Planning to escape the blazing UAE summer and head for a holiday to an exotic destination in Europe? You should get acquainted with the Schengen visa and the basic medical coverage prerequisites first. These are standard mandatory requirements to enter a country within the Schengen zone.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know when planning your European adventure.

What is the Schengen zone?

The Schengen zone was created to manage the flow of merchandise and ease the movement of tourists from one European country to another. From a tourism perspective, the formation of a Schengen zone removed the need to apply for separate visas for each European country and made it incredibly convenient for tourists to plan a travel itinerary that included multiple destinations across the continent. It also eased visa controls at the national borders of the 26 member states.

[Related: Which travel insurance plan is right for you?]

Here’s a list of all the 26 nations that make up the Schengen territory:

Austria, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Finland, France, Malta, Greece, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Estonia, Iceland, Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland.

So when you arrive into one Schengen country, you will be able to move unrestricted through other member countries, without having to go through border customs all over again. 

If you are traveling to any of the Schengen member nations, you must meet a unified eligibility criteria for entering this zone.

The Schengen Visa 

The Schengen visa is a basic requirement for travelers headed to Europe for either business or leisure for a stay of 90 days or less. Among the standard requirements for procuring a Schengen visa (like a duly filled application form, proof of flight booking and accommodation, proof of financial means etc.) is another lesser known prerequisite – Proof of adequate medical insurance coverage.

Listed below are the requirements surrounding medical insurance for a Schengen visa:

  • A minimum insurance coverage worth EUR 30,000, equivalent to USD 50,000.
  • The insurance coverage must be valid across all Schengen states. It should also cover the full duration of your visit.
  • The insurance plan must cover all costs that may emerge as a result of medical evacuation, repatriation for medical purposes and emergency treatment, as well as repatriation of remains.

[Related: Is Travel Insurance Compulsory?]

How to meet the mandatory health insurance requirement

The above-mentioned medical insurance requirement applies to anybody visiting one or more Schengen countries – Individual tourists, groups of travelers, and business visitors.

Lucky for you, the basic level of health insurance coverage is easily accessible through tailor-made travel insurance plans, specifically offered for Schengen travel. In fact, you can also access all-inclusive medical benefits through premium travel insurance plans. Depending on your budget and duration of stay, you can find a travel insurance product that meets all your travel-related and health insurance requirements.

Additional requirements to keep in mind:

Make sure you carry a copy of your travel insurance policy document when you travel. Also keep the international helpline number of the insurance company handy at all times.

The Schengen visa travel insurance can be purchased online for a minimal cost. It is best to compare the products offered by multiple insurers to zero in on the one that best suits your needs.

Need help getting your Schengen travel insurance sorted? Souqalmal.com can help! Compare and purchase travel insurance from the leading insurers in the UAE. Click here to know more.