60-second summary
What do you need to know about travelling to the Schengen area? Here’s a summary:
Non-EU citizens typically need a Schengen visa to travel to the Schengen area if staying for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period.
UK citizens don’t need a visa to visit the Schengen region for short stays, but travel insurance is still advisable.
UK passport holders visiting the Schengen area for more than 90 days will need a Schengen visa and travel insurance.
Travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical cover is required by EU law for anyone who needs a Schengen visa.
What is Schengen travel insurance?
Schengen travel insurance gives non-EU citizens travel and medical cover for the Schengen area in Europe.
Schengen travel insurance is a must for people who need a visa to enter the Schengen zone.
Under EU law, you’ll need a minimum of €30,000 medical cover for a Schengen visa.
Your travel insurance policy must be valid for all countries in the Schengen area. It must also cover the entire duration of your stay.
What is Schengen?
The Schengen area is a group of 29 countries where EU citizens can travel without border checks.
The countries that make up the Schengen area include 25 of the 27 EU member states:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Plus all members of the European Free Trade Association:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The UK, Ireland and Cyprus aren’t part of Schengen.
Do UK citizens need a Schengen travel visa?
UK citizens travelling to the Schengen area for 90 days or less in every 180 days, don’t need a Schengen visa.
UK passport holders who want to visit a Schengen country for more than 90 days out of 180 may need a Schengen visa. If so, they’ll also need travel insurance with up to €30,000 of medical cover.
But no matter how long you’re staying in Europe, it’s advisable to get travel insurance.
A GHIC alone will only cover limited medical costs. And it won’t cover you for repatriation, lost baggage or trip cancellation.
Future changes for travel to the EU and Schengen area
The EU is introducing some important changes, which will affect UK citizens travelling to and from the Schengen area.
EES
Between 12 October 2025 and 9 April 2026, the EU is phasing in a new Entry/Exit system (EES). It’ll work like this:
• The first time you enter or leave the Schengen area, you’ll have your fingerprints and photo taken
• These will be added to a digital record, which will remain valid for three years
• On subsequent trips to the Schengen area, your identity will be checked against your digital record.
As the new system is being introduced gradually, you might not notice a change straight away.
ETIAS
In late 2026, the EU plans to launch a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
Nationals from visa-exempt countries, including the UK, will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before traveling to the Schengen area.
To apply for an ETIAS, you’ll need to provide some personal information, your travel details and pay a €20 fee. Certain groups, including travellers under 18 and over 70, will be exempt from paying the fee.
The ETIAS application process will be completed online, and in most cases should only take a few minutes to be approved.
When do I need Schengen travel insurance to travel in Europe?
EU law requires anyone applying for a Schengen visa to have travel insurance. The European Commission website has a full list of who needs a Schengen visa.
But even if you don’t need travel insurance to enter the Schengen area, it’s still a good idea to have it.
Travel insurance can cover you for medical emergencies, and compensate you if your belongings are lost or stolen or if you have to cancel your trip.
Find out more about travel insurance for Europe.
What does Schengen travel insurance cover?
Schengen travel insurance should give you basic cover for all 29 Schengen countries, including:
Medical cover – to qualify for a Schengen visa, travellers must be covered for medical costs up to €30,000
Lost, stolen or damaged luggage and passports – covers damage to your personal belongings or travel documents
Cancellations and delays – if your holiday is cancelled, delayed or shortened, you could reclaim some expenses
Repatriation – covers the cost of getting you home if your airline goes under or you experience a medical emergency.
What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive.
But whatever happens, don’t lie to an insurance provider. Doing so could mean any claim you make is rejected.
When you declare any medical conditions on our website, we’ll only show you quotes from insurance providers who will cover them, with no exclusions.
If your condition is more serious, MoneyHelper has a directory of specialist insurance providers which may be able to provide quotes.
What doesn’t a travel insurance policy include?
There are a few things you might not be covered for. These typically include:
Pre-existing medical conditions that you’ve not mentioned
Injuries or accidents from high-risk adventure activities
Injuries or accidents while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
See more on what travel insurance will cover you for and what it won’t.
How do I apply for a Schengen travel visa?
To apply for a Schengen visa, you’ll need:
A completed visa application
A valid passport
Two identical passport photos
Your travel itinerary
Travel insurance covering up to €30,000 of medical costs.
A Schengen visa typically costs €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6-12.
Some countries have different requirements for Schengen visas. So always check with the consulate of the country (or countries) you’re planning to visit before you set off.
How much does Schengen travel insurance cost?
How much you pay for travel insurance to the Schengen area will depend on your age, where you’re going and how long you’re staying. It’ll also depend on how much cover you want.
Ready to kickstart your European adventure? Start comparing travel insurance with Compare the Market and get a quote in minutes.
FAQs
Do I need a Schengen visa if I’m transiting through a European airport?
Whether you need a Schengen airport transit visa will depend on your nationality. Citizens from certain countries will need a visa when travelling through international airports in some Schengen states.
What type of Schengen visa do I need?
What type of visa you need will depend on why you’re visiting the area.
If you’re only travelling through the airport, you may only need a transit visa. If you’re on holiday, or visiting family and friends, you may need a standard short-stay visa.
Journalists, students, and business travellers may need different types of visa.
Where do I apply for a Schengen visa?
You should apply for a Schengen visa at the consulate of the country you’re visiting. If you’re visiting multiple Schengen countries, you should apply to the consulate of the country you’ll be spending the most time in. If your stays will be of equal length, apply to the consulate of the first Schengen state you’ll be entering.
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With more than eight years’ experience in writing and sub-editing content, Karen started her career in fashion before making the move to insurance. She now specialises in producing clear, engaging content that helps people make better financial decisions.
Karen’s areas of expertise include insurance products, such as car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance, as well as utilities such as energy comparison.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
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