Having a Schengen Visa is a dream come true for a lot of people. A Schengen visa allows you to travel freely in 26 European countries without having to apply for entry and exit visas from each country.
Travel insurance for Schengen Visas in Nigeria is a brilliant insurance policy that will cover you from any irregularity that could happen during your trip to Europe. It mainly addresses fears of getting stuck in another country if you get refused entry; your documents getting lost or stolen by the embassy; or any other incident that may keep you from getting back home. I put together some tips on how to get travel insurance for Schengen visas in Nigeria.
You’ve probably seen the ‘Schengen Visa’ being thrown around all over the place. This name has been on everyone’s lips of late, ever since news broke out that Nigerians would no longer be given visas at UK Airports. A lot of people seem to think that the Schengen visa is only for those participating in a European tour, but this is not true. The Schengen visa allows any person with a valid passport or travel document (someone who is traveling from country to country) to enter and exit 23 countries within a period of up to 90 days within a six-month period through any of its designated border points.
Are you planning to travel to Europe and need a Schengen Visa?
Schengen visa is an entry permit that allows its holder to travel freely in the Schengen Area, which is comprised of 26 European countries. However, before applying for this visa, you must have a valid travel insurance policy with adequate coverage in place. If you don’t have one, you could be denied entry into the Schengen Area.
Touriago offers travel insurance plans that cover your trip to Europe, so you can apply for your Schengen Visa without worrying about being denied entry because of lack of adequate coverage. You can also make use of our medical assistance service if you get sick during your trip or get injured while sightseeing around Europe.
Travelling is an experience of a lifetime. It’s something that everyone should do at least once in their lives. However, travelling can be quite expensive and sometimes even dangerous if you don’t take the right precautions.
This is why it’s important to get travel insurance before you leave on your trip. Travel insurance is an agreement between you and the insurance company that will cover any unforeseen events or incidents that may happen during your travel.
Schengen visa insurance is one type of travel insurance that is often required by airlines when flying into Europe. In order for you to fly into Europe, you must have this type of insurance in case anything happens during your flight..
Medical travel insurance
Visa applicants are required to have medical travel insurance. It must cover any costs that may be incurred in connection with emergency medical aid, urgent hospital treatment or transport to the country of origin for medical reasons or in the event of death. The insurance has to cover the intended period of stay in the Schengen area according to article 15 and article 24, Schengen visa Code 810/2009.
The insurance is to cover costs totaling at least EUR 30 000 and be valid in all Schengen countries. The insurance has to cover the intended period of your stay in the Schengen area, according to article 15 and article 24, Schengen visa Code 810/2009. The mentioned requirements should clearly be stated in the insurance documents presented to the Embassy when submitting your application.
First of all you are obliged to arrange an insurance in Bangladesh. Under “Accepted providers”, there is a list of companies that offer insurance, approved by the local Schengen cooperation. Exemptions are although granted for some well-known insurance companies situated in the Schengen area, the Embassy retain the right to decide. You also have to show that the insurance is paid and valid.
When applying, you must be able to provide proof that you have medical travel insurance and your name should be mentioned in the insurance even if it is a group insurance. You should also take your insurance certificate with you during the trip since you may need to show it, e.g. at an entry checkpoint.
Failure to fulfill the mentioned requirements above will automatically result in dismissal.
Exemptions
Exempted from the medical insurance requirement are those who:
Travel with a diplomatic passport
Travel with an official passport with a Note Verbal
Apply for an airport transit visa
Are relatives of an EU citizen (other than Swedish), i.e. his/her
– husband or wife
– registered partner
– common law spouse
– children under 21 years of age
– older children who are financially dependent on their parents living in the Schengen area.
– parents who are financially dependent on their children living in the Schengen area.
Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements
Medical insurance for a Schengen visa must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum coverage of medical costs: at least 30,000 EUR (equivalent to 31,500 USD as of June 2022).
- It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area.
- Cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
Travel insurance companies Europ Assistance and AXA provide the mandatory insurance certificate required when applying for a Schengen visa.
Even though travel health insurance is worth having for all travellers to Europe, not everyone is required to have it. A travel insurance policy is a mandatory requirement only for travellers who need to apply for a Schengen visa. This group of travellers is always required to have the needed coverage for the entire period of their stay in Europe, regardless if they go there for business, tourism, studying, holidays, or other reasons.
Foreign travellers visiting Europe who enjoys visa-free travel to the Schengen zone can get their preferred travel insurance policy if they want to and while it is highly recommended – they are not required to.
Travel insurance plans Schengen Plus from Europ Assistance and Europe Travel from AXA not only provide the mandatory insurance certificate needed for a Schengen visa but also offer extended coverage wherever you travel in the Schengen area or in the EU. The countries covered include the Schengen area, plus EU countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus and Ireland.
Travel Insurance Is a Must When Applying for a Schengen Visa
Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:
“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries 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.
The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)
Who Must Purchase Travel Health Insurance for Europe?
Anyone travelling temporarily to Europe from a country that is subject to visa requirements, be it individual visitors or group visitors, tourists, or business travellers.
The Europe travel health insurance policy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance or AXA at a very low cost.
Who Provides Schengen Travel Insurance?
First and foremost, the health insurance policy that you might already possess through your employment contract might cover international medical emergency expenses, however, there are usually limitations to what is covered. Therefore, one shall be well aware of what to expect and what not to expect when having a medical issue in Schengen territory.
Usually, travellers purchase an individual Schengen travel insurance policy for the days planned to spend in Europe at the rightful insurance provider.
Make sure the company you choose is licensed and accepted in the Schengen country you are planning to travel to.
We recommend buying Schengen visa insurance from Europ Assistance or AXA. All these companies are accepted by European Embassies and Consulates worldwide. You can also cancel it free of charge if you present proof that your visa has been rejected.
How Much Does Schengen Insurance Cost?
Schengen travel insurance can be very affordable, with prices for a one-week insurance policy as low as €18 – €20. However, the cost of Schengen insurance ultimately depends on several factors – your age, how much coverage you want, the trip duration, as well as the specific insurance company.
- AXA Assistance
- Europ Assistance
Here are the insurance premiums from AXA Assistance.
| Duration of travel | AXA Low Cost (Schengen area only) | AXA Europe Travel (Extended protection, Schengen + EU countries) |
| up to 8 days | 20 EUR | 30 EUR |
| up to 16 days | 36 EUR | 55 EUR |
| up to 31 days | 56 EUR | 74 EUR |
| up to 45 days | 65 EUR | 103 EUR |
| up to 62 days | 73 EUR | 117 EUR |
| up to 90 days | 89 EUR | 152 EUR |
| up to 105 days | 110 EUR | 176 EUR |
| up to 180 days | 168 EUR | 271 EUR |
| up to 365 days | – | 298 EUR (AXA Schengen Multi Trip) |
Conclusion
It is indeed a very serious matter to travel abroad, especially if you are traveling under Schengen Visa, which requires the traveler to have a valid Travel Health Insurance. You need to see that you are covered for all the illness and health emergency for no extra cost in your Schengen Visa application. Besides this, insurers do not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions.