The wrong travel insurance for a Schengen visa that does not meet the embassy policies can lead to lost money, wasted time, and visa application rejection. Every Schengen visa applicant must obtain travel insurance that meets specific embassy standards.
By the end of this guide, you will know exactly what Schengen travel insurance is, who needs it, what it must cover, how much it costs, and where to buy a compliant policy.
Key Takeaways
- Schengen travel insurance requires a minimum of €30,000 medical coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, repatriation, ambulance, and death expenses, valid across all Schengen countries for your full stay.
- Mandatory for Type C visa applicants (tourism/business), transit, or multiple entries; Type D national visas follow country-specific rules.
- Costs ₦1,500–₦2,300/day in Nigeria (e.g., ₦12k–22k/week), varying by age, trip length, coverage level, policy type, provider, and travelers.
- Buy from local Nigerian firms like Leadway Assurance (leadway.com) or AIICO Insurance (aiicoplc.com) for embassy-approved policies with instant certificates.
- Non-compliant insurance causes visa rejection.
What is a Schengen travel insurance?
A Schengen travel insurance is a mandatory medical/health insurance designed for visa applicants to meet the standards set by the Schengen area.
It was created to protect visitors from unforeseen medical emergencies, and it must be valid throughout all Schengen area countries and cover the entire duration of the trip.
Although the medical coverage of at least €30,000 is compulsory, coverages like trip cancellation/interruption, lost or stolen luggage compensation, flight delay coverage, and civil liability coverage are optional.
Who needs a Schengen travel insurance?
Any non-European (Nigerian) applying for a Schengen visa needs a Schengen travel insurance; it is mandatory. Without valid Schengen travel insurance, your visa will not be processed.
Specifically, you need Schengen visa travel insurance if you are applying for any of these types of Schengen visa:
- Applying for a Type C Schengen visa for tourism, business, family visits, or medical travel
- A transit visa applicant passing through a Schengen country en route to another destination
- As a multiple-entry visa holder, your insurance must cover each trip you make within the visa’s validity period.
Note:
If you are applying for a national (Type D) visa for study, work, or residence, insurance requirements are set by the individual country, not the Schengen agreement.
What are the Benefits of Schengen travel insurance
The benefits of a valid Schengen travel insurance include:
- Medical Expenses: it covers hospital stays and bills, outpatient care, and unexpected illness or accident treatment.
- Medical repatriation: if you fall seriously ill or get badly injured while in Europe and need to be transported back to Nigeria for further treatment, your insurance covers the cost of that medical evacuation and transport home.
- Repatriation of remains: if you die while abroad, your insurance covers the cost of transporting your body back to Nigeria for burial.
- Compliance with Schengen visa requirements: the Schengen travel insurance is mandatory for the Schengen visa application process. It shows the embassy that you have made arrangements for any unexpected circumstances.
- Trip cancellation/interruption: for unforeseen circumstances like death or illness, a Schengen travel insurance provides coverage. This coverage is not mandatory.
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Schengen travel insurance requirement
Just as there are requirements for a Schengen visa, there are also requirements your Schengen travel insurance must meet. Here are the Schengen visa health insurance requirements:
- Minimum of €30,000 for medical coverage
- Must be valid for the entire period of stay
- Be valid in all Schengen regions
- Official letter from the insurance provider stating that the insurance policy meets the requirements.
- Multiple-entry visas are required to sign a declaration stating that for every subsequent visit, they will have valid insurance.
What Expenses Does Schengen Travel Insurance Cover?
The mandatory Schengen travel insurance policy of up to at least €30,000 typically covers medical expenses like:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Medical evacuation/repatriation
- Death-related expenses
- Prescription medications
- Ambulance services
How much is travel insurance for a Schengen visa in Nigeria?
When you purchase Schengen travel insurance, you pay a premium, a small fee charged by the insurance company in exchange for financial protection during your trip.
The premium paid for Schengen travel insurance in Nigeria varies due to different factors, but the general price ranges from:
₦1,500 – ₦2,300 per day,
₦12,000 – ₦22,000 per week,
₦22,000 – ₦45,000 for two weeks
and ₦45,000 – ₦67,000 for up to 30 days.
Factors that affect the cost of Schengen travel insurance in Nigeria
|
Factor |
How It Affects the Cost of Schengen Travel Insurance |
|
Age of the Traveler |
Older travelers pay higher premiums due to increased health risks |
|
Duration of Trip |
The longer the trip, the higher the premium |
|
Level of Coverage |
Higher coverage limits beyond the minimum of €30,000 attract higher costs |
|
Type of Policy |
A single-trip policy is cheaper than an annual multi-trip policy |
|
Insurance Provider |
Nigerian providers may price differently from international providers |
|
Number of Travelers |
Group or family policies may cost more but offer better value per person |
Where to buy Schengen travel insurance in Nigeria
The following companies provide up to €30,000 Schengen insurance coverage:
- Leadway Assurance is a leading Nigerian insurance company offering affordable travel insurance plans that cover emergency medical expenses and repatriation of up to €30,000, ideal for Nigerians applying for a Schengen visa.
- Office Address: 121/123 Funso Williams Avenue, Iponri, Surulere, Lagos(Corporate Office), and NN 28/29 Constitution Road, Kaduna (Registered Office)
- Phone 📞: 02-012800700 | 07080627000 | +2347019391747
- Email:📧 insure@leadway.com
- Website: Leadway
- AIICO Insurance is also a Nigerian insurer offering travel insurance plans in partnership with Axa Assistance Maroc, recognized and accepted at all Schengen and non-Schengen embassies worldwide.
- Office Address: Plot PC 12, Churchgate Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Phone📞: 0201 279 2930 | 0700 2442 6682 28 | 0809 033 5125
- email📧: aiicontact@aiicoplc.com
- Website: AIICO Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you must have a valid Schengen travel insurance that covers all Schengen areas to apply for a Schengen visa.
Yes, travel insurance is a requirement to travel to Europe
The price ranges from ₦1,500–₦2,300 per day, ₦12,000–₦22,000 per week,₦22,000–₦45,000 for two weeks, and ₦45,000–₦67,000 for up to 30 days.
Yes, you can get travel insurance that covers up to a 3-month stay.
You can get travel insurance for a Schengen visa to France from Leadway Assurance or AIICO Insurance.
Conclusion
Getting a Schengen travel insurance is not optional; it is a major criterion for a successful Schengen visa application. You can pay for a premium that matches your period of stay, and factors like age and insurance company affect the Schengen travel insurance price.
Your Schengen travel insurance must meet the standard requirements; reach out to Visa.NG to ensure you meet all the required standards.
