Last updated: 12 August 2026 · Reviewed by Małgorzata Zep, lawyer and travel industry specialist
The insurance requirement is set by EU law and is identical in all 29 Schengen countries. What differs is not the cover — it is how individual consulates want it documented. This page separates the two.
The Rule Is the Same Everywhere
Article 15 of the EU Visa Code applies to every Schengen state without variation:
- €30,000 minimum for emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation and repatriation
- Valid in all Schengen countries — not only your destination
- Covering the entire period of the intended stay
⚠️ You will find pages claiming France, Germany or Italy require “higher” or “stricter” cover for a short-stay visa. They do not. The figure is €30,000 across the zone. Anyone quoting a different minimum for a type C visa is wrong.
What Genuinely Varies: Documentation
Consulates and their outsourced visa centres (VFS, TLScontact, BLS) set their own submission practices. These are the differences worth preparing for:
| What varies | What to do |
|---|---|
| Printed vs digital certificate | Some accept a PDF; others want a printed copy in the file. Always bring a printout — it is never wrong. |
| Language | A few consulates want the terms in the national language or English. Most accept an English certificate. |
| Named insurer acceptance | Some posts decline unknown providers. Use an insurer that states compliance with Article 15 explicitly on the certificate. |
| Buffer days | Several posts expect cover to start before and end after your travel dates rather than matching them exactly. |
| Where you apply | You apply at the consulate of your main destination — where you spend the most nights. If nights are equal, the country of first entry. |
The Four Things Every Consulate Checks
Whatever the post, the officer looks for the same four items on the certificate:
- Your name, matching the passport exactly
- The dates, covering the full requested period
- The territory — all Schengen states, stated explicitly
- The sum insured — at least €30,000, including repatriation
If all four are present and correct, the insurance part of your file is complete. If one is missing, it is not — regardless of how good the policy is.
Long-Stay Visas Are a Different Matter
Everything above concerns the short-stay (type C) visa — up to 90 days in any 180.
A national long-stay visa (type D) for study, work or family is governed by national law, not the Visa Code. Here requirements genuinely differ by country: some require enrolment in the national health system, some a higher sum insured, some a specific local insurer. Check the requirements of that specific country — the €30,000 rule does not apply.
Where Our Cover Stands
Both SchengenProtect plans satisfy Article 15 in every Schengen state: €150,000 medical on Extended, €60,000 on Basic, both including repatriation, both valid across all 29 countries plus 14 more, including the UK. The certificate is issued immediately and states all four items above.
See the plan comparison or cover outside the Schengen Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do insurance requirements differ between Schengen countries?
Not for a short-stay visa — €30,000 with zone-wide validity applies everywhere. Documentation practices differ; the cover requirement does not.
Which consulate do I apply to?
The country of your main destination, measured by nights spent. If equal, the country of first entry.
Does France or Germany require more than €30,000?
No, not for a short-stay visa. Higher requirements apply only to national long-stay (type D) visas, which are outside the Visa Code.
Can I use one policy for a multi-country trip?
Yes — it must be valid in all Schengen states, which is exactly what the requirement demands. One compliant policy covers the whole itinerary.
Will a digital certificate be accepted?
Usually, but some posts want it printed. Bring a printed copy; it is accepted everywhere.
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