Last updated: 12 August 2026 · Reviewed by Małgorzata Zep, lawyer and travel industry specialist
A visa-compliant policy covers emergency medical treatment and repatriation. Everything else — baggage, liability, cancellation — depends on the plan you buy. This page sets out what is included, what is excluded, and why the two are not the same thing.
What Every Schengen Policy Must Cover
Article 15 of the EU Visa Code sets the floor: at least €30,000 for emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay. A policy that does less is not accepted for a visa.
That is a minimum, not a description of a good policy. It says nothing about your luggage, your liability to other people, or a cancelled trip.
What SchengenProtect Includes
| Cover | Extended | Basic |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical expenses | €150,000 | €60,000 |
| Hospitalisation, consultations, examinations | Yes | Yes |
| Dental treatment | €400 | €200 |
| Medical transport & rescue services | Yes | Yes |
| Repatriation / transport of remains | Yes | Yes |
| Extended stay if you cannot travel | €100 / day | €50 / day |
| 24/7 telephone assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Lost luggage | €500 | — |
| Electronics & sports equipment | €250 | — |
| Personal liability | €80,000 | — |
| Property damage | €40,000 | — |
Both plans cover all Schengen countries plus 14 more, including the United Kingdom — see cover outside the Schengen Area.
The practical difference: Basic has no baggage and no liability cover at any level. If you check a bag or want protection against damage you cause to someone else, that is the reason to take Extended, not the higher medical ceiling.
Exclusion or Limit? They Are Not the Same
This distinction decides most disputed claims.
- A limit is a ceiling — the insurer pays up to that amount. Luggage covered to €500 means a €900 loss is paid at €500.
- An exclusion is a category the policy never pays for, at any amount.
People read “covered up to €250 for electronics” as “my laptop is covered” and are surprised by the shortfall. Read the sum, not just the tick.
Common Exclusions Across the Industry
⚠️ The list below reflects standard practice among Schengen travel insurers. Your policy wording is what governs your claim — always read the terms you were issued.
- Pre-existing conditions — a condition you had before departure is typically excluded or limited to emergency stabilisation. This is the single most common reason claims fail. If you have a chronic condition, ask before buying.
- Alcohol and drugs — injuries sustained under the influence.
- Dangerous and extreme sports — skiing off-piste, diving, climbing, motorsport. Winter sports often need a specific extension.
- Travel against medical advice, or travel undertaken for the purpose of treatment.
- Pregnancy beyond a stated week, and routine childbirth.
- War, unrest and terrorism, and travel to destinations under an official advisory.
- Self-inflicted injury, criminal acts, and unlicensed driving.
- Routine and elective care — check-ups, dentistry beyond emergency pain relief, cosmetic procedures.
- Unattended belongings, cash, and losses not reported to police within the stated period.
Three Things Travellers Get Wrong
“Insurance guarantees my visa”
No. It is one required document among several — funds, accommodation, itinerary, passport validity. A valid certificate does not compensate for a weak application, and consulates refuse fully insured applicants every day.
“My EHIC/GHIC is enough”
No. Those schemes cover state healthcare for residents of participating countries. They do not apply to visa holders, do not cover private clinics, and never cover repatriation — the single largest cost.
“My credit card covers me”
Sometimes, partially — and rarely to Schengen visa standards. Card cover often requires the trip to be paid with that card, caps medical expenses well below €30,000, and excludes repatriation. Check whether it can issue a certificate naming you, the dates, the territory and the sum insured. If not, it will not satisfy a consulate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Schengen travel insurance cover?
At minimum: emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation and repatriation, to at least €30,000, across all Schengen states. Baggage, liability and cancellation are extras that depend on the plan.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
Usually not, or only for emergency stabilisation. Declare any chronic condition before buying and ask specifically — this is the most common cause of a rejected claim.
Does it cover trip cancellation?
Not as part of the visa requirement. Cancellation is a separate benefit that some plans offer and the minimum policy does not.
Is dental treatment included?
Emergency dental care is, within a limit — €400 on Extended and €200 on Basic. Routine or planned dentistry is not.
What is personal liability cover for?
It pays if you accidentally injure someone or damage their property — a skiing collision, a broken window in a rental. Extended covers €80,000; Basic does not include it.
Why was my claim rejected?
Most rejections come from a pre-existing condition, an excluded activity, treatment that was not an emergency, or a claim reported after the deadline. Contact the 24/7 assistance line before treatment where possible — not afterwards.
