Last Updated: August 2026
Buying Travel Insurance for Europe: A Comprehensive Guide
Do you need travel insurance for Europe? In many cases, especially for travelers visiting the Schengen area, travel insurance in Europe (or travel medical insurance for Europe) is not just recommended, it's required. Schengen countries, which include popular destinations like France, Germany, and Italy won't grant you a Schengen visa without proof of adequate travel health insurance for Europe that meets the minimum standards of Schengen travel insurance.
Do I Need Travel Insurance for Europe?
Travel insurance is not required for every trip to Europe. Requirements depend on the traveler’s destination, nationality, and visa status. In general, travelers who do not need a visa to enter their European destination are not required to purchase travel insurance. However, without coverage, they may be responsible for medical expenses if their domestic health plan provides limited or no benefits abroad.
Travel across Europe may involve several countries. With different healthcare systems and unfamiliar payment procedures, travelers may face added complications when an illness, injury, or other emergency interrupts the trip. For more complicated situations, such as medical evacuation, repatriation, or treatment at a facility far from the traveler’s location, costs may increase quickly. Coordination across providers or countries may also be required.
Europe travel insurance may provide financial protection and assistance during emergencies.
Travel Insurance Requirements for the Schengen Area
Europe includes Schengen and non-Schengen destinations; insurance requirements vary across the continent. The Schengen insurance requirements apply to travelers applying for a Schengen visa, not to every visitor entering a Schengen country.
Schengen visa applicants must have travel medical insurance that provides at least €30,000 in coverage, remains valid throughout the Schengen area for the entire intended stay, and covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, medical repatriation, and repatriation in the event of death.
Europe Travel Insurance Requirements by Country
Travel insurance requirements vary across Europe. Some travelers must purchase coverage that meets Schengen visa standards, while other destinations apply separate rules based on nationality, visa type, or purpose of travel.
| Countries | Europe Travel Insurance |
|---|---|
| Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland | Schengen visa-compliant insurance required for travelers applying for a Schengen visa |
| Belarus, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Russia | Insurance required based on nationality, visa type, and purpose of travel |
| Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Vatican City | Travel insurance not required for most short-term visitors, but recommended |
Travel insurance requirements for European countries may vary based on several factors, including nationality, visa type, purpose of travel, and length of stay. Entry rules may change. Travelers should review current requirements for each destination before departure.
Best Europe Travel Insurance Plans in 2026
Sample prices are for a 30-year-old traveler visiting France for 30 days. France is part of the Schengen Area. The plans compared meet Schengen visa insurance requirements and may also provide coverage for trips to non-Schengen countries.
| Plan | Policy Maximum | Emergency Medical Evacuation | Repatriation | Cost for 30 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas International | $50,000 | $1,000,000 | Up to policy maximum | $38.70 ($1.29/day) |
| Patriot International Lite | $50,000 | $1,000,000 | Up to policy maximum | $39.75 ($1.33/day) |
| Atlas Premium International | $50,000 | $1,000,000 | Up to policy maximum | $54.30 ($1.81/day) |
| Safe Travels Outbound | $50,000 | $500,000 | $50,000 | $57.33 ($1.91/day) |
Actual rates may vary based on the traveler’s information, destination, coverage dates, and coverage benefits. Rates and available coverage at the time of purchase may differ from the sample quotes.
What is Covered in European Travel Insurance?
Most Schengen visa travel insurance plans for Europe can cover the following:
| Europe Travel Insurance Benefit | Why is This Important? |
|---|---|
| Medical Coverage of at least €30,000 | This is the minimum medical coverage required of all Schengen visa-compliant travel insurance plans. All of our Schengen visa travel insurance plans exceed the minimum coverage. |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage | Emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory for all Schengen visa travel insurance plans. It protects your finances in case you're required to be evacuated to a different location for suitable medical treatment. |
| Return of Mortal Remains Coverage | Required for all Schengen visa travel insurance plans, return of mortal remains coverage provides essential financial protection in the event that the insured were to pass away while traveling outside their home country. |
| Instant Schengen Visa Letter | You will be required to present to the embassy/consulate an official letter stating that you have compliant insurance coverage as part of your Schengen visa application. We provide this letter instantly via email. |
| Available Custom Schengen Visa Letters | In case the embassy/consulate requires it, we can provide a custom Schengen visa insurance letter for your Schengen visa application. |
| Trip Interruption Coverage | In case you need to cut your trip short, trip interruption coverage can reimburse you for additional travel expenses and reimburse you for the unused portion of your covered travel expenses. |
Benefits of European Travel Insurance
Whether you’re required to purchase Schengen visa insurance or not in order to travel to Europe, the benefits of European travel insurance are numerous.
Your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be accepted or sufficient in Europe. This is where Europe travel insurance comes in. It provides valuable medical insurance coverage outside your home country. In addition, the emergency medical evacuation coverage offered by the plans we have available could save you upwards of $200,000 in the event of a medical emergency.
Since it’s impossible to predict when you might get injured or become sick while traveling, it’s important to be prepared for it with travel insurance for Europe.
Need more reason to buy Europe travel insurance from us? Take it from our Google reviews:
- We had a cruise trip in Europe this year. Our plane was tremendously delayed. We had to fly in the next day. Fortunately, we bought a travel insurance from Insubuy and tried to make a claim for the delay. Insubuy service gave us a great help for processing the claim. We really appreciate it. Definitely we are going to buy the travel insurance again from Insubuy for our next trip in the future. – Shaomin S.
- I had never purchased travel insurance before and wasn't sure how to go about it. They made it very simple, and I did not have to give any personal information over the phone. At the end of the call, I had the visa letter I needed, plus a coverage card to carry with me, and an account where I can access my information online. The service definitely surpassed my expectations (and I received my visa with no problem). – Pamela R.
- I'm a repeat customer and I love Insubuy. A very good friend of mine put me on. They're affordable and I’ve been using them for close to 5 years. Plus, it gives me and my family a sense of peace knowing that I'm covered during my travels. I highly recommend them. - Moe R.
Frequently Asked Questions About European Travel Insurance
Do you need travel insurance to travel Europe?
Yes, you need travel insurance for Europe if you are visiting any Schengen country on a Schengen visa. In fact, it is required as part of the Schengen visa application process. If you do not need a visa to visit your destination, travel health insurance is not required, but it is highly recommended.
Which insurance is best for Europe?
The best travel insurance for Europe depends upon the length of your trip, your destination, and what activities you plan to take part in. You can browse a vast selection of Europe travel insurance plans right here on our website to find the best coverage for your needs.
Does American health insurance work in Europe?
American health insurance doesn’t generally work in Europe because American-based health insurance companies have no way to pay medical providers outside the US. Travel medical insurance is essential for all American visitors to Europe because of this.
How Much Does Europe Travel Insurance Cost?
The cost of Europe travel insurance varies depending upon your trip length, destination, age, and a variety of other factors. Get free Europe travel insurance quotes to compare the prices of different plans.