During the processing time, the consulate may, in individual cases, ask you to submit additional information or documents or you may be contacted for an interview. Make sure to submit them too, since the submission of the firstly required documents does not guarantee you will be granted with a visa.

Schengen Visa Requirements

The required documents to apply for a Schengen visa are the following:

• Valid passport. The passport should fulfill some criteria, as follows:
  • The passport must have at least two empty pages in order to affix visa.
  • Must not be older than ten years (meaning it must be issued within the last 10 years).
  • Must be valid for at least three more months after the date you plan to leave the Schengen territory.
• Schengen Visa application form. The form asks for basic information as name and surname, date of birth, place, and country of birth. It also asks per current nationality, sex, marital status and details about your passport details (as the date of issue, expiration date, etc) information regarding the purpose of the journey, the type of visa you are applying for (single entry, double-entry or multiple entry), duration of intended stay, etc.
• Photography that meets Schengen guidelines. You must submit two identical photos, one pasted on the application form and the other submitted loose.
• Proof of paid Schengen visa fees. After you pay the visa fee, you will be issued a receipt. Keep it because you will have to show it in order to collect your processed application. In case of visa application rejection or if you withdraw your application, the fee will not get reimbursed.
• Travel Medical Insurance for your entire stay in Europe. The Schengen Area member countries have agreed on the minimum coverage of travel medical insurance, which is 30,000 Euro per person. The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory and all the expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment.
• Biometric Data. The biometric data of persons applying for a Schengen visa will be stored in a new Visa Information System (VIS). Exempted from the fingerprinting requirements are the below-mentioned categories:
  • Children younger than twelve years old.
  • Persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible.
  • Heads of State and members of National Governments, their accompanying spouses, and their official delegation when on an official visit.
• Copies of previous visas. If you have traveled to the Schengen Zone before, with a passport that has already expired now (or is full), you should submit it together with the other documents to prove your travels. If you have more than two passport bring all of them. Do not staple them together, instead just tie them with a rubber band.
• Flight Itinerary. The flight itinerary is a detailed flight plan to and from the destination country within the Schengen Area you want to get a visa to visit, as a booked flight reservation, a hotel booking, package tour, etc. This does not mean you will have to purchase actual flight tickets before you receive your visa, only a flight reservation.
• A Schengen visa cover letter. In a cover letter, you explain your travel plan in details as to when you plan to visit the country, where you will stay and what you will do.
• Proof of financial status. You must show evidence that you will be able to financially maintain yourself during your stay in the Schengen territory. You should be able to prove that through a bank statement of the past three months, which must not be older than three days. The minimum amount required is different in each country, therefore you will have to consult with the relevant consular authority in your country.
• Proof of accommodation. The proof of accommodation for Schengen visa is a hotel booking usually. If you are planning to stay over at friends or family members, then you must submit a letter where they confirm it and explain that they have enough room for you. Depending on the country you are planning to visit, your host might also have to submit some extra documents as for example:
  • In France, the host must submit an original of the so called “Declaration d’Accueil” (guarantee document). The same applies if the host is from Luxembourg.
  • In Austria, the host must request the ‘“Elektronische Verpflichtungserklärung“ at his/her municipality in Austria. He or she has to deliver this document to the Austrian Authorities not earlier than 30 days before applicant’s visa appointment date.
  • In Belgium, the original “Engagement de Prise en Charge – Verbintenis tot Tenlasteneming 3 bis” must be stamped by the municipality and have the embossed stamp by the foreign office.
  • Whereas in the Netherlands the host must submit the original “Bewijs van Garantstelling”, and also three salary sheets/reports and work contract of the inviting person. If the host is independent he or she must also submit the registration in the trade register of the company, the decision of taxation called “down aanslaginkomstenbelastingen”, an official document from the tax “Belastingdienst”, and its profit and loss account copy.

Additional Schengen Visa Documents

Depending on your working status, you will have to submit some extra documents as follows:

• Evidence of student status – you have to prove that you are a student through some document. This could be the student card or a copy of the matriculation at the university and student index signed and stamped by the university and the current transcript of records. You will have to submit proof of sufficient funds for the entire stay in your destination country, that could be a work contract and bank account statement from your parents or host (if applicable).
• Evidence of employment – it can be an original signed letter from an employer or recent payslip.
  You will have to submit your employment contract and a vacation confirmation from your employer, aside of the bank statement.
• Evidence of self-employment – a letter from a solicitor, accountant or Companies House, which confirms your status.
• Evidence of retirement – Pension statements over the last 6 months.

Schengen Visa Requirements for Children Under 18

• The visa application form must be signed twice by the legal guardian/s.
• Unabridged birth certificate.
• If the child is traveling alone, he or she must submit certified parental consent by both parents.
• If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must produce the notarized/certified consent.
• In case the single parent with whom the minor will be traveling holds the paternal authority alone, the relevant court documents must be presented (death certificate, divorce agreement or custody agreement).

NOTE: Be aware that the embassies or consulates do not accept an application without a previous appointment and most of them do not give information about pending cases by email or phone.

Each embassy or consulate reserves the right to request additional documents during your appointment or later, and also to summon the applicant for another interview.

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What is VIS?

The Visa Information System (VIS) is an IT system for collecting, processing and sharing information among the EU states pertinent to the management of the external borders.

The sole purpose of establishing the VIS is to make the sharing of information between the Schengen Area member states possible. It consists of a central IT system that is linked to the national system of each member state through a communication infrastructure and collects all of the information entered in the latter, thus permitting the Schengen countries to exchange visa data.

The central system registers every information that is entered in the national systems as decisions relating to applicants for short stay visas to visit, and also performs matching, primarily of fingerprints, for identification and verification purposes.

The VIS enables an easier way to verify the identity of the person presenting the visa at border checks in the Schengen territory thus avoiding fraudulent documents and fighting and preventing fraudulent behaviours such as “Visa shopping”. It also facilitates the process of visa issuance, especially for frequent travellers, and makes it easier to decide which of the European Union states is responsible for the examination of an asylum application.

The operational management of VIS is done by the EU Agency for large-scale IT systems, eu-LISA.

What are the Objectives of VIS?

The main objectives of the Visa Information System (VIS) are to improve the implementation of the common visa policy, consular collaboration and consultations between the central visa authorities through:

• Facilitating checks – by helping border guards to identify the identity of every person that presents a Schengen visa to them. And, also to identify persons with fake documents or no documents at all in the Schengen Area.
• Facilitating the issuance of visas – by helping the immigration authorities to confirm the identity of each applicant faster and more accurately. The VIS facilitates the visa-issuance process, especially for frequent Schengen Visa travellers.
• Fighting abuses – the VIS helps immigration authorities of each Member State to identify overstays, irregular migrants and also to fight and prevent fraudulent behaviours as “visa shopping” etc.
• Protecting Travelers – by identifying other travellers using someone else’s identity to enter the Schengen Area.
• Helping with asylum applications – facilitating the application of the Dublin II Regulation by making it easier to decide which EU state is responsible for the examining of an asylum application.
• Enhancing security – by preventing, detecting and investigating serious criminal offences as terrorist offences.

Collecting of Biometric Data – How Does it Work?

The biometric data that are collected and stored in the VIS, are valid for access by the relevant authorities of each member state, for no more than five years after their collection. After five years, this information shall be erased from the central and national systems too.

According to Art 5 of the VIS Regulation, the following categories of data shall be collected in the Visa Information System:

Alphanumeric data

Alphanumeric data on the applicant and on visas requested, issued, refused, erased, revoked or extended.

Photographs

A new photograph can be digitally taken at the time of the application or an already existing one can be scanned and then entered into the VIS. The photograph has to fulfill all of the standards set by the ISCO.

Fingerprints

When you submit your application form and other documents required for a visa, on the interview day, you will also have your fingerprints scanned. Then your fingerprints will be checked through the system. If you have ever had your fingerprints scanned in the Schengen territory for reasons like criminal offences, visa fraud, overstaying etc., then the VIS will transmit this information to the national system of the Member State which is processing your application.

There are some groups of people that are exempt from fingerprint collecting:

• Children younger than twelve years old,
• Persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible,
• Heads of State and members of National Governments, their accompanying spouses, and their official delegation when on an official visit

Once fingerprint scans are stored in the VIS, they can be re‐used for further visa applications over a 5‐year period, therefore frequent travelers to the Schengen Area do not have to give new finger scans every time they apply for a new visa. However, in case of reasonable doubt regarding the identity of the applicant, the consulate shall collect again fingerprints within the 5 year period specified above.

It is a general rule that if you have new cuts or burns in any of your fingerprints, you will have to wait until they heal to get your fingers scanned.

When the traveller arrives at the Schengen Area external borders, his or her finger scans may be compared against those held in the database. In case of a mismatch, there will be further checks on the traveller’s identity.

Links to previous visa applications

If the traveller has visited other countries before, then his visas will be stored in the VIS. The date of entry and exit, and also the country and period of stay will be entered into the system.

Which Countries use VIS?

Every Schengen Area member country is using the VIS, in order to fully implement the common visa policy of this Area. Schengen Area Consists of 22 European Union Member States and four other associated states, part of the European Free Trade Association (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland).

Who Can Access VIS?

Only competent authorities have access to the VIS, for entering or consulting data. Every data entered by one of the Schengen member states is accessible for the visa authorities of the other Schengen member states only when examining applications. The duly authorized staff of visa authorities has the exclusive right to enter, amend or delete data.

The other authorities only have access to the visa for consultative reasons. These authorities are:

• National border authorities can access the VIS to verify the identity of the holder and the authenticity of the visa.
• National authorities carrying out checks inside Schengen States
• Competent national asylum authorities can access the VIS fingerprint database when determining the member country responsible or the examining of an asylum application.
• Provided that certain legal conditions are fulfilled: Europol and national law enforcement authorities The procedures for consultations under such circumstances are laid down in Council Decision 2008/633/JHA.

The Schengen member states have agreed that the VIS data cannot be accessed by a third country or an international organization.

How is VIS Data Protected?

Only a limited number of authorized staff of each Schengen Zone member state has access to the VIS data, and that with the sole purpose of performing their duties. There are strict rules on the protection of the data, which is kept in the VIS for only a maximum of five years.

On the other hand, every person has the right of getting the information about data on him or her in the VIS, and also to request in the correction of inaccurate data, if such thing happens.
There are also the National Supervisory authorities that monitor the lawfulness of the processing of personal data in each of the Schengen Territory member states.

Where Does VIS Operate?

The VIS operates in every country the residents of which need a visa to enter any of the Schengen Area member states, and where there is at least one embassy or consulate of the member states.

However, it did not start operating on the same day or even the same year, in all the embassies and consulates of the Schengen Area member states in the world. Instead, it started operating gradually, country after country, as follows:

• North Africa – October 2011,
• Near East – May 2012,
• Gulf region – October 2012,
• West and Central Africa – March 2013,
• East and Southern Africa – June 2013,
• South America – September 2013,
• Central and South-East Asia and the occupied Palestinian territory – November 2013,
• Central and North America, the Caribbean and Australasia – May 2014,
• Turkey and the Western Balkans – September 2014,
• EU’s Eastern Partnership countries – June 2015,
• Russia – September 2015,
• China, Japan and neighboring countries – October 2015,
• South Asia region – November 2015.

Schengen Information System (SIS)

The Schengen Information System (SIS) has been established by the Schengen member countries in order to have a highly efficient large-scale information system that supports external border control and law enforcement through cooperation between the countries.

The system enables competent authorities as police to enter and consult alerts on certain categories of wanted or missing persons. Each alert contains information about particular persons and objects, and also clear instructions on what to do when not found. Its main goal is to help in the preservation of internal security in the Schengen zone in the absence of internal border checks

Its main purposes are as follows:

• Border controls cooperation
• Law enforcement cooperation
• Cooperation on vehicle registration

The Schengen Information System operates in the European Union member states, aside of Ireland and Cyprus, and the 4 Schengen associated countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland).

However, there some limitations in the use of SIS for some of the EU countries:

Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia are yet not part of the Schengen Area, therefore, they still face restrictions, which will be lifted as soon as the three of these countries become part of the Schengen Area.

Ireland is still carrying out preparatory activities to connect with the SIS.

Cyprus is not yet connected to the SIS since it has a temporary derogation from joining the Schengen area.

European Dactyloscopy (EURODAC)

The EURODAC is Europe’s first asylum fingerprint database. It has been established in 2003 and consists of a central system that gathers all of the fingerprint data registered by the national systems in the Schengen member countries. Every person that applies for asylum in the EU has his fingerprints registered in this system.

One of the key achievements of this system is that allows the member states to compare fingerprints linked to criminal investigations, for the purpose of prevention, detection, and investigation of serious crimes and terrorism.

The first reform package of the EURODAC was introduced in May 2016, proposed the use of other biometric identifiers as facial recognition and collection of digital photos.

The first fingerprint database was set in German, two years after the Dublin convention in 1992, and the EURODAC was established after more than 10 years later as a result of frequent migrant flows in Europe.

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For some, traveling is easy. You buy a ticket, and that is it. For others, traveling includes applications and processes that are often confusing and time-consuming, in particular when it comes to traveling to Europe.

If you are living in the United States, and you do not know what procedures you should follow to enter Europe, this article will make it clear to you.

Do I Need to Apply for a Visa to Go to Europe?

Currently, US citizens do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Europe. However, they will need to apply for an ETIAS starting November, 2023, in order to be permitted to enter any of the Schengen states. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System and is quite similar to the American ESTA.

You will have to apply for a Schengen visa from the US prior to your trip if you belong to any of the following categories:

• You have been rejected visa-free entry in Europe despite being:
  • A US passport holder
  • A passport holder of one of the countries that have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area
• You are a national of one of the countries that have not established a visa-free regime with the Schengen states yet

Please keep in mind that you will be able to get a Schengen visa from the US only if you you are a Green Card holder. In case you are there on a visa, you will not be able to apply for a Schengen Visa. Instead, you will have to go to your country of residence in order to be able to apply.

When Should I Submit the Schengen Visa Application From the United States?

You cannot just file your visa application whenever you want to. The earliest you can submit your Schengen visa application is three months prior to your trip to this region. The latest you can do so is two months prior to the date of your planned trip.

However, the most advisable time to file your application is three weeks prior to your trip to the Schengen zone.

How to Apply for Schengen Visa From USA?

Though it might sound like tons of work and requirements; in fact, applying for a Schengen visa from the US is simple, especially if you fulfill the eligibility criteria. As a start, in order to get your application ready, you need to figure out a couple of things as:

1. Choose the type of Schengen visa that you need.
2. Determine where to file your application.
3. Fill the Schengen Visa Application form.
4. Book an appointment.
5. Collect the required documents.
6. Show up at the appointment.

Types of Schengen visas available for applicants in USA

Applicants from the United States can apply for the following visas, depending on the purpose of visiting the Schengen countries:

• Tourist Schengen visa.
• Transit Schengen visa.
• Business Schengen visa.
• Visitor Schengen visa.
• Cultural Schengen visa.
• Medical treatment Schengen visa.

Where to apply for a Schengen visa in United States?

Just because the Schengen states have a common visa policy, it does not mean you can file your visa application at whichever Schengen embassy in the United States.  There are strict rules on where an applicant shall file their application. Before you schedule an appointment, decide:

• How many Schengen countries will you visit?
• If you are planning to visit more than one country:
  • How much you will remain in each?
  • In which country will you step first?

Visiting one country in Europe

If you are going to visit only one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of that country in the United States. For example if you want to visit France, you should submit your application at the nearest French mission (Embassy or Consulate).

Visiting more than one country in Europe

On the other hand, if you will be visiting more than one country, then file your application at the embassy/consulate/visa center of the country in which you will spend most days. If you plan on spending equal time in all the countries that you will visit, then you should apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country you will land first.

Choosing the mission that processes visa applications

In addition, depending on how your destination country has regulated visa submission, you may have to submit your application at their:

• Embassy.
• Consulate.
• Visa Center.
• Embassy/consulate/visa center of another Schengen country to which your destination country has outsourced visa submission.

Aside from that, in the US, each embassy and each consulate have their own jurisdiction area. This means that where you need to file your application also depends on the jurisdiction area under which you fall.

Fill in the Schengen visa application form

After determining where to apply, you can download the Schengen visa application form from the Embassy/Consulate website. It is free of charge, so you need to make sure not to get scammed by paying for it.

You will have to answer questions for basic information such as your name, date of birth, country of birth, passport number, and nationality; and questions regarding your trip, such as where will you stay, for how long etc.

Book an appointment

After completing the application form you will have to book an appointment with the embassy or consulate in the United States that will handle your application.

Collect the required documents

Here are the documents that you need to submit to apply for a Schengen visa from the USA:

• Schengen Visa Application Form. The form is the same for all countries in Schengen. Fulfill the form with correct information and print it twice. Sign both copies at the end.
• Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for another three months beyond the date you plan to leave the area. It must not be older than ten years and have at least two blank pages.
• Two identical photos. It must not be older than 3 months and fulfill the requirements for a Schengen visa photo.
• Schengen Travel Health Insurance for Europe. In the minimum amount of €30,000, that covers any medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death.
• Proof of Accommodation. You must submit documents through which you prove where you will be staying throughout your time in the Schengen states. That could be:
  • a hotel booking,
  • a letter of invitation, or
  • a rent agreement.
• Flight Itinerary. A document through which you prove you have a saved seat in your flight from the United States to Europe. It also contains the dates you enter and leave Schengen.
• Cover Letter. A letter in which you explain your whole trip in details, what you will be doing, the places you will be visiting, etc.
• Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have the means to support yourself throughout your whole trip in the Schengen Area.

Depending on your employment status you will have to submit the following documents:

• If you are an employee, you need to submit:
  • Leave permission from the employer.
  • Employment contract.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary.
• If you are self-employed, you need to submit:
  • A copy of your business license.
  • Income Tax Return (ITR).
• If you are retired, you need to submit:
  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months.
• If you are studying at a US university, you need to submit:
  • Proof of enrollment.
  • No objection letter from School or University in the US.
• If you are unemployed and married to a US citizen, you need to submit:
  • Your spouse’s Confirmation of Employment. This document should be issued by the employer of your spouse and must indicate details as the position held by your spouse within the company, as well as the starting date.
  • Spouse’s valid passport.
  • An officially translated marriage certificate. If your marriage certificate is not in English, translation is required. This translation must be certified as a true copy by the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in US. In case this Certificate was issued outside the EU, it must bear a stamp by the Foreign Office of the issuing country, or its Embassy in the US.

In addition, you will have to gather specific documents depending on the purpose of your visit.

Remember that despite the fact the Schengen states have a common visa policy, some of the countries may have extra requirements.

Show up at the appointment

Every applicant must show up at the appointment on time, and cannot send someone over to attend the interview on their behalf. Underage applicants must be accompanied by their mother/father/legal guardian.

Providing the documents

At the appointment you will have to submit the file of documents that you have collected to support your application. The visa official will go through your file to make sure that you can proceed with the interview.

Biometrics

If you have never applied for a Schengen visa before, you will have to submit your biometrics. You will have your fingerprints and facial image taken.

The visa interview

The interview lasts around ten minutes. Throughout this time, you will have to answer the questions the visa interviewer asks.

They will ask you about your background, the reasons why you wish to visit the Schengen Zone and other questions related to your trip.

Verifying the details

After the interview, the information that you provided will be entered into the online system and you will receive a printed copy of your application. This process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. After you get the printed form, you should verify that all the details are correct and sign the form.

Pay the application fee

The fees for a Schengen visa are the same, no matter where you are applying from. Currently, the fee for a Schengen visa for adults is $69 and $40 for children under 12. Children below the age of 6, are exempt.

In addition, there are categories of people who are exempt from paying the fee, or who only have to pay a lower fee.

Keep in mind that in case of visa rejection or application withdrawal you will not be able to get your money back.

In Case of Schengen Visa Denial

In case you have your Schengen visa application from the United States denied, you can always reapply by fixing the mistakes made during your application. When you get the news on visa denial, the embassy will also provide you with reasons why you were rejected from getting a visa.

You can also appeal the decision by writing a visa rejection appeal letter.

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Depending on the policy you choose, travel insurance can also protect you from losses due to trip disruptions, such as a delayed flight, if you need to cut the trip short, or personal liability.

Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Schengen Visa?

Yes, if you need a visa to travel to Europe, then you will have to get travel insurance because it is a mandatory part of the visa application process. Simply said, if you do not have a valid insurance policy, then the Embassy will automatically reject your request for a visa.

On the other hand, if you do not need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area, then it is not strictly necessary to be insured (although it is still highly recommended!).

Also read: List of countries that require travel insurance.

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements

The Schengen visa travel insurance plan must meet these requirements:

• It should cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and emergency evacuation.
• It should be valid in all 27 countries in the Schengen Zone.
• It should be valid for the entire duration of time you are in Europe.

Luckily, because it is required at Embassies for the visa application, most insurance companies offer policies designed specifically to meet these requirements.

Companies such as Europ Assistance and MondialCare offer travel insurance certificate that is required by Embassies when applying for a Schengen visa.

Proof of Purchased Health Insurance for Schengen Visa

When you apply for a visa, the Embassy will ask to see proof of purchased Schengen travel insurance. This usually goes by the name of “travel insurance certificate” and your insurance company will give it to you when you subscribe to one of their plans.

If the Embassy you apply to has certain specific requirements about the insurance certificate, then just contact your insurance company and they will most likely give you a certificate suited to your situation.

What Should the Schengen Travel Insurance Plan Cover?

Make sure your plan covers:

• Cost of medical treatment. This includes:
  • In-patient and out-patient medical treatment.
  • Doctor visits.
  • Hospitalization.
  • Surgery.
  • Prescription medication.
  • Emergency dental care.
• Cost of repatriation or evacuation. If you become gravely ill or get into a serious accident which requires medical attention from your home country, then travel insurance covers the cost of repatriation. It also covers repatriation in the event of death.

This is what a basic policy has to cover to be valid for a visa application. However, some insurance companies also offer additional, more comprehensive coverage, such as insurance for your trip or liability.

What Other Liabilities Are Covered in My Travel Insurance Policy?

Other than the basic Schengen travel health insurance (for medical and repatriation costs), some insurance companies will also cover other liabilities and risks associated with the trip, such as:

• Assistance in the event of illness. For example, if you get sick, the insurance company pays for someone to travel to be with you (their flight ticket, hotel stay, etc).
• Trip cancellation. If you need to cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances, then the insurance policy will reimburse some of your prepaid expenses.
• Flight delay. If your flight is delayed, the insurance company will cover food and accommodation expenses as you wait for another flight, but only for long delays.
• Loss/theft of baggage. If your baggage is damaged, lost or stolen (through no fault of your own) the insurance company
• Personal liability abroad. If you cause personal injuries to someone or property damage while you are in Europe, the insurance company covers some of the cost.

What Does Schengen Insurance Not Cover?

In most cases, you will not have travel insurance coverage in the following situations:

• If you need medical treatment due to a pre-existing condition such as diabetes, cancer, or any lingering previous injuries.
• Medical treatment that is not an emergency.
• If you need medical attention as a result of intoxication (alcohol or drug consumption).
• If you need medical attention because you took part in adventurous or extreme sports, such as bungee jumping, motor racing, etc.
• If you need medical attention as a result of a natural disaster.
• If you have travelled to an area that is considered high risk (there is conflict, political unrest, an epidemic, etc).

What Are the Companies Offering the Best Schengen Visa Insurance?

Here is a list of companies offering the best travel insurance for Schengen Visa:

• Europ Assistance.
• MondialCare.
• Insubuy.
• AXA Schengen.
• Dr-WALTER.
• Bupa.
• Allianz.

How To Buy Schengen Visa Insurance?

Most insurance companies operate online, so you can simply purchase a travel insurance plan directly from their website. To purchase one, visit the company website, look for the “Get a Quote” or “Start Now” button, and:

1. Complete the online application form. You have to give your name, nationality, age, destination, and the dates of travel.
2. Select which plan you want. There is usually more than one plan available. You can read the benefits of each plan to find one suited to your needs. For example, if you purchase through Europ Assistance one of the leading insurance companies, there are two available policies you can subscribe to.
3. Make the payment. You can usually pay by a credit/debit card or through PayPal. The cost of the insurance plan depends on the information you provided (age, length of trip) as well as the plan you chose.
4. Download and print the Insurance Certificate. You need this to hand in to the Embassy when you apply for a visa. It will be in PDF format.

Other options

Even though purchasing travel insurance online is the easiest and most convenient option, there are other methods as well:

• Through a local insurance company. You can just visit the offices of an insurance company in your country, request a Schengen insurance policy, and purchase one.
• Through your tour agency. If you will visit Europe via an organized tour, the agency may offer you a complimentary insurance policy added to the overall price. Be mindful of these offers, because they may inflate the price of the policy and not give you adequate coverage. If you have the option, always read the policy beforehand – and if you don’t like it, see if you can opt-out.

How Do I Get Schengen Visa Insurance From the USA?

If you are from the USA, you can get travel insurance for your trip to Europe in the same way as everyone else – by purchasing a plan online. Companies like Europe Assistance or MondialCare make it possible to subscribe to travel insurance through their website and get the Insurance Certificate as a downloadable, printable, electronic file. If you need a visa, you can just submit this Certificate to the Embassy.

How Exactly Does Travel Medical Insurance Work?

Travel health insurance protects you from financial losses as a result of medical emergencies while you are visiting Europe. If you have a valid insurance policy during your trip, then when you seek medical attention, the insurance company will take over the costs. There are two ways it usually works:

1. The hospital sends the bill directly to the insurance company. You do not need to pay anything upfront.
2. You pay the bill yourself, then make a claim with the insurance company to reimburse you. Make sure to save the bill you receive from the hospital.

If you are in an emergency situation, make sure to contact the assistance center as soon as you can so that they can help you or inform you on how to proceed.

How Much Does Schengen Medical Travel Insurance Cost?

There are three main factors which affect the price of your travel insurance policy:

1. Your age. The cost of the insurance policy increases along with your age. For example, older individuals (especially over the age of 60) have to pay higher premiums for the same insurance plan than someone who is younger.
2. The duration of your trip. Usually, insurance companies calculate the cost of the policy on a daily basis. So, the longer you plan to stay in Schengen, the higher the price of your policy.
3. The maximum coverage limit. There are usually 2-3 insurance plans you can choose from, regardless of the insurance company. As such, the basic plan with health insurance coverage of up to €30,000 will be cheaper than the one with maximum coverage of up to €100,000 or more.

However, Schengen insurance is not usually too expensive in comparison to the overall price of the trip. For a one-week trip, in general, you would pay between €20 to €50, depending on the policy.

Should I Purchase Schengen Health Insurance If I Have Domestic Insurance?

Yes, you do. If you have domestic insurance (for example, you are an American citizen travelling within the US.), but you also plan to travel to Europe, then you will have to get a Schengen visa insurance plan to cover you abroad. Domestic insurance plans have coverage only within the country they were purchased in, and do not cover international travel.

Can I Get a Refund If My Schengen Visa Application Is Refused?

Many companies offer you a refund of your insurance policy if you do not receive a Schengen visa, but not all. Usually, you can learn whether or not you can get a refund by looking at the FAQ section on a company website, or by contacting them directly.

Does Schengen Medical Insurance Cover me for Countries That Are Not Part of the Schengen Area?

Usually, Schengen insurance is aimed only at the countries within the Schengen Area. However,  if you plan to travel somewhere outside the Schengen Zone, you can get an international travel insurance plan or an additional insurance plan aimed specifically at those countries.

Will I Get Covid-19 Coverage When Buying a Schengen Visa Travel Insurance?

If you get sick with Covid-19 while traveling, most travel insurance companies will cover your medical costs only if you follow the travel recommendation set by your country or the destination country, as well as those by the World Health Organization.

In other words, if you visit a place which has travel bans in place or a high number of Covid-19 infections, then you likely do not have coverage for coronavirus.

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