How to choose my Schengen visa insurance ?

Choosing the right insurance for you

When choosing insurance for your trip to the Schengen Area, it’s important to make sure your policy meets the minimum requirements needed to obtain a Schengen Visa, namely covering you in all 27 Schengen countries for medical and repatriation costs up to €30,000.

Luckily, AXA is here to do lots of the work for you by offering insurance specifically designed to help ensure you can get your Schengen Visa.

What does AXA offer?

AXA can help by providing you with Low Cost Schengen Area travel insurance that meets your visa requirements from as little as €22 per week - a fee that will cover you for medical expenses up to €30,000 in all Schengen countries. A certificate proving you are insured will be available immediately, meaning you can get on with your application.

AXA is the number one brand and offers assistance 24/7, as well as other options and tailor-made products. Other coverage available includes our Europe Travel insurance, costing €33 per week, or Schengen Multi Trip insurance, which is perfect for regular travelers and available for €328 for a year’s coverage.

Which insurance will be right for me?

If you are heading to the Schengen Area for a short trip without children, don’t have any expensive items with you in your luggage, and if you are looking for an option that is affordable, giving you as much money to spend during your stay, then you should consider a low-cost option. This type of insurance is also recommended if you are planning a holiday where much of your trip is taken care of for you, such as a package holiday - so there is less chance of mishaps occurring.

If you are traveling with children, then you may want to consider our Schengen Europe Travel Insurance as this covers children under 18 years old. If you are heading to a part of Europe that is more off the beaten track, or with a greater risk of crime, you may also want to take out this more comprehensive but slightly costlier insurance policy, as it will cover you for the loss of items like travel documents, glasses, and communication costs.

Taking out Schengen Europe Travel Insurance is also advised if you are planning to take part in dangerous activities such as skiing, mountaineering or trekking as this type of insurance covers you for medical and repatriation expenses up to €100,000. It also covers you for search and rescue costs up to €5,000. Both this and the Low Cost policies can be taken out as coverage for up to 180 days.

If you are a regular traveler to Europe, Multi Trip Insurance is a great option, costing €328 for a year’s coverage. This covers multiple trips of up to 90 days and has similar coverage to the Europe Travel Insurance - so is perfect for those who are frequent visitors to the continent, especially those wanting to travel with younger family members under 18 years of age.

What insurance do I need if I am going to travel outside the Schengen Area?

If you are traveling outside of the Schengen Area, then you may need to consider taking out a specific policy for your travel to that country in addition to your Schengen Visa insurance. However, if you are traveling to a country that is inside the European Union (EU) but outside the Schengen Area - like Ireland, Croatia or Cyprus - the Europe Travel or Multi Trip insurance can be used to provide you with coverage.

Does my age affect what policy I can choose?

AXA does not discriminate by age when offering its insurance policies - although those who think they may need coverage for large medical costs should they fall ill due to age or related health problems, should bear this in mind when selecting a policy.

Frequently asked questions about choosing travel insurance

Can I upgrade my Schengen travel insurance after I have purchased my policy?

Yes it is possible to upgrade or change certain aspects of your travel policy. But it may change the costs of your policy. You should do this by purchasing a new policy and requesting reimbursement for the cancelation of the old one.

Will my travel insurance fees be refunded if my visa is refused?

Yes. If your visa is refused AXA will refund your insurance fees - but you will need to provide documentation specifying the reason for refusal.

What happens if I give AXA the wrong information?

All the information you give us must be accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief, and it’s your responsibility to make sure that it’s updated if it changes. If it is not- your policy may be canceled or - in extreme deliberate cases- investigated for fraud.

Get Schengen insurance