If you plan to travel to the Schengen area, you must obtain a Schengen visa to enter most European countries. One of the mandatory requirements for obtaining a Schengen visa is travel insurance.
Travel insurance is designed to protect you financially and medically while you’re travelling, and it’s a crucial component of any international trip. This article will explore the Schengen visa requirements and explain why a dummy travel insurance for visa application is mandatory.
What Is A Schengen Visa?
A Schengen visa is a piece of paper that lets the holder enter, travel within, and leave the Schengen area. 26 European countries in the Schengen area no longer examine passports or other IDs at borders. With a Schengen visa, you can travel freely within the Schengen area without additional visas or documents.
The Schengen area includes popular tourist destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Greece. There are different types of Schengen visas, like short-stay visas (for up to 90 days) and long-stay visas (for more than 90 days), depending on the purpose of your visit.
What Is Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for a range of potential issues that can occur while you’re travelling internationally. It’s designed to protect you financially and medically during your trip in case of unexpected events or emergencies.
Travel insurance covers trip cancellations, aircraft delays, lost or stolen luggage, medical crises, and other travel-related difficulties. Depending on the policy and the insurance company, travel insurance can cover different things. Before buying a policy, it’s essential to read the terms and conditions carefully.
Travel insurance can be bought for a single trip or for multiple trips over a certain amount of time. The cost can vary depending on the length of your trip and how much coverage you need.
Schengen Visa Requirements
To obtain a Schengen visa, you must meet several requirements, which can vary depending on the country you’re visiting and the purpose of your trip. The following are some of the general requirements:
Travel Insurance
As mentioned, travel insurance is mandatory for obtaining a Schengen visa. The insurance must cover the entire duration of your trip and provide a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses, hospitalisation, and repatriation. for visa related issues click here
Valid Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area, and it must have at least two blank pages.
Completed Application Form
You must complete and sign the Schengen visa application form and provide all required documents.
Proof Of Travel Arrangements
You must provide proof of travel arrangements, such as flight reservations and hotel bookings.
Proof Of Financial Means
You must show enough money to support yourself in the Schengen area. This can be done with bank statements or letters from sponsors.
Purpose Of Visit
You must provide a clear and detailed explanation of the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, or study.
Can You Get A Schengen Visa Without Travel Insurance?
In general, obtaining a Schengen visa with travel insurance is possible. Your application for a Schengen visa may be turned down if you don’t have proof of travel insurance for your entire stay. The Schengen visa insurance requirement protects passengers and host nations from medical emergencies and other travel-related costs.
But there may be a few cases where you don’t need travel insurance, like if you have a diplomatic or official visa. Some nations enable applicants to furnish alternative coverage that meets travel insurance minimums.
Read Also: A Complete Guide About 4 Main Types Of Schengen Visa
It’s essential to check the specific requirements of the country you’re going to and the type of visa you’re applying for to ensure you have all the necessary documents and meet all the requirements.