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Tourists, business travelers, students, and family members visit the Schengen Area every year. Several non-EU countries, including Nigeria, require Schengen visas before traveling to the Schengen area. One of the most important requirements for obtaining this visa is the proof of valid travel medical insurance.
Travel insurance is more than just a formality; it is a safeguard. Insurance will cover you in the event of unexpected illness, accidents, or medical emergencies while traveling within the Schengen Zone. Furthermore, foreign visitors won’t become a financial burden to Schengen states.
Because of this, embassies and consulates carefully check each application’s details regarding travel insurance. Insufficient or non-compliant insurance is one of the most common reasons for Schengen visa refusals.
This guide examines in detail the Schengen visa travel insurance requirements for 2025. In addition, it provides information on how to choose a suitable policy, highlights common mistakes, and answers frequently asked questions.
Schengen Visas Require Travel Insurance
Visa applicants in Schengen member states and the European Union are required to purchase insurance in order to:
- Ensure travelers are protected – Healthcare in Europe can be expensive. Uninsured patients could be charged thousands of euros for a simple hospital stay. The importance of insurance for travelers is to ensure that they can receive the treatment they need without worrying about the cost.
- Ensure the health of the host country. Governments want visitors to not leave unpaid medical bills behind. If mandatory insurance is mandated, private insurers will assume this responsibility.
- In case of serious illness, accident, or death, repatriation (medical evacuation) is covered by the policy.
Both travelers and states benefit from the insurance requirement.
Schengen Travel Insurance Requirements
Every Schengen visa applicant must provide travel insurance that meets the following minimum requirements as of 2025:
- Medical coverage of at least €30,000
- The policy must cover at least thirty thousand euros in other currencies.
- This coverage is mandatory; low-value policies will be rejected.
- Emergency medical insurance coverage
- Hospitalization, urgent medical treatment, and ambulance transportation must be included in the estimate.
- Coverage for repatriation and evacuation
- In case of emergency, evacuation to your home country is mandatory, and in case of death, remains are repatriated.
- Throughout the Schengen zone
- You must have a valid policy in all 29 Schengen member states, not just the country in which you are applying.
- Coverage for the entire trip
- A Schengen area visitor must have travel insurance that covers them until they depart.
- You should have coverage for the entire stay if you have a multiple-entry visa.
- A recognized or accredited insurer’s assurance
- On an insurance certificate, the provider, the policy details, the coverage limits, and the countries covered must be clearly stated.
It is mandatory to include the following in the policy
According to Schengen consulate requirements, travel insurance policies must include the following:
- Medical emergency treatment: coverage for accidents, illnesses, injuries, infection, and urgent situations.
- The cost of hospitalization: including overnight stays, surgeries, and intensive care if necessary.
- Medically prescribed medicines: when directed by a physician for emergency medical needs.
- There are two types of ambulances: land ambulances and air ambulances.
- When treatment is not available locally, you are evacuated back to your home country for treatment.
- Repatriation of remains: full reimbursement for transportation costs.
Liability coverage, trip cancellation coverage, and lost luggage coverage are optional extras.
Validity and duration of insurance
Visa applicants for single-entry visas
A 14-day holiday is considered a short trip in Europe, so your insurance must cover those dates, as well as a buffer of 1–2 days before and after in case things change during your trip.
Visa applicants with multiple entries
It is important to ensure that your insurance covers the entire period of validity of your visa (e.g., six months or a year). If you request a 6-month multiple-entry visa, your insurance must also be valid for the entire period.
Visa applicants for long-term stays
Long-stay visas, such as study or work permits, have different insurance rules. It is still mandatory to have travel insurance when applying for a Schengen visa for a short stay.
Examples of costs without insurance
It is important to understand the cost of healthcare in Europe in order to understand why insurance is so important.
- The average hospital fee in Germany is between €400 and €1,000 per day.
- Surgical treatment for appendicitis costs €6,000 – €10,000 in France.
- For an ambulance ride in Spain, you will pay between 300 and 600 euros.
- Euros 20,000 to €50,000 for medical evacuation by air ambulance.
Those costs are directly borne by the traveler without insurance. Nigerian applicants would suffer financial hardship, so embassies strictly enforce insurance requirements.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid
- Purchased insufficient coverage
- Policies below €30,000 are automatically rejected.
- A policy that is only valid in one country
- Insurance purchased by travelers is sometimes only valid in the country where they first entered. Applicants must be covered by the policy in all Schengen countries.
- Partially covered dates
- If your insurance expires before your planned return, it will be refused.
- Companies that are unreliable when it comes to insurance
- We reject policies from providers who are not recognized or suspicious. You should choose a provider who has clear documentation and who you can trust.
- Neglecting dependents
- Travel insurance must cover all travelers, including children.
How to present insurance when applying for a visa
Your visa application should include the following information:
- Your insurance certificate should clearly state your name, dates, and coverage amount.
- Detailed insurance policy terms and conditions can be found here.
- Confirmation of payment (receipt).
The majority of embassies require a one-page summary of coverage in either English or their native language.
Application tips for Nigerians
- Before your visa appointment, make sure you are insured – it must be included in your application.
- Booking dates and insurance dates must be aligned – your insurance dates and flight booking dates must be exactly the same.
- The validity period of your visa must be covered by your insurance policy if you will be entering and leaving several times (e.g., from Nigeria to Spain, Spain to Morocco, and then back to Nigeria).
- Refundable insurance policies – some insurers allow cancellations if a visa is denied. Choose a provider that minimizes financial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I apply for a Schengen visa without insurance?
No. If you do not have valid travel insurance, your visa application will be denied.
2. Do I need a certain amount of insurance coverage?
A minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage across all Schengen countries is required.
3. Does travel insurance cover COVID-19?
COVID-19 coverage is now included in the standard emergency medical coverage of most insurers. On the policy certificate, make sure it is listed.
4. Can I buy insurance after receiving my visa?
No. Insurance must be purchased before and submitted with your visa application.
5. Is insurance mandatory for all family members?
Yes. All travelers, including children, must have adequate insurance coverage.
6. How long should my policy last?
It must last throughout the entire trip, from the moment you enter the Schengen zone to the moment you leave. Whenever a visa is valid for multiple entries, it should cover the entire period of validity.
Nigerian Tourist in France: Case Study
- Plans for travel: Lagos – Paris – Amsterdam – Lagos
- Duration: 21 days
- Visa type: Schengen visa for short-term stays, single entry
- The insurance requirements are:
- A minimum of €30,000 in coverage is required
- There are two countries covered by this policy: France and the Netherlands (as well as Schengen as a whole).
- Timeframe: 1st July – 21st July, plus buffer (30th June – 22nd July).
An applicant with only France-valid insurance will have their visa refused.
In conclusion
2025 continues to be a year of strict insurance requirements for Schengen embassies. Nigerian applicants’ applications benefit from insurance policies, which are more than just a requirement.
Consider these points:
- It is required that the policy covers at least €30,000.
- Those countries must accept it as part of Schengen.
- Your insurance must cover the entire stay.
- Emergency medical expenses, evacuation costs, and repatriation costs must all be included in the amount.
Travelers should carefully follow these rules and avoid common mistakes to ensure their insurance strengthens their visa applications rather than weakens them.