Schengen travel insurance requirements: what Article 15 actually demands

The rule, quoted

Article 15(1): applicants for a one- or two-entry visa "shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States."

Article 15(3): "The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the person's intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30 000."

Article 15(2): applicants for a multiple-entry visa prove insurance for the first intended visit and sign the statement on the application form acknowledging the need for cover on later stays.

Article 15(4): take out the policy in your country of residence in principle. Article 15(5): consulates check that claims would be recoverable in a Member State. Article 15(7): diplomatic passport holders are exempt.

What that means when you buy

• Sum insured: at least EUR 30,000 (many Indian insurers sell USD-denominated plans; USD 50,000 clears the bar at any recent exchange rate, USD 30,000 may not, so check the euro equivalent on the day).
• Territory: "Schengen area" or "worldwide excluding USA/Canada" or "worldwide". A policy limited to a single country fails Article 15(3) even if that country is your only destination.
• Dates: from your entry date to your exit date at minimum. Consulates commonly ask that it cover the whole validity period requested; buying a few days of margin on either side avoids a mismatch with a visa issued for slightly different dates.
• Cover types: medical emergencies, hospitalisation, repatriation of remains and medical evacuation are the named items. Trip cancellation, baggage and delays are extras and do not substitute.
• Document: the certificate must show your name, passport number, dates, territory and sum insured, and be issued by an insurer whose claims can be pursued in Europe (Article 15(5)); Indian insurers with international assistance partners meet this routinely.

Multiple-entry visas

If you are applying for a multi-entry visa, insurance for the first trip is enough at application (Article 15(2)), but you are legally responsible for holding cover on every later entry, and border officers may ask for it.

FAQ

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

Minimum EUR 30,000 of medical cover including repatriation, valid across all Schengen states for the whole stay (Article 15(3)).

Does the insurance need to cover the entire visa validity or just the trip?

The Regulation requires cover for the entire period of the intended stay. Some consulates ask for cover matching the visa dates requested; match your requested dates to be safe.

Can I buy the policy after the visa is issued?

No. Proof of insurance is part of the application (Article 15(1) and Article 21(3)(e)); ground 16 is ticked when it is missing.