iTravelEurope
Home/Schengen visa insurance/India
India → Schengen

Schengen visa insurance from India: requirements and checklist

Before paying for a policy, make sure the certificate clearly demonstrates the medical coverage, repatriation, territory and period required by the Schengen visa rules—and then check the instructions for the consulate handling your application.

€30,000 minimumTravel medical insurance under Article 15
Repatriation includedMedical reasons or death
Schengen-wide validityFor the required travel period
Requirements reviewed October 2, 2026

The core Schengen insurance rule

Article 15 of the EU Visa Code requires applicants for a uniform visa to prove that they have adequate and valid travel medical insurance. The insurance must cover expenses connected with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death.

The same article says the insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the relevant Member States, cover the entire intended stay or transit and provide at least €30,000 of coverage.

EU Visa Code, Article 15 ↗Spain Embassy in New Delhi ↗

What to check on the certificate

Traveler nameUse the same spelling and order as the passport.
Medical limitThe certificate should make the minimum €30,000 coverage easy to identify.
RepatriationCheck that medical repatriation and the required death-related cover are included.
TerritoryConfirm the certificate is valid for the required Schengen/Member State territory.
DatesMatch the period required by your actual visa application and itinerary.
Insurer detailsKeep the policy number, emergency contact and insurer information with the application file.

Spain visa applications from India: a concrete example

The Embassy of Spain in New Delhi states that travel medical insurance must cover repatriation for medical reasons or death, urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area, with at least €30,000 of coverage. That is a useful example of how the Article 15 rule appears in a real consular checklist.

Do not assume every consulate presents the documents in exactly the same format. Always use the current checklist for the country and visa center handling your appointment.

Before you buy: four practical questions

  • Can the insurer issue a visa certificate immediately? You want a document you can actually submit.
  • What happens if the visa is refused? Read cancellation, refund and administrative-fee rules before paying.
  • Does the policy cover only medical visa requirements or the wider trip too? Baggage and cancellation may be separate benefits.
  • Are the travel dates final? Changing dates after issue may require an endorsement or a new certificate.
Do not buy from the headline alone. “Schengen insurance” in an advertisement is not proof that the certificate matches your application. Compare the actual certificate wording and your consulate checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How much Schengen travel medical insurance is required?

The minimum coverage under Article 15 is €30,000.

Must it cover the whole Schengen Area?

The Visa Code requires validity throughout the territory of the relevant Member States and for the entire intended stay or transit.

Should I buy before the visa decision?

Proof of insurance is part of the visa documentation, so applicants commonly need it before a decision. Check the policy's refund or cancellation terms in case the visa is refused.

Is the cheapest compliant policy automatically the best choice?

No. Visa compliance is one requirement. For the trip itself, compare medical limits above the minimum, assistance, exclusions, baggage and cancellation according to your needs.

Compare travel insurance