Travel Insurance for the Schengen Area
Planning a trip to Europe? You may need a Schengen visa, so read on to find out more and how World Nomads travel insurance can help.
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The Schengen Visa - what is it?
Back in 1995 a treaty was signed that created a common border between most countries in Europe. Back then, 26 countries signed on this. As of 2024, 29 countries are a part of it. This treaty is known as the Schengen Agreement and essentially it means that when you cross the border into one of these 29 countries, you’re in them all (that is, you're free to travel between these countries with no border controls and no passport checks). The only countries in Europe that are not part of this agreement are Cyprus and Ireland.
These 29 countries in the 'Schengen Area' also agreed on a common visa application form for visitors from outside the area. So if your travels are taking you to Europe you might need to apply for this 'Schengen visa'. We say 'might' because not everyone needs one...it all depends on where you're from and what countries you'll be visiting in Europe.
So what are the Schengen countries?
Here's the list of the 29 countries that are part of this Schengen Agreement (and all have the same visa):
A Austria B Belgium, Bulgaria C Croatia, Czech Republic D Denmark E Estonia F Finland, France G Germany, Greece H Hungary I Iceland, Italy L Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein M Malta N Netherlands, Norway P Poland, Portugal R Romania S Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Will you need a Schengen visa?
Whether you need a Schengen visa or not depends on your nationality.
If you are a US citizen with a US passport traveling to Schengen countries for business or tourism, you will not need a visa as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days within a six-month period.
But keep these conditions in mind:
- your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. Your airline may not let you board otherwise and/or you could be denied entry upon arrival in the Schengen Area .
- if you spend three months in the Schengen area during any six-month period, you must wait another three months from the last date of departure from the Schengen area before you can enter again without a visa.
- it's still highly recommended to keep your passport on you when you travel to a new country within the Schengen Area. While unlikely, officials could reinstate border controls without notice.
If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.
In all cases, make sure you get your passport stamped when you enter your first Schengen country, especially if you’re departing from a different one, because they’ll have no record of how you got in, or when, and you’ll have all sorts of questions to answer about being an illegal arrival.
Does World Nomads travel insurance meet the Schengen visa requirements?
Yes…it does!
If you are from one of the countries that requires a Schengen visa, you need to prove that you have adequate travel insurance that is valid for the entire period of your stay (or transit) in the Schengen area.
World Nomads travel insurance policies do provide this cover (in fact, they cover much more than the required EUR €30,000) and therefore it should be accepted as part of your Schengen visa application.
A true claims story
Never travel without insurance. This was the first time I ever purchased travel insurance and I am so glad I did. A few days into my trip to Spain I twisted my foot heading down to the metro. Thanks to World Nomads I was able to get medical attention in Spain and since, as luck would have it, I had a fracture that required surgery, they got me a flight home the next day. Filing a claim was surprisingly easy and when the claim was finally processed, I was reimbursed for all of my expenses including things like the extra week in the hotel I didn't get to take advantage of.
U.S. resident in Spain
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Protection
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
- Are you or your family sick, injured or dead?
- Natural disaster or terrorist attack where you’re going?
- Called to active service?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Standard Plan: $125,500
- Explorer Plan: $150,000
- Epic Plan: $250,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Need drugs quick?
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation
We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $400,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $700,000
- Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- You or a family member dies?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $3,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Go Pro Gone?
- Laptop Lost?
- Sports Gear Stolen?
Help starts here.
The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.
Protect your health
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuations
- Bedside Companion Travel
- Emergency Medications
Protect Your Trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
- Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
- Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)
Protect Your Stuff
- Baggage Delay
- Passport and Visa Loss
- Lost or Stolen Bags
- Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
- Baggage Return After Evacuation
Non-Insurance Services
- Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
- Translators Available
- Runway Health
- FootprintID
- Blue Ribbon Bags
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone:
+1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.