more on the trip cancellation insurance page.

How to choose the sum and programme

30,000 EUR is the minimum threshold for a visa, not a recommendation for every situation. If you are planning a ski holiday, add the active leisure option or see ski insurance. With chronic conditions, the option covering their flare-ups is useful, and for toothache there is emergency dental care. Children need a policy on the same terms as adults; more on the insurance for children page.

What to do if something happens

If you need a doctor during the trip, first call the assistance company using the phone number in your policy. They will recommend a clinic and approve treatment. Do not pay for treatment yourself without approval, and keep all reports, invoices and receipts. Detailed guidance is in what to do when an insured event occurs.

How to buy a visa policy online

  1. Open the calculator: on this page it suggests starting with a sum of 30,000 EUR.
  2. Choose the territory, exact travel dates and number of travellers.
  3. Compare offers from 16 insurance companies: the quote is provided by the Cherehapa service (Polis Re's partner).
  4. Enter details in Latin letters, as in the international passport, and pay for the policy.
  5. The policy will be sent to your e-mail. Check with the visa centre in what form to submit it.

The policy is issued by the insurance company you choose; Polis Re helps you compare terms and get the parameters right. Other destinations are in the travel insurance section.