For non-European nationals visiting or settling in Europe, personal insurance rules depend on how long you stay and why you enter. We help you choose the right type of cover for your visa and relocation.
Consulates and immigration offices do not accept one generic policy for every case. Short tourist stays, long-stay visas, study, work, and residency each have different insurance expectations.
Up to 90 days usually needs Schengen travel insurance. Longer stays need long-stay or incoming health cover for the full visa period.
Tourism, study, work, digital nomad, family reunion, or retirement visas often require different policy wording and certificates.
Portugal, Spain, Germany, France, and others apply local standards. Some reject simple travel policies for residence applications.
Your attestation must show your name, dates, Schengen or country validity, medical minimums, and repatriation where required.
Under EU Regulation (EC) 810/2009 — the Schengen Visa Code — short-stay (C) and long-stay (D) applicants must prove medical travel insurance covering the full stay. Member states use this to protect national health systems from emergency costs for foreign visitors.
Consulates reject policies that fail clear legal minimums: financial ceiling, Schengen-wide geographic scope, and explicit medical evacuation / repatriation wording.
Free credit-card “travel cover” often fails because it is under the €30,000 minimum, does not name the whole Schengen Area, or omits repatriation. Specialist insurers structure digital certificates to match consular checklists.
At least €30,000 for emergency medical care and surgery.
Valid across all Schengen countries (29), not only the first entry state.
Explicit medical evacuation and repatriation of remains — consulates rarely waive this clause.
For a Schengen C visa, EU rules generally require travel medical insurance with at least €30,000 medical cover, repatriation, validity across the Schengen Area, and cover for your full trip dates.
National long-stay visas (study, work, D7/D8, family, etc.) usually need stronger health cover for the full visa or residence period. A basic Schengen tourist policy is often not enough.
European consulates do not publish an official list of approved insurers. What matters is that your policy meets the legal requirements of the destination country — medical treatment, medical repatriation, required cover limits, and any country-specific conditions. The providers below are among the most widely used and accepted across the EU.
One of the most widely recognised insurers for Schengen consulates. Instant certificate, refund option if the visa is refused, and strong acceptance across Schengen posts.
Best for:
ACS offers plans aligned with tourist visas, study visas, long stays, and French visa files. Known for fair pricing and fast online certificates.
Best for:
Budget Schengen insurance with multilingual certificates, medical care and repatriation — popular with applicants from North Africa and Africa.
Best for:
Leading European travel insurer with comprehensive medical cover and 24/7 worldwide assistance.
Best for:
Broad product range covering travel insurance, international health insurance, and local programmes in several European countries.
Best for:
One of the best-known international health insurers for students, residents and digital nomads — accepted by many universities and immigration bodies in Europe.
Best for:
French specialist in student and resident health insurance, with affordable plans and solid cover.
Best for:
Premium international health insurance for expats, business owners, digital nomads and families relocating abroad.
Best for:
Luxury international health insurance with access to a wide hospital network and advanced medical benefits.
Best for:
Portugal’s largest private health insurance network, with access to leading private hospitals such as CUF, Hospital da Luz and Lusíadas.
Best for:
One of Portugal’s largest private health insurers, with a wide hospital and clinic network.
Best for:
One of the most used insurers for German visas and residence permits before joining the public health system.
Best for:
International health insurance for long-term residents in Germany and other European countries.
Best for:
Modern English-language platform helping foreign residents find health insurance that complies with German law.
Best for:
Spain’s largest private health insurer, widely accepted for study, work, residence and digital-nomad visas.
Best for:
One of Spain’s largest private medical networks with nationwide cover.
Best for:
Comprehensive health insurance with strong services for foreign residents in Spain.
Best for:
Italy’s largest insurer, offering health solutions for residents, foreigners and longer visitors.
Best for:
Specialised in health cover for migrants, international students and new residents before they join the Dutch public system.
Best for:
Widely used by Dutch universities for international students and exchange programmes.
Best for:
| Situation | Recommended provider |
|---|---|
| Schengen tourist visa | AXA Schengen |
| Budget Schengen visa | ACS or Chapka |
| France | ACS or APRIL International |
| Study in Europe | APRIL International or ACS |
| Living in Portugal | APRIL International, then Médis or Multicare after arrival |
| Living in Germany | Care Concept |
| Living in Spain | Sanitas |
| Living in Italy | Generali |
| Living in the Netherlands | OOM Insurance |
| Digital nomads | APRIL International or Cigna Global |
| Families | Allianz or Cigna Global |
| Best worldwide cover | Cigna Global or Bupa Global |
Below is a simplified guide of average prices (not official quotes). Cost varies by age, nationality, policy length, country and cover level. These figures give a general idea of the most common plans.
| Provider | Average price | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapka | €15–40 (short Schengen) | Among the cheapest; accepted by most Schengen consulates | Customer service weaker than big brands | Tourist visas and tight budgets |
| ACS | €20–50 (Schengen) / €25–60 per month (students) | Excellent value; strong acceptance especially in France | Hospital network smaller than global insurers | Tourism, study, France |
| AXA Schengen | €25–70 (Schengen) | Strong brand, high acceptance, visa-refusal refund | More expensive than ACS and Chapka | All Schengen tourist visas |
| Europ Assistance | €30–80 | Excellent worldwide emergency assistance | Higher than basic insurers | Frequent travel and families |
| APRIL International | €40–120 per month | Excellent for students, long stays and digital nomads | Some plans have waiting periods | Study and living in Europe |
| Care Concept | €35–90 per month | Among the most accepted in Germany | Germany-focused more than pan-Europe | Living and studying in Germany |
| Care Expatriate | €50–120 per month | Flexible cover for residents | Slightly pricier than Care Concept | Long-term residents |
| MGEN | €15–40 per month | Low student prices in France | France-focused | Students in France |
| Médis | €20–80 per month | Largest private hospital network in Portugal | Rarely used for visa filing from outside Portugal | Residents inside Portugal |
| Multicare | €30–90 per month | Wide network and strong service | Some plans cost more than Médis | Residents and families in Portugal |
| Sanitas | €40–90 per month | Spain’s best-known insurer; accepted for most stays | Most plans aimed at residents | Study and living in Spain |
| Adeslas | €35–80 per month | Huge medical network and competitive prices | Documents often in Spanish | Living and working in Spain |
| DKV | €35–90 per month | Good support for foreign residents | Less widespread than Sanitas | Residents in Spain |
| Generali | €40–100 per month | Historic brand and strong cover | Plans vary by region | Living in Italy |
| OOM Insurance | €45–110 per month | Specialised for students and migrants in NL | Netherlands-focused | Study and living in the Netherlands |
| Aon Student Insurance | €35–70 per month | Used by Dutch universities | Mainly student-oriented | Study in the Netherlands |
| Allianz | €60–180 per month | Strong global network and service | More expensive than most rivals | Families, executives, long stays |
| Cigna Global | €80–250 per month | Among the best international health insurers | High price | Residents, digital nomads, executives |
| Bupa Global | €100–300 per month | Top-tier worldwide medical cover | Usually the most expensive | Senior executives and families |
These prices are approximate averages for comparison only — not fixed offers. Insurers price policies by age, cover length, country and selected benefits.
We map your nationality, destination, stay length, and visa type to the insurance category you need.
We check that dates, medical limits, Schengen scope, and repatriation wording match consular expectations.
Insurance guidance sits alongside visas, documents, NIF/NIE, study, and jobs-in-Europe support.
This page is general guidance only, not insurance brokerage or legal advice. Policy acceptance depends on the consulate, country, and your personal file. Requirements and prices can change — always verify with the official website and your consulate.
Book a free consultation and we will help you match insurance type to your visa, destination, and stay length.
